Master of Arts in Educational Technology

Advisors:
George Haus, Tracy DuBay, Robert Leneway
Room 3506, Sangren Hall

The Master of Arts in Educational Technology is designed to prepare educators for the integration of educational technology into academic programs of kindergarten through 12th grade schools. The degree program prepares educators for various school-based technology roles, including technology coordinators, technology instructional consultants/teachers, and special education technology consultants/teachers.

A majority of the courses in the Master of Arts in Educational Technology are offered via Extended University Program’s distance education program means that include two-way video classes, Internet conferencing, and other online teaching/learning methods. Other courses will be offered as residential courses taught in traditional computer labs and classrooms at Western’s Kalamazoo campus as well as at various regional centers located in southwestern Michigan. Students should be prepared to handle distance education instruction that often requires more independent work, self-direction, and the meeting of course deadlines outside of regular classroom meetings. Students will also need to have mastered basic computer communications systems, including email, use of listservs, web browsing, and submission of assignments via file transfer procedures. An online application and additional information can be found at http://www.wmich.edu/Edtech

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements of The Graduate College, all applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree in education or a related field, provide a statement outlining technology skills and background, career goals, and educational philosophy (1,000 words). Admission decisions will be made by program faculty after review of admission materials.

Program Requirements

Students will complete a planned program of study consisting of 30-33 credit hours of course work with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better. The degree course work requires a fifteen credit hour Major Technology Core selected from one of two approved Technology Core Areas: Technology Coordinator or Special Education Technology. Students will select the Major Technology Core with the approval of an academic advisor. The course work also requires a nine hour Minor Technology Elective Core that is related to the career goals of the student and approved by an academic advisor. The minor core must be different from the major core and have at least two of the three courses at the 600-level.

I. Major Technology Core (15 hrs.)

Select 15 hours from either Option A or Option B.

Option A: Technology Coordinator

Option B: Special Education Technology

SPED 5370 - Technology in Special Education Credits: 3 hrs.
SPED 6010 - Acquisition and Analysis of Special Education Information Credits: 3 hrs.
SPED 6800 - Instructional Software in Special Education Credits: 3 hrs.
SPED 6810 - Assistive Technology for Persons with Physical, Sensory, and Cognitive Impairments Credits: 3 hrs.
SPED 6820 - Current Research in Special Education Technology Credits: 3 hrs.
SPED 7120 - Professional Field Experience Credits: 2-12 hrs.

II. Technology Minor Elective Core (9 hrs.)

Select 9 hours of elective courses related to the technology career goals of the student and approved by an academic advisor.

One 5000- or 6000-level course (3 hrs.)
One 6000-level course (3 hrs.)
One 6000-level course (3 hrs.)

III. Educational Research (3 hrs.)

EMR 6400 - Fundamentals of Evaluation, Measurement, and Research Credits: 3 hrs.
or course equivalent to EMR 6400

IV. Culminating Learning Activity (3 or 6 hrs.)

The culminating learning activity allows students to demonstrate their comprehensive knowledge of educational technology in either a research study or in the development of a curriculum or instructional technology product. Students seeking advanced degrees beyond the master’s level are encouraged to complete a master’s thesis. Other students will elect the capstone course with an advisor-approved technology research, application, or curriculum development project that includes a minimum of 120 hours of effort.

Select one of the two courses below.