GREENEVILLE – Tusculum University’s master’s programs for the teaching profession, which provide a convenient pathway for individuals to become certified or advance their skills, have earned an excellent ranking from an online resource.
Dexter Lim, an education professor at Tusculum, hoods a Master of Arts in Education graduate.
MastersinEducation.org recently chose these graduate programs No. 2 in a list of the best ones in the state. The ranking applies to the university’s Master of Arts in Education and Master of Arts in Teaching at multiple grade levels as well as special education. This online website based its results on factors such as quality, affordability and outcomes.
“We are pleased to see this external validation of these outstanding master’s programs,” said Dr. Miriam Stroder, assistant dean of Tusculum’s Education Division. “Our master’s programs are well-designed and strengthen the caliber of teaching in school districts and the skill sets of instructors in multiple subject areas. The knowledge our students gain through our degree programs enables them to achieve their calling and purpose and make a difference in the profession.”
In its analysis of Tusculum, MasterinEducation.org highlighted assets such as an emphasis on advanced teaching techniques, problem-solving and extensive clinical classroom experiences. Other benefits of the master’s degrees are inclusive learning environments, intervention strategies, collaborative teaching approaches and classroom management skills.
The Master of Arts in Teaching is ideal for individuals who obtained a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education. As they have progressed in their careers, they might find they enjoy the subject matter in which they have been working but feel the call to move into teaching that material in the classroom instead. Others might have discovered the need to change the direction of their careers by becoming a teacher in an entirely different field.
Through this degree, master’s students will become eligible to achieve certification as a teacher. Options for licensure are elementary education K-5, secondary education 6-12, job-embedded elementary education K-5, job-embedded secondary education 6-12 and job-embedded K-12 and 6-12.
This is the badge for the ranking.
The Master of Arts in Education is an excellent avenue for those who already hold a teaching license and are looking to take their education career to another level. They will obtain advanced analytical, critical thinking and decision-making skills that will benefit them as they progress in their careers. Among the benefits are developing the knowledge to improve curriculum and service delivery in a variety of learning environments.
Tusculum also provides the support for teachers who want to impact the lives of children with special needs. This is a major teaching need in the region and across the state, and the university provides special education endorsements as an option for students who pursue a Master of Arts in Education. Courses provide the gateway for students to earn two endorsements – comprehensive K-12 and interventionist K-8. The comprehensive route assists students with low-incidence disabilities, while the interventionist path serves students with high-incidence disabilities.
All of these programs are online, but the MAT program includes three Zoom sessions per course in which all students participate at the same time.
Tusculum’s master’s degree programs have attracted students throughout East Tennessee and other locations and resulted in hirings and professional growth in local school districts.
Dr. David Cook
Dr. Miriam Stroder
“Tusculum is pleased to contribute to the strength of education in the K-12 school systems throughout the state and especially in our region,” said Dr. David Cook, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “Our professors are excellent mentors who provide that one-on-one attention that is so vital to a successful academic experience. We are proud of our faculty members, our students and our graduates, who are profoundly and positively influencing classroom instruction in Tennessee.”
The goal of MastersinEducation.org is to simplify a person’s decision-making process by offering detailed resources that clearly outline degree options, career pathways, certification requirements and trends in education. The website provides the essential tools, insights and expert advice to support a potential master’s student’s journey.
One can view the rankings and methodology at https://mastersineducation.org/schools/tennessee/#show.
To learn more about Tusculum Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Arts in Education and the special education endorsements and to apply, please visit www.tusculum.edu.