FAQ
GOAL OF THE PROGRAM
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
M.S.Ed. SCHEDULE OF COURSES
REQUEST INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What educational and/or professional experience do I need to have to pursue my M.S.Ed. degree at Saint Thomas Aquinas College? 

In order to be admitted to the M.S.Ed. program at STAC, you need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, a certificate in teaching or in pupil personnel services, and a minimum of three years teaching experience and/or pupil personnel services

2. How long does it take to complete the program? 

The M.S.Ed. degree requires a total of 30 credits and can be completed in 14 months. Courses are scheduled at convenient times, including weekends, to meet the needs of professional educators.

3. How do I obtain a waiver from a core course?

A request for course waiver must be submitted to the Admissions Office. Preferably this is submitted at the time of application to the M.S.Ed. program and must be completed by the end of the first semester of attendance. Additional details may be found in the Saint Thomas Aquinas College Graduate Bulletin.

4. May I transfer credits form another M.S.Ed. Program?

A maximum of 6 graduate transfer credits may be accepted for courses comparable to a STAC course.

5. When does the program start?

Sessions begin in the month of July.

6. What is the format for instructional delivery and when do classes meet?

Candidates for the Masters of Science Degree in Educational Leadership will follow a program that consists of attending classes, attending large group seminars, participating in group activities and conducting independent research. The following schedule will serve as an overview of the format of delivery.

Pre-Course Seminar

Candidates will attend a seminar prior to each course to obtain course outline, formulate groups, collect texts and get an introduction to the course objectives and assignments. At this seminar the cohort will be divided into small learning communities. A group leader will be selected from each community and that person will communicate on a regular basis with the course professor with regard to the progress of the group. During the three week period between the pre-course seminar and regular class sessions, candidates will engage in independent study of assigned readings to better prepare them for participation and contribution in regular class sessions. The candidates will complete a minimum of ten hours of independent study under the auspices of the professor for the course. The professor will hold regular office hours for the course during the three week independent study period and will be available for individual or small group meetings. Candidates will be encouraged to communicate regularly via email with the course professor.

Class Times

During the summer sessions, each course will meet twice a week Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each class session will run for 3 hours and 30 minutes excluding a break. Classes will meet four days a week, Monday through Thursday.

During fall and spring semesters, classes will be scheduled on every other Saturday; each class session 3 hours and 30 minutes excluding a break.

This innovative format of instructional delivery was designed to meet the needs of adult learners who are educators in the field. The three week self-study period, supported by a program faculty member, was specifically built in to develop independent thinking, initiative, sense of responsibility, and life long learning. These dispositions are deemed critical for effective school building leaders.

7. What is the tuition for the M.S.Ed. program? 

The tuition costs of a 3-credit graduate course for the 2006-07 academic year are $1,830.00. Applicants who hold an undergraduate degree from St. Thomas Aquinas College are eligible for a 10% tuition discount. Contact the STAC graduate education office at (845) 398-4150 for more information.

8. How do I apply to the M.S.Ed program? 

You may apply to the M.S.Ed. program by contacting the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid to obtain an application packet. Applicants should submit all information one month prior to the start of the next class section. Generally, students are required to have:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale (The Division of Teacher Education reserves the right to require GRE scores from promising candidates with a GPA of 2.7 to 2.9); Submit copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts  
• A certificate in teaching or in pupil personnel services
• Minimum of three years teaching experience and/or pupil personnel services
• Proof of two hour workshop each on Child Abuse and School Violence Prevention

In addition, applicants must present a recommendation letter from a principal or supervisor with a commitment in writing to

• Provide the candidate time to perform the competencies described in the program.
• Make the resources and personnel of the school available to facilitate a meaningful internship experience.
• Agree to provide necessary supervision and evaluation of the candidate.

9. If I still have questions, whom can I call? 

You may contact Dr. Robert Searson, Director of Graduate Education at (845) 398-4077 or by e-mail at rsearson@stac.edu

Graduate Education Office
(845) 398-4150

Office of Graduate Admissions
Steve Quinn
(845) 398-4105