Education, M.Ed.

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) at Lake Erie College is designed for practicing educators and professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge and advance their careers in teaching, leadership, and specialized areas of educational practice. All coursework is delivered in a fully online format, offering the flexibility needed by working professionals to balance graduate study with personal and professional responsibilities.

This 32 to 36-semester hour graduate program provides students with a strong foundation in educational theory, research-based practice, and data-driven decision making, while also offering the opportunity to specialize in areas of high demand through one of the following concentrations:

Science of Reading (Reading Endorsement eligible)
Athletic Coaching
Special Education (Mild to Moderate Intervention Specialist license eligible)
Computer Science (Computer Science Endorsement eligible)
TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement eligible)

Each concentration includes focused coursework aligned to national and state standards, preparing candidates for licensure, endorsement, or certification where applicable.

The M.Ed. program is offered 100% online. Courses are asynchronous, allowing students to complete weekly modules at their own pace within structured deadlines. Faculty provide ongoing support, regular feedback, and opportunities for optional synchronous engagement such as office hours, discussion groups, or virtual workshops.

Required graduate courses are taught at least once per year so that dedicated students can complete their degree within two years. Summer school is essential if students are to finish in a timely manner. Students have a maximum of seven (7) years to complete their degrees. This is seven years from the date of the first course accepted to the program to the last course taken to complete the degree.

Master of Education Admissions Criteria:

Undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
A satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination is required for all applicants with less than a 3.00 grade point average in their undergraduate work. A verbal score of 440 and quantitative score of 500 is required.
Hold or be eligible for any teaching certificate or license issued by the Ohio Department of Education (except for coaching track)

Transfer Credits M.Ed.

At the time of application as a degree-seeking student to the M.Ed. program, a student may request approval to transfer up to six (6) credits of graduate study from an accredited institution of higher education.

Consideration for transfer credit to meet core requirements will be based upon work in equivalent courses to those required. Elective transfer credit may be accepted when approved by the Dean of Education.

Credits will be accepted that allow the student to complete the program in 7 (seven) years from the first class taken
Only credits in which a grade of “B” or better has been earned will be considered for transfer
Only recognized comparable catalog coursework will be accepted from other institutions

Reading Endorsement Transfer credit

Students who have completed a Reading Endorsement at another institution may transfer a maximum of twelve (12) credits in which a grade of “B” or better has been earned into the M.Ed. program. The credits must be evaluated and approved at the time of admission and must be aligned to the Science of Reading - credits will not be accepted retroactively.

The M.Ed. Curriculum

Core (Required) Courses (12 SH):

EDM 500 - Research for the Professional Educator Semester Hour(s): 3
EDM 501 - Contemporary Issues in American Education Semester Hour(s): 3
EDM 517 - Models of Effective Teaching and Planning Semester Hour(s): 3
EDM 564 - Capstone Seminar Semester Hour(s): 3

And a Required Concentration:

Coaching Concentration (21 SH)

EMC 520 - Creating Community: Maximizing Social Benefits in the Sport Environment Semester Hour(s): 3
EMC 521 - Coaching Ethics and Leadership Semester Hour(s): 3
EMC 522 - Coaching Better: Facilitating Sport Skill Acquisition & Developmentally Appropriate Training Programs Semester Hour(s): 3
EMC 523 - Whole Athlete Development: Off the Field Elements for Athletic Success Semester Hour(s): 3
EMC 524 - Safety Training for Coaches Semester Hour(s): 3
EMC 525 - Administration & Evaluation of Sport Programs Semester Hour(s): 3
EMC 526 - Coaching, Teaching & Team Development Semester Hour(s): 3

Science of Reading Concentration (21-24 SH)

EMR 501 - Theory and Practice in Reading Semester Hour(s): 3
EMR 502 - Reading Strategies and Curriculum Semester Hour(s): 3
EMR 503 - Assessment in Reading Instruction Semester Hour(s): 3
EMR 504 - Socio-Cultural Factors in Literacy Semester Hour(s): 3
EMR 505 - Phonics Semester Hour(s): 3 *Only required if student has not taken as part of initial licensure requirement
EMR 512 - Professional Development and Field Research Semester Hour(s): 3
EDM 511 - Adolescent Literature Semester Hour(s): 3
EDM 512 - Critical Analysis of Children’s Literature Semester Hour(s): 3

Special Education (21 SH)

And an Elective chosen from any other Masters level concentration in the Education Department (3 SH)
EMS 550 - Introduction to Mild to Moderate Intervention Semester Hour(s): 3
EMS 551 - Evidenced Based Strategies Semester Hour(s): 3
EMS 552 - Assessment and Data Based Interventions Semester Hour(s): 3
EMS 553 - Curriculum Planning and Strategies for Mild to Moderate Disabilities Semester Hour(s): 3
EMS 554 - Positive Behavior Supports and Intervention Semester Hour(s): 3
EMS 555 - Collaboration with Families and Professionals Semester Hour(s): 3
And an Elective from any other Masters level concentration in the Education Department (3 SH)

TESOL

EML 501 - Sociocultural Awareness in the Classroom Semester Hour(s): 3
EML 502 - Second Language Acquisition and Development Semester Hour(s): 3
EML 503 - Methods and Materials for Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages Semester Hour(s): 3
EML 504 - Linguistics Semester Hour(s): 3
EML 505 - Assessment and Evaluation Semester Hour(s): 3
EML 512 - TESOL Practicum and Seminar Semester Hour(s): 3

Computer Science

ECM 501 - Programming and Algorithms I Semester Hour(s): 4
ECM 502 - Programming and Algorithms II Semester Hour(s): 4
ECM 503 - Computing Systems, Networks and the Internet Semester Hour(s): 4
ECM 520 - Technology and Social Value Semester Hour(s): 3
ECM 560 - Computer Science Practicum Semester Hour(s): 2

Graduation Requirements

Complete the specific course requirements of the M.Ed. program
Earn a minimum grade point average of 3.00
Complete all requirements for the M.Ed. program within 7 years of the first course in the program
Culminate the graduate program by successfully completing a thesis or capstone project

Research Master’s Thesis

The master’s thesis/capstone experience is the culminating project toward a Master of Education Degree. It provides the culminating experience for students and allows each individual to meaningfully and personally explore the relationship between theory, practice and educational inquiry. In many ways, this should be seen not as the culmination but as a continuation of one’s scholarly and professional development process. It is also important to recognize that this means a continuation and redefinition of one’s relationship with the faculty in the School of Education. While the thesis is central to the completion of the Master of Education Guidelines for the master’s thesis will be provided in EDM 500, Research for the Professional Educator. A proposal, developed in EDM 500, must be submitted according to the Lake Erie College format. The education committee accepts or rejects the proposal. Full details of this requirement are found in the School of Education Graduate Handbook.

Students are required to present and defend their research findings to the education faculty committee for successful completion of the Master of Education.