Graduate Studies

Educational Goals

The graduate educational programs of Concord University are designed to foster advanced skills, knowledge, and attitudes applicable to each program of study.

Skills: Demonstrate advanced skills in a student's respective program of study.
Knowledge: Demonstrate advanced knowledge in a student's respective program of study.
Attitude: Demonstrate advanced ethical principles in a student's respective program of study.

Masters Programs of Study include:

Certificate Only Programs include:

Three certificate programs are offered for students who possess a Master's degree in an education-related field:

Educational Leadership and Supervision Certificate Program (PreK- Adult)
A total of 18 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00 is required. Courses include:
EDEL 500 Public School Administration (3)
EDEL 550 Action Research/Internship I (3)
EDEL 560 Action Research/Internship II (3)
EDEL 570 Organization and Management of Public Schools (3)
EDEL 580 Public School Law (3)
EDEL 590 School and Community Relations (3)
Note:
All candidates seeking an endorsement from WVBOE in Educational Leadership are required to pass PRAXIS II: Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision content assessment test prior to program completion. Education leadership candidates must receive a letter of recommendation from an educational administrator (such as as principal, supervisor, director, or superintendent) supporting their admission to the program. Candidates must also be employed by a K-12 school system each semester that they are enrolled in education leadership courses.
Reading Specialist Certificate Program (PreK-Adult)
A total of 24 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00 is required. Courses include:
RDNG 510 Foundational, Historical and Contemporary Roles of the Reading Specialist (3)
RDNG 520 Reading and Writing in Content Areas (3)
RDNG 525 Literacy Research and Instruction for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students (3)
RDNG 530 Reading Assessment (3)
RDNG 550 Reading and Language Arts Instruction in the 21st Century (3)
RDNG 560 Action Research in Reading Education (3)
RDNG 570 Reading Practicum (6)
Note:
All candidates seeking an endorsement from WVBOE as a Reading Specialist are required to pass Praxis II: Reading Specialist content assessment test prior to program completion.
Special Education (Multi-categorical) Certificate Program - Excluding Autism
A total of 21 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00 is required. Courses include:
SPED 503 Legal and Historical Foundations of Special Education (3)
SPED 505 Assessment of Individuals with Disabilities (3)
SPED 510 Teaching Reading to Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3)
SPED 512 Reading Strategies for the Inclusive Content Classroom (3)
SPED 518 Positive Behavior Support (PBS) (3)
SPED 525 Strategies for the Inclusive Mathematics Classroom (3)
SPED 555 Advanced Methods/Strategies for Special Education (3)
Note:
All candidates seeking an endorsement from WVDOE for Special Education (Multi-categorical) are required to pass the PRAXIS II: Multi-categorical Special Education (BD excluding Autism, MD, SLD) Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications (#5543) prior to program completion. Candidates who already hold a master's degree from an accredited institution and teacher certification/licensure may pursue a content specialization in multi-categorical education by completing the 21 hours of pedagogy.
Special Education (Multi-categorical) Certificate Program - Including Autism
A total of 27 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00 is required. Courses include:
SPED 503 Legal and Historical Foundations of Special Education (3)
SPED 505 Assessment of Individuals with Disabilities (3)
SPED 510 Teaching Reading to Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3)
SPED 512 Reading Strategies for the Inclusive Content Classroom (3)
SPED 518 Positive Behavior Support (PBS) (3)
SPED 525 Strategies for the Inclusive Mathematics Classroom (3)
SPED 555 Advanced Methods/Strategies for Special Education (3)
SPED 515 Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (3)
SPED 516 Methods for Teaching Students with Autism (3)
Note:
All candidates seeking an endorsement from WVDOE for Autism are required to hold a Multi-categorical endorsement/certification.

Academic Standing

To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must maintain a 3.00 or better cumulative GPA. Any student falling below the graduate cumulative GPA requirement of 3.00 will be placed on Graduate Academic Probation (G1). If the student fails to earn a GPA of 3.00 or better in their next graduate semester of enrollment, they will be academically dismissed (G3-Graduate Academic Dismissal) from the University. Any graduate student academically dismissed has the option to set out the designated semester of suspension or to appeal their academic suspension and/or financial aid ineligibility to the University's Appeals Committee. If the Appeals Committee agrees to academically reinstate the student for an additional semester, the student will be classified as graduate probation by approval (G4-Graduate Probation by Approval). If a student placed on academic probation meets the minimum semester GPA requirement (3.00) during their next semester of enrollment but fails to increase their overall cumulative GPA to 3.00, he/she will be academically eligible to return the next semester on continued academic probation (G2-Graduate Continued Probation). If a student increases his/her cumulative GPA to 3.00 or better, after being placed on graduate academic probation, he/she will be removed from graduate probation (G0-Graduate Probation Removed).

Financial Aid Eligibility

Financial aid is available for most graduate level students who carry at least six (6) credit hours during a semester of enrollment at Concord University. Nine (9) credit hours are considered a full-time load at the graduate level. Students must be enrolled in courses that apply directly to their program of study in order to qualify for financial aid. Students enrolled in Certificate Only programs of study are ineligible for financial aid. Students are evaluated at the end of every academic term. All students are evaluated on three standards: (1) grade point average (qualitative measure), (2) credit hour completion ratio (quantitative measure), and (3) maximum time frame. To maintain eligibility under SAP, students must meet all three standards. The Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP) is available on the University's website. Students who fail to make academic progress during a semester of enrollment may become subject to the Federal Unofficial Withdrawal Policy. This policy is may be viewed in detail at the following link: Withdrawal from the University .

Tuition Reduction Program* (M ED Program Only)

Concord University offers a discounted rate to eligible teachers employed in select counties. Full-time teachers in Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer, McDowell, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, Wyoming Counties in West Virginia, and Bland, Giles and Tazewell Counties in Virginia. Graduate students requesting this fee must provide proof of full-time employment to the Director of Graduate Studies.

Financial Aid is available for students who carry a full course load of nine credit hours and enrolled in the full 36-hour program. Inquiries may be directed to the Financial Aid Office.

Admission to the M.Ed. Program Prospective students applying for admission to the program must meet the following requirements:

Hold a baccalaureate degree in an education field with a minimum 2.50 GPA from a regionally accredited institution.
Be licensed or license eligible to teach;*A copy of professional licensure must be attached to the application.
Complete the Application for Admission and submit it with a $30.00 fee.
Provide official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate classes (with the exception of Concord University).
Provide 2 letters recommending admission into the program. One letter must be submitted by an individual who has supervised, evaluated, or observed the candidate in the classroom setting.
Submit a completed "Grit Scale".
Provide official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores at the 50th percentile or above.

Candidates may receive conditional acceptance and complete a maximum of nine (9) credit hours prior to satisfying all admission requirements. However, a copy of professional licensure and official transcripts must be on file prior to enrolling in coursework. Candidates are encouraged to complete all requirements for admission prior to beginning coursework.

Admission to the M.Ed. Program Prospective students applying for admission to the program must meet the following requirements:

Hold a baccalaureate degree in an education field with a minimum 2.50 GPA from a regionally accredited institution.
Be licensed or license eligible to teach;*A copy of professional licensure must be attached to the application.
Complete the Application for Admission and submit it with a $30.00 fee.
Provide official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate classes (with the exception of Concord University).
Provide 2 letters recommending admission into the program. One letter must be submitted by an individual who has supervised, evaluated, or observed the candidate in the classroom setting.
Submit a completed "Grit Scale".
Provide official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores at the 50th percentile or above.