Education - Graduate Program

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Dr. Lynda Fernholz, Director of Graduate Studies & Professional Development for the School of Education
School of Education Office of Graduate Studies & Professional Development
Room 472, College of Professional Studies Building
Phone: 715-346-3223
Email:educgradadvs@uwsp.edu
Web: www.uwsp.edu/education/Pages/Graduate/

Dr. Erin N. Redman, Director Educational Sustainability
School of Education Office of Graduate Studies & Professional Development
Room 451, College of Professional Studies Building
Phone: 715-346-2542
Email: eredman@uwsp.edu
Web: https://www.uwsp.edu/education/Pages/major.aspx?name=Ed.D.%20in%20Educational%20Sustainability

The School of Education offers the following graduate programs:

• Educational Sustainability Doctorate (Ed.D.)   
• Master of Science in Education, M.S.E. 
• Master of Science in Teaching. See more information in the biology , english , and history  sections of these graduate pages.

You may also work toward:

• Graduate level certification (for those who are already certified teachers): Adaptive Physical Education (860); Alternative Education (952); Bilingual/Bicultural (023); Early Childhood Education (70-777); Early Childhood through Middle Childhood (71-777); English as a Second Language (395); Environmental Studies (615); Family and Consumer Sciences (210); Gifted/Talented (014); Health Education (910); Reading Teacher (316); Reading Specialist (17); Special Education including: Cognitive Disabilities (810); Cross Categorical Special Education (801); Early Childhood Special Education (809); Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities (830); Learning Disabilities (811).
• Master of Science in Education: Educational Administration OR Specialist in Education: Educational Administration, offered in cooperation with UW-Superior. For more information, contact SOE Office of Graduate Studies & Professional Development, 715-346-4403.

Educational Sustainability Doctorate (Ed.D)

The Doctorate in Educational Sustainability (Ed.D.) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point program is designed for working professionals from interdisciplinary fields in sustainability. The program will prepare graduates to be educators and leaders who hold a passion for transforming systems of teaching and learning. The curriculum is intended to provide students the opportunity to actively engage in coursework, research, and professional practice in the field of sustainability. For the purpose of this degree, sustainability is broadly defined using the six core principles: Transformative Learning, Systems Thinking, Ecological Thought, Pluralistic Democracy, Diversity and Social Justice, and Ethical Action. Students can explore sustainability in one or more of these principles to personalize learning in the program.

Program Features

• 54-credits, three-year program
• Online with limited residency requirement
• Cohort-based learning environment
• Global affiliate scholar program

Curriculum Design

The curriculum is designed with three areas of study:

1. Sustaining Learning Environments
2. Sustaining Civic and Business Communities
3. Sustaining Educational Systems

Residency Requirement and Expectations

The Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability is a low-residency (4-5 days), cohort-based learning program. Residency is required for each year you are enrolled in the program. Our accreditation is approved with these residencies; therefore, it is mandatory per accreditation guidelines that students meet these requirements.

Residency Learning Objectives

The overarching objectives of the residency:

1. To meet and receive assistance and guidance from faculty and staff
2. Build a cohort community of practice
3. Build cross-cohort communities of practice
4. Network with affiliate scholars and practitioners
5. Participate in various keynote and guest presentations
6. practice professionalism and scholarship

Residency Learning Outcomes

1. Learn about interdisciplinary educational sustainability
2. Subject matter knowledge related to upcoming course work
3. Gain an appreciation for diverse perspectives related to educational sustainability
4. Learn about the doctoral process at various stages of study from other cohorts

Program Enrollment

A new cohort for the Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability is enrolled and launched each summer. Applications for summer cohorts are accepted beginning August 1 of each admissions year. Priority review of applications begins the second week in January of the cohort launch year. Applications received after that date will be reviewed if there are enrollment openings in the current cohort by April 15 of the cohort launch year, with applications accepted until the cohort is full. If you apply to the program following this deadline, your application will be placed into the subsequent cohort year for consideration.

Admission to the Program

The UWSP doctoral program in Educational Sustainability demands a high level of intellectual engagement, self-management, professionalism, and effective communication in person, in writing, and online. Our program philosophy includes sustaining natural and human systems, engaging with communities, practicing servant leadership, and educating for pluralism. We request several kinds of evidence to demonstrate your fit with our program and your readiness to succeed.

Required:

• Application and Fee
• Master’s degree
• Minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Official Transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions from degreed programs
• Letter of Intent (see website for specific content to address)
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Name, phone, and email address of three professional references
• Interview

Optional Supporting Documentation:

• GRE Scores*
• Statement of relevant/equivalent work experience(s)
• Professional work sample(s) (e.g. peer reviewed articles, conference program and/or presentation, professional/community/organizational leadership)

*The School of Education recognizes standardized tests as one way for individuals to demonstrate their abilities. We also recognize some limits of any standardized test: a test may not measure some abilities, and particular individuals may have difficulty demonstrating their abilities via a test. When we indicate that a standardized test is optional, we neither want to encourage nor discourage submitting a score. Rather, we encourage each individual to provide what you believe is meaningful evidence of your abilities.

To apply to the program:

Admissions is a multi-step process:

1. Apply to the Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability at UW-Stevens Point. This is completed through the UW System website, but all application materials requested through the UW System are forwarded to the UWSP admissions office, and then forwarded to the School of Education Office of Graduate Studies and Professional Development. Once your completed application (including all official post-secondary transcripts) is received by our Admissions Office, you will receive notice from the director of admissions stating your application has been received and will be forwarded to the School of Education. Notification of acceptance into the doctoral program is through the School of Education.
2. All official post-secondary transcripts are required. These are sent directly to the Admissions Office after you have completed the application. The GRE is not required for admissions, but if you have it and want to submit it with your application you may do so.  
3. Send the following information to the School of Education Graduate Office:
   1. Please complete a letter of intent to the program in response to the following questions:

• Admission Assignment. In a 1200-1500 word letter of intent, please address the following questions:

1. Explain your interest related to informal or formal systems of teaching and learning and how is sustainability related to this?
2. Explain one of the many challenges we face in the world related to sustainability; what prior knowledge, skills or dispositions will you bring to the program to share this challenge through your disciplinary background; and what new areas of study do foresee yourself learning, researching or acting on in this degree program to address this challenge?  
3. Describe how you envision school-work-life in a program that requires attention to both individual and collaborative, active participation? Especially connect this to your strategy related to time-management, technology skills, engagement with the instructor as well as peer support in a cohort-based online learning environment.

4. Submit a current resume or curriculum vita (CV).
5. Submit name, phone, and e-mail address of THREE references who can speak to your capabilities as a doctoral student.
6. Any optional supporting documentation you would like to submit including GRE scores, statement of relevant/equivalent work experience, professional work samples.

Graduation (graduation credit check)

You may apply to graduate the semester before you expect to defend your dissertation through the Office of the Registrar. Prior to applying to graduate, you are required to complete and have approved study plan completion forms and credit check by the School of Education Office of Graduate Studies and Professional Development.  

Note: There is no ceremony in August; however, you may request to participate in the May or the December ceremony.

Education, MSE

The Master’s of Education is for individuals with a bachelor’s degree who wish to broaden their skills and abilities in education. The degree requires a minimum of 30 credits. You must select 12 credits from an array of core courses. Three credits must be a research course. The remaining 15 credits can consist of a specialization or electives for a personally designed program. The specialization options include early childhood education, educational technology, family and consumer science, health education, reading, or special education.

You can complete teacher licensure in those areas concurrently within the program, with additional requirements as determined by the Department of Public Instruction.

Admission to the Program - MSE-General

• Submit an application to pursue graduate study at UW-Stevens Point to the Admissions Office and pay admission fee: Web: www.uwsp.edu/admissions/Pages/default.aspx.
  • Be aware that you must make your initial application to the Admissions Office before you can be admitted to MSE-General program.
  • We recommend that you apply no later than mid-semester of the semester before you want to be admitted.
  • The UW-Stevens Point Admissions Office processes your application and notifies you when your materials are being forwarded to SOE Office of Graduate Studies & Professional Development where your application will be reviewed for admission to the MSE-General program.
• Submit official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate courses not taken at UW-Stevens Point.
• Send a copy of your teaching license to SOE Office of Graduate Studies & Professional Development, if Pursuing an additional teacher certification.
• Have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 or higher. If your GPA is less, you may be admitted on probation, but will then need to establish a minimum 3.00 GPA on your first 9 resident graduate credits at UW-Stevens Point to be fully admitted.
• Admission to the MSE-General must occur prior to the completion of 9 graduate credits.
• Provide a letter of recommendation from a supervisor, employer, or professional who can verify your ability to succeed at graduate level work.

Following admission to the MSE-General, you will be assigned a faculty adviser and develop a program of study that suits your educational goals.

Graduate Certification Programs - School of Education

The School of Education offers graduate teacher certifications listed below for those who are already certified teachers. Applicants should forward a letter of intent, along with copies of your Wisconsin teaching license and transcripts from every college or technical school attended, to SOE Office of Graduate Studies & Professional Development indicating which certification you wish to pursue. A certification outline will be established for you and an adviser assigned.

• Adapted Physical Education
• Alternative Education
• Bilingual/Bicultural Education
• Early Childhood Education
• Early Childhood through Middle Childhood License (ages 0-11 - allows Early Childhood educators to teach through grade 5/6)
• English as a Second Language
• Environmental Studies
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Gifted and Talented Education
• Health Education
• Reading Teacher (316 license)
• Reading Specialist (17 license)
• Special Education
  • Early Childhood Special Education
  • Cognitive Disabilities/Cross Categorical
  • Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities/Cross Categorical
  • Learning Disabilities/Cross Categorical
  • Cross Categorical Special Education (for those already licensed in CD, EBD, or LD) (PDF)

Programs

• Education, M.S.E.
• Educational Sustainability Doctorate (Ed.D.)
• Graduate Certification Programs in K-12th Grade Cross-Categorical Special Education

• Early Childhood Education Graduate Certification Program
• Reading Graduate Certification Programs
• Special Education Graduate Certification Programs

Courses

• EDSU 990 - Special Topics in Educational Sustainability

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