Education
Introduction to Programs
LaGrange College’s Department of Education offers two master’s degree programs, a dual degree program for those who wish to transition from the M.Ed. to the Ed.S. program, initial and advanced education specialist degree programs, and Tier I Educational Leadership certification. The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) initial program is a route to certification designed for those with a four-year degree who wish to become teachers in middle schools or high schools. The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.) is an initial degree for practicing educators seeking certification in the service field of Curriculum and Instruction. Candidates entering the M.Ed. program would be expected to hold a Bachelor’s degree and already hold teacher certification. The Education Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) in Curriculum and Instruction is designed for experienced teachers who desire to become instructional leaders in schools. Candidates entering the Ed.S. program would be expected to hold a Master’s degree and already hold teacher certification.
Programs available to those seeking initial certification in teaching:
- Master of Arts in Teach (M.A.T.) Pedagogy-Only (39 credit hours)
- Middle Grades Education
- Secondary Education
Programs available to those who have teacher certification:
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction - Initial (30 credit hours)
- Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Curriculum and Instruction – Initial (30 credit hours)
- Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Curriculum and Instruction – Advanced (30 credit hours)
- Tier I Educational Leadership Certification Add-on (13 credit hours)
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction with Tier I Educational Leadership Certification Only (46 credit hours)
- Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Curriculum and Instruction Initial with Tier I Educational Leadership Certification only (46 credit hours)
- Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Curriculum and Instruction Advanced with Tier I Educational Leadership Certification Only (37 credit hours)
Financial Information
Payment of Charges
All charges for the semester are due and payable at the beginning of the term, and each candidate is expected to make satisfactory arrangements at that time.
Candidates who pre-register and pay in advance of the deadline each semester are not required to attend final registration. Invoices not paid by the due date will be assessed a Late Payment Fee as enumerated below.
The College offers a deferred payment option for degree program students. Candidates may make monthly payments to cover educational cost. If the full balance is not paid by the end of the term, interest charges are added at the rate of 12% per annum on the unpaid balance.
Certificate and Add-on programs must be paid in full by the first day of the term per the academic calendar.
Expenses
Tuition — Graduate Education Courses
| Program | Cost Per Credit Hour |
|---|---|
| M.Ed. | $780.00 |
| Ed.S. | $780.00 |
| M.A.T. | $825.00 |
| Tier I | $285.00 |
(if not completing as part of another program)
Fees — Miscellaneous
| Late Payment Fee | $50.00 |
| Personal checks failing to clear | $30.00 |
| Graduation Fee | $200.00 |
| Student Identification Card Replacement Fee | $20.00 |
| Comprehensive Fee | $60.00 |
| GACE (determined by individual needs, payable to GACE) | |
| Subscription Fee - A one-time subscription fee is assessed upon entering a program within the Department of Education to cover the cost of the software used for assessment, portfolio development, and data collection. | $130 |
Additional Fees for Select Candidates
Georgia Educators Ethics Assessment (M.A.T., payable to GACE)…$40.00
Georgia Ethics Leadership Assessment (Tier I, payable to GACE)…$40.00
Credit Balances
Candidates who have a credit balance on their account may obtain a credit balance refund within fourteen (14) calendar days whichever is the latest of:
- the date the balance occurs;
- the first day of classes of a payment period or enrollment period, as applicable; or
- the date the candidate rescinds authorization given the school to hold the funds.
Candidates must certify they are enrolled and regularly attending class at the time they receive the refund.
General Information
Candidates seeking financial assistance must complete a federal need analysis form, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA collects student and spousal, if applicable, income and asset information needed to determine eligibility for financial aid.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants assistance of up to $2000 per semester (with an $8000 maximum for graduate study) to full-time graduate students pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) or Master of Education degree (M.Ed.) who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families in a designated high-need field as a highly qualified teacher. In exchange for the TEACH Grant award, the recipient agrees to serve as a full-time teacher for four academic years within eight calendar years of completing the program for which the TEACH Grant was received. For more information on this program, contact the Financial Aid Office or the LaGrange College Department of Education.
For information on additional sources of financial aid, please see the Financial Aid section of the Graduate Bulletin.
Academic Policies
Orientation and Advisement
Prospective and newly admitted graduate candidates in the M.Ed., M.A.T., Ed.S., and Tier I programs are initially oriented and advised by the Chair of the LaGrange College Department of Education. A formal orientation is conducted during the start of summer classes.
Graduate candidates are assigned an academic advisor at the start of each program. Prior to the beginning of each academic term, academic progress is assessed by the Department of Education and classes are scheduled for the coming term.
Class Attendance Regulations and Professionalism
Attendance and timeliness, participation, professional dress, and a positive teaching-learning attitude are part of being a professional. Acceptable dispositions are expected of all candidates. Class attendance and punctuality are expected. In the event of an absence:
A) Fall/Spring: 3 points will be deducted for each class missed. If you miss more than 1/2 of a class, 3 points will be deducted.
B) Summer: an alternate assignment will be given to compensate for the missed class time.
Any absence other than college sponsored events will result in a grade reduction or alternate assignment. In the event of an emergency absence, it remains your professional responsibility to contact the professor prior to the missed class. At the discretion of the professor, an additional percentage point will be deducted from your grade for failure to contact her/him before the onset of class. Students should check with their classmates regarding notes and assignments missed. Further, the professor shall decide on a case-by-case basis whether any test or assignment due on the day of an unexcused absence will be accepted and, if accepted, what reduction in grade will be assessed.
Children of Students
LaGrange College is committed to providing an environment conducive to teaching and learning for all enrolled students. To maintain that atmosphere of learning, in general, children of students are not permitted in the classroom or on campus while the parent is attending class. The presence of children in a college classroom presents a distraction to engaged learners and may lead to the modification of content to exclude information inappropriate for children. Unsupervised children create a liability for both the parent and the college. Any temporary exception to this policy due to extraordinary circumstances is at the discretion of the instructor.
Academic Calendars
The Graduate programs in Education follow the academic calendar of the Day program, with slight variation to the Spring, Summer semester schedules. The calendar is available on the College website.
Policy for Remediation of Inappropriate Dispositions and/or Inadequate Performance
Dispositions
Because appropriate dispositions enhance teaching and learning, LaGrange College’s Department of Education believes that teachers should project positive and productive attitudes toward students, colleagues and professors. It is not the intent of LaGrange College’s Department of Education to produce identical personalities. Rather, acceptable dispositions refer to positive attitudes, respect for the diverse characteristics of others and taking grievances to the appropriate person in a professional manner. In the pursuit of knowledge of learning, childhood and society, appropriate dispositions reflect the teachers abiding respect for the intellectual challenges set before them by their professors. Teachers are committed intellectuals who value rigorous inquiry, critique and informed skepticism as ways to expand their ethical, cultural and intellectual universes. To engage in professional exchanges, committed teachers must demonstrate constructive dispositions at all times. If a classroom professor observes or becomes aware of inappropriate dispositions, she or he will issue a written warning to the candidate. Upon the second time, the candidate will be required to attend a hearing of the LaGrange College’s Department of Education Faculty for possible disciplinary action. At the discretion of the faculty, disciplinary action may result in a reduction in grade or in severe situations, expulsion from the program. Appropriate dispositions are also expected and assessed during field and clinical experiences.
Candidates may also be dismissed for non-academic reasons relating to a violation of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission’s Code of Ethics. A complete description may be found on the Georgia Professional Standards Commissions' website at https://www.gapsc.com/Rules/Current/Ethics/505-6-.01.pdf and in the Department’s Field Handbook.
Grades
All graduate programs require the candidate to maintain a grade point of 3.0. No credit toward the degree will be awarded for any grade below 1.75 (C-).
Probationary Status
No grades below a 1.75 (C-) will be accepted. In the event a candidate’s GPA falls below 3.0, the candidate will be placed on probationary status. The candidate has one semester in which to remove the probationary status. Failure to do so will result in being dropped from the program. All requests for exceptions must be addressed to the VPAA.
Professional Development Plan
Candidates who exhibit poor content knowledge, content pedagogical knowledge, professional skills and/or fail to demonstrate a positive effect on student learning based on specific criteria may be required to complete a Professional Development Plan (PDP). The PDP is developed with input from the candidate and faculty. Dismissal from the program is possible if the candidate fails to meet the minimum scores on the PDP.
Dismissal
The Department of Education follows the dismissal policy outlined by the College which can be found in the general section of this bulletin.
Grievances and Appeals
The College and the Department of Education are committed to mutual respect among all constituents of the college and departmental community. This commitment includes students, faculty, staff, and administration. In all concerns about fair treatment, we seek to work together to understand and address those concerns without having to resort to formal grievance procedures. When that is not possible, we are at all levels committed to a fair and reasonable resolution of issues through a formal grievance process guided by the information and documentation provided in the process. A complete explanation of procedures to follow when making a grievance can be found in the graduate bulletin under “Process for Academic Grievances and Appeals.”
Learning Outcomes
For the Master of Arts in Teaching degree, the LaGrange College Department of Education faculty have adopted the standards outlined by the Teacher Assessment on Performance Standards as goals for the program.
Key Assessment Policy for M.Ed., Ed.S., and Tier I Candidates
Courses throughout our graduate programs have designated program specific key assessments. Passing each key assessment with a score of 70 or better is a program requirement. Any candidate who does not successfully achieve a grade of 70 or better on any key assessment will be provided with one opportunity to resubmit the key assessment assignment for re-evaluation by the course instructor. Candidates must submit revised key assessment work within 7 calendar days of notification. Failure to achieve a grade of 70 or above on a re-submitted key assessment will result in a grade of F for the related course. Should the candidate earn a 70 or more on the re-submitted key assessment, the final course grade is calculated without regards to the score earned on the resubmitted key assessment. Candidates failing to earn a passing score on the resubmitted key assessment must repeat the course and may not enroll in any other requisite courses.
Advisement
Upon acceptance, the candidate is assigned an advisor. With the help of the advisor, each candidate plans a program of study to satisfy the requirements of the selected graduate program. In order to establish definite goals as well as intermediate objectives, a periodic checklist and definite timetable will be mutually agreed upon by the candidate and advisor. Candidates are responsible for seeking advisement and meeting graduation requirements.
Course Repetition
At times, a student may wish to repeat a course in which a grade has already been earned. This is likely to be because a student earned a grade of “C-” or less in a course. Students are not allowed to take any courses elsewhere. Thus, all courses in which a grade below “C-” is earned at LaGrange College must be repeated at LaGrange College. A student may not remove from the transcript any grade earned, even if the course is repeated. No additional credit will be earned for repeats of courses for which a “C-” or below grade was previously earned. The GPA is calculated on both attempts.
Withdrawal
A candidate who chooses to withdraw from a class prior to the close of the Drop/Add period may do so without the course appearing on his or her official transcript in any form. The Drop/Add period will normally end one calendar week following the first day of classes (except in situations in which a class has not yet met, in which case the Drop/Add period will extend one day beyond the first meeting of that class or classes, but only for students enrolled in such classes).
A candidate who chooses to withdraw from a class on or before the “Last Day to Withdraw with a ‘W’” will receive a “W” on his or her official transcript, regardless of standing in the class. The “Last Day to Withdraw with a ‘W’” will normally occur two weeks prior to the last day of classes. Please refer to the academic calendar and course syllabus for specific dates each semester.
Normally, no student will be permitted to withdraw officially from a class after the “Last Day to Withdraw with a ‘W.’” Exceptions may be granted for extenuating circumstances but must be approved by the VPAA. Normally, students who encounter hardship near the end of the term (serious illness, injury, family crisis, etc.) will be encouraged to take an incomplete (I) grade for the course and complete unfinished work during the following term.
Please note: This policy does not obviate the possibility of an “administrative” withdrawal (in the case, for example, of a candidate who is disruptive of the learning experience of others) or a medical withdrawal.
To withdraw from an individual course, a candidate must notify the Registrar. Failure to withdraw officially through this office may result in the assignment of an “F.”
Medical Withdrawal
A “medical withdrawal” is defined as complete withdrawal without academic penalty for reasons of health. Except in circumstances of emergency, a licensed health care provider or a qualified counselor must provide a written recommendation for medical withdrawal to the VPAA. This written recommendation must be on file prior to approval for withdrawal. Anytime medical withdrawal is initiated, the candidate’s instructors, the Office of Financial Aid, and the Business Office will be notified by the Registrar. The re-entry of the candidate following medical withdrawal for medical reasons requires a clearance from the attending physician, a licensed health care provider, or a qualified counselor with an evaluation of the candidate’s potential to resume study successfully at LaGrange College. The VPAA will review this evaluation and make the decision concerning the candidate’s re-entry.
Time Limitations
Candidates must complete all requirements for their degree within five years starting from the date of admission to the program. All courses or requirements that do not meet this requirement must be repeated.
Applying for Graduation
Candidates in their last year of graduate work must have an audit of their course credits and planned courses examined upon pre-registration for their final semester in residence. This is called a "graduation petition." The graduate advisor assists the candidate in completing this petition. No candidate may participate in Commencement exercises if he or she has not completed a graduation petition.
Participation in Commencement
LaGrange College shall permit a graduate student needing no more than one additional academic term (as recognized by the College) for the completion of requirements, to participate, I.e., process, recess, walk, in the May commencement ceremony. The student must be enrolled for any or all remaining hours during the subsequent summer, submit a completed graduation petition and pre-completion form the Office of the Registrar, and having completed all other graduation requirements. The graduate student who pre-completes will receive their diploma only after all required hours are earned and once all financial obligations tot he college are met.
The graduate student may participate in only one commencement ceremony for each degree earned.
Transcripts
Candidates are entitled to transcripts of their record, although no transcripts will be issued for any candidate who is under financial obligation to the College. Transcript requests must be made in writing to the Registrar well in advance of the time the transcript is needed. Transcripts will be issued promptly; however, at the beginning and end of terms, some delay may be unavoidable. Unofficial transcripts may be obtained from the online student module of the Web.
Certification Requirements
Certification requirements and changes in teacher certification are based on current recommendations determined by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
Majors and Minors
Major Minor
Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction Ed. S. Curriculum and Instruction ADVANCED Ed. S. Curriculum and Instruction ADVANCED with Tier I Ed. S. Curriculum and Instruction INITIAL with Tier I Tier I Educational Leadership Certification Add-on (13 Credit Hours) Master of Education (M.Ed.) Curriculum and Instruction with Tier I Educational Leadership Certification Add-on Education Specialist (Ed.S.) Master of Arts in Teaching Program
