2023-24 M.A./M.Ed. Handbook

This Handbook is designed to provide masters students in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) information about graduate programs and procedures. The Handbook augments and is not a substitute for other sources of information. The information in this handbook and other University catalogs, publications, or announcements is subject to change without notice.

University offices can provide current information about possible changes.

Overview

A Master-level degree represents completion of graduate-level coursework and is conferred after the completion of all coursework and, typically, a capstone project. Degree requirements differ for Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Master of Arts (M.A.), although some courses may be the same in program areas for both degree pathways. All M.A. and M.Ed. students should consider themselves “Graduate Students”  in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development and are expected to take coursework at the 5000-level and above.

The Steps below provide a brief overview of the pathway to completion of M.A. and M.Ed. degrees. Further information is provided in the Detailed Overview of M.A. and M.Ed. Milestones and Policies section of this handbook.

Step 1: Taking Courses/Credits

• Take courses or other credits as required or advised in your program. Students must register for at least one credit or non-credit option every Fall and Spring semester to maintain active status.

• Declare a minor (optional). A minor, selected, should be selected in consultation with advisors, and will be recorded with other credits in the university’s Graduate Planning and Audit System (GPAS).

• M.A. students, with their advisor, decide whether to pursue a Plan A or Plan B paper.

• Once a final program of courses is selected, submit the GPAS Planner.

Step 2: Plan A Master's Thesis / Plan B Master's Paper (M.A. Students Only)

• Once a topic for a final paper has been identified, establish an examining committee and update, if necessary, in GPAS.

• If including human subjects research (especially Plan A papers), obtain Institutional Review Board approval of your research before beginning any data collection or other research.

• Write the Plan A or Plan B paper.

  • Plan A papers are examined through an oral exam. Upon completion, the Plan A theses must be submitted to the Graduate School.

  • Plan B papers are asynchronously reviewed by the student’s committee.

  • All Plan A and Plan B reviews must be scheduled with the Graduate School. The Graduate School provides step-by-step instructions on how to schedule final examination of Plan A or Plan B papers.

• Please note that M.Ed. degrees are coursework only degrees. 

Step 3: Completion of the Degree

• Review the university’s Graduation Steps page to understand all steps to graduation after completing coursework and (if necessary) a thesis/Plan B paper.

• All MA/M.Ed. requirements must be completed in five calendar years from the start of the program.