Education: Graduate Programs

Chair: Dr. Brenda Tufte

The University of Mary’s Graduate Programs in Education offer a wide range of opportunities for the adult learner. Students may take courses towards educational credentials and endorsements, or may complete their Master’s or Doctoral degree in education. Master’s candidates have the option of completing a thesis or preparing a comprehensive portfolio as their capstone project. In order to meet the needs of adult learners, graduate classes are offered online or face-to-face during summers.

Graduate Education Mission Statement

Innovative educational leaders addressing problems of practice with moral courage, for life.

Graduate Education Vision Statement

University of Mary for Life: Cultivating morally courageous educational leaders

Master of Education Programs

FACULTY: Dr. Carmen Cain, Dr. Rod Jonas (Dean), Dr. Wade Kooiman, Dr. Carmelita Lamb (Associate Dean), Dr. Kimberly Marman, Dr. Loni Miller, Dr. Meghan Salyers, Dr. Manisha Sawhney, Dr. Michael Taylor, Dr. Brenda Tufte (Chair)

Admission Procedures

An individual holding a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution may be admitted to begin graduate study. An individual seeking a North Dakota credential or endorsement must hold a Bachelor’s degree in education from an accredited institution and must have the appropriate North Dakota licensure and years of experience, as well as the required coursework, in order to be recommended for North Dakota credentialing or endorsement by the Graduate Program in Education. In most cases, the requirements listed below must be met prior to admission for graduate study. In addition, a student must maintain an overall GPA of 3.00 in order to continue in graduate programs in education.

• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Two letters of professional recommendation
• Appropriate experience
  • Applicants to K-12 graduate programs (except for licensure track initial programs and special education) must have professional school experience.  

North Dakota Reeducation Endorsement Plans

Endorsements are issued by the Education Standards and Practice Board (ESPB). Additional information may be obtained from the Education Standards and Practice Board, 2718 Gateway Avenue, Suite 308, Bismarck ND 58503 (701) 328-9641. A student seeking an endorsement should access the ESPB website for a list of required coursework. The student will list courses already taken and courses that he/she intends to take on the form provided. This form must be approved by ESPB as part of obtaining each endorsement. Although education graduate faculty can assist students in planning, the student seeking an endorsement is typically a non-degree seeking student, and therefore does not have an official advisor in the Department of Education. Access the ESPB web site at www. state.nd.us/espb.

North Dakota Endorsements appropriate to University of Mary graduate coursework:

• Secondary
• Special Education

North Dakota Credential Plans

The Graduate Program in Education offers the coursework necessary to fulfill the following credentials issued by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction:

• Superintendent Credential  
• Elementary/Secondary Principal Credential  

Additional information may be obtained from the Department of Public Instruction, 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck ND 58505-0080 (701) 328-2260. A student seeking a credential should access the DPI website www.dpi.state.nd.us for a list of required coursework. The student will list courses already taken and courses that he/she intends to take on the form provided.

This form must be approved by DPI as part of obtaining each credential. Although Education Graduate Faculty can assist students in planning, the student seeking a credential only is typically a non-degree seeking student, and therefore does not have an official advisor in the Department of Education. For additional information regarding courses that meet credential or endorsement requirements, access the Education pages of the University of Mary website: www.umary.edu.

Doctor of Education Program

FACULTY: Dr. Rod Jonas (Dean), Dr. Wade Kooiman, Dr. Carmelita Lamb (Associate Dean), Dr. Manisha Sawhney, Dr. Michael Taylor, Dr. Brenda Tufte (Chair)

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Ed.D. can be found on the degree program page, here .

Programs

• Catholic Educators Concentration
• Catholic Studies for Educators Concentration
• Higher Education Concentration
• K-12 Education Concentration

• Elementary/Secondary Principal Credential
• Reading Credential
• Superintendent Credential

• Education, Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, M.Ed.
• Education, Physical Education & Athletic Administration, M.Ed.
• Education, Reading Emphasis, M.Ed.
• Education, School Administration, M.Ed.
• Education, Special Education Leadership, M.Ed.
• Education, Special Education Strategist, M.Ed.
• Education, Teacher Leadership, M.Ed.
• Educational Leadership and Administration, Ed.D.

• Catholic Educators Certificate
• Catholic Studies for Educators Certificate