Education, Physical Education & Athletic Administration, M.Ed.

Program Director: Dr. Wade Kooiman

The M.Ed in Physical Education and Athletic Administration is designed for physical education teachers, coaches, and other sports professionals who wish to improve their administrative skills. Blending theory and practice, this graduate program provides an advanced understanding of program administration. This degree will help graduates be successful in positions such as athletic director, physical education department lead, and activities director.

The Master of Education Degree Requirements (M.Ed.)

The Master’s degree must be completed within seven years of the completion of the earliest graduate course used in the course of study. Up to one-third of the total credits required for the course of study may be transferred from another accredited institution. To achieve the Master’s Degree, the student must complete courses within an emphasis area (listed following) and must successfully complete either a thesis or a comprehensive professional portfolio.

Thesis Option

The thesis option emphasizes original research. It represents a student’s capacity for detailed, in-depth research or advanced scholarship. A thesis must demonstrate a student’s ability to clearly define a worthwhile problem, to conduct a thorough investigation, to organize the findings, to draw defensible conclusions, and to give an oral presentation of the findings. After the student has been admitted to candidacy for the degree, a research proposal is written and the thesis committee is selected. These activities are completed within EDU 701 - Research Seminar II  and EDU 704 - Research Presentation . The research proposal must be approved by the Graduate Committee and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Writing and presentation of the thesis totals at least five semester credits (EDU 708 , 3 credits; EDU 701 , 1 credit; and EDU 704 , 1 credit). EDU 704  must be completed by the date established with the student’s advisor, or the student must register for continuing credit each semester until the thesis has been completed and the research presented.

Portfolio Option

The portfolio option requires the student to complete courses within an emphasis area and to create an electronic portfolio demonstrating competence in the University of Mary’s graduate requirements, competence in the student’s emphasis area, and further demonstrating the graduate’s ability to  assume a leadership role in the field of education. Creation and presentation of the graduate portfolio totals four hours of credit ( EDU 705 - Research Analysis Capstone Prep , 2 credits; and EDU 706 - Research Analysis Capstone Pres , 2 credits).

Please note: The emphasis area courses in the following degree plans meet the North Dakota Endorsement or Credential requirements in all programs applicable.