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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Community Education Graduate Program (ELCP)

Education BuildingOffered through the Department of Educational Leadership and Community Psychology
in the College of Education
B210 Education Building
Phone: 320.308.2160
Fax: 320.308.3216

Department Chairperson: Dr. Niloufer Merchant
Department Secretary: Ms. Sandi (Sandy) Radzak
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Kay Worner
Graduate Faculty: Dahms-Walker, Miller, Kayona, Worner

Accreditation specific to the program

  • National Council for Accreditation and Teacher Education (NCATE)

The Profession

The Master of Science in Community Education prepares students for a profession as a community education director. The Minnesota Department of Children, Families, and Learning has approved our program for meeting the professional preparation requirements for licensure.

Employers

Graduates will be able to seek employment in public community education settings, military education settings, area education agencies or regional educational service units, and positions at state agencies.

Master of Science in Community Education

  • Completing a Master of Science in Community Education provides the first step in pursuing Educational Administration Licensure.
  • Upon completion of the M.S. a graduate may choose to pursue licensure.

Admissions Requirements Specific to the Program

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is required.
  • Undergraduate GPA is closely reviewed. A large emphasis is placed on scholarship within the undergraduate education core.
  • Admission decisions are made as completed application files are received.

Length of M.S. Program — Measured by Semesters

  • Part-time student: four to five semesters taking six credits per semester.
  • Full-time student: three semesters taking 12 credits per semester.
  • During the academic school year courses are scheduled on weekends and evenings. Summer courses are scheduled in two-week blocks.

Graduate Assistantship Overview

  • One to two graduate assistantship positions are generally sponsored each year, and are available both fall and spring semesters.
  • Graduate assistants do a variety of activities, including assisting faculty in various research and instructional preparation tasks.

Degrees and Plans Offered

  • Master of Science in Community Education: Plan A (Thesis) at 37 credits
  • Master of Science in Community Education Plan B (Comprehensive Examination) at 34 credits
  • Licensure Track in Community Education at 22 credits

Masters of Science — Community Education

Research Thesis, Plan A
12 credits

  • EDAD 682. Research Design in EDAD, 3 credits
  • EDAD 699. Thesis, 6 credits
  • CEEP 678. Introduction to Graduate Statistics, 3 credits

Research Non-thesis, Plan B
6 credits

  • EDAD 612. Program and Assessment/Evaluation Techniques, 3 credits
  • EDAD 680. Introduction to Research in EDAD, 3 credits

Core courses
22 credits

  • EDAD 502. Overview of Community Education, 3 credits
  • EDAD 507. Community Education Internship, 3 credits
  • EDAD 509. Situational Leadership, 3 credits
  • EDAD 601. Introduction to EDAD, 1 credit
  • EDAD 603. Organizational Theory, 3 credits
  • EDAD 620. Introduction to School Law, 3 credits
  • EDAD 630. Administering School Personnel and Supervision, 3 credits
    EDAD 640. Introduction to School Finance, 3 credits
  • EDAD 650. Introduction to School/Community Relations, 3 credits

Related courses

  • Plan A, 3 credits
  • Plan B, 15 credits (9 of 15 credits must be taken in EDAD)

Twin Cities Cohort

Join our Twin Cities cohort to obtain licensure as a Director of Community Education. Choose to learn on our St. Cloud campus or in Maple Grove, Minnesota at SCSU's Twin Cities graduate center. The Maple Grove cohort will meet on Friday evenings and Saturdays during the academic year and for eight days in the summer. Find us at the intersection of 494 and Bass Lake Road in the Dex Building.

Minnesota Administrative Licensure Requirements

Currently the state of Minnesota requires that applicants for administrative licensure have at least three years teaching experience or equivalent thereof. Licensure requires a Master of Science in Educational Leadership/Administration or an equivalent plus 30 semester credits, obtainable through the sixth-year program or the specialist degree program. A final portfolio assessment is also required of licensure candidates.