MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION
Point Loma Nazarene University offers M.A. degrees in Teaching and Learning, Special Education, Counseling and Guidance, and Educational Leadership.
The M.A. Teaching and Learning and M.A. Special Education incorporate the specific requirements for the Level II or Professional Clear Credential for the beginning teacher. Differentiated and relevant program plans are established for veteran teachers who enter the advanced degree program with a professional clear credential.
Point Loma has also designed dynamic, blended M.A. programs with specific K-12 Districts and Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) Partnerships where BTSA requirements are integrated with advanced degree course requirements into a relevant, results-focused course of study that supports the learning of ALL students in K-12 classrooms.
The M.A. in Counseling and Guidance incorporates the Pupil Personnel Services Credential and the M.A. in Educational Leadership incorporates the Tier I administrative serves credential.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
The M.A. in Teaching and Learning (36 units) refines and expands the ability of classroom teachers to understand and apply the latest research, methodology, and technology in order to enhance the achievement for all students.
The program builds upon the preliminary multiple or single subject credential. This concentration may be offered through partnerships with K-12 school districts. Candidate may be eligible for a professional clear (Level II) teaching credential upon successful completion of requirements.
Approved courses from the preliminary credential may be transferred/applied toward the M.A. degree.
Customized M.A. courses of study are also available for:
- experienced classroom teachers with a Ryan credential
- private or charter school teachers who are seeking a CTC approved fifth year/M.A. program
- educators seeking an advanced degree in education
SPECIAL EDUCATION
The M.A. in Special Education (36 semester units) builds upon the foundation of the level I education specialist credential in the graduate candidate’s chosen course of study: mild-moderate or moderate severe. The program broadens the understanding and abilities of graduate candidates who serve students with special needs. Up to 6 units of identified preliminary credential coursework may be transferred/applied toward the M.A. degree. The M.A. in Education incorporates Level II credential requirements and candidates may meet Level II credential coursework requirements through this degree program. Candidates may also pursue this degree without the need for the Level II credential.
BTSA PARTNERSHIP/M.A.
Point Loma Nazarene University, in partnership with specific K-12 Public School Districts and BTSA Programs, has designed a unique Master of Arts in Education degree that strategically extends and deepens the powerful teaching and learning resulting from BTSA Induction.
This applied performance-based M.A. degree, offered in Teaching and Learning and in Special Education, honors substantive evidence of prior knowledge and proficiency gained from the intensive BTSA Induction Program in the areas of K-12 content standards and pedagogy, advanced technology, diversity and equity, advanced health, advanced English learners, advanced special populations.
Point Loma works closely with specific Partnership District and BTSA Programs to seamlessly align in-depth BTSA assignments with a special education candidate’s Level II credential requirements.
BTSA teachers, who just completed the M.A. program, demonstrated transformation growth in their professional practice. They have clear evidence that this integrated BTSA-university partnership approach to earning an advanced degree has had a significant impact on student learning in their classrooms.
For more information, see K-12 Partnership Contacts for each location.
COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE
Point Loma Nazarene University offers a comprehensive counseling and guidance program that prepares candidates to be compassionate, high performing counselors proactively supporting the educational, social, personal, and career development of diverse learners in a changing world. Graduates of the PLNU counseling and guidance program are highly qualified to partner with other educators, parents, and community agencies in assuring a successful transition of ALL students from school to work and/or higher education. Candidates may earn the M.A degree only (36 units) or the M.A. and Pupil Personnel Services credential (45-48 units)
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Point Loma Nazarene University offers a visionary educational leadership program that prepares educators to provide strategic and comprehensive leadership in their K-12 learning community and beyond. The PLNU leadership program offers the Tier I and Tier II administrative services credential, the M.A. in Educational Leadership and the Educational Specialist degree leading to the doctorate in education.
Several PLNU locations organize candidates in cohorts exemplifying a professional learning community. Candidates advance through their coursework and fieldwork as a collaborative learning team. Graduates of the cohort model attest to the power of synergistic support from colleagues committed to continuous improvement and the successful learning of ALL students in the context of an intentional Christian Learning Community.
TIER I PRELIMINARY ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES CREDENTIAL
The Tier I credential program (24 semester units) prepares candidates with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions for entry level administrative positions. The PLNU program emphasizes the practical application of research-based professional theory and principles of effective leadership.
Upon meeting the coursework and proficiency requirements of the Tier I program, candidates will receive a
Certificate of Eligibility for the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential. The certification will authorize the Tier I graduate to hold an administrative position in California public schools.
TIER II PROFESSIONAL CLEAR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES CREDENTIAL
The Tier II credential is offered as a credential only program (6 units) or in conjunction with the Educational Specialist Degree (32 units). This program provides for the development, implementation, and reflection of a customized professional development plan aligned with the California Professional Standards for Educational Leaders that allows for the continuing application of theory into daily practice for educational leaders.
EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST DEGREE
The Educational Specialist Degree is an advanced, post-masters program designed for experienced teachers, counselors, and administrators and others interested in the complexities of educational change and the challenges of educational leadership A total of 32 semester hours of integrated coursework and action research is required and may be accepted by other institutions of higher education toward the doctoral degree.
READING CERTIFICATE
The Reading Certificate Program is a 12 unit program often taken as an in-depth option as part of the Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning or as a stand-alone professional development opportunity for experienced teachers. This program provides the candidate with advanced knowledge, skills, and dispositions to explicitly and significantly improve the reading skills of diverse learners. The coursework in the reading certificate program may be applied toward the reading specialist credential.
CROSSCULTURAL LANGUAGE AND ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT (CLAD) CERTIFICATE
Point Loma School of Education offers an approved coursework program for teachers to address the academic and linguistic needs of English Learners. The 12 unit program has been updated and equips candidates to address California’s English Language Development standards and to implement effective instructional strategies to support the learning of second language learners.