Literacy (33 credits)
Master of Arts programs are designed primarily for certified teachers. Individuals seeking initial teacher certification will be required to complete undergraduate courses which will not apply toward the master’s degree.
Admission Criteria
Students seeking admission to a Master of Arts program must have:
- earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution in the United States or a teacher education program recognized by the South Carolina Board of Education with a GPA of no less than 2.75 (3.0 preferred)
- satisfactorily completed an accredited program of initial teacher certification
and, must submit:
- a graduate admissions application, accompanied by a one-time, non-refundable application fee
- a copy of their current teaching certificate
- two professional recommendations
- official transcripts from each higher education institution previously attended
Recent Furman graduates pursuing initial teacher certification, who have satisfactorily completed all senior block courses (including the practicum experience) and are eligible to enroll in EDEP 670-Teaching Internship, may gain provisional graduate admission for study in summer term, prior to the completion of the teaching internship which leads to initial certification. Once initial certification is granted, students will be allowed to continue to be enrolled in graduate-level courses.
International Degree Candidates Initial Admission
Graduate Studies in Education is not available to international applicants/students because we cannot guarantee full-time enrollment or face-to-face courses in those programs.
Program Continuation
Admitted graduate degree candidates must meet with an advisor in Graduate Studies to plan a preliminary program and will be assigned a faculty contact person. Continuation in a program leading to the award of the Master of Arts requires successful completion of 9 graduate credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater.
- Students earning a grade of C+, C, or C- in one of the first three courses in a program prior to Admission to Candidacy or a student with a cumulative GPA less than 3.00 must meet with the program coordinator and the Associate Director of Graduate Studies.
After Admission to degree candidacy, all students in a program must:
- maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater and meet final grade requirements
- demonstrate satisfactory content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and dispositions related to national standards established by the Specialty Professional Association (SPA) and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- resolve any event or concern where an instructor, program coordinator, and/or the Office of Graduate Studies has reason to believe a degree candidate has acted in violation of department mission
Program Completion/Degree Audit
The Office of Graduate Studies will audit the student’s record to ensure that required courses have been completed and that the candidate has maintained a 3.00 GPA for the sequence of courses.
Program Completion/Graduation
The Office of Graduate Studies will confirm all degree requirements have been successfully completed by each candidate. Candidates for graduation must also show a passing score on appropriate Praxis content exam.
Quick Step Guide to the Master of Arts
- Preliminary Conference with Graduate Studies
- Application/fee/transcript/recommendations/teaching certificate
- Acceptance
- Complete EDFD 879: Master’s Seminar in Education
- Passing score on appropriate Praxis II exam (if applicable)
- Graduation
Requirements