Self-Designed Master’s Options

• Master’s Core Component – 9 credits
• 3
  ED 5000 Social Behavior in a Diverse Society
  Seeks to examine the manner in which the behavior, feelings, or thoughts of one individual are influenced by the behavior or characteristics of others. Topics to be considered include social perception, attitudes, gender, social cognition, conflict, social influence, intercultural awareness, prejudice, discrimination, aggression, and group behavior. Fall, spring, and summer.
• - OR -
• 3
  ED 5005 Social Psychology and Mythology across Cultures
  This course will provide an in-depth study of the social/cultural basis of behavior and examine the role of mythology as a vehicle for intrapersonal and interpersonal understanding. The major theoretical, empirical, and applied lines of work in the following topics in contemporary social psychology will be explored, including social cognition, interpersonal perception, attitudes, stereotyping and prejudice, the self, and interpersonal and group relations. Mythology will be employed as a mechanism for cross-cultural comparison and as a unifying construct to enhance multicultural understanding.
• 3
  ED 5010 Philosophy, Ethics, and Education
  A study of the historical, philosophical, and social-philosophic foundations of education. Emphasis is placed upon the ideas of the classical, medieval, Enlightenment, and post-Enlightenment periods that have influenced types of American educational systems relative to their mission and purpose. Analysis of how these systems have defined ethics and the characteristics of the virtuous person.
• 3
  ED 5030 Research Design
  Knowledge and understanding of the commonly accepted research designs. Study of research instruments and statistics used in educational research. Wide reading in various types of research design. Critical analysis of research design.

Note: The core courses can be taken online or transferred from an accredited institution.

• Specialization Component – 21 credits

To fulfill this specialization component, you’ll meet with your advisor to identify courses that are appropriate for your program of study. Specialization areas include, but are not limited to:
• Adult Learning and Development
• Adventure Learning
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Eating Disorders Institute
• Mentoring in Education
• Middle Level Education
• National Writing Project Teacher Consultant
• OATH – Organizational Approaches to Transformation and Healing
• Online Teaching and Learning
• PATH – Personal Approaches to Transformation and Healing
• PBIS – Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support 
• Science Education

• Capstone Experience – 3 credits
• 3
  ED 6900 Graduate Capstone Project
  A culminating, supervised project or practicum experience in a work environment or cooperating institution or agency. The purpose is to apply knowledge learned in previous coursework to the work environment or through an approved project. The candidate works with a field supervisor on site and presents their final product to PSU faculty. Students who anticipate working on their project for more than one term should register for the appropriate number of credits in each term so that they remain registered throughout the course of the project. Students should anticipate planning approximately 40 hours of work for each credit to be earned and the number of credits to be earned in total must be approved by their advisor and noted on their program contract. The candidate must submit a Graduate Capstone Project form with their registration and the Capstone Project must be approved by the advisor and Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies.

• Total for self-designed MEd in Elementary, Secondary, or K-12 Education – 33 credits