Education | Advanced Preparation Programs

The Graduate Education Advanced Preparation programs at Northwest Nazarene University comprise Master’s (M.Ed.), Educational Specialist (Ed.S.), and Doctoral (Ph.D. and Ed.D.) programs which support K-12 teachers and administrators, leaders within higher education, and leaders in other diverse educational and organizational settings. These programs have been developed for educators and organizational leaders to meet the new demands of the 21st-century. In addition, graduate programs at NNU are designed for educators who have an aspiration for learning new teaching strategies and preparing for roles as building-level leaders, district leaders, or educators within research or higher education settings. All programs within Graduate Education meet the needs of working professionals within an innovative educational environment.

Mission

The mission of Advanced Preparation Programs in the Department of Graduate Education at Northwest Nazarene University is to provide a Christian setting in which candidates improve their teaching, strengthen their leadership, and develop their research skills to positively impact student learning. Advanced Programs in Graduate Education foster educational excellence through rigorous, relevant, and innovative programs that develop candidates' intellectual and professional growth.

Accreditation

The Educator Preparation Programs at Northwest Nazarene University are accredited based on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards. The programs are fully approved by the Idaho State Board of Education.

Student Learning Outcomes

Candidates in Graduate Education Advanced Preparation programs are working toward these student learning outcomes:

Students will demonstrate knowledge and application of data driven decision making to develop supportive school environments.
Students will be able to evaluate peer reviewed research, formulate research design decisions for their own research proposals, and investigate research questions in educational settings.
Students will lead or participate in collaborative activities with others such as peers, colleagues, teachers, administrators, community organizations, and parents.
Students will identify and use appropriate applications of technology for their field of specialization.
Students will apply codes of ethics, professional dispositions, laws, policies, and professional standards appropriate to their field of specialization.

Transfer and Substitution of Credits

A maximum of nine credits or 25% of the credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from another regionally accredited institution. All transfer credits must have received at least a "B-" letter grade and be approved by the program director. Credits must have been earned within five years preceding the date of admission.

A maximum of 12 credits or 33% of the credit hours required for the degree may be considered as transfer if the previous degree was earned at NNU within the last five years.

Transfer of time- or content-sensitive credits, such as those dealing with current education law, innovation, and data driven decision making will be at the discretion of the program director.

Ultimate decisions regarding credit transfer will be made by the Program Director.

Enrollment Status

Continuous Enrollment - Continuous enrollment is defined as registering for at least one credit of course work each semester until graduation requirements are fulfilled. Some programs may require students to enroll for up to three credit hours to maintain continuous enrollment status. Students must be continuously enrolled to retain access to university and faculty services. Requests for exceptions must be made in writing to the director of the Education program. Except for rare circumstances, the program must be completed satisfactorily within six years of matriculation. Students who withdraw from school mid-semester may be subject to non-passing grades in the courses in which the student is enrolled in the session or semester of the withdrawal. Depending on the nature of the withdrawal (included but not limited to academic performance, history, and dispositional concerns versus personal circumstances), the student may be asked to meet with the program director prior to re-entry. Re-entry into the program is not guaranteed.

Active Status - A student who has been admitted to an Advanced Preparation program in the College of Education and is enrolled in at least one course has active status.

Inactive Status - A student who does not register for a course applicable to the degree for three consecutive semesters will be removed from active status and must make arrangements with the program director to regain active status. Some programs require the student to re-apply for admission. This policy does not apply to students who are not enrolled due to disciplinary reasons.

Academic Standing and Dismissal

To continue in the Graduate Education Advanced Preparation and/or certification programs, students must remain in good academic standing by meeting all of the following criteria:

Student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher each eight-week term in the program.
Student earns not more than one C grade in the program.
Student earns no grade lower than a C in any class in the program.

A student who does not meet all of the above criteria in any semester will be placed on Academic Probation for the following semester. The following explains the terms of the probation. A student who fails to meet the terms of the probation may be academically dismissed from the program.

A student who drops below a cumulative GPA of 3.0 will receive a warning letter from the program director indicating the necessity of the academic probation semester and requesting consultation with the student to develop an academic improvement plan. If, after the academic probation semester, the cumulative GPA remains below 3.0 or the student fails to meet the requirements of the academic improvement plan, the student may be dismissed from the program. The student will not be allowed to graduate from any Graduate Education program with a GPA lower than 3.0.
A student who earns more than one C grade in the Graduate Education Advanced Preparation program must choose to retake one of the classes and earn a B- or better in that class. This applies regardless of the effect of the C grades upon cumulative GPA. During the probation semester, the student must communicate electronically with the program director to indicate the plan for retaking the class.
A student who earns a C- or lower in any Graduate Education Advanced Preparation class must retake the class. This applies regardless of the effect of the C- or lower grade upon cumulative GPA. The grade earned for the retake must keep the student in compliance with points 2 and 3 above. During the probation semester, the student must communicate electronically with the program director to indicate the plan for retaking the class.

Besides meeting academic requirements, Graduate Education Advanced Preparation students are expected to demonstrate professional behavior that reflects a commitment to the ethics of the education profession (see Idaho educator Code of Ethics). Behavior contrary to these ethics may be cause for review of the student's status in the program. Examples of unprofessional conduct that would warrant such a review include oral or written statements that are derogatory toward students, faculty, or other persons involved in a student's education. Discrimination or disrespect shown to persons on the basis of age, class, color, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation is contrary to the purposes and values of education and may result in a review of the student's status and possible dismissal from the program.

Degrees Offered

Teacher Leader Endorsement

25 semester credits with eligibility for Teacher Leader - Instructional Specialist endorsement on an Idaho Standard Instructional Certificate (online).
28 semester credits with eligibility for Teacher Leader - Special Education endorsement on an Idaho Standard Instructional Certificate (online).

Master of Education M.Ed.

33 semester credits for M.Ed. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Innovation (online).
36 semester credits for M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with eligibility for Pre K-12 Principal endorsement on an Idaho Administrator Certificate (online).
33 semester credits for M.Ed. in Special Education (online).
37 semester credits for M.Ed. in Special Education with eligibility for K-12 Exceptional Child Generalist endorsement (online).

Education Specialist Ed.S.

32 semester credits for Ed.S. with eligibility for Pre-K-12 Principal endorsement on an Idaho Administrator Certificate (online).
32 semester credits for Ed.S. with eligibility for Pre-K-12 Principal endorsement and Director of Special Education endorsement on an Idaho Administrator Certificate (online).
39 semester credits for Ed.S. with eligibility for Superintendent endorsement and Director of Special Education endorsement on an Idaho Administrator Certificate (online).
43 semester credits for Ed.S. with eligibility for K-12 Exceptional Child Generalist endorsement and Director of Special Education endorsement on an Idaho Administrator Certificate (online).
30 semester credits for Ed.S. in Organizational Leadership (online).
33 semester credits for Ed.S. with eligibility for Superintendent endorsement on an Idaho Administrator Certificate (online).
36 semester credits for Ed.S. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Innovation (online).
36 semester credits for Ed.S. in Special Education (online)
40 semester credits for Ed.S. in Special Education with eligibility for K-12 Exceptional Child Generalist endorsement (online).

Educational Leadership Ed.D.

66 credits (minimum). The first 30 credits are earned through the successful completion of an Ed.S. program or its equivalent. The additional 36 credits (primarily online) consist of 9 leadership emphasis credits, 15 research and analysis methods credits, and 12 dissertation research/writing credits. Additional credits may be required depending on the student's academic status as determined by the program director.

Educational Leadership Ph.D.

71 credits (minimum). The first 30 credits are earned through the successful completion of an Ed.S. program or its equivalent. The additional 41 credits (primarily online) consist of 9 leadership emphasis credits, 20 research and analysis methods credits, and 12 dissertation research/writing credits. Additional credits may be required depending on the student's academic status as determined by the program director.