Admission
Please refer to “The Graduate Admissions Process” section for general graduate admission information. For full admission to the Master of Education in Instruction: Teacher and Learning degree program, applicants are expected to provide or complete the following:
- Complete and submit the Graduate Application for Admission, accompanied by a non-refundable application fee. The application can be downloaded here.
- Provide an official transcript or transcripts from a regionally accredited college, university, or other degree-granting institution, verifying completion of a bachelor’s degree. Transcripts and all application documents should be sent directly to Wilmington University Office of Graduate Admissions. With official transcripts, submit a copy of your Immunization Records.
- Valid Teaching License for the past three years, and three years of successful teaching experience.
- Schedule a program planning conference with the Program Chair or Graduate Program Advisor. After all of the above requirements have been completed, register for MED 6102 (E-Folio) and other appropriate course(s) in the degree program.
Program Purpose
The Master of Education in Instruction: National Board Certified Teacher degree program is designed for educators seeking National Board Certification that is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education. Different states provide incentives that include salary increases, teacher-leader roles. Teachers who have achieved National Board Certification often move into teacher leadership roles in their respective school, district, and states. This degree program does not lead to a state teaching license.
Program Competencies
Developed and revised by practicing educators based on research and practitioner expertise, the National Board Five Core Propositions and Standards describe what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do to have a positive impact on student learning.
Proposition 1 - Teachers are committed to students and their learning
Proposition 2 - Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students
Proposition 3 -Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning
Proposition 4 -Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience
Proposition 5 -Teachers are members of learning communities
Outcomes Assessment
Multiple assessments are used to determine candidate growth toward achievement of the knowledge and skills described in the Master of Education in Instruction: National Board Certified Teacher degree program competencies and the college-wide graduation competencies. Performance-based assessments are used to evaluate projects, assignments, and research papers. Goals, learning outcomes and activities, external assignments, and assessment strategies are linked directly to program and graduation competencies as stated on each course syllabus. Other assessment strategies may include mentoring sessions and observations of candidate performance in authentic settings.
Program Design
This 30-credit program consists of 12 credit hours of foundation courses that focus on teaching and learning and 18 credit hours of elective courses. The program requires that candidates be working in an educational setting or a training center to complete the program competency assignments. These courses will be offered online. There is a non-credit E-Folio course requirement.
To earn National Board Certification, candidates will also be required to apply to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and meet their standards for their content area as demonstrated by submission of a professional portfolio and a content knowledge exam. NBPTS will require applicants to hold a valid teaching license and have three years of experience before teachers can earn National Board certification.
Course Requirements
Foundation Courses (12 credits)
Elective Courses (18 credits)
| MED 8000 | Foundations of National Board Certification | 3 |
| MED 8001 | Content Knowledge | 3 |
| MED 8002 | Differentiated Instruction | 3 |
| MED 8003 | Teaching Practice and Learning Environment | 3 |
| MED 8004 | Effective and Reflective Practitioner | 3 |
| MED 8005 | Professional Inquiry | 3 |
To qualify for the Master of Education in Instruction: Teaching and Learning degree, a candidate must successfully complete a minimum of 30 credit hours with a GPA of at least 3.0. The program must be completed within five years.
Since there is no relevant Delaware license or certificate, the completion of this degree does not qualify the recipient for a license or certification in Delaware, since there is no relevant Delaware license or certificate.