LRU Education Program

The Master of Arts degree in Education is designed for individuals who wish to pursue graduate studies in the area of licensure and gain experience in order to develop leadership skills and professional competence. Successful completion of this master's degree will make the student eligible for advanced licensure in the State of North Carolina. The program of study features a common core of twelve credits and twenty-four credits in the specialty area that leads to advanced competency licensure. NOTICE: PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS FOR AN ADVANCED BIRTH-KINDERGARTEN WHO DO NOT ALREADY HOLD THE "A" LEVEL READING OR B-K LICENSURE MUST SATISFY THE PRE-REQUISITES BEFORE COMPLETING THE NEW MASTERS LEVEL COURSES.

To receive a packet of information about the Master of Arts in Education program, contact:

The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
Lenoir-Rhyne University
P.O. Box 7227
Hickory, NC 28603
828-328-7300 or 1-800-277-5721

MASTER OF ARTS
BIRTH-KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION

Candidates in the Advanced Birth-Kindergarten Education program complete a core of courses in leadership and professionalism, research, child and family development, and diversity.

A second tier of courses provides background in assessment of the very young child, speech, language, literacy and communication disorders, research in curriculum and environments for young children, and focused study of typical and atypical development of the young child.

A final tier of courses allows specialization in supporting families, developing mentoring and consultation skills, and developing strategies to work with the young child with hearing impairment.

BIRTH - KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION: 36 CREDITS

Tier I: EDU 505. Research Methodology and Practicum 3
EDU 506. Child, Individual & Family Development 3
EDU 514. Current Trends & Issues for Leaders in Today's Schools 3
COU 535. Diversity Issues for Helping Professions 3
Tier II: EDU 571. Research in B-K Curriculum and Environmental Design 3
EDU 572. Speech Language, Literacy, and Communication Disorders 3
EDU 573. Advanced Assessment Practicum in B-K 3
EDU 584. Advanced Study in Typical & Atypical Child Growth & Development, Ages 0-5 3
Tier III: COU 560. Foundations of Marriage & Family Therapy 3
EDU 567. The Young Child With Hearing Impairment 3
EDU 568. Mentorship and Consultation in B-K Settings 3
EDU 590. B-K Advanced Internship 3

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

1. To develop leadership skills in professional educators which enable them to take on leadership roles in their service to young children and families.

2. To deepen and broaden knowledge of the B-K field in order to better plan family-originated programs for the very young child.

3. To increase knowledge of low-incidence populations of young children with disabilities.

4. To further explore approaches for family support in a variety of settings.

5. To develop research skills in order to become a better consumer of research in the field as well as to conduct action research.