Teacher Education Online Programs | UofL News & Resources

UofL Master of Education Faculty Spotlight: Irina McGrath

By admin | June 12, 2017

Irina McGrath navigates a variety of worlds.

Her classroom experience as a current JCPS teacher translates directly to her curriculum as a UofL instructor in the online Master of Education and ESL endorsement programs.

On top of all that, she also finds time to pursue her own education and personal life. She is the embodiment of the career and education opportunities that online learning offers.

Tell us briefly about yourself and your teaching career. Why UofL?

I work as a JCPS Middle School Resource Teacher, and I’ve been a UofL adjunct since 2007. I’m also a doctoral student in Curriculum and Instruction and I’m pursuing my Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in the Department of Educational Leadership, Evaluation and Organizational Development at the University of Louisville.

One of the reasons I chose UofL is because of its incredible faculty. Everyone I have worked with has been extremely knowledgeable, passionate about their work and supportive.

What do you like best about teaching online?

Online teaching encourages creativity and challenges your thinking as an instructor. Oral language, a preferred and commonly-used mode of communication in a face-to-face class, is not the main mode of communication in an online class; therefore, you need to find other ways to engage your students and facilitate their learning.

Teaching online also allows you to work in a place where you feel comfortable and can concentrate the most. Whether that is a coffee shop, your office or home. You can switch places if you wish, you just need Internet access.

How does the online learning format benefit your students?

The online format allows for continuous individualized feedback to students. It also permits me to tailor my instruction and interact with students in ways that meet their specific needs.

Additionally, the online format gives the students flexibility as far as time is concerned. Since the deadlines for each assignment are posted online, students can plan accordingly around their busy schedules. They are able to devote time to learning, as well as continue to work and spend time with their families.

What advice do you have for prospective online students who might be worried about going back to school while holding a job or taking care of family?

Online classes provide a smooth transition when going back to school. The course materials are posted electronically and you are in charge of creating your own schedule for completing the assignments on time. You get to decide when, where, and how much time you are going to spend each week on course work. Discipline and consistency are key.

Would you recommend UofL and your program to others? Why?

Yes, definitely! I strongly believe that UofL provides high-quality education and the courses we offer are well thought-out and designed to meet the diverse needs of our students. Many parties are involved in creating excellent online courses: from UofL faculty members who have successfully taught online courses to the Delphi Center, which has been instrumental in helping ensure online courses meet the high standards for quality.

About UofL Online Learning

Irina is a great example of what is possible if you put your mind to it. Taking the initiative and balancing work, home and school can be a challenge, but the reward is immense. That’s why the University of Louisville currently offers online programs in many various areas of study for adult learners who are not able to come to a physical campus, but want to earn a college degree or certificate and advance their career.

As a nationally-recognized, metropolitan research university, with a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, as well as the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community of learners, our online programs bring a long tradition of excellence into your world.

How To Choose A Master’s Program for Your Teaching Career

By admin | June 7, 2017

You’ve finally taken the plunge to pursue your master’s degree – an exciting and rewarding decision.

While your state may not require a Master of Education or Master of Arts in Teaching, choosing to advance your degree is a smart choice for:

Working towards your Rank I and Rank II certifications, and increasing your earning potential
Becoming a better teacher, with more expertise in pedagogy and educational technology
Opening doors for promotions to administration positions in education
Improving opportunities to teach at the university or college level

Whatever the motivation, obtaining your master’s degree is an excellent way to advance your career and understand how to help your students succeed.

But, you’ve found yourself at a crossroads.

Of all the teaching graduate programs, which one is best tailored to your interests, motivations and goals?

Key Differences Between Teaching Degree Programs

At a glance, the Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Education degrees seem similar, and prospective students often use these terms interchangeably. However, it is important to note the differences in curriculum and admission requirements between teacher education programs. While subtle, they can be critical to your career path.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

A MAT degree is focused primarily on advancing your teaching career by enhancing your ability to work directly with students through hands-on teaching experience.

The MAT program emphasizes advanced coursework to help you hone your expertise in a specific subject area such as Art, Music or Early Elementary Education. MAT candidates focus on pedagogical theory and developing the practical skills needed for implementing this theory in the classroom. In other words, the MAT teaches teachers how to teach.

Master of Education (MEd)

A MEd is less centered on developing skills in a specific subject area. Instead, this is the path to choose if you need to fulfill continuing education requirements, maintain or add to your teaching credentials, or expand your knowledge and skills beyond the classroom to widen your career opportunities in the field of education.

As a certified teacher, you can pursue this degree and still remain in a classroom setting. The framework of the MEd degree, however, is designed to equip you with additional proficiency in specialized areas including curriculum development, counseling, policy development or administration. In other words, the MEd focuses on attaining career-specific credentials.

Master of Arts in Education (MAEd)

Less popular than the MEd and MAT degrees, a MAEd primarily emphasizes classroom teaching rather than administrative work. This is the most fitting degree if you want to gain practical, hands-on experience in the classroom but do not have an interest in pursuing administrative education roles.

Master of Science in Education (MSEd)

The MSEd degree, also less well known than the MAT and MEd, is an excellent choice if you are more interested in data and statistics behind different pedagogical theory and practice. This is the ideal degree for students interested in educational research.

Master of Education in Teacher Leadership (Teaching & Learning) (MEdTL)

This graduate degree at the University of Louisville is available completely online. The curriculum prepares you to serve as a leader, work strategically with learners of all ages, facilitate change at the classroom and institutional level, and coach others to lead in the teaching field.

Developed especially for Kentucky-certified teachers, this innovative program centers on pedagogical theory and practical teaching techniques that will help you pursue a successful career in supporting new teachers, developing professional training and transforming the way education is delivered.

What’s Your Next Move?

If you are already teaching and balancing life inside and outside the classroom, thinking about pursuing a master’s degree can be daunting. However, an online learning format can allow you to pursue your degree when and where it works for you.

UofL currently offers two master’s degrees 100% online: the Master of Education in Special Education and the Master of Education (Teaching and Learning) with endorsements in ESL, Classroom Reading, and Instructional Technology. Our advising team is exceptional and can help you navigate the various options available, providing guidance at every step of the way.

Obtaining a master’s degree in education can sharpen your teaching and leadership skills, improve your career opportunities and, most importantly, prepare you to best serve your students and school. Having clear career goals and knowing your options for earning your next education credential can help you choose the path that’s best for you and your students.

Know your options inside and outside the classroom, and choose the path that’s best for you and your students.

CFDC Program at UofL Featured on U.S. Army Website

By Laura Dorman | April 2, 2017

U.S. Army Cadet Command has recently partnered with the University of Louisville to design and implement the first Cadre & Faculty Development Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Through this program, graduate students earn 12 master’s level credit hours for the residence phase and an additional 12 credits for the clinicals at their respective campuses. Undergraduate students earn 15 credit hours for the residence portion and 12 credits for clinicals.

cfdc-rotc-course The U.S. Army website features the University of Louisville – Department of Educational Leadership, Evaluation and Organizational Development through an article about the Cadre Faculty Development Course (CFDC) at Fort Knox. The article discusses details about curriculum and outcomes of the program. The fall 2016 issue of the UofL Magazine also featured the program and other options the University offers for military service personnel.

Active duty military have a wide array of educational choices throught UofL Online and benefit from a Tuition Assistance (TA) rate of $250 per credit hours for most of the programs. Professional degrees (i.e., Master of Engineering in Engineering Management) also offer a special tuition rate.

UofL Online programs include bachelor’s, master’s, graduate certificates and teaching endorsements. View all online offerings and select a program that best fits your background, professional goals and interest.

UofL Introduces Online ESL Teaching Endorsement

By admin | October 27, 2016

The University of Louisville is proud to introduce a new online teaching endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL) for Kentucky certified teachers.

According to the Kentucky Department of Education, Kentucky’s P-12 student population speaks more than 94 different languages. UofL’s online ESL Endorsement is designed for certified teachers in Kentucky who want to be better equipped to teach English to the growing number of K-12 students whose first language is not English.

The ESL endorsement is a 12 credit hour graduate program structured in four courses and is offered both 100% online and in the more traditional face to face format. The curriculum focuses on ESL strategies that are research-based and recognized by experts as best practices in all P-12 teaching environments, including teaching English in an international context.

Requirements for earning an endorsement include completing two semesters of a foreign language (or a qualifying international language experience), 30 hours of ESL field experience, and passing the ESOL Praxis examination. Upon successful completion of these qualifications, the P-12 ESL Endorsement will be attached onto the initial Kentucky teaching certification.

“The English Language Learner student population is on the rise,” says Dr. Elizabeth Patton, ESL program director at the University of Louisville. “The ESL Endorsement at the University of Louisville provides specialized training for P-12 classroom teachers that is highly valued by both principals and administrators alike. Our completers consistently score in the 90% for the ESOL Praxis exam, which is a testimony to the rigorous preparation that our program provides.”

“While the program is designed for certified P-12 teachers, this is also a popular program of study for seminarians, language tutors, and other candidates wanting high-quality preparation for teaching English as private tutors and in preparation for teaching English as an International Language overseas.” added Dr. Patton.

Courses are offered every semester and admissions is on a rolling basis. For more details on admission requirements and deadlines, visit the program site.

Category: Teacher Education