The Saint Xavier University Education Division offers the master of arts (M.A.) or the master of arts in teaching (MAT) degrees with programs of study that prepare candidates to assume responsibilities in teaching. Such preparation integrates theory and clinical experiences in institutions or agencies, enabling graduates to function effectively as humane and liberally educated leaders in a variety of settings.
The conceptual framework of the Education Division provides a structure and process to prepare candidates for the education profession. The Education Division seeks to recruit and support the development of diverse candidates who are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence as scholars, lifelong learners, leaders and reflective professionals.
The logo of the Education Division also incorporates the cross from the shield of Saint Xavier University to acknowledge the mission and strategic directions of the University and the core values from the founding Sisters of Mercy. Caring, capable and highly qualified faculty personifies those attributes in the community of Saint Xavier University and in the profession of education. Additionally, the faculty directs the candidates' progress in the acquisition of the relevant knowledge, skills and dispositions.
Programs of Study
The Saint Xavier University Education Division offers a master of arts degree through the following areas of concentration: Multicategorial Special Education; Secondary Education or Special K-12; a Master of Arts in Education Dual Endorsement LBS I and Bilingual/ESL; and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education, and alternative licensure in early childhood, elementary, middle level, and secondary education.
In addition to degree programs, candidates with a valid Illinois teaching license may pursue coursework leading to an addition to their license. Coursework is available for endorsements in the following areas: Bilingual Education (BE), Technology Specialist, English as a Second Language (ESL), and Learning Behavior Specialist I. Coursework is available for certificates in the following areas: Certificate of Advanced Studies in Education, Technology Integration Coach, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Coursework is available for approval in the following area: Early Childhood Special Education.
The certificate of advanced studies program is available for those candidates who have earned a master's degree and who wish to do further graduate work without commitment to another degree program. A program of studies specific to the needs of a candidate or a group of candidates is developed and leads to a certificate of advanced studies upon completion of the program.
Earning a Second Degree from the Education Division
Graduate students who have earned one graduate degree in education from the Education Division and are admitted and enrolled in a second degree need to complete the coursework required for the degree. A minimum of 30 credit hours taken at the graduate level from the coursework offered by the Education Division is required to obtain the second degree.
Models of Program Delivery
The delivery model for graduate programs is flexible and responsive to student needs. Completely online delivery is offered in the Elementary Education program, ESL or Bilingual endorsement program, LBS I endorsement only program, and the LBS I and Bilingual/ESL Dual M.A. program.
Admission to the Education Division
Individuals seeking admission to the graduate program must complete a graduate student application, which is available from the Office of Graduate Admission. The completed application file is evaluated by a graduate admission counselor and then forwarded to the Education Division. Once received from the Office of Graduate Admission, Education faculty and administration will review the file and make an admission decision. The Office of Graduate Admission will inform the prospective candidate of the decision.
Admitted students will be assigned a program advisor in the Education Division who will review program requirements and offer assistance with registration and academic issues. Graduate students are responsible for monitoring their programs of studies to ensure that requirements for graduation and licensure are met.
Individuals who have not been denied admission to the Education Division and who do not wish to enroll in a program may enroll for graduate courses as students-at-large with the permission of the Education Division director and upon verification of completed undergraduate work by the Office of Graduate Admission. Courses taken in this capacity do not guarantee admission into a graduate program. However, appropriate courses (a maximum of 12 credits) may be applied to a degree program, once admitted.
Requests for transfer of credit must be submitted to the program faculty adviser upon admission to the program, as such transfers are not allowed during the course of study (see policy below). Please see student-at-large designation in Office of Graduate Admission for further information.
Individuals seeking a master's degree with licensure in secondary education must have a degree in the subject area of licensure or must have completed the required course work identified for them in a transcript review completed by the education licensure officer. Graduate students seeking secondary licensure must also pass the Illinois Content Area test prior to student teaching.
All graduate students seeking full admission to the Education Division in elementary, multicategorical special education, secondary education, LBS I endorsement and Bilingual/ESL endorsement; and alternative licensure in early childhood, elementary, middle level, and secondary must meet the following requirements:
A bachelor's degree and a cumulative GPA -- 3.0 or higher.
Please use the matrix entitled "Graduate Admission Requirements" to identify the graduate admission requirements for each of the graduate programs in the Education Division.
Transfer of Credit
A maximum of 6 credit hours of graduate credit from other accredited institutions taken prior to admission to graduate work at Saint Xavier University may be considered for acceptance for graduate program requirements. Students may obtain a petition for evaluation and transfer of graduate credit from the Education Division. The request will be evaluated on the following:
- level of the coursework,
- grade in the course,
- course completion date, and/or
- a review of the course description and/or syllabus
If a student has taken a course at the undergraduate level, that course may be considered as fulfilling the requirement for licensure; however, that course will not be accepted as equivalency toward the degree requirement for any 400/500-level course. The student will be required to take a 400/500-level course to replace the credit hours.
Requests for transfer of credit must be submitted to the Education Division advisor upon admission to the program. Once admitted to the Education Division, graduate students may not take any courses required for the program or the degree at another institution.
Program Completion
All graduate students in the Education Division in programs that lead to licensure must successfully pass the coursework, tests, core assessments and the benchmarks required by each program.
Dismissal from the Graduate Programs
Graduate candidates in Education may be dismissed from a program for the following reasons:
- grade-point average (below 3.0)
- academic dishonesty
- violation of professional dispositions
- failure to successfully complete program benchmarks
- results of the criminal background investigation
Additional reasons not herein described may also result in dismissal. For further details, please refer to the Saint Xavier University Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.
Candidate Disposition Assessment
In an effort to better serve degree candidates, the PK-12 school children and the community, the Education Division has implemented a disposition support model. The professional dispositions of candidates are a critical component of development for emerging as well as experienced educators. Candidates are required to maintain appropriate professional dispositions on campus, as well as during the field or practical experiences. Faculty and staff utilize evaluation tools to assess candidate dispositions and develop supportive intervention.
Grievance Policy/Procedures for Disposition Decisions
The Education Division follows the Saint Xavier University Grievance Process.