Department of Professional Education
Director of Teacher Education: Timothy Wall
Assistant Director of Teacher Education: Joseph Haughey
School of Education, Graduate Faculty: Kristina Alexander, Travis Dimmitt, Tina Ellsworth, Shantel Farnan, William Daniel Gordon, Beth Gregory, Nissa Ingraham, David Kiene, Tamara Lynn, Rebecca Moore, Gregory Rich, Kaleatha Roberts, Cynthia Schairer-Kessler, Sandra Seipel, Linda Gray Smith, Ashley Strickland, Sara Taylor, and Timothy Wall.
Director of Clinical and Field Experiences (graduate): Gregory Rich
Assistant Coordinator of Clinical and Field Experiences: Cathy Barr
Director of Horace Mann Laboratory School and Leet Center for Children and Families: Laura King
Coordinators:
Alternative Certification/Post Baccalaureate – William Daniel Gordon
Curriculum and Instruction – Cynthia Schairer-Kessler
Educational Leadership (M.S.Ed.) – David Kiene
Educational Leadership K-12 (Ed.S.) – Kristina Alexander
Generalist (Ed.S.) – Kristina Alexander
Superintendent (Ed.S) – Kristina Alexander
Reading – Beth Gregory
Special Education – Shantel Farnan
Educational Diagnostician (M.S.Ed.) – Sara Taylor
Educational Diagnostician with School Psychological Examiner Certification (M.S.Ed.) – Sara Taylor
Educational Diagnostician (Ed.S.) – Sara Taylor
Special Education with Certification – Tamara Lynn
Department Telephone: (660) 562-1239
Statement of Mission
Northwest Missouri State University is a learning-centered community of scholars offering undergraduate and selected graduate programs. The University is committed to preparing broadly educated and engaged citizens for a world of constant change, applying information technology to improve learning processes, and promoting continuous improvement to enhance performance in all its activities. Northwest seeks to expand access to learning and promote research designed to address the needs of our students and stakeholders.
Changes to programs during this catalog cycle may be made related to changes in certification requirements and/or program changes approved by both Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
All education graduate students are required to complete the following as a condition of graduation.
Diverse Field Experience
The Department of Professional Education is committed to preparing professionals to work with all students. To facilitate multicultural awareness and understanding of issues related to teaching students from diverse backgrounds, the department requires a twenty-one hour field experience in a diverse setting for all MSED candidates during their multiculturalism in education course.
Comprehensive Assessment
To meet exit comprehensive requirements, students are required to complete an Assessment of Competency Mastery completed within a capstone course. Additional competency exams may be required for M.S.Ed. programs conducted in cooperation with other departments.
Research Component
The student will participate in a research component related to the use of data in the field of education. This data project will be completed during a data literacy course. This research component must be completed prior to graduation/certification.
Program Admission Requirements
Students wishing to pursue a graduate degree in Professional Education in the program area of Curriculum and Instruction or Educational Leadership must meet the admission requirements of the University and department as stated in this catalog. See admission requirements under specific program descriptions.
Admission Appeal
Students not meeting the departmental GPA admission standards as stated may appeal to the departmental admission committee. Appeals should be made in writing to the department chairperson.
If after a second attempt on the GRE the student is unable to attain the minimum admission score, he or she may appeal to the departmental admission committee. Appeals should be made in writing to the department chairperson.
Students not successfully completing a second writing assessment may appeal in writing to the department chairperson.
Departmental Admissions Appeal Committee
The chairperson will appoint a committee of three department members, including the advisor, and two professors, one who has had the student in class and one who has not.
The student is to:
1. Submit a portfolio including, but not limited to:
a. Transcripts of all credits.
b. A written request for alternative admission (minimum 250 words not to exceed three double-spaced typed pages).
c. Two employer/supervisor recommendations.
2. Make an oral presentation to the committee including:
a. Statement of personal and professional reasons for appeal.
b. Factors or motivation for seeking a graduate degree.
c. Projected plans for degree completion.
Students seeking admission through the appeal process should contact respective program advisors for portfolio guidelines.