Master's Degrees

The School of Education offers five different master's degree programs: Master of Science in Education; Master of Marriage, Family and Child Counseling; Master of Science in Teaching English as a Second Language; Master of Education, College Student Personnel Services; and Master of Science, Education (Counseling Psychology).

The program for the Master of Science in Education (M.S.) is designed to develop qualities and techniques requisite to leadership in professional service. The fundamental objectives of the program are to develop an awareness of the major fields and their relationships within professional education, to develop an understanding and an appreciation of the purposes and procedures of educational research, and to develop a particular proficiency in one or more of the special fields within the education profession. Specializations in curriculum and teaching, communication handicapped and science education are offered by the Division of Curriculum and Teaching. The Division of Counseling Psychology offers a specialization in counseling psychology; the Division of Educational Psychology offers specializations in educational psychology and instructional technology; the Division of Educational Administration and Policy offers specializations in administration and in international and intercultural education.

The program for the Master of Marriage, Family and Child Counseling is offered for those students seeking to prepare themselves for the practice of marriage, family and child counseling. The curriculum of the master's program is grounded in the applications of the discipline of counseling psychology to clinical work with couples, families and children in the family context. Students who complete this specialized professional degree program and who fulfill the additional state-mandated requirements are eligible for the State of California's Marriage, Family and Child Counseling license. The degree program is offered through the Division of Counseling and Educational Psychology.

The Master of Science in Teaching English as a Second Language (M.S.) is offered as a specialized, interdisciplinary degree. The M.S.TESL program is designed to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to teach English as a second language and provide leadership in such teaching programs. This degree program is an appropriate master's level option for qualified elementary and secondary teachers who have earned or are pursuing certification as Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development (CLAD) teachers or Bilingual CLAD and for other educators already in the field who wish to update their knowledge and skills. The degree program is under the auspices of the Division of Curriculum and Teaching.

The program for the Master of Education, College Student Personnel Services is designed to prepare students for career opportunities in higher education with particular emphasis on the provision of services to students, co-curricular based approaches to promoting student development and the administration of student services programs. Graduates assume positions at both four-year and community colleges, in areas such as residence halls and greek affairs, admissions and school relations, student activities and programming, academic advising and student support services. The degree program is jointly offered by the Divisions of Counseling Psychology and Educational Administration and Policy.

The program for the Master of Science, Education (Counseling Psychology) is designed to develop a broad knowledge of the theoretical, philosophical, and scientific foundations of the field of counseling psychology as well as practical skills in the application of counseling techniques. This program is limited to students who entered the Ph.D. program in counseling psychology directly from the baccalaureate. The program is offered through the Division of Counseling and Educational Psychology.

Faculty Advisor

Upon notification of admission to graduate study, students must arrange to talk with their assigned faculty advisor.

Program of Studies

A program of studies form for the appropriate master's degree is obtained from the Office of Student Services, Waite Phillips Hall 803. Together, the advisor and student plan a course of studies leading toward completion of degree requirements which is recorded on this form. Any changes in the program must be approved in advance in writing by the faculty advisor. Final approval of the program is based on a determination that all USC regulations and program requirements have been met. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Services for advisement regarding university regulations and must submit the completed program form to that office during the first semester of enrollment.

Transfer of Course Work

The Degree Progress Department determines whether course work taken elsewhere is available for transfer credit. The available work is recorded on the Graduate Credit Statement prepared by that office.

The maximum number of transfer credits which may be applied toward a master's degree requiring 28-32 units is four; eight units in programs requiring 33-40 units; 12 units in programs requiring 41 or more units. (Additional university regulations apply to students seeking a second master's degree.)

Final transfer of graduate credit to be applied toward a degree is dependent upon approval of the student's faculty advisor. The criteria used in approving available transfer credit are relevance to the program, recency, quality and grades earned.

Master's Thesis and Seminar

An integral part of the requirements for the master's degree is the completion of either a thesis (594ab) or the master's seminar (593ab). Each division within the School of Education offers both, providing the student with the option of choosing either one. Registration in the a semester is prerequisite to the b semester. Concurrent registration in a and b is not permitted except by petition. Credit for 594ab is conditional upon satisfactory completion of the thesis.

Program Requirements for the Master of Science in Education

A minimum of 28 units of acceptable graduate work in courses numbered 400 or higher is required. At least two-thirds of the units taken must be at the 500 or 600 level, not including 593 or 594, irrespective of the total number of units required.

The units are selected with school consent to develop some degree of proficiency in an educational specialty: administration, curriculum and teaching, communication handicapped, instructional technology, medical education, science education, or international and intercultural education. The school approves and monitors the course selection via a program of study which must be completed during the first semester of enrollment. Forms are obtained from and submitted to the Office of Student Services, WPH 803.

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Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
Joye Day
day@mizar.usc.edu