Master's Degrees, page 6
School of Education
Advanced Master of Education
The program for the Advanced Master of Education (A.M.Ed.) is designed to provide education beyond that which is commonly required for the Master of Science in Education degree. The program offers two options: (1) specialty in the teaching of a subject field and (2) specialty in an area of professional education.
Admission
Admission to the A.M.Ed. program is based on the following criteria:
1. Academic Standing
The applicant must provide evidence of the following: acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examinations General Test; an acceptable graduate grade point average; possession of a master's degree from an accredited college or university or the equivalent as determined by the School of Education; a minimum of 24 units of course work in education; and an appropriate professional record.
2. Professional Standing
It is necessary for the applicant to provide evidence of professional standing with any one of the following: a valid credential, satisfactory teaching experience, or an equivalent professional background.
Faculty Advisor
Upon notification of admission to graduate study, students must arrange to talk with their assigned faculty advisor. Although not required, students are strongly encouraged to remain with the same advisor until completion of the program.
Program of Studies
A program of studies form for the A.M.Ed. degree is obtained from the Office of Student Services, Waite Phillips Hall 801. Together, the advisor and student plan a course of studies leading toward completion of degree requirements and record the plan 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 should submit the completed program form to that office as early in the program as possible so that proper program counseling may occur.
Transfer of Course Work
The Transfer Credit Department determines whether course work taken elsewhere is available for transfer credit. The available work is recorded on the Transfer Credit Statement prepared by that office.
A maximum of four units of transfer credits may be applied toward the advanced 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.
Thesis
An integral part of the requirements for the A.M.Ed. degree is the completion of a thesis. Students who have previously completed a master's degree thesis may be exempt from the thesis requirement upon petition to the Student Services Committee of the School of Education. The thesis is waived for holders of professional doctorates (e.g., M.D., D.D.S., D.Pharm.) who are admitted to the program designed for the allied health fields. This exception does not reduce the total unit requirement for the degree.
Registration in the a semester is required no less than one year before the student expects to receive the degree and is prerequisite to the b semester. Registration in 694b entitles the student to continue as a candidate for three calendar years from the beginning of the semester in which registration in 694a occurred. The units earned from completion of the thesis are applicable toward the total unit requirement for the degree.
Program Requirements
A minimum of 24 units of approved course work beyond the master's degree is required. All required 600 level courses must be completed at USC; a minimum of 12 units in the School of Education. The last 12, and at least 20 units, must be taken at USC. The A.M.Ed. degree may be pursued with either of the following objectives: (1) a specialty in the teaching of a subject field or (2) a specialty in an area of professional education.
Course and Unit Requirements for a Specialty in the Teaching of a Subject Field
Twelve units of 600-level course work in education related to the subject field, including four units in 694ab Thesis, and 12 units of 500- or 600-level course work in a teaching major (for example, English, chemistry, history) or a related field outside the School of Education are required.
Course and Unit Requirements for a Specialty in an Area of Professional Education
A minimum of 24 units of approved course work in, or related to, the specialty as required by the major division are required. Sixteen units must be in the educational specialty and/or related areas, including four units in 694ab Advanced Thesis. Twelve of the 24 units must be at the 600 level. Eight units are elective graduate courses taken within or outside of the School of Education.
Application for the Degree
Application for the A.M.Ed. degree must be made during the semester preceding the one in which the student expects to receive the degree. The student must file diploma application cards with the Office of Student Services. The Degree Progress Department will prepare a Degree Requirement Summary reflecting any requirements remaining to be met. A copy is sent to the student and to the School of Education.
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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