“We provide graduate education for teachers who want to work for equity and excellence in schools.”

-- Elizabeth Meador, program coordinator, Master of Arts in Education

Applications are now being accepted for admission to the Master of Arts in Education program with an emphasis on Special Education or Curriculum and Instruction at California State University, Monterey Bay.

Students will learn current theory, research and practice; they will also create applied learning projects with faculty guidance. “We give teachers the tools to make changes through a process of action research, a step-by-step method to investigate what’s working and what’s not in schools and classrooms,” said program coordinator Liz Meador.

The program is designed to help certified teachers become effective with culturally and linguistically diverse students in this region. The Master of Arts in Education is designed for people who have already completed their special education, multiple subject or single subject credential or who are working in an education-related field that does not require a teaching credential (such as pre-kindergarten teacher or at the community college level). Two strands are available, one in special education and the other in curriculum and instruction.

Students must complete eight courses, five electives and three required classes. The program typically takes two years to complete.

Currently, 85 students are enrolled in the program, working to make schools better in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties.