University of Virginia Library

THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF EDUCATION

A student approved for admission to graduate work in education will have the option of
undertaking (1) a program leading to the present Master of Arts degree, with education as a field
of specialization, provided he meets the admission requirements of the Department of Graduate Studies,
or (2) a program leading to the Master of Education Degree.

Requirements for the Master of Education Degree

The student who elects to pursue the Master of Education will register in the Curry Memorial
Department of Education—Graduate Division. Such registration must have the approval of the
Dean of the Department and must be completed prior to enrollment in graduate courses in order for
work completed to be applied toward fulfilling the requirements for the Master of Education degree.

Admission: A student holding the Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
may become a candidate for the Master of Education degree provided he gives evidence of adequate
preparation for the type of work to be pursued.

Advisory Committee: At the time of registration each student will select, in consultation
with the Dean of the Department of Education, an adviser who will approve the student's initial
registration in graduate courses. During the first period of graduate study the student and his
adviser will recommend to the Dean of the Department of Education two additional faculty members,
who, along with the Adviser will constitute the student's Advisory Committee.

Approval of Professional Degree Program: Each student working toward the Master of Education
degree will plan, with the help of his Advisory Committee, a program of study adapted to his
educational background, professional experience and anticipated professional objectives. In all
cases, the student's program will be projected in such manner that it forms a consistent plan of
work and is directed toward a definite professional goal. The Advisory Committee and the Dean of
the Department of Education must approve for the Department of Education the proposed program.

The Degree Program: A student must complete a minimum program of twenty-four semester-hours
in graduate courses which have received the approval of his Advisory Committee and of the
Dean of the Department of Education and must, in addition, include in his program of work one of the
following: (1) one or more graduate courses with a minimum credit value of six semester-hours;
(2) a thesis; or (3) a research study of a field project approved and directed by his adviser, in
cooperation with other members of the Advisory Committee.

Examinations: Each candidate for the Master of Education degree must pass a comprehensive
examination in the field or fields in which the degree program is projected. When a thesis or field
study is included in the student's degree program the examination will give appropriate consideration
to the quality and extent of these projects.

Inclusion of Graduate Extension Work in the Master of Education Degree Program: A student
who pursues graduate study through the program of extension work developed by the Department of Education
will be permitted to apply, upon approval of his Advisory Committee, twelve to fifteen hours
of such credit toward the course requirements of the Master of Education degree. Approval for counting
more than twelve hours of graduate extension credit toward the degree must be secured from the
Dean and the Faculty of the Department of Education. In no case may more than half of the course
work submitted for the Master of Education degree be work taken in extension.

Transfer of Credit from Other Institutions: Upon approval of his Advisory Committee and
the Dean of the Department of Education a student may transfer a maximum of six semester-hours of
graduate credit in other accredited institutions to apply toward the requirements of the Master of
Education degree in the Department of Education of the University of Virginia. In no case, however,
may the total amount of transfer credit and credit earned through extension work equal more than
one-half of the total credits required for the degree and when the total exceeds twelve semester-hours
it must be approved by the Dean and the Faculty of the Department of Education.