GPC: Report to Academic Senate

Committee Name: Graduate Programs Committee

Chair:John Rebers

Subject:GPC Recommendations

First Reading:October 5, 2010

Recommendations:

  1. The Graduate Programs Committee recommendsapproval of a curriculum revision proposed by the School of Education. This revision would:
  2. Reorganize current courses that are all taught on-line into a new on-line program called the Master of Arts in Education: Instruction; and,
  3. Terminate the Master of Arts in Education: Elementary Education and Master of Arts in Education: Secondary Education programs.
  4. Rationale
  5. The current Master of Arts: Elementary Education and Master of Arts: Secondary Education programs have long served the needs of graduate students in our region, and the programs have a tradition of excellence. However, the two programs both have had declining enrollment and because of the numerous course choices provided across all of the Education programs, at times courses have been cancelled due to low enrollment. The School of Education conducted a review of these two programs, existing programs statewide, current faculty expertise, and developed a new Master of Arts in Education: Instruction program which builds upon the solid foundation of their previous degrees, and reflects their response to an opportunity to redesign our program to best meet the needs of 21st century learners.
  6. Implementation: Fall Semester 2011
  7. A full description of the program is included in the attached document.
  8. The Graduate Programs Committee recommends approval of a graduate TESOL (Teaching of English to the Speakers of Other Languages) program. TESOL certification:
  9. Would provide a separate M.A.-level certificate program available to graduate students in any discipline.
  10. Would be an enhancement to the existing Pedagogy Track within the current English M.A. program.
  11. Is deserving of a separate credential, since it requires an additional eight hours (including an internship) beyond existing English M.A. tracks.
  12. Rationale: TESOL certification would improve employability of undergraduate and graduate students, would provide instructorsfor international partner institutions, English as a Second Language Minor, Wildcat Prep program, and Pre-College ESL program (see Attachments), and would help increase student enrollment.
  13. The Graduate Programs Committee also recommends approval of graduate credit for the following courses associated with the TESOL program:
  14. EN 414 History of the English Language
  15. EN 414/515 English Grammar and Usage
  16. EN 416/516 Second Language Acquisition
  17. EN 517 TESOL Methods and Materials
  18. The Graduate Programs Committee recommends graduate faculty status for those listed below. An explanation of the different levels of graduate faculty is provided at the end of this report.

Faculty Member / Department / Level / Term / Dates
Belton, Robert J. / Biology / 2 / 3 year / 2010-2013
Steinhaus, Carol S. / College of Business / 2 / 3 year / 2010-2013
Niebauer, Walter / CAPS / 3 / 5 year / 2010-2015
Valentine, Ansley / CAPS / 2 / 3 year / 2010-2013
Xie, Shuang / CAPS / 2 / 3 year / 2010-2013
Petrovich, Sandra / Education / 1 / 3 year / 2010-2013
Stevenson, Heidi / English / 1 / 3 year / 2010-2013
Rademacher, Craig / HPER / 2 / 3 year / 2010-0013
Anderson, Mary Lynn / Nursing / 3 / 5 year / 2010-2015
Baker, Lisa / Psychology / 1 / 1 year / 2010-2011
Gillespie, Thomas / Psychology / 1 / 2 year / 2010-2012
Moisio, Elmer / Psychology / 1 / 1 year / 2010-2011

Criteria for Appointment to the Graduate Faculty:

  1. Completed application form.
  2. Current curriculum vitae.
  3. Department Head cover Letter.
  4. Evidence of Appropriate additional study or experience.
  5. Evidence of graduate teaching experience and effectiveness.
  6. Indication of the graduate faculty status requested, and, in the case of Level 1 Graduate Faculty, the duration of the appointment.
  7. In the case of Level 1 Graduate Faculty, a description of the courses to be taught (Level 1 Graduate Faculty may teach only those courses for which they are pre-approved.)

Levels of Graduate Faculty Status

Level 3 Graduate Faculty Status

This is for members of the bargaining unit or individuals holding faculty status at NMU who have successfully taught at the graduate level and/or supervised thesis work, and has evidence of professional development. Only faculty members with level three status may chair a graduate thesis committee. Level three status will be reviewed every 5 years.

Level 2 Graduate Faculty Status

This is for members of the faculty who are either new or have not taught at the graduate level previously. A person at this level can teach graduate courses and serve on thesis committees. This status can be requested for 1 to 3 years.

Level 1 Graduate Faculty Status

This is for someone who is not a member of the bargaining unit. A person at this level can teach graduate courses and serve on, but not chair, thesis committees. They must have a terminal degree or appropriate experience. This status can be requested for 1 to 3 years.

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