The Master of Education began in 1991 and accreditation at the master’s level was granted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOS) December 15, 1993. The Master of Arts in Teaching was added and began in 2011, at which time the Graduate School of Education was created. In 2021, the Graduate Certificate in Christian Education was added.
Mission: The mission of the Covenant College Graduate School of Education is to develop and equip biblically faithful educators.
The Graduate School of Education at Covenant College provides a Christian community for graduate study. Prior to the on-campus session students prepare by reading books and articles, collecting information, and writing reflectively. In the on-campus session, students share their lives, their thoughts, and their plans resulting in a support network of Christian educators. Covenant graduate students learn how their faith relates to their work with learners who bear the image of God. Three graduate degree programs make up the Graduate School of Education: Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Education in either Educational Leadership or Integrated Curriculum and Instruction.
Master of Arts in Teaching Program
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is a 34 credit hour program in the following academic areas (grade levels of certification in parentheses):
- Art (P-12)
- Biblical Studies (6-12; ACSI only; state certification not available)
- Biology (6-12)
- Chemistry (6-12)
- Computer Science (P-12)
- Drama (P-12)
- Economics (6-12)
- English (6-12)
- French (P-12)
- German (P-12)
- History (6-12)
- Mathematics (6-12)
- Music (P-12)
- Physics (6-12)
- Political Science (6-12)
- Spanish (P-12)
- Middle grades level (grades 4-8) certification is available with any two specializations in:
- Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
Students with undergraduate degrees in other content areas may be eligible for the MAT and should contact the graduate school office for details.
The MAT program is an eleven-month, pedagogy-only, initial teaching certification program in multiple content areas. Students in the Chattanooga area can attend all of their classes on campus, but the hybrid option allows students with teaching jobs in other locations to enroll, taking their fall and spring semester evening classes online synchronistically with students on campus.
The program emphasizes:
- Certification and Workable Schedule. The MAT allows candidates to complete a degree in one year, obtain the Induction Certificate from the GaPSC, and become eligible for a certificate from the Association of Christian Schools International in their desired teaching area. Summer classes are taught in a three-week session M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, while classes are held in the evening during fall and spring semesters with clinical practice during daytime hours. It is possible for current teachers who desire state certification and a master’s degree to complete the program while employed full or part time.
- Clinical Practice. MAT students complete about 1000 hours of clinical practice during the fall and spring semesters.
- Collaboration. The MAT benefits from partnerships with area schools and collaboration with colleagues from other academic departments in the college. Content specialists in other disciplines work with the Education Department in transcript review, remediation plans as needed, collaboration, and supervision of clinical practice.
- Research. One innovative aspect of the MAT is the emphasis on classroom research. This focus enables candidates to understand the value and limitations of educational research and to develop the values of self-reflection and self-evaluation as they conduct action research through various courses.
- Theory and Practice. Theory and practice are integrated in the program with a combination of on-campus classes combined with field practicum activities in area schools. On-campus coursework is presented by a faculty that has both practical and research experience. All candidates complete a full year of clinical practice (fall and spring semesters) in P-12 classrooms under the supervision and mentorship of experienced classroom teachers and Covenant faculty. Candidates gain experience working with students at different grade levels from different socioeconomic, racial/ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, and students with exceptionalities.
For most students, the MAT will be completed in one year with six credit hours in the summer term, 15 credit hours in the fall term, and 13 credit hours in the spring term. Students can choose to complete the MAT as a two-year course of study. The degree must be completed within six years.
Master of Education Program
The Master of Education (MEd) is a 30 credit hour program with two specializations: Educational Leadership (EL) and Integrated Curriculum and Instruction (ICI). Upon completion of either specialization, candidates are eligible for a certificate from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Additional information about certification may be found in the MEd certification section of this catalog.
The MEd requires three weeks on campus for two summers. Each course consists of three sessions: pre-campus, on-campus, and post-campus.
Pre-campus session: The pre-campus session begins with registration (February-April) and includes significant coursework within a variety of assignments: reading of texts and articles, writing, analysis, data gathering, and reflection using independent directed study. The intent of the pre-campus work is to give background to and prepare students for the on-campus session.
On-campus session (summer): The on-campus session consists of one week on campus per course during which instructional activities are widely varied. This session occurs for three weeks late June through mid-July. Classes meet 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Post-campus session: The post-campus session consists of projects, exams, research, or papers in which students apply what they are learning to their own school settings. This session begins at the conclusion of the summer session and ends December 15.
EDU 785 (EL) and EDU 790 (ICI) are capstone courses and conclude March 1 of the final year in the MEd.
The two-year program follows this schedule:
Semester 1: Summer and Fall
- 3 classes consisting of pre-campus, on-campus, and post-campus components
- 1 online class
Total: 12 credit hours
Semester 2: Spring
Total: 6 credit hours
Semester 3: Summer and Fall
- 3 classes consisting of pre-campus, on-campus, and post-campus components
- 1 Capstone Course
Total: 12 credit hours
It is possible to extend the program beyond two years but not beyond six years. Occasionally due to unusual circumstances, a student is unable to complete the MEd within the six year limit. Application may be made to the Dean of the Graduate School of Education to extend the program. If extended, continuation fees apply.
Graduate Certificate in Christian Education
The Graduate Certificate in Christian Education is offered by The Graduate School of Education for K-12 educators desiring in-depth study of the biblical principles that guide a faith-informed pedagogy. Students pursuing this certificate already have at least a B.A. degree, and will complete 9 hours of graduate work in the existing Master of Education program at Covenant.
