Master's Degree Culminating Experience
M.Ed. Culminating Experience | M.Ed. Professional Paper | M.S. Thesis |
Culminating Activity Options for M.Ed. and M.S.
Master of Education (M.ED.) Culminating Activity
There are two culminating activity options for M.Ed. students.
CIG 715 Curriculum and Instruction Culminating Experience (1 credit)
CIG 718 Professional Paper/Project in Curriculum and Instruction (3 credits)
Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines
CIG 715 Curriculum & Instruction Culminating Experience (1 credit)
Dates for CIG 715
The C&I Culminating Experience is offered every Spring, Summer and Fall semesters.
Eligibility for CIG 715
Eligibility for the culminating experience requires the completion of 30-36 graduate semester hours in the C&I Master of Education degree program.
Application for CIG 715
Students who are eligible the culminating experience must submit the department's on-line application to the C&I Department's Graduate Studies office. The on-line form must be completed and submitted the semester prior to enrollment in CIG 715 as per the following dates:
· Spring Enrollment: submit on or before November 1st
· Summer Enrollment: submit on or before March 1st
· Fall Enrollment: submit on or before April 1st
Students are encouraged to submit the on-line form early. Once the application has been processed and approved, students are required to meet with their advisor to review the culminating experience requirements as per each student's M.Ed. emphasis concentration program of study.
Purpose of CIG 715
The culminating experience activity provides students with the opportunity to synthesize knowledge and experience gained throughout their master's program of study. Students will demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge in their major emphasis concentration of study. The culminating experience project (paper or e-portfolio) will focus the application of theory, research, content, pedagogy, and standards for effective educational practices. It is recommended that students keep copies of coursework from all master's program of study classes in preparation for the culminating experience. Within the project students are required to use the American Psychological Association (APA) writing style format.
Content of CIG 715
Students should refer to the CIG 715 link listed under each subject area M.Ed. emphasis concentration.
Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines
CIG 718 Professional Paper/Project in Curriculum and Instruction (3 credits)
Dates for CIG 718
The Professional paper/project in C&I is offered every Spring, Summer and Fall semesters.
Eligibility and Requirments for CIG 718
Any graduate student who selects the Professional Paper/Project option for the M.Ed. must seek an academic advisor (C&I faculty member) who agrees to guide the student through the two-semester culminating process (CIG 717 minimum of 1 semester hour followed by CIG 718 for 3 semester hours).
Professional Paper/Project
CIG 717 - Seminar in Curriculum and Instruction (minimum of 1 semester hour)
CIG 718 - Professional Paper/Project in Curriculum & Instruction (3 semester hours)
In the M.Ed. program of study, CIG 717 replaces one semester hour of CIG 715 Curriculum and Instruction Culminating Experience. CIG 718 replaces three semester hours of elective or a course within the cognate; requires prerequisite of CIG 717 Seminar in Curriculum & Instruction the semester prior to CIG 718. CIG 717 requires completion of a literature review research foundation followed by filing an abstract form that must be approved by the advisor, committee members, outside representative, graduate coordinator prior to enrollment in CIG 718.
Master's degree students may choose to complete a professional paper/design a project as the culminating activity for their M.Ed. (emphasis concentration exceptions: Graduate Licensure Program for elementary and secondary, Elementary Education Endorsement, and RPDP Mathematics or Science Education). The purpose of the professional paper/project is for students to identify an educational issue and translate theory into practice through application, within a professional setting.
Students who are interested in culminating their master's degree experience with the professional paper/project must indicate CIG 717 Seminar in Curriculum and Instruction (minimum of 1 semester hour) and CIG 718 Professional Paper/Project in Curriculum and Instruction (3 semester hours) on their program of study. Together the student and advisor will select a committee composed of the advisor who acts as chair, two C&I faculty who are committee members, and one faculty outside of the C&I who represents the Graduate College. If CIG 718 does not appear on the original program of study, students must formally declare their intention to complete a professional paper/project before 18 hours of coursework have been completed by filing a "Program of Study Change" form.
Enrollment in CIG 718
The professional paper/project is accomplished as a multi-step process:
1. Students enroll in the appropriate CIG 717 for a minimum of 1 semester hour seminar the semester prior to enrollment in CIG 718. Preferably before and/or early in the semester in which students take the seminar, they should meet with their advisor to discuss and ultimately determine a focus topic. In the seminar, students will begin to identify an educational issue of interest, conduct a thorough literature review, and be introduced to the paper/project organizational format. If the paper/project requires human subjects approval, this process should be initiated during the semester that CIG 717 is taken.
2. After midterm of the CIG 717 seminar semester, students must meet with their advisor to complete and file the "Professional Paper/Project Abstract" form. The "Professional Paper/Project Abstract" must be completed by the student in conjunction with their advisor, signed by the student's advisor, and returned to the C&I Department's Graduate Program Office three (3) weeks prior to the last day of instruction of the semester before enrolling in CIG 718. The C&I Graduate Studies office will obtain signatures from the committee members and forward the form to the Graduate College.
3. The semester after completing CIG 717 and filing the "Professional Paper/Project Abstract," students enroll in CIG 718 Professional Paper/Project in Curriculum and Instruction. The call number for registration is available in the C&I Graduate Studies office, but will not be given unless the student has filed an approved "Professional Paper/Project Abstract" form.
4. During the CIG 718 semester, students will complete the paper/project under their advisor's supervision. The paper/project must be read and approved by all committee members and the student may be requested to give a committee presentation. It is the student's responsibility to allow sufficient time for the committee to read the professional paper/project. The student should also allow time to make content and editorial corrections requested by the committee.
Three (3) weeks prior to the last day of instruction in the semester the student is enrolled in the professional paper/project hours (CIG 718), two (2) completed and approved final copies of the Professional Paper/Project must be delivered to the C&I Department's Graduate Studies office (CEB 368A).
General Outline for CIG 718 Professional Paper/Project
This outline serves as a general guideline for students and advisors. Students may make modifications to fit the needs of their specific paper/project with the approval of their advisor and committee members. All paper/projects should be written in American Psychological Association (APA) style. First person is acceptable.
I. Table of Contents
II. Abstract
III. Chapters
1. Introduction (approximately 5-7 pages)
a. a statement of the problem or issue
b. limitations; assumptions; and definitions of specific terms
c. a statement of educational purpose (how project relates to M.Ed. program)
2. Review of the Literature (approximately 8-10 pages)
a. concise review and synthesis of related literature (5-12 citations)
b. application of research to project
3. Description of Project (approximately 5-7 pages)
a. description of paper/project goals
b. description of the methodology (developed materials should be referenced in this section and placed in the Appendix)
4. Summary (approximately 5-15 pages)
a. presentation of findings
b. conclusion and recommendations
5. Reflections (approximately 5-7 pages)
a. description of personal knowledge gained as a result of paper/project
b. how paper/project informed student in relation to M.Ed. program
IV. Bibliography
1. reference all books, periodicals, documents etc. cited in paper
V. Appendix
1. copies of all materials (print and media) developed by the student for the paper/project
Master of Science (M.S. ) Culminating Activity
The M.S. degree requires a minimum of 39 semester hours of coursework with some emphasis areas requiring 42 semester hours of coursework. Any graduate student who selects the M.S. option must seek an academic advisor (C&I faculty member) who agrees to guide the student through the two-semester thesis process.
Policies, Procedures and Guidelines
CIG 717 Thesis (6 credits)
Graduate students who select the Master of Science (M.S.) degree must complete six (6) hours of research courses as listed in the core requirements for each emphasis concentration before registering for any thesis hours.
A thesis prospectus must be filed with the C&I Department and the Graduate College the semester prior to registering for thesis hours. The form, "Prospectus Approval Form," must be completed by the student, signed by the student's advisor, and returned to the C&I Department Graduate Studies Office (CEB 368A) three (3) weeks prior to the last day of instruction the semester before enrolling in six (6) semester hours of CIG 719 Thesis. The C&I Graduate Studies Office will obtain signatures from committee members and graduate coordinator before forwarding the form to the Graduate College.
If the thesis requires human subjects approval, this process should be initiated at least one semester prior to enrollment in CIG 719 Thesis.
General Thesis Requirements
The minimum number of thesis credits is six.
1. Designed to demonstrate the student's ability to conduct research through the selection of a specific problem or topic, the gathering of pertinent and necessary data, the organization of ideas, and the writing of a document in professional, academic language. Students should obtain copies of A Thesis and Dissertation Manual from the Graduate College. Must be written in American Psychological Association (APA) style.
2. Follow established thesis deadlines as published by the UNLV Graduate College.
3. Students should consult the Graduate Catalog and their advisor for additional thesis information.