School of Education Master of Arts Programs

All School of Education programs at Benedictine College are built upon the framework of educators as builders of community. In preparing educational administrators and developing teacher leaders, this framework is served by three overarching goals and six program outcomes:

Accreditation and Approval

Accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission has been granted for the awarding of the Master of Arts in School Leadership.
Approval for a graduate program leading to endorsement as a building level administrator has been granted by the Kansas State Board of Education (KSBE) for the MASL program. The state-approved program is included within the degree program.

Accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission has been granted for the awarding of the Master of Arts in Teaching.
Approval for a graduate program leading to either an elementary K-6 or secondary PreK-12 or 6-12 license in a given subject area have been granted by KSBE. The state-approved program is included within the degree program.

Master of Arts in School Leadership

Master of Arts in Teaching

All School of Education programs at Benedictine College are built upon the framework of educators as builders of community. 

Cohort Structure

The notion of “Educators as Builders of Community” is embodied in the cohort structure of the program. Students are admitted to a group that progresses through the program as a community rather than as individuals. The sense of community—with peers, professors, and college personnel—intensifies as students move forward in the program. By the time the degree is completed, students have developed powerful relationships that become a support network throughout their educational career.

Governance

The Graduate Studies Committee is the policy-making body for the graduate programs in education. Management and oversight of the programs reside within the School of Education.

Educational Administration Advisory Committee

The Educational Administration Advisory Committee is composed of:

1. adjunct faculty;
2. graduates of the programs;
3. practicing school administrators; and
4. graduate student members representing each active cohort.

Members of the committee are appointed by the Program Directors in consultation with the Dean of the College. The purpose of the committee is to participate in the ongoing process of improvement and to provide advice relative to all aspects of the program, including curricular design and the program’s conceptual framework. The Educational Administration Advisory Committee meets regularly once each year.

Dual Credit Policy for Education Graduate Courses

Students who are currently enrolled at Benedictine College and have been accepted into the School of Education may take coursework for graduate credit under the following criteria:

• Students in their last three semesters of undergraduate work with at least 96 credit hours
• A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• A maximum of three graduate courses may be taken by an undergraduate student
• Permission of Program Director (undergraduate students must meet with the Program Director for an interview and permission)
• Seat availability

General Grievances

A student seeking assistance with a grievance should first consult with the class instructor. If a satisfactory resolution does not result, the following procedure shall be used:

1. The student meets with the director of the graduate programs and verbally explains his or her complaint.
2. The director informally attempts to solve the problem or explains the department’s position to the affected student.
3. If still unsatisfied, the student drafts a letter to the School of Education and Graduate Studies Committee explaining his or her complaint.
4. At its next meeting, the School of Education forwards a recommendation to the Graduate Studies Committee, which then determines an appropriate course of action and provides a written explanation to the student.
5. If still unsatisfied, the student may appeal the decision to the Dean of the College.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of nine (9) credit hours taken at another institution may be applied to degree requirements. Transfer hours, with a grade of “B” or better from an accredited institution, may be accepted subject to the approval of the Program Director and the Chair of the School of Education. Students seeking approval of transfer credit shall contact the Program Director. The Director shall consider the request and make a recommendation to the Chair of the School of Education. Authority for acceptance/ rejection of such requests resides within the unit, which is the School of Education. Official Transcripts are necessary for final approval of transfer credits.