EducationE1

QUESTION: EducationE1

The goals for the Master of Professional Accountancy degree are as follows:

     1. We help our students enter the public accounting profession by developing the entry-level knowledge and skills expected by the profession in the areas of auditing and attestation, financial accounting and reporting, regulation, business environment and concepts, and writing.

     2. Recruit and admit students into the MPA Program who are capable of developing the entry-level knowledge and skills expected by the public accounting profession.

     3. Recruit, develop, and maintain a graduate accounting faculty to accomplish the Master of Professional Accountancy Program goals and the College of Business mission with respect to instruction, intellectual contributions (faculty scholarship) and service.

     4. Accounting department will strengthen relationships within the university and partnerships with the accounting profession, industry, other higher education institutions, alumni, and government entities.

     · Resource Management: CWUs Resource Management Program provides skills in management, policy analysis and formulation, resource appraisal, and budgetary assessment to students with prior education, interests and experience in  cultural and natural resource related fields. Normally, at least five academic quarters of continuous full-time study are required for completion of coursework, field experience and research, and thesis writing.

     · Primate Behavior and Ecology   An MS degree is currently being developed for approval at the university level.

The department offers two options for aspiring graduate applicants: Master of Arts (M.A.) and the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.). All graduate programs are guided by the same philosophies with additional rigor depth of experience that direct our undergraduate student’s experience.

The Master of Arts is intended for those students desiring graduate-level training in art. This degree prepares them for various arts-related careers and for further advanced studies in art. Much like the
B.A.-B.F.A. relationship, the M.A. program is able to benefit directly from the rigor and quality of the educational experience that is the hallmark of our M.F.A. program of study.

The M.F.A. program is a rigorous individualized program of advanced study that qualifies students for careers as teachers in higher education and as professional studio artists. The M.F.A. is the only terminal degree offered at CWU. The following studio art concentrations are offered at Central Washington University to potential graduate students: Ceramics; Computer Art Drawing; Drawing; Jewelry and Metalsmithing; Painting; Photography; Sculpture; and Wood Design.

[Our active graduate programs are Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Photography, and Wood Design. The M.F.A. ceramics program is designed to further the conceptual development, aesthetic presentation, technical skills, and career goals of the M.F.A. candidates. Graduate study in painting and drawing selectively admits students whose work demonstrates a high degree of intellectual and material competence. The graduate curriculum includes lecture and seminar courses in art history and critical theory, as well as studio courses in which graduate students work closely with members of CWU’s studio art faculty. The central aims of the program are to place the practice of drawing and painting in a critical context, and to provide space and resources for graduate students to develop a body of work that will function as an initial contribution to the practice of contemporary painting and drawing.

The philosophy of the Sculpture area at Central Washington University is concerned with exploring relationships between form, process, material, transformation, context and content. Graduate students work closely with area faculty. They are encouraged to develop a mature interdisciplinary body of work incorporated into an expanded three-dimensional field.]

The department offers a Master of Science degree in Biology. The program provides an expanded opportunity for students to prepare themselves for biological careers not normally open to students with only an undergraduate major in biological sciences, prepares students for further graduate work leading to the Ph.D. degree, and allows students to meet the requirements for continuing certification in secondary education, while concurrently earning an M.S. degree in Biology. We offer both thesis and non- thesis options; most students pursue the thesis option.

The graduate program in chemistry is tailored to satisfy individual student aspirations and is designed to provide knowledge, skills and discovery within the chemical sciences.  The program prepares candidates for professional employment in chemistry careers including industry, consulting, and government, and for teaching at the community college or secondary level.  Additionally, the program provides a foundation for further graduate studies beyond the M.S. level in chemistry and related fields.  Chemistry graduate students may focus their studies in any of these major areas:  biochemistry; organic, physical, analytical or inorganic chemistry; and chemistry education.

Emphasis in a specific area is achieved through graduate research and enhanced by appropriate course work and seminars.  The department utilizes state-of-the-art laboratory facilities with an array of modern instrumentation and computational capabilities. 

The graduate program is relatively new and small but growing.  The department will articulate program goals and student outcomes during Winter 2008 to be incorporated into this self study.

January, 2008
The Department does not currently have a graduate program.  As noted above, getting a master's program in place is one of the major goals of the department.

See CWU Department/Program Assessment Plan Preparation Form

M.A. Literature Goals: Our graduate program in Literature will provide opportunities for students to extend and enrich their exploration of American, British, and World Literatures in English, which addresses the College goals of developing students' intellectual and practical skills and improving students' knowledge of human cultures. Students will study and apply critical and theoretical approaches from multiple disciplines, which addresses the College goal of facilitating integrative learning, disciplinary and interdisciplinary. Students will strengthen their preparation for doctoral study, for careers in teaching writing and literature, and for careers in writing, all of which address the College goal that students will develop disciplinary-specific competencies for success in their field. All goals address the related University goal of maintaining and strengthening an outstanding academic and student life on the Ellensburg campus.

M.A. TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Goals: Our Graduate TESOL program will improve student knowledge of subsentential, sentential, and suprasentential levels of language, which addresses the College goals of developing students' intellectual and practical skills. Students will strengthen their knowledge of pedagogical strategies and methods appropriate for second-language speakers, which addresses the College goal that students will develop disciplinary-specific competencies for success in their field. Both goals address the related University goal of maintaining and strengthening an outstanding academic and student life on the Ellensburg campus.

The FCS department is in the process of designing new and/or revising graduate programs in Family Studies, Family Consumer Science Education and Career and Technical Education.  The new graduate programs will be developed to align with the university missions and goals of graduate programs.

While we have no graduate programs here, our Foreign Language 481 (Methods and Materials for the Teaching of Modem Foreign Languages), 482 (Applied Linguistics: Foreign Language Acquisition), 483 (Sociolinguistics), and 492 (Practicum) all provide academic programming that supports the M.A. Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language programs in the English Department.

We are one of the main departments participating in the interdisciplinary Resource Management M.S. degree program.  Currently, there are approximately 70 active graduate students in this program, which is simultaneously undergoing a separate and distinct Resource Management Program Review.  Most of the geography department faculty are heavily involved in the Resource Management graduate program, either through the teaching of core REM classes or by serving as graduate student advisors (i.e., thesis committee chairs) or thesis committee members.  These contributions consume a considerable amount of faculty time, for which each faculty member is only minimally enabled to address and account for within the current method of calculating faculty workloads. 

Because of its interdisciplinary nature and scope, and especially because of the recent restructuring as a stand-alone placement under the Dean of the College, the mission and goals of this graduate program are described in a separate program assessment (see Resource Management Program).

UPDATED JULY 2008
The Department of Geological Sciences offers a M.S. degree program that emphasizes the study of environmental geology, surface processes, natural hazards and the interior of the Earth. Acquisition and dissemination of knowledge about Earth processes are critical resources provided to the region and nation in support of stewardship of the planet. Graduate students and faculty engage in collaborative research, thereby strengthening the intellectual environment of the department, college, university, and associated communities. M.S. students typically are teaching assistants in the department and thus also contribute to enhancing the undergraduate educational experience. Because the department also has a vigorous program of undergraduate research, graduate students act as role models and mentors to undergraduate researchers, thus establishing a synergistic learning environment. The overarching vision of the Department of Geological Sciences is to create a vigorous, challenging academic environment in which students, faculty, and staff collaboratively pursue scholarly work and intellectual growth that are enriching on both personal and professional levels.

The goal of the program is to prepare M.S. students for professional employment in geoscience careers in regional industries; in consulting firms; in local, state, or federal government resource-based or planning agencies; in teaching at community colleges or at a secondary level; and to serve as a foundation for graduate studies beyond the M.S. level. M.S. training also provides suitable high-level technical background for those interested in related careers, such as environmental law or natural resource management.

Master of Arts:  The purpose of the 45-credit program offered by the Department of History is to develop graduates possessing a range of historical knowledge as well as special competency in a particular area.  Students receive systematic training in historical methods, sources, tools, and interpretation.  It is a further purpose of the program to train students for lives of productive scholarship and stimulating teaching as well as non-academic pursuits where historical background in required.  Finally, in recognition that all students do not have the same objective, the MA degree program contains three options designed to suit different objectives:  one (A) that prepares students to enter a Ph.D. program; others (B) and (C) designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of high school history teachers.  All programs share a common core consisting of historiography, research, and reading seminars that introduce students to an in-depth knowledge of the discipline’s development in the major regions of the world and to the sophisticated skills of research. Students also take courses related to their area of primary interest.  Option A requires a reading knowledge of a world language and culminates in a formal thesis and an oral defense of the thesis; Option B concludes with a project that represents substantial historical research and an oral defense of the project; Option C concludes with a written and oral exam in two fields approved by the department’s graduate committee and a portfolio of the student’s written course work.

The Master of Science in Engineering Technology (MSET) program is multi-disciplinary, having the specific purpose of broadening the technological backgrounds of persons holding bachelor degrees in the Engineering Technology (MET or EET), Industrial Technology (IT), engineering disciplines or other IET programs.  There are about 30 students enrolled in this program.  The MSET is offered at both the Ellensburg campus and at the CWU- Des Moines Center.  The department is planning to hire a graduate program coordinator for the Ellensburg campus but currently this duty is handled by the department chair.  Graduate courses are taught by various faculty from several disciplines within the IET department.  CWU-Des Moines has a full time faculty member assigned as the graduate program coordinator, while courses are taught by practicing professionals.

Masters in Business Education. This program was put on reserve in 2001-2002.
Masters in Marketing Education. This program was put on reserve in 2001-2002.

In 2000, a Master of Science Degree in Law and Justice was developed. A survey, conducted at that time, showed there was sufficient interest in an advanced degree in law and justice. The Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the program in December 2001 (see Appendix D for the Executive Summary of the program as approved by the Board). The program has not been implemented pending the outcome of an evaluation of current programs and the identification of sufficient resources. The external reviewer for our recent five year review strongly urges it be implemented.

Masters in the Art of Teaching Mathematics (MAT) Graduate Program

Goal 1. Recruit mathematical educators that have an interest in addressing the reform called for by the National Research Council and State of Washington Academic Achievement and Accountability Commission.
Goal 2. Enable mathematics teachers to improve their ability to teach mathematics while achieving their professional certification.

Goal 3. Increase the conceptual and procedural understanding of the main mathematics strands.

Goal 4.  Equip and enable mathematics teachers to use problem solving and modeling to teach key mathematics concepts and procedures.

Goal 5. Develop and enable mathematics teachers to teach mathematics as a connection of concepts and procedures.

Goal 6.  Use technology appropriately to teach mathematics.

Goal 7.   Use pedagogical methods that engage students in doing meaningful mathematics.

Goal 8.   Write and evaluate curriculum that aligns with the NCTM standards and Washington State EALRs.
Assessment of M.A.T Goals: Written exams, written problem-solving papers, oral presentations, worked problems, written lesson plans and units, demonstrations of the use of different technology tools, and teaching lessons to peers

There is one graduate degree, the Master of Music, with five areas of specialization: 
· Music Education
· Conducting
· Composition
· Performance
· Performance/Pedagogy

The required curriculum of each specialization is presented in Appendix B.  Recent changes in curricula include raising the minimum required applied music credits from 10 to 12 in the Performance Degrees and from 6 to 12 in the Performance/Pedagogy degree.

Within the mission of the University, the HHPN Graduate program provides a post-baccalaureate education of the highest possible quality with the aim of preparing graduates whose career aspiration lie in the areas of human movement (science of coaching and human performance), health, and physical education. The HHPN is essential to the University because it strives to:

1. prepare professionals who will be productive members of their profession;

2. enhance a student’s ability to interpret research findings so that he/she can make informative and well thought out decisions, and ;

3. develop a student’s ability to think logically and critically, and communicate in a clear and effective manner.

HHPN delivers a quality graduate program in the following areas: MS Exercise Science; MS Health and Physical Education; MS Health and Physical Education with a Specialization in Athletic Administration. HHPN graduate faculty are committed to delivering excellent instruction in the classroom and providing students with research opportunities. HHPN offers students: small class sizes; one-on-one attention (strong mentoring/advising; working closely with faculty); research experiences and opportunities to disseminate findings at local, regional and national peer-reviewed conferences; teaching opportunities during graduate studies, and; opportunity to take classes on-line thereby accommodating those individuals in the teaching work force. HHPN prepares graduate students in excel in a variety of work place settings, including: cardiac rehabilitation programs at hospitals and private medical clinics, teaching at high school, community colleges, directing wellness, health, fitness and athletic programs, or continuing on for doctoral studies.
The Masters of Science degree in Health, Human Performance, and Nutrition prepares the student to function as a professional in the areas of human movement studies, wellness and health promotion, health and physical education teaching). In addition to general university requirements for admission to the Master’s program, full admission to the graduate program in Health, Human Performance, and Nutrition requires an undergraduate degree with a major in physical education, health, or exercise science; or a major closely related to the student’s desired area of emphasis.

1. Exercise Science The Master of Science degree in Exercise Science prepares students for careers in higher education, clinical settings, corporate and community fitness/wellness centers, and athletic development programs. In addition, the curriculum prepares individuals for further study at the doctoral level. Prospective students wishing to pursue a Master of Science in Exercise Science must fulfill the general University requirements for admission to graduate school and hold a degree in exercise science or a closely related area of study. Students majoring in the biological or chemical sciences are encouraged to apply. Minimum requirements include anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology and related course work such as fitness assessment and prescription, kinesiology, and sport nutrition. General chemistry and introduction to statistics is recommended.

2. Nutrition Currently we do not have a graduate program in nutrition.

3. Health/Fitness: the MS degree in Health/Fitness is a two year degree that is designed specifically for practicing teachers to expand their knowledge in the areas of Health/Fitness. This program is not designed for individuals seeking the Health/Fitness

4. Master of Science in Health and Physical Education – Athletic Administration Specialization The athletic administration specialization is designed to prepare students to work in the sporting environment as a manager and leader. Coursework is chosen to increase a student’s awareness of financial and managerial issues in the administration of athletics and to plan strategically using data from well designed operations research. Given that the sporting milieu is multicultural, students are encouraged to examine the realm of athletics from a psycho-socio perspective.

The Physics Department does not have a graduate program. Occasionally, faculty members serve on graduate thesis committees or serve as a graduate research advisor.  At this time, the department is not interested in starting a graduate program in physics.  The reasons for this include: 1. given the current resources available, a graduate program would be a significant drain on the Department and its undergraduate programs, 2. uncertainty in the ability to recruit highly qualified graduate students and 3. a physics graduate program at CWU would be a redundancy in the state.  The feasibility of a physics graduate program will be explored again by the Department’s Strategic Planning Committee.

The Political Science Department does not offer any graduate programs.  Some of our faculty do, however, participate on an ad-hoc basis as committee members on graduate student theses and the like in other departments such as Psychology and Resource Management, when requested.
Jan. 08

(January 2008)
Program goals of each graduate program and the relation of each to college and university goals may be found in the tables referred to in 2.C.1, above. Mission statements for each program follow.

M.S. in Mental Health Counseling: Mission
The Mental Health Counseling Program prepares professional Mental Health Counselors for the provision of culturally competent services in a variety of community and agency settings.

The program offers to students training based on a scientist-practitioner model that reflects the cultural diversity of the society in which we live and work. Graduates are prepared for careers in the field of mental health to provide a full range of Mental Health Counseling services that involve psychotherapy, human development, learning theory, and group dynamics to help individuals, couples, families, adolescents, and children. This program prepares graduates to practice in a variety of settings, including independent practice, community agencies and outreach programs, managed behavioral health care organizations, hospitals, and employee assistance programs.

Graduates will be competent and proactive professional counselors. They will be knowledgeable, ethical, and skilled in their selected fields; flexible and comprehensive in their approach; adaptable to the needs of the people they serve; and effective in meeting those needs. Graduates appreciate that advances in knowledge, skills and technology within the profession require life-long continuing education for counselors as well as monitoring and review of professional standards.

The program seeks to provide educational excellence by challenging and supporting individual and professional development; researching and teaching from a sound knowledge base; affirming diversity of ideas, values and persons; upholding the highest of ethical principles in professional conduct; and maintaining partnerships with institutions and communities within the region. The program is designed to meet the curriculum requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor in Washington and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

M.S. in Experimental Psychology: Mission
The Experimental Psychology specialization reflects our commitment to provide students with a generalized background in experimental psychology while allowing them to concentrate in areas of study adequately represented among the faculty. Our mission is to prepare students for doctoral or professional study in psychology and related fields, prepare students for community college and college teaching in psychology, prepare students for research and evaluation positions with public and private employers, and support our other masters programs in professional psychology with foundational instruction in conducting and interpreting psychological research.

M.Ed. in School Psychology/Washington State Educational Staff Associate Residency Certificate in School Psychology: Mission
The School Psychology Training Program at Central Washington University is committed to training professionals who have expertise in both psychology and education and are committed to enhancing the strengths of critical socialization institutions such as families and schools. This training is accomplished through a competency based scientist-practitioner model which emphasizes comprehensive school psychological services and recognizes the individual differences of children.

M.Ed. in School Counseling/Washington State Educational Staff Associate Residency Certificate in School Counseling: Mission
The mission of the School Counseling Program is to prepare professional counselors to work in elementary, middle, and high schools in a diverse, complex society. Graduates will receive a counseling foundation that emphasizes the theory and practice of comprehensive school guidance, professional identity, multicultural competencies, skills for counseling children and adolescents, and the role of school counselors as advocates. Experience with technology, clarity regarding appropriate roles for school counselors, and awareness of school culture are ingrained into many classes. Graduates will understand the importance of (1) professional standards, (2) collaborating with parents and other school officials, (3) lifelong learning for themselves, and (4) professional literature and professional organizations.

Not Applicable—we have not been allowed to have a graduate program.  However, some faculty members actively participate on thesis and doctoral committees located in programs on the CWU campus or at other universities, and some have offered graduate courses for other programs.

We prepare some of the best professional educators in the field of teaching theatre arts in the country.  Graduates of both our undergraduate and Master’s degree programs are in high demand.  By stressing mastery of quality artistic production, strong research methods, as well as broad-based fundamental knowledge of theory and practice in theatre arts, we produce
teachers of quality both regionally and nationally. 

Indeed, our Masters program is recognized as a leader, perhaps even the leader in programs of its kind in the United States.  Fifty students have received Master of Arts in Theatre Production degrees from our program. The program is not only unique in our region, but in the country.

The Drama Teachers Summer Institute was established in 1996.  The program is specifically designed for theatre educators with all of the coursework offered in the summer months. Since its inception, more than 500 teachers, representing 28 states and two foreign countries, have attended the Drama Teachers Summer Institute.