Instructional Technology, M.S.

The purpose of the Master of Science in Instructional Technology is to provide students with a strong theoretical base and practical hands-on experience in the design, development, implementation, management, and evaluation of leading-edge educational technologies.

Mississippi teachers holding the appropriate Class A teaching license may qualify for a Class AA license upon successful completion of the master’s degree programs and approval of the Office of Educator Licensure, Mississippi Department of Education.

Teaching Experience Requirement

The department strongly recommends that a student gain at least one year of teaching experience before entering the master’s degree program.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the graduate degree programs offered in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education will be conducted in accordance with College and University policies (please refer to the “Admission Requirements and Procedures ” section of the current Graduate Bulletin). In general, these procedures include the submission of an application form and credentials to Graduate School. An application fee is required (whether in-state or out-of-state) for each application you submit. If this fee is not paid, your application file will be withheld until proper payment is made.

Additionally, all degree applicants should send to the Department Chairperson

1. A letter explaining the applicant’s interest in and reasons for pursuing the degree in a letter of intent or application.
2. Three letters of recommendation sent by the letter writers themselves with the attached Waiver Form.
3. A resume of academic and job-related experiences.
4. If appropriate, a copy of current teaching licenses/certificates.

In addition, applicants must complete one of the following requirements. Depending upon the applicant’s experience and interest, one of the options below may be better than the other.

• Personal interview with the Admissions Committee
• Portfolio of work/projects
• Professional essay (writing sample)

The Program Admissions Committee will review all completed applications and recommend appropriate actions. Admission to the graduate program is contingent upon a positive recommendation of the Program Admissions Committee and the approval of the Department Chair, the Dean of the College of Education and Psychology, and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Admission Criteria

Regular admission to the Master of Science program in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education at The University of Southern Mississippi is selective and contingent upon having graduated from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional accrediting agency. In addition, the graduate admissions committee will recommend admittance for those applicants whose background meets the challenging demands of the program. In evaluating applications, the admissions committee will utilize the following criteria:

• An academic record with an undergraduate grade point average reflecting the ability to do graduate work.
• Official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) predictive of the ability to successfully complete the graduate program.
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can assess the applicant’s readiness for graduate study. These letters must be sent directly to the department. Also, the letters must be accompanied by the required Waiver Form.
• Quality of the supporting material for application (e.g., interview, portfolio, essay)

An applicant who fails to meet the above criteria for regular admission may be considered for conditional admission on an individual basis. Students accepted on a conditional basis must complete a minimum of 9 semester hours of program coursework with a B or better in each course and may be required to take 3 to 6 hours of prerequisite courses to fulfill undergraduate deficiencies. These prerequisite courses cannot be counted toward fulfilling degree requirements. The student is responsible to inform his/her advisor and/or the Department Chair when the requirements of conditional status have been met.

Members of all underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Degree Requirements

The appropriate master’s degree will be conferred upon candidates who have

1. completed an approved program of study;
2. obtained a 3.0 cumulative GPA; and
3. passed a comprehensive examination.

Continuous Enrollment Requirement: Students must meet the requirements specified in the front section of this Bulletin for continuous enrollment.

Plan of Study. Students must submit their signed, official Plan of Study form to the Graduate School by the end of the first semester in which they are enrolled as a regular admit student. The Plan of Study forms are available at www.usm.edu/graduateschool/planofstudy.php - click on the “Plans of Study” link.

Responsible Conduct of Research Training

All faculty holding regular or associate graduate faculty status, must complete RCR training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments. All graduate students must complete the RCR training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments the first semester they are enrolled in graduate school. The RCR policy and training information are found on the Graduate School web page – www.usm.edu/graduateschool. Contact the Dean of the Graduate School if you have any questions regarding the policy or training information.