School of Education Launches Online Graduate Programs

The School of Education at Biola University launched two new, fully online graduate programs — the Master of Science in Special Education and the Master of Science in Curriculum, Instruction and Publication.

“These two new M.S. degrees were created with the learner in mind,” said June Hetzel, dean of Biola’s School of Education. “Both degrees are fully online and the learner can move through the program one class per semester or full-time. Convenience is our goal. And the best part is that every student in the M.S. programs will work on research and publication with their professor and colleagues during their enrollment in the M.S. program.”

The Master of Science in Special Education prepares graduate students to be general education teachers in classrooms with students who have mild to moderate learning, emotional or intellectual disabilities. The program provides instruction and applied experiences in behavior management, instructional programming, data-based decision making, psycho-educational assessment, legal issues, and collaborative programming among general and special educators. Students will learn to apply specialized techniques within a continuum of educational settings working with students whom have been identified with varying disabilities.

The Master of Science in Curriculum, Instruction and Publication (CIP) gives students knowledge of working in curriculum publishing and development, as well as grant writing. Students will master skills for resource positions in curriculum development. After receiving their degree in CIP, candidates will have in depth knowledge for curriculum selection. Candidates will learn to write query letters, book proposals, grant acquisitions and gain experience writing for publishing houses.

The idea for the CIP program came from Biola’s School of Education dean June Hetzel while she led students on trips to Sacramento with Biola alumnus and former California Secretary of Education, Glen Thomas. The importance of legislation, becoming an influencer in state legislation and committee involvement with educational frameworks — which guide publishers’ development of textbooks — is essential to maintaining the program’s core values.

“If you want to influence millions of children, start writing the textbooks, publishing the curriculum, landing on curriculum committees, and joining school boards,” said Hetzel.

While special education and CIP concentrations already exist within the master of arts in teaching and master of arts in education programs, students in both the master of science programs will have the added experience of researching and publishing with a professor.

Working alongside professors, students will participate in faculty-led research teams and contribute to publications for peer-reviewed journals. These teams will remain together throughout the time the student is in the program.

“Students will gain first-hand experience with research methodology, grant acquisitions, proposals, and publication … co-authoring and submitting articles with their professor and colleagues,” said Hetzel.

The programs are fully online to provide a flexible schedule for students who are already working in the field of education and can be completed in four semesters.

Written by Peter Bradley, iBiola Reporter. For more information, contact Jenna Loumagne, manager of media relations, at (562) 777-4061 or jenna.loumagne@biola.edu.