Career and Technical Education Master of Education

Program Overview

This 100% online, non-thesis degree program provides students with the flexibility to pursue a master's degree in career and technical education for careers in formal (secondary and post-secondary) and nonformal (outreach/extension) settings. Students may begin the CTE-MEd program in any semester (fall, spring or summer), and take 1-3 courses (3-9 credits hours) each semester. Most students design a schedule to finish in five semesters, taking 2 classes for four semesters and 3 classes for one semester (usually in the summer) to complete 11 courses or 33 credits. Taking courses on this schedule results in total tuition fees at approximately $12,000 for Utah residents and approximately $15,500 for students living outside of Utah. To get a cost estimate for your graduate degree go to the USU Tuition Tables. Here are some more reasons why you'd like to earn this degree at USU!

Secondary educators (practicing teachers) can expect to increase your effectiveness in the classroom, increase your earnings, and gain the credentials to explore new career opportunities in CTE leadership or in industry management. This degree program does not lead to licensure. If you are seeking licensure from USU, meet with an advisor to determine the coursework required to earn a second bachelor's degree and licensure. Nonformal educators, working with youth and adults in outreach and industry settings, can expect to increase skills in digital engagement, improve research skills, and the ability to develop relevant programming.

Application Deadlines

The USU Academic Calendar lists the exact dates for the beginning and end of each semester. In this degree program we are able to accept 9 applicable semester transfer credits. You will need to have completed a related bachelors degree. There is no entrance exam required, however to be eligible for this program you need to be a practicing career and technical educator or have experiences working in nonformal educational settings. We are not accepting international applications at this time. If you have questions about this degree program please contact Dr. Michael Pate. The application due dates are as follows:

• Fall semester start, August 1
• Spring semester start, December 1
• Summer semester start, April 1

Learn more about how to apply

Coursework

This non-thesis degree program requires 33 credits for completion; students should thoughtfully consider an area of emphasis for their 15 elective credits (see emphasis options below the coursework tables). Courses from other departments may be approved on a program of study. To view course syllabi, go to the USU Canvas Syllabus Tracker website and select the semester when the course was last taught (as noted on the table below). When registering, register for the section that is part of the "online" campus as designated by the letter "I" (i), e.g., I01. Out-of-state and in-state tuition will be calculated based on where you live.  Be sure to obtain textbooks prior to each course start date so you can successfully complete each course.

Register for these courses by the published registration dates online through MyUSU. Additional questions concerning transfer credits, continuous registration fees, time limits, leave of absence, etc., may be answered under the Graduate General Regulations or under Graduate Degree Requirements in the General Catalog.

Foundation Core (6 credits, each course is online and 3 credits)

Educational Core (12 credits, each course is online and 3 credits)

Suggested Courses for Formal Education Focus:

Suggested Courses for Non-Formal Education Focus:

Electives (15 credits, each course is online and 3 credits)

Emphasis Elective Options

Educational Leadership (9 credits, each course is 3 credits)

The Educational Leadership emphasis allows students to count 9 credits in the Administrative Supervisory Certificate (ASC) program offered by the School of Teacher Education and Leadership (a department in the College of Education and Human Services) in their CTE M.Ed. program. To complete this emphasis, you need to apply and be accepted into the ASC TEAL program prior to the end of your second semester in the CTE M.Ed. program. Additional coursework (five more courses) is required to complete the ASC program. Meaning instead of graduating with 33 credits required in the CTE M.Ed., you graduate with 48 credits, earning your M.Ed. and Administrative Certificate. You will not be able to register for the TEAL courses until you are accepted into the ASC program.

• TEAL 6945 – Supervision and Administration Internship (F, Sp, Su)
• TEAL 6080 – Leadership and the School Principal (F, Sp, Su)
• TEAL XXXX – Any other elective noted on the ASC section (#2) of the TEAL webpage except TEAL 6930

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) (9 credits, each course is 3 credits)

• ASTE 6910 – Experimental Laboratory (Su even)
• ASTE 6460 – Integrating CTE Curriculum with STEM Content (Su odd)
• ASTE 6470 – Digital Tools for Learning (Su)
• ITLS 5500 – Innovative Integration of Technology in Teaching (F, Sp, Su)
• ITLS 6215 – Digital Video Production (traditionally F, but check the ITLS webpage)

Other elective courses may be approved if related to career and technical education, youth development, or teaching methods. View USU online course offerings by semester for other possible electives.

Graduation

At the beginning of your final semester of coursework send the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC), Tanesha Holliday (tanesha.holliday@usu.edu), an email stating your intention to graduate. You will then be sent a link to complete the Graduate Application along with other commencement information. 

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Continuous Registration

While the CTE-MEd program can be successfully completed in as little as five semesters, sometimes life events happen that can slow your coursework requiring a Leave of Absence (LOA). If you need to miss a spring or fall semester, you need to apply for a LOA and depending on the circumstances (illness, required military service, and other extenuating circumstances acceptable to the department head and the graduate dean) you may be granted a LOA without paying the continuous registration fee of $100 per semester. If you need to request a leave of absence, submit a Graduate Student Leave of Absence/Continuous Registration form. USU allows students a maximum of 6 years to complete their program. Coursework that is more than 6 years old will need to be revalidated or retaken.

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