Educational Program

Two graduate degrees are granted by McDaniel College: the Master of Liberal Arts; and the Master of Science.

The Master of Liberal Arts program extends the College’s long tradition in the study of the liberal arts at the baccalaureate level. The M.L.A. degree is a balanced program that incorporates varied liberal arts fields.

The Master of Science programs are designed to enrich the background of individuals in an area of specialization. In addition to the depth of study provided by the area of specialization, there is a breadth of educational experience provided by selection of course work in supporting fields and the liberal arts to complement the program.

McDaniel College faculty recognize the benefits and rewards of working with a diverse population. Students of all ages, interests, and professions are encouraged to apply for graduate study. While more than 5,000 graduate students are listed on the active graduate roster throughout the year, over 1,500 individuals are attending graduate classes on campus, off campus, and online during any one semester. Most graduate students commute to these classes from surrounding Maryland counties, as well as nearby Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Northeast Maryland, and northern Virginia. The College is also steadily increasing the number of courses available online.

During the Fall and Spring semesters, most graduate courses are conducted in the late afternoon, evenings, and weekends. This format accommodates the majority of employed graduate students who attend on a part-time basis. Most courses on the main campus meet once a week for 2-1/2 hours. During the summer, many courses are conducted during the day and meet more frequently during the week.

The M.L.A. program consists of ten, three-credit courses and a six-credit final project for a total of 36 credit hours. Although there are required courses, the program’s primary feature is that graduate students are expected to design their own program of study. This flexibility allows students to pursue courses that best reflect their personal and professional interests. The program requirements are listed in the Program of Study section of this catalogue.

The Master of Science program is available in the following areas:

The graduate mission emphasizes the development of knowledge and critical thinking that is based on current research, theory and practice within a field of study. Course work will include both core and elective courses that promote value for, balance of and interdependence among these approaches and help students to consistently apply them in their work. Some courses will emphasize foundational knowledge and dominant theories, others will promote critical thinking and research methodologies to answer important questions. Still others will apply that knowledge to solve current problems.

By following specially designed and approved sequences of courses, graduate students may meet Maryland State Department of Education and Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements for certification in the following fields:

Elementary Education (BEST Program) (Initial Certification) 
Guidance and Counseling 
Deaf Education (Initial Certification) 
School Library Media 
Reading Specialist 
School Administration and Supervision 
Secondary Education (BEST Program) (Initial Certification) 
Special Education (Initial Certification) 

In compliance with Title II-Section 207 of the Higher Education Act, the College is required to report the percentage of students who pass teaching exams required for state teacher licensure. The 2005-2006 results for the College and overall rates for all colleges and universities in Maryland follow:

More detailed information on Title II results is available through the Education Department, the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies, and the McDaniel College Web site, www.mcdaniel.edu

All Master’s Degree programs include a culminating experience designed to encourage students to consolidate and integrate what they have learned throughout their program of study. In general, students should participate in this experience after completing most if not all of their coursework and any required practica or internships, preferably during the final semester before earning the degree.

At the time of publication the following programs require students to prepare a portfolio documenting the fulfillment of program objectives: BEST, Human Resources Development, Reading Specialist, Special Education and School Administration. MLA students complete a final project, and most remaining programs require a comprehensive exam.

Comprehensive examinations are administered by the College once each semester during the months of March, July, and October for master’s degree students who are completing their programs in which the comprehensive exam is a requirement. Exams are scheduled on a Saturday and the specific date is available for a given semester through the Archway.

There is a $100 testing fee payable prior to the exam date.  Anyone registering for the comprehensive exam after the deadline must have approval and may be assessed a late fee of $35.  If you have registered for the comprehensive exam and withdraw within 10 days of the exam, you will forfeit the $100 testing fee.

The registration deadlines for comprehensive exams are:

• Spring:      February 1st
• Summer:   June 1st
• Fall:           September 1st

Study guide information will be sent to your McDaniel College email.  You must be registered to receive access to the study guide. 

Students will receive notification of the testing time and room assignment approximately ten days prior to the exam.

Comprehensive exams are graded using an anonymous review process. This review can result in a pass, fail or a request for a conference in which responses will be explained or justified. Notification about results will be sent no more than four weeks after the exam is given. The comprehensive exam can be taken no more than three times.

Emergency Date Policy:  The emergency date unless otherwise noted will be one week after the published date for the comprehensive exam and will be invoked by the College should a designated site be closed or delayed in opening for any unforseen reason.  This date has been published in the College Calendar and it is expected that students would be able to attend should it be necessary to invoke the established emergency date.

When feasible students will be notified with as much advanced notice as possible, but it is the students’ responsibility to call 410/857-2500 or 866/962-4723 for the most current information.

Students are encouraged to consider writing a thesis as part of their program. This option is particularly valuable for students considering the pursuit of a doctorate or those with a well-defined research interest. Successful completion of the thesis may be used instead of the comprehensive exam or portfolio and 3 credits earned from work on the thesis may count toward the student’s program of study.

Recent thesis topics:

The Comparison of Second Language Learning (CUR)

The Effect of Mathematics Resource Teachers on Student Achievement in Title I Schools (ELE)

The Effects of an Adapted Interactive Writing Program on Children’s Phonological Awareness, Print Concepts, Alphabetic Knowledge, Phonics and Word Recognition Skills, and Orthographic Knowledge in an Urban Classroom (RDG)

Effects of Direct Vocabulary Instruction on Content-Related Vocabulary in a Primary Classroom (RDG)

Does Participation in the Carroll County Outdoor School Program Impact The Responsible Environmental Behavior of Its Participants? (ADM)

The Effect of Specialized Teaching in the Area of Mathematics on the Mathematics Achievement of Fifth Graders (ELE)

Does Gender and Student Attitude Effect Mathematics Achievement? (ELE)

The Effect of Instruction in Deaf Studies on the Self-Esteem of Deaf Students (DED)

Graduate students who elect to write theses should discuss this option with their graduate program coordinators early in their program. The graduate program coordinator and the student will submit an abstract of the proposal and suggested names of committee members to the Dean of Graduate & Professional Studies. After approval is received, the graduate student will register for the thesis using the Graduate Registration Form. To register use the department code (ADM, CED, CUR, DED, EDU, EPE, RDS, SLM, SED) and the course number 590.

Additional information is available from the program coordinators.

All graduate students wishing to graduate must fill out an Application for Graduation, which is available on the Archway, under Graduate Information. Prior to filling out an application, students are encouraged to meet with their program coordinators or advisors to be sure they are eligible to graduate.  The Registrar’s Office handles all graduation clearances.  Diplomas are awarded three times a year - August, December, and May, however formal commencement exercises are help only in May. Beginning in early February, several campus offices will send commencement ceremony information.  All inquired should be directed to the Registrar’s Office.

Each year a former graduate of the Master of Science program at McDaniel College is selected to receive the Joseph R. Bailer Award. The award established in 1985 and presented by Ann Bailer Fisher is given in memory of her father, a former graduate dean. The award rotates among several Master of Science programs and honors someone of outstanding accomplishment who has received a master’s degree from McDaniel College.