Admission to Graduate Degree Programs
Financial Information
Departments
Degrees Offered
Accreditation
Professional education programs in the School of Education are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the Virginia Department of Education. The Ed.S. School Psychology program at William & Mary is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). The Counseling and Counselor Education programs are accredited by CACREP, The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
Academic Departments
The programs of study for each program can be found on the corresponding department page.
C&I offers M.A.Ed. programs in Curriculum and Instruction that include concentrations in Elementary Education, Secondary Education; Special Education, and English as a Second Language (ESL)/ Bilingual Education.
EPPL offers M.Ed. programs in PK-12 Educational Leadership and Higher Education Administration; doctoral programs with concentrations in K-12 Leadership, Higher Education Administration, Curriculum & Learning Design, Executive K-12 Administration, Executive Gifted Education, Executive Higher Education, and Executive K-12 International Schools.
SPACE offers M.Ed. programs in Counseling - School and Clinical Mental Health (with specializations in Addictions, Couples, Marriage & Family, & Military/Veterans); School Psychology with M.Ed. and Ed.S. options; and a Ph.D. program in Counselor Education. In addition, graduate students can pursue an online M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Mental Health & Military Veterans Counseling, and School Counseling.
Degrees Offered
Master’s Degree Programs
Master’s degree programs in the School of Education are designed for students who wish to pursue systematic professional study in education beyond the bachelor’s degree. Both a Master of Arts in Education degree and a Master of Education degree are awarded.
The Master of Education degree is awarded upon successful completion of programs in Counseling, Higher Education, K-12 Leadership, and School Psychology.
The Master of Arts in Education degree is awarded upon successful completion of programs in Teacher Education.
The following academic policies apply to all master’s degree programs in the School of Education.
- Each master’s degree program includes a specialized culminating activity that is appropriate to the content of the program.
- Students whose programs include Thesis, Project, Seminar in Education, or Master’s Degree Project as the culminating activity may not register for this final three-hour course in their programs unless they have a grade-point average of 3.0 (B) or higher.
- Students have 6 years after matriculation to complete the degree.
Educational Specialist Program
The Educational Specialist degree is the entry-level credential in school psychology. To be recommended for licensure to the Virginia Department of Education, students must complete all program requirements. The total program must be completed within four years after admission. The Ed.S. program involves an additional thirty-nine hours of coursework, including a full-time year-long internship for twelve semester hours.
Doctoral Degree Programs
Programs in the School of Education that lead to the degree of Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) are Counselor Education and Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership (EPPL). Students who desire licensure while pursuing the doctorate should contact the Department Chair upon enrollment. Students have seven (7) years to complete their degree program after matriculation.
Doctor of Education Degree
The purpose of the Doctor of Education degree program is to provide educators, scholars, and professionals in other human service fields with a broad and systematic understanding of the structure and process of education. Graduates of the Ed.D. program should possess in-depth knowledge of relevant educational theory and scholarship and the skills necessary to conduct research and evaluation and to apply research findings in an informed and critical manner. The ultimate goal of the Doctor of Education degree program is to prepare professionals with the commitment and competence necessary to enhance educational policy and practice in a variety of settings ranging from the individual classroom to administrative offices and government agencies.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree
The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy degree program is to develop scholars to conduct original research and interpret and communicate the results of such research to various constituencies concerned about education and other human services. The Ph.D. degree program prepares scholars for service as college and university professors, educational administrators, government or foundation officials, or independent researchers and practitioners.
Certificate Programs
Post-baccalaureate certificates are offered for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and want to gain additional skills and knowledge in a given area. Certificate only students are those students only pursuing a certificate program in the School of Education. Students who are pursuing a degree program in the School of Education may also pursue a post baccalaureate certificate at the same time. Coursework taken as part of a certificate program may apply toward a degree program if deemed appropriate by the advisor, and is less than 4 years old.
