HLG’s first master’s candidates prepare to graduate

Hannibal-LaGrange College’s first master’s program class is preparing to graduate on Saturday, Dec. 13. Each of the 23 candidates for the Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree completed an action research project. 
A poster session was held Tuesday, Dec. 9, as a culminating event for their degree requirements and an opportunity to present their research visually to family, friends, and community members. The researchers were available to answer questions and/or explain their projects and findings. More than 100 people enjoyed the poster session and reception honoring HLG’s first master’s candidates.
“The reception with the master’s students’ research posters was wonderful,” said Dr. Jane Schafer, director of the education department and graduate studies at HLG. “They did a wonderful job of presenting their research in creative ways.”
The M.S.E. degree is designed to provide a program for professional growth for elementary and secondary teachers holding current teacher certification. 
The M.S.E. program is designed for working adults. Courses meet one evening per week, and are scheduled for either eight weeks or the full semester during the school year with block courses offered each summer. There are two tracks from which to choose: teaching and learning emphasis and literacy emphasis.
The teaching and learning emphasis (30 semester hours) focuses on effective curricular/instructional planning and assessment to enhance student learning. It is intended for those who have early childhood, elementary, or secondary teacher certification and want to study principles of effective instruction.
The literacy emphasis (30 semester hours) is geared towards the research-based components of effective literacy instruction and assessment (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing). This track is intended for those who have early childhood, elementary, or secondary teacher certification and want to study the essential aspects of literacy.
For more information on the Master of Science in Education degree at Hannibal-LaGrange College, please contact Schafer at 573-221-3675, ext. 3108, or the website link www.hlg.edu/academics/masters.php <http://www.hlg.edu/academics/masters.php> .