Graduate Studies

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Master of Science Degree [M.S.]
in Curriculum and Instruction

The purpose of this degree is to provide advanced content knowledge and instruction in methodology for teachers serving in Christian schools.

Objectives: Graduates of this program will be able to

  1. demonstrate mastery of their specialized field of study;
  2. distinguish from a biblical perspective the differences between traditional Christian and progressive humanistic philosophies of education in the subject areas;
  3. evaluate from a Christian perspective current literature in the subject area;
  4. describe and practice a phonics-first approach to reading instruction;
  5. demonstrate and/or describe effective teaching strategies used in the traditional Christian school;
  6. learn to create teaching aids and to use technology for the purpose of enhancing lessons;
  7. demonstrate competence in both written and oral communication;
  8. be prepared for further graduate study.

Biblical, proven traditional education methods, along with practical classroom experience, enable students to return to their ministries with invaluable tools for service. The applicant may specialize in one of the following areas: elementary, secondary (general), English, history, mathematics, science, music, or speech.

Admission Requirements

See General Admission Requirements. Graduate applicants for education are not required to have majored in education on the undergraduate level. However, some specializations require for admission specific skill levels or minimum number of prior earned credits in a field.

Residence Requirements

A minimum of 30 semester credit hours of work is required (33 for music and speech specializations). Educational administration and both elementary and general secondary specializations may be completed in two years by taking summer courses and distance-learning courses. English, history, and science specializations may be completed in two years including summer courses (three content courses spanning three sessions each summer) and distance-learning courses. English, history, mathematics, music, and speech specializations may be completed in two years by enrolling fall, spring, summer, fall, spring. Music also requires a public recital and speech, a public production.

See upcoming summer courses.

Graduation Requirements

See Graduation Requirements. Up to one third of course requirements may be completed through PCC’s distance-learning program.

Curriculum and Instruction—Elementary Specialization [K–6]

This master’s degree program is structured for elementary school teachers who wish to improve their skills and overall ability in the classroom. This program centers on materials, methods, and teaching techniques. Theory is firmly anchored to practice; and a positive, encouraging spirit is personified by all instructors.

Course Requirements

ED 541 History of American Education*
ED 542 Philosophy of American Ed.*
ED 545 Princ. of Instruction & Methods*
ED 641 Materials & Techniques of Reading Instruction
ED 645 Phonetic Approach to Reading
ED 651 Elem. Arithmetic Instruction
ED 655 Elementary Science Instruction
ED 658 Elementary Language Instruction
ED 661 Elementary History Instruction
Summer Seminar
*May be taken by distance learning.

Curriculum and Instruction—Secondary (General) Specialization [7–12]

This master’s degree program emphasizes content, curriculum, pupil management, and teaching techniques. It is designed to give the secondary teacher greater proficiency in subject areas and to correct deficiencies in oral presentation, grading, and student evaluation.

This program is also ideal for the secondary-level administrator seeking to provide leadership for faculty.

Course Requirements

ED 541 History of American Education*
ED 542 Philosophy of American Ed.*
ED 545 Princ. of Instruction & Methods*
ED 607 Personal & Professional Relationships in Education
ED 617 Technology Apps. in Education
ED 674 Teaching Secondary English
ED 676 Teaching Secondary Mathematics
ED 677 Teaching Secondary Science
ED 678 Teaching Secondary History/Bible
Summer Seminar
*May be taken by distance learning.

Curriculum and Instruction—Secondary Subject Area Specializations [7–12]

The English, history, mathematics, and science specializations provide advanced knowledge in these subject areas in addition to practical training in education.

Admission Requirements

See General Admission Requirements. Graduate applicants for secondary subject areas are not required to have majored in education on the undergraduate level. However, applicants need at least 18 semester credits of English, history, mathematics, or science on the undergraduate level according to the desired program. English credits should include content in both American and British literature. English program also requires an entrance examination in English grammar. Mathematics credits should include calculus II. Science credits should include a general chemistry course and a physics course.

Curriculum and Instruction—English Specialization

Course Requirements

ED 541 History of American Education*
ED 542 Philosophy of American Ed.*
ED 545 Princ. of Instruction & Methods*
ED 674 Teaching Secondary English
EN 511 Intro. to Grad. English Research
EN 520 History of the English Language
EN 530 Structural Concepts in Written Communication
EN 540 Studies in British Literature
EN 550 Studies in American Literature
EN 611 Graduate Eng. Research Project
*May be taken by distance learning.

Curriculum and Instruction—History Specialization

Course Requirements

ED 541 History of American Education*
ED 542 Philosophy of American Ed.*
ED 545 Princ. of Instruction & Methods*
ED 673 Teaching Secondary History
HI 511 Intro. to Grad. History Research
HI 520 History of the Reformers
HI 530 The Victorian Era
HI 540 American Constitutional History
HI 550 Dynamics & Direction of the Contemporary World
HI 611 Grad. History Research Project
*May be taken by distance learning.

Curriculum and Instruction—Mathematics Specialization

Course Requirements

ED 541 History of American Education*
ED 542 Philosophy of American Ed.*
ED 545 Princ. of Instruction & Methods*
ED 676 Teaching Secondary Mathematics
MA 511 Introduction to Graduate Mathematics Research
MA 540 Properties of Positive Integers
MA Mathematics Electives—12 hours
*May be taken by distance learning.

Curriculum and Instruction—Science Specialization

Course Requirements

ED 541 History of American Education*
ED 542 Philosophy of American Ed.*
ED 545 Princ. of Instruction & Methods*
ED 677 Teaching Secondary Science
SC 511 Intro. to Grad. Science Research
SC 520 Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry
SC 530 Energy Systems & Modern Physics
SC 540 Meteorology, Astron.,& Geology
SC 550 Origins
SC 560 Cellular & Molecular Biology
*May be taken by distance learning.

Curriculum and Instruction—Music Specialization [K–12]

This program is designed to provide the music educator with advanced training in education as well as in a specific music emphasis (choral conducting, instrumental, keyboard, vocal). The student receives exposure to literature in the chosen emphasis and training in selected periods from music history.

Admission Requirements

See General Admission Requirements. Graduate applicants must have majored in music on the undergraduate level. Music applicants must audition in person. Those who live beyond 400 miles from Pensacola may submit a high-quality video recording.

Entrance examinations in music history and music theory (sight singing, dictation, part writing and harmonic analysis, and form and analysis) are required. Applicants who do not earn a satisfactory score on an exam must take a review course in the appropriate area with no graduate credit.

Music Emphasis

All music graduate students must demonstrate basic keyboard skill before completing the degree program. Students may either take the secondary piano examination or opt for one year of piano.

One credit hour of private music instruction in the student’s emphasis is required each semester. Music instruction is available in voice, keyboard, strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, and choral conducting. MU 646 includes private music instruction. Ensemble credit includes Chamber Ensemble, Madrigal Singers, Orchestra, or piano accompaniment for a college performing group. Students with keyboard skill will take PI 505 Graduate Hymnplaying and only two ensemble credits. Students with instrumental emphasis will take MU 537 Advanced Instrumental Church Music Arranging and only two ensemble credits.

Course Requirements

ED 541 History of American Education*
ED 542 Philosophy of American Ed.*
ED 545 Princ. of Instruction & Methods*
MU 512 Graduate Music Theory
MU 513 Analytic Technique
MU 527 Electronic Application in Arranging
MU 531 Graduate Music History Survey
MU 532 Graduate Music History Survey
MU 559 Advanced Choral Conducting
MU 646 Graduate Recital—Music Ed
___ 631–633 Private Music (1 hr. ea.)†
Music Literature
Ensemble
*May be taken by distance learning.
†Must earn at least “B” in lessons.

Curriculum and Instruction—Speech Specialization [K–12]

The focus of this program is to equip the student for production work in the Christian school or church setting. In addition, the speech educator will receive advanced training in education as well as improved personal performance skills.

Admission Requirements

See General Admission Requirements. Graduate applicants need at least 18 semester credits of interpretive speech on the undergraduate level. Students who do not meet this requirement may call the Graduate Studies Office to inquire about other options. Speech applicants must audition in person. Those living beyond 400 miles from Pensacola may submit a high-quality video recording.

Course Requirements

DP 521 Advanced Acting
DP 603 Adv. Stage Makeup & Costuming
DP 605 Studies in Directing
DP 618 Scene Design & Stage Lighting
DP 641–642 Priv. Lessons in Productions
DP 644 Production Preparation
DP 646 Graduate Production
ED 541 History of American Education*
ED 542 Philosophy of American Ed.*
ED 545 Princ. of Instruct. & Methods*
ED 679 Practicum in Teaching & Directing Secondary Speech & Drama
IS 520 Adv. Interpretation of Dramatic & Narrative Literature
IS 527 Group Interpretation
*May be taken by distance learning.