SYLLABUS
for
EDU 6563
Title: Masters Thesis
Professor: Minadene H. Waldrop, Ed. D
Semester: Fall 2015
Credit Hours: 3 semester hours
Course Title: EDU 6563 Y (3 semester hours)
I.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of EDU Research Methods and Procedures and EDU
6513 Comparative Education Systems. This course cannot be taken in the same semester as
either of these courses.
II.
Course Description: This course is one of the required core classes for the Masters of
Education in Educational Leadership Nonlicensure degree. This course is designed to provide
time and guidance for completing one of the capstone requirements of the Master’s of
Education in Educational Leadership Nonlicensure degree program.
III.
Rationale: The Masters of Education in Educational Leadership Nonlicensure degree was
designed to develop leaders in education for individuals not requiring a license. The degree
requires twelve hours (4 courses) of electives hours to allow individuals to study and develop
knowledge of a specific area of education. The master’s thesis also provides an opportunity
to continue this study by comparison methods in specific areas of education the individual
has interest. Comparative study allows one to develop a deeper knowledge of a topic by
examining it in at least two different areas (countries, regions, etc.)
IV.
Department of Teacher Education and Leadership Mission Statement: The mission of
the School of Education is to produce teachers that are caring, competent reflective
practitioners whose dispositions have been influenced by Christian principles. Mississippi
College values the integration of faith and learning. All learning activities are designed with
this mission and values in mind.
The mission of the Department of Teacher Education and Leadership at Mississippi College
is to provide collaborative, integrated professional educator preparation which is fieldconnected and focused on teaching and learning: based on best practice which is driven and
assessed by high national, state and local standards which will develop reflective
practitioners with the appropriate knowledge, dispositions and skills to lead the 21st Century
educational enterprise in America. (Conceptual Framework page 2 paragraph C.)
V.
VI.
VII.
Desired Results: Students will
A. Complete no less than 90% of the master’s thesis in a professional and scholarly
format.
B. Prepare a proposal for research conference.
C. Develop and use work habits that are honest, on time and evident of a leader that is
able to be a critical thinker, problem-solver, and use analytical skills.
Learning Plan: Students will be scored based on quality of completed thesis (65% of score),
research conference proposal (10% of score) and work habits (25%) during the semester.
Rubrics are provided for each category.
Grading System: Mississippi College uses the following grading system for graduate
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schoolwork:
A reserved for work which is definitely superior in quality
B+ intermediate grade
B work which is consistently good and which manifests sufficient interest, effort,
or originality to lift it above average work
C+ intermediate grade
C average work and shows that basic requirements in class assignments have been
Met (work at this level or lower is considered unsatisfactory for graduate students)
D earns credit but is below the standard for graduation
F indicates failure and carries no credit
A – 93% - 100%
B+ – 89% - 92%
B – 85% - 88%
C+ – 81% - 84%
C – 77% - 80%
D – 70% - 76%
F -- ≤ 69%
VIII.
Attendance and Participation: The Mississippi College Graduate Catalog states: “Class
attendance/participation is an essential part of university education, and students are expected
to attend/participate regularly and punctually all classes and laboratories for which they are
registered. Cumulative absences/nonparticipation may result in a lowered grade or loss of
credit for the course. Tardiness is also subject to penalty, as is any failure to complete
required class work on time.”
A. Class attendance/participation is required, and accurate records are kept. Class
attendance is used to calculate Work habits category score used for the overall course
grade. Tardies and early class departures count toward the number of absences so
students should plan to arrive on time and remain until the end of the class period. If a
student does arrive late, it is his/her responsibility to tell the instructor at the conclusion
of the class period to be sure records are changed. Two (2) tardies will be counted as one
unexcused absence. All attendance will be recorded to Moodle and later to Banner Web.
B. Students must not accumulate excessive absences. A student receives a grade of F in a
course immediately upon accumulating more than 8 classes during the semester. (see
2014-2015 Graduate Catalogs for more detailed)
IX.
Academic Integrity: Mississippi College students are to be scrupulously honest and should
display academic integrity in all situations. Dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism, or
furnishing false information, including forgery, alteration or misuse of University documents,
records or identification, will be regarded as a serious offense subject to severe penalty,
including, but not limited to, loss of credit and possible dismissal. See the Mississippi
College Student Handbook. Policy 2.19 for specific information regarding penalties
associated with dishonest behavior at Mississippi College.
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All work submitted for this course must be your own work, must have been developed
specifically for this course, and may not have been submitted for evaluation or assessment in
any other course.
X.
Student Assistance
A. Early Alert System
Mississippi College has adopted the practice of finding students early in the semester that
may be exhibiting behaviors that could ultimately have a negative impact on their
academic progress. These behaviors are often called “red flag” behaviors and include,
but are not limited to, excessive absences, poor test grades, and lack of class participation
or evidence of non-engagement. Identifying these behaviors early gives the instructor the
opportunity to raise the “red flag” on behalf of a particular student so that the student can
take the appropriate action to redirect his/her progress. The system alerts the student, the
student’s advisor, and the Office of Student Success.
These messages are intended to help a student recognize an area of concern and to
encourage him/her to make some choices to improve the situation. When a student
receives an Early Alert message, the student should quickly make an appointment to talk
with his/her professor about the situation. Also, students can make full use of the Office
of Student Success to set academic goals and connect to campus resources.
.
B. Students with Disabilities
In order for a student to receive disability accommodations under Section 504 of the
Americans with Disabilities Act, he or she must schedule an individual meeting with the
Director of Student Counseling Services immediately upon recognition of their
disability (if their disability is known they must come in before the semester begins or
make an appointment immediately upon receipt of their syllabi for the new semester).
The student must bring with them written documentation from a medical physician and/or
licensed clinician that verifies their disability. If the student has received prior
accommodations, they must bring written documentation of those accommodations
(example Individualized Education Plan from the school system). Documentation must
be current (within 3 years).
The student must meet with SCS face-to face and also attend two (2) additional follow
up meetings (one mid semester before or after midterm examinations and the last one at
the end of the semester). Please note that the student may also schedule additional
meetings as needed for support through SCS as they work with their professor throughout
the semester. Note: Students must come in each semester to complete their
Individualized Accommodation Plan (example: MC student completes fall semester IAP
plan and even if student is a continuing student for the spring semester they must come in
again to complete their spring semester IAP plan).
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Student Counseling Services is located on the 4th floor of Alumni Hall) or they may be
contacted via email at mbryant@mc.edu . You may also reach them by phone at 601-9257790. Dr. Morgan Bryant is director of MC Student Counseling Services.
C. Contact the Professor
Whenever there is confusion of assignment requirements or progress in the class, students
should contact the professor by email, text, or phone call.
XI.
Speed Library Hours:
Monday – Thursday 7:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Friday 7:45 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday 12:00 Noon – 5:00 PM
Sunday 5 PM – 10:00 PM
XII.
Class Communications:
Dr. Minadene Waldrop
Office: Room 406, Lowrey Hall
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 9:00-3:00.
Appointments and tutoring can be arranged for other days and times.
Office Telephone: (601) 925 -7730
Cell Phone: (601) 941-1906 (call or text, preferred method of contact, identify yourself if
texting)
E-mail: mwaldrop@mc.edu
XIII.
Instructional Materials:
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition
Internet Access to MC Virtual Library and Turnitin.com
XIV.
Biblical Guidance for Course:
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.”
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