WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Feb. 22, 2021 — West Liberty University’s College of Education and Human Performance has new options for students wanting a convenient master’s in education degree program that begins next fall.

“Our Master of Arts in Education degree program is offering new concentration areas that are exciting choices for professionals. The best thing about these new concentrations is they are convenient and built around 100% online or remote coursework,” said Dr. Nicole Ennis, director of the master of education program. 

The three new areas are:

• Leadership in Education Administration track. This versatile degree is a full master’s program but also offers a post-master certificate for principal, supervisor of general instruction, and superintendent. 
• Visual Art Education track. This full master’s degree is designed for those certified as art teachers but seeking master’s level qualification.
• Instructional Design for Learning track. This degree is not specific to teachers, but is open for all interested professionals who seek qualifications to enter the growing field of virtual education of any type. 

Students should apply now for any of these programs which officially start in fall of 2021. 

The Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) program at WLU is a 30-credit hour program that includes 12 credit hours of required education common core courses and 18 credit hours of courses in the student’s area of emphasis.

Courses are scheduled in two eight-week terms during the fall and spring semesters, and two six-week terms during the summer.

““We keep it personal, even though these master degree programs are online and we are always here to help,” said Ennis.

The MAEd Leadership in Education Administration enables students to pursue a degree in the growing field of school leadership and gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities to serve as a school principal, supervisor of general instruction, or superintendent. 

The MAEd Visual Art Education is designed for students who already have an approved visual art teacher certification. The goal of the program is to improve the student’s knowledge and skills of visual art education teaching and learning practice. This program is the only fully online Graduate Art Education Program in the state of West Virginia. 

The MAEd Instructional Design for Learning enables students to pursue a degree in the growing field of virtual education. The instructional designer’s role is crucial in providing consistent, engaging, and aligned courses regardless of delivery method and this degree is open to all professionals, not just teachers. 

Prior to joining WLU, Ennis was a teacher and teacher leader in public education for 16 years. She has worked as a preschool and special education teacher, reading specialist, principal, and assistant superintendent and is a graduate of WLU with a bachelor’s in Elementary Education and Special Education. 

For more info on any of these programs individuals can go to westliberty.edu/maed. Or to contact the Office of Graduate Studies, please click here.