Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the
Educational Technology Integration Emphasis Area 

Q: How many credits are required to complete the M.Ed. degree? 

A: The Master's degree in General Education with an emphasis on educational technology integration requires 33-credits of graduate courses for completion. This includes 18-credits of "core" courses in educational technology, 6-credits in foundations, 6-credits of electives and the 3-credit thesis class (EDG 695). More information on the program is provided in the Program Requirements section and the courses are described in the Courses section.  

Q: Do you offer the State of Michigan NP endorsement? 

A: At this time, we do not support the Michigan NP endorsement. We are, however, exploring supporting the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for Technology Facilitation (NETS-TF) endorsement and will hopefully have this in place in the next year or so. Stay tuned for more information on this program in the future.  

Q: Which elective courses can I take?  

A: Any elective courses that students wish to include in their M.Ed. degree should be approved beforehand by an advisor. The general criteria we use when considering elective courses are: (1) it must be graduate-level credit, (2) from an accredited institution, and (3) must fit within the program. In the case of the educational technology integration emphasis area, it usually involves something related to the use of technology in an instructional setting.

Q: Is there a recommended or required sequence for taking courses? 

A: For those students who have been accepted into the M.Ed. program, we ask that you complete the technology self-assessment before enrolling in any of our graduate educational technology courses. This assessment helps to identify those students who may need additional coursework to bring their technology knowledge and skill up to the required level of proficiency for success in these courses. Students who do need help may take EDG 618 Introduction to Computers in Education, or a replacement course, before enrolling in the core technology courses. EDG 619 Curricular integration of Ed Technology is a prerequisite for the remaining core technology courses and ED 660 is not available for enrollment until a student has completed at least 24 credits.

Q: I have not yet been accepted into the M.Ed. program. Can I still take graduate courses before admission into the program?  

A: Yes. GVSU College of Education students who are "non-degree seeking" are allowed to take up to 6-credits of graduate courses before being admitted into the M.Ed. program. Students should discuss the courses they wish to take with an advisor to ensure that they will fit within their M.Ed. program.  

Q: What are the foundations courses? 

A: The foundation courses provide a common set of knowledge and skills required by all students in the M.Ed. programs. They include ED 660 Educational Inquiry & Evaluation, ED 670 Educational Policy & Practices, and ED 671 Social/Cultural Foundations of Education and can be counted towards any M.Ed. degree. ED 660 should be taken after 24-credits and just before enrollment in EDG 695 because assignments in this class build towards the thesis or project.  

Q: Which courses can I take online? 

A: All of the educational technology core courses used BlackBoard®, a web-based learning environment, and some class sessions are held online, but we also offer all of these courses online at least once every-other year. An online class meets only twice during the 15-week term, during the first week of the term and during finals week, and all other interactions occur through BlackBoard. The course content, assignments, and student expectations are identical, regardless of whether a course is taken online or in the regular weekly format. Other courses may be available online, depending on the faculty who teach them. Courses are generally offered in the evenings during the fall and winter terms.

Q: I have not been assigned an advisor. How should I proceed? 

A: Within the educational technology emphasis area, we do not assign specific advisors to each student in our program. We encourage students to seek out instructors and faculty members with specific questions they may have about courses or the program. The place to start is the Student Information Services Center (SISC) which can be reached at 616-331-6650 to setup an advising appointment and fill out a planned program. Advising appointments can take place at our offices in downtown Grand Rapids (Pew Campus) or via the telephone. Program faculty are listed on the emphasis area main page and may also be available via e-mail.  

Q: I am ready to enroll in EDG 695 and finish my M.Ed. degree. What do I need to do? 

A: EDG 695 is a special course that requires an application be submitted before the term begins and students can only enroll with a special permit. Information on the 695 Thesis/Project can be found on the 695 Project/Thesis page.

Q: I started taking courses four (4) years ago. How long do I have to complete my M.Ed. degree? 

A: GVSU has a policy that requires students to complete their M.Ed. degree within 8-years after they start taking courses. Courses that are older than 8-years may not be included in your planned program, except under special circumstances. Contact the SISC is you have questions about the deadline for your program completion.

Q: I've taken graduate courses from other institutions. Is there a limit on how many credits I can transfer in from other non-GVSU institutions? 

A: GVSU allows students to transfer up to 9 credits from outside institutions. In order to transfer credits, students need to request an official transcript be sent to the GVSU registrar's office from those institutions where they hope to include credits and need to fill out a transfer credit request. Contact the SISC if you have questions about transferring in credits from outside GVSU.  

Agt/06-15-06