Master 's Degrees (non-licensure and non-certification programs)

Education Studies degrees and degrees noted as non-certification are designed for those who want to work in education-related positions that do not require state licensure/certification, or who may want to enter a licensure/certification program at a later date, or who may want to gain a strong general foundation in areas such as counseling, leadership, learning theory, educational psychology, child development, and education best practices in preparation for a variety of other occupations and career paths.

The Education Studies degree provides candidates with four possible areas of concentration: Elementary Education (K-6), Secondary Education (7-12), Special Education (K-12), and Career and Technical Education.  The degree but does not qualify recipients for state licensure and/or certification.  Non-Certification degrees are also available in School Counseling, School Leadership, Applied Educational Technology and Instruction.

Licensure/Certification Option*

Once admitted to the Education Studies degree program, students have the option of remaining in that major and completing the M.Ed. in Education Studies, or applying for admission to a parallel degree program that contributes to eligibility for licensure/certification as a Delaware educator.

Admission to licensure/certification programs has content assessment and exit performance assessment requirements which require applicants to demonstrate mastery of general knowledge, including the ability to read, write, and compute, by achieving a score deemed to be college-ready on a test of general knowledge normed to the college-bound population. This requirement can be met by achieving passing scores on all three tests in the ETS Praxis Series Core Academic Skills for Educators.

Submit official (complete with sub­test scores) score reports demonstrating mastery of general knowledge, including the ability to read, write, and compute (Praxis CORE/Praxis I). For more information about ETS exams (including how to register), go to ets.org. Test takers should designate Wilmington University and the Delaware Department of Education as score recipients.  This enables scores to be sent directly, confidentially, and electronically. Otherwise, candidates must provide original copies of all official score reports, including all sub­score reports to the office of Graduate Admissions.  Minimum acceptable scores are 

ETS 5712 Reading    156  OR  ETS 5710 Reading   175
ETS 5722 Writing  162  OR ETS 5720 Writing  173
ETS 5732 Mathematics  150
 OR ETS 5730 Mathematics  174

Information about these tests, as well as additional content and exit performance tests can be accessed here.  

*See Master of Education Elementary Studies (MEE) and/or Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree and/or Master of Education in Special Education and/or Master of Education Career and Technical Education programs for specific content and performance assessment details.

Concentration Options for the M.Ed. in Education Studies

Elementary Education (K-6). Candidates complete 41-44 credits of core courses in the MEE Elementary Studies Program and 9-12 credits of elective courses in lieu of some or all of the MEE clinical courses. Elective courses are selected from other graduate education programs and in consultation with the teacher preparation program advisor.

Secondary Education (7-12). Candidates complete 31-34 credits of core courses in the MAT in Secondary Teaching Program and 9-12 credits of elective courses in lieu of some or all of the MAT clinical courses. Elective courses are selected from other graduate education programs and in consultation with the teacher preparation program advisor.

Special Education (K-12). Candidates complete 30 credits of core courses, 10-12 credits of prerequisite courses, and 9-12 credits of elective courses in lieu of some or all of the MSE clinical courses. Elective courses are selected from other graduate education programs and in consultation with the teacher preparation program advisor.

Career and Technical Education. Candidates complete 36 credits of core courses in the CTE Career and Technical Program and 6 credits of elective courses in lieu of some or all of the CTE clinical courses. Elective courses are selected from other graduate education programs and in consultation with the program advisor. Candidates are also required to perform an Action Research Project.