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Printer-friendly versionFrequently Asked QuestionsChoose one of the categories below to find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the online Master�s Degree program from Nova Southeastern University.
ABOUT NSU POLICIES Q. Is this program accredited? A. Yes. Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and the Master's of Art in Teaching and Leadership (M.A.T.L.) program is regionally accredited by: The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) 1866 Southern Lane Decatur, GA 30033 404-679-4501 Contact the SACS office for additional information. Q. Will this master's degree be accepted by my district or in my state? A. Yes, since Nova Southeastern University is regionally accredited, the M.A.T.L. should be recognized across districts and states. However, always check with your district and state department of education for any special requirements. Q. The literature says that participants have to be actively teaching in their own classroom. What if I move while I'm in the program and don't have my own classroom right away? A. In order to implement your plan and apply the strategies you learn to your classroom, you need to be a practicing teacher. Therefore, you may need to "stop-out" of the program until you are teaching again. However, with new blocks starting four times a year, you will be able to return to the program quickly. During the eight-week summer term, alternative assignments are designed to be implemented when students are not in the classroom. Q. What if I have to "stop out"? A. If you need to take time off, the schedule is a set sequence of courses, so you can "stop out" and come in with the next block without skipping a beat. However, before making any decision to stop out, we advise that you contact the program office and/or your instructor to discuss your situation. Q. Whom do I call if I am having problems? A. When you begin the program, you will be given contact information for your student support team. Please call your academic specialist or mentor with any academic questions. If you have other questions or concerns, please refer to the following contact list:
A. As a Nova Southeastern University student, you will be given a UNIX account that allows access to the NSU Electronic Library. The application for the UNIX account can be found in your registration packet. ABOUT THE PROGRAM Q. How is this Master's degree program different from others? A. First, it is delivered in an online format. This format allows you the flexibility to fit the program into your schedule and learn anytime, anyplace. Second, while other programs focus more on theory, our program translates theory into practice by allowing you to focus on and address challenges you are having in your classroom as part of your coursework. By being able to immediately address and solve issues you are facing in your classroom, you can improve your teaching strategies right away and see the immediate impact on your students. Q. How will this program help me individually? How will it apply to my specific teaching situation? A. This program is based upon an inquiry project framework, so you will select challenges or issues that you specifically want to address in your classroom. Using everything you read and learn in your coursework and from your fellow students, you will develop plans, implement the plans, and assess the results they had in your classroom as assignments. This approach ensures that you receive a rich, personalized learning experience that will improve your performance in the classroom. Q. How is the program designed? A. The Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning degree is designed to be completed in just 14 months - and that includes specialization courses! Enrollment is open, with a new program sequence beginning four times each year - January, March, June, and October - with September off to accommodate back-to-school schedules. Q. How long is the program? A. You can complete the program in only 14 months if you work through the program sequentially. If you do need to "stop out," you will not have to wait an extended period of time, as a new block begins four times each year. (Please consult our latest course schedule for the next class start.) However, the program must be completed within five years of starting. Q. Are there any meetings that are required where I have to be some place on a certain day, at a certain time? A. Because this is an online program, there are no required face-to-face meetings. Your academic specialist will furnish you with a course syllabus, and schedule online discussions and assignment dates. Q. How do I get feedback from my instructor? How will I know if I'm on track? A. Your academic specialist will monitor your progress and request assignments from you on specific dates. If you get "off track," your instructor will work with you to get back on schedule. You will be in contact with your academic specialist, your mentor, and other students on an on-going basis. Online discussions and assignment deadlines will be scheduled by your academic specialist. You also will receive regular feedback from your mentor to keep you on track and answer any questions you may have. Q. Why is the coursework sequential? A. To help you build upon a framework from one semester to the next. Plus content is the same from semester to semester, so if you do need to "stop out," you will not have to wait an extended period of time, as a new block begins four times each year: January, April, June and October. Q. When will I receive my grades? A. Grades will be available in WebSTAR three to four weeks after a class has finished. ASSIGNMENTS AND MATERIALS Q. How do I get my books and materials? A. You will be provided instructions on how to purchase your materials online once you have been admitted to the university. Q. Can I share materials? A. No. It is essential to your success in any distance-learning program that you have a set of course materials at your disposal. You will need to purchase your own set of instructional materials, which you will keep for your own professional library. Q. How much work is there? How much time will this program take each week? A. In a typical campus-based class, you spend approximately three hours per week in a classroom "attending class" and an additional three hours per week reading and doing homework. In our distance learning program, the amount of time you spend is about the same as a traditional "on campus" class: six hours per week. The program's major components are:
A. Assignments are application-oriented, which means that everything you do will apply directly to your classroom. Q. How do I submit assignments? A. You will be provided with a list of specific assignments and submission dates for each instructional block. It is important that you forward your assignments to the academic team in a timely manner. We urge you to do as much of your work as possible online and send your assignments through Web CT or as e-mail attachments. You will receive a syllabus, which also will detail the specific procedures for submitting assignments to your instructors. Q. What is an instructional block? A. Instead of discussing all of the academic themes separately, this program weaves together academic strands that work hand-in-hand in practice (i.e., classroom management and instruction are taught together in an instructional block because in practice, you won't have effective instruction without solid classroom management). USE OF TECHNOLOLGY Q. How comfortable with computer and Internet technology do I need to be? A. You need to be able to use e-mail, send attachments in e-mail, find articles and resources on the Internet, and create documents using word processing software. There is no special software you will need to download. Q. What technology support is available? A. Your faculty mentor will be available to talk you through any technology challenges you may face along the way. Additionally, there is the NSU Help Desk, which is staffed Monday through Saturday during normal business hours. Q. What do I need, as far as technology requirements are concerned, for this program? A. You will need:
TUITION AND FINACIAL AID Q. What are the program's costs? A. Tuition for the M.A.T.L. program is charged per credit hour, along with a materials fee for each block and additional university-related fees. View a listing of current tuition and fees. Tuition will not be increased if you stay continuously enrolled in the program. NOTE: Prices are subject to change before enrollment in program. Q. Does this program qualify for financial aid? A. Yes. There are a wide variety of financial assistance programs available through NSU. Please contact the Financial Aid Office, 800-806-3680, or apply online for financial aid at www.nova.edu/cwis/finaid/. Students must be enrolled for six hours per semester to be considered full-time graduate students and to qualify for financial assistance. Q. How many hours per semester is considered full-time for graduate students in order to qualify for financial aid? A. Six hours. |
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