Sunday, December 30, 2007 — Pfeiffer continues to provide advanced teacher education with expansion of graduate program in Lake Norman.

As classroom teachers face more challenges to improve student achievement, officials in the School of Education at Pfeiffer University recently announced plans to expand its Master of Science in Elementary Education (MSEE) degree program to the Lake Norman area beginning January 2008.

This expansion is part of the university’s continued effort to further support and educate teachers.

Pfeiffer’s latest graduate program expansion comes on the heels of the announcement university graduate officials made last month to offer the Master of Business Administration program for public safety officers in Lake Norman.

An information session to provide details about Pfeiffer’s graduate programs offered in that area will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Hampton Inn, 19501 Statesville Rd., Cornelius (I-77, Exit 28).

Developed for teachers who currently hold an elementary license, Pfeiffer education administrators say the MSEE program focuses on effective curricular and instructional planning as well as program assessment to enhance student learning.

Program content includes expanded diversity knowledge, literacy education, and exceptionalities; a focus on educational research in language arts, math and social studies; and creative and innovative technological classroom approaches.

As teachers face more federal and state mandates relative to bolstering student achievement and narrowing learning disparities among students, the need to offer more graduate-level education programs throughout the region is on the rise.

Dr. Sandra Loehr, associate professor of education and director of Charlotte teacher education programs at Pfeiffer, said she is pleased the MSEE program will be available to educators living in northern Mecklenburg County and the vicinity.

“Pfeiffer has always been responsive to community needs,” Loehr explained. “We are excited to be able to introduce this quality master’s program to the Lake Norman area.”

In addition to enhanced professional development, the program offers other tremendous benefits to prospective students.

To provide convenience and flexibility for working adults, classes are held one evening per week. Upon completion of the 36-hour curriculum, educators are recommended for a Master’s (M) license and credentials, which result in pay increases.

Provisions are also made to defray some of the financial expenses that often keep individuals from pursuing advanced degrees.

A 40 percent tuition discount for public school teachers is instrumental in the recruitment process.

The State of North Carolina raises teachers’ salaries by 10 percent for the remainder of their careers, which ranges from about $300 to $500 per month, depending on years of experience.

Because student loans require repayment to begin months after completion of the degree, and factoring those costs into the state salary increase, students can essentially complete the program at little to no realized cost.

Teachers also earn state-mandated professional development credits for each class completed in the master’s program.

“We know the program will render a positive impact on the teachers who enroll, but we also predict their students will benefit immeasurably,” Loehr said.

Pfeiffer offers its Lake Norman area classes at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 19600 Zion St., Cornelius, N.C. The MSEE degree program is also offered on the Charlotte and Misenheimer campuses.

For more information about the Lake Norman and Charlotte area education programs, please contact Dr. Sandra Loehr at sandra.loehr@pfeiffer.edu or (704) 945-7319. To learn about The School of Education at Pfeiffer, contact Dr. Joyce Edwards, dean of education, at joyce.edwards@pfeiffer.edu or (704) 463-6150.

Established in 1885, Pfeiffer University is a comprehensive United Methodist-related university, with multiple campuses, including Charlotte and the Triangle, committed to educational excellence, service, and scholarship. Please visit us online at www.pfeiffer.edu.



Editor’s note: Amber Larkin, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg elementary school teacher who was named among the national All-USA Teacher Team by USA Today last month, is a recent graduate of Pfeiffer's MSEE program.

For additional details on Larkin’s accomplishment, visit the Internet at http://www.cms.k12.nc.us