The MEd degree should represent more than the completion of a collection of courses. It should demonstrate mastery in some aspect of your field of study. As soon as it is possible, preferably in the first or second semester after you enter the program, begin to identify an area of interest as a focus of coursework, research, professional practice and eventually the culminating project.
Completion of the culminating project assures the Department of Curriculum Studies and the Office of Graduate Education at the University of Hawai‘i that you have achieved graduate level knowledge and skill in an area of inquiry. If you anticipate continuing in graduate school for a doctoral degree, you might want to consider writing a thesis (Plan A) as preparation for advanced study. The Plan A paper must be based on empirical research. If you decide on Plan A, you will follow the guidelines of the Office of Graduate Education.
The Plan B project is a suitable choice for students expecting to work in applied settings after receiving their degrees. The Plan B project should have professional merit and value in the student’s area of concentration. It might involve curriculum development, original research, a portfolio or a creative endeavor.
Please see examples of both Plan A Theses and Plan B Projects on the Department of Curriculum Studies ScholarSpace.
The following sections provide information on culminating projects and advising required for the Plan A Thesis and Plan B Project.
Guidelines for the Plan A Thesis
As explained by the Office of Graduate Education (2014),
The thesis … is a scholarly contribution to knowledge. It presents research conducted by the student under the supervision of the thesis… committee chair. The final submission becomes a permanent and official addition to the body of scholarship undertaken at UHM.
Plan A Requirements
- A three person committee: two from EDCS (one of whom is the chair), the third from another department (all committee members must be on the Graduate Faculty)
- Two research courses approved by the committee and two curriculum courses (622 & 667)
- At least 12 credit hours of concentration courses including 699 hours
- 6 credit hours of EDCS 700 Thesis Research are required (Register for EDCS 700 only after thesis committee, research proposal, and IRB approved)
- Registration in EDCS 700 the semester of graduation
- UH Human Subjects Committee approval for study
- A Plan A Thesis
- Oral defense of the Plan A Thesis
Please see UHM Graduate Division website for information on committee composition, format, submission, final defense, etc. and Plan A forms for Graduate division (scroll down for Master’s Plan A Thesis forms).
In addition, you are encouraged to make certain:
- The Plan A thesis contains evidence in the final chapter summary that you have connected study outcomes with current knowledge in the content area, including previous research relevant to the Plan A thesis.
- The final chapter or portfolio summary makes clear the professional impact of the study findings on your future directions.
- The concluding chapter outlines general recommendations that are consonant with the findings of the project.
Guidelines for the Plan B Project
Your faculty advisor is in the best position to guide you in developing the Plan B project. Projects are personal, and topics vary widely in format and length. It is your responsibility to define the purpose, and to organize, and implement the project. The advisor will assist with these tasks and will provide feedback to help you complete it successfully.
Plan B Requirements
- A Program Advisor who is a member of the EDCS Graduate Faculty and a Second Reader who responds to the Plan B Paper or Project and attends the oral defense. The second reader must have at minimum a Master’s degree.
- Two research courses are required (one overview and one research methods) and two curriculum courses (622 & 667)
- At least 18 credits of concentration courses including 699 credits
- Up to 6 credit hours of 699 (Directed Study) may be taken
- Must be registered for at least one credit the semester of graduation
- UH Human Subjects Committee approval for all studies that include human subjects
- A Plan B Paper or Project
- Oral defense of the Plan B Paper or Project
Please follow these guidelines for Plan B project design.
- The project should be purposeful and have meaning for the individual and his/her community, and /or importance for the field of study.
- The project should refer to a relevant body of knowledge (this might be a review of literature, grounding in historical context, oral history).
- The project should involve some form of documentation that can be kept on file. This can vary widely and might include a scholarly paper (for example action research, field study curriculum development), a standards-based portfolio, or a product like song, dance, video, website, or exhibit of photographs.
- The project should communicate a connection to practice and/or professional growth.
In addition, you are encouraged to make certain:
- The Plan B Project contains evidence in the final chapter summary that you have connected study outcomes with current knowledge in the content area, including previous research relevant to the Plan B project.
- The final chapter or portfolio summary makes clear the professional impact of the study findings on your future directions.
- The concluding chapter outlines general recommendations that are consonant with the findings of the project.