M.A. Graduate Handbook

Mission, Vision, and Goals

College of Education Vision

The USF College of Education envisions itself as a leader in regional, national and international education.  Leadership in education encompasses:

• Academic excellence
• Research, scholarship, and inquiry that renews the educational process
• Collaboration that serves communities, institutions, and individuals
• Preparation that builds on academic excellence, scholarship, clinical practice, and collaboration and that contributes to a just and productive society.

College of Education Mission

To fulfill its vision, the College of Education is committed to:

• offering challenging learning opportunities in a supportive and diverse environment;
• creating and supporting research, scholarship, and inquiry in education;
• preparing the next generation of educators, scholars, and leaders for pK-12 and the professoriate through exemplary undergraduate and graduate degree programs;
• serving the community through collaborative relationships; and working with schools, agencies, and communities to offer programs that prepare professionals who work competently, collaboratively, and ethically to improve educational outcomes for all.

Goals of Graduate Education

Graduate education at the University of South Florida is an intellectual and professional response to the needs and aspirations of the diverse communities served by the University. It has as a core value a commitment to disciplined inquiry as a basis for generating knowledge and improving professional practice.

The College of Education's graduate programs reflect the University's philosophy of graduate education. The COEDU is a professional school offering degree programs for educational scholars and practitioners.  Within a professional school, disciplined inquiry is a process by which information is collected, evaluated, and applied to problems and issues.  Skilled, rigorous inquiry contributes to the theoretical and information bases from which educational decisions are made and practices are developed. From this orientation, the following goals are derived for graduate education in the College of Education:

• to create a vigorous community of scholars in the field of education;
• to develop a highly competent community of educational leaders and practicing professionals;
• to foster disciplined and rigorous inquiry about educational practices, theories, and proposals; and
• to promote the development of educational theory and practices.