Secondary Education Graduate Program

SDP I is the admission process and acceptance as a program candidate. Candidates complete an online application; identify areas of strength and for growth; hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; hold a valid teacher license; have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate course work and have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in all graduate course work and attend a face-to-face or virtual advising session.

SDP II is reviewed at the successful completion of three of the four core courses, no later than 18 hours into the program. In each course, H520, P507, and J500 candidates must:

1. Meet the standards as measured through core courses SDP II key projects;
2. Maintain a 3.0 grade in each course.

Candidates must file a Petition for Exception if the SDP II review will be delayed.

Guidelines for Summative Decision Point II Writing

• Three core courses (H520, P507 & J500) include a key project that is aligned to one or more of the professional dispositions and one or more of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
• A SDP II key project is included on the syllabus requirements for each core course.
• The SDP II key project is evaluated by the core course instructor using a standard rubric established for each course.
• The core course instructors submit all scored SDP II key projects to the SOE Graduate Studies Director for review and documentation of candidates' progress in the program.
• For more information, please see Graduate Studies Handbook.

SDP III Teacher as Researcher: Impact on Student Learning

SDP III is the capstone “Teacher as Researcher” project conducted as a clinical practice to ensure that candidates have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to impact student learning. This occurs most often in the building where the educator is employed. The Teacher as Researcher project includes a problem statement, review of research literature, research design, data analysis, reflection of the study and action plan, references, and elements related to the professional dispositions. The study will be presented in a seminar or at the IU Southeast Research Conference. If a candidate is pursuing a concentration (such as reading, gifted and talented, computer education, ENL, special education, or content area) the SDP III should describe a study pertinent to the concentration. The SDP III form should be used as a guideline and rubric for the writing. The rubric is used for the blind-review process of evaluation. The SDP III guidelines form may be obtained from the Research in Education instructor. SDP III should be completed no later than 30 hours into the program. Check for specific submission deadlines for SDP III, listed below. Depending on the results of the blind review of the research paper, candidates may resubmit their work up to two times.

Note: The Application for Degree should be filed with the Records Office no later than six months prior to graduation.

SDP IV is the final review to ensure that all program standards and assessments have been satisfactorily met. The Application for Degree should be filed with the Records Office no later than six months prior to graduation. The SDP IV paperwork should be submitted by the deadline which is during the last semester of graduate coursework leading to the degree. Check for specific submission deadlines for SDP IV, listed below. SDP IV verifies that the candidate has:

1. Finished all required coursework;
2. Submitted the Evaluation of Dispositions form to Canvas Submission site;
3. Submitted a reflection on personal growth related to the School of Education’s Conceptual Framework, and Dispositions to Canvas Submission site;
4. Filed an "Application for Degree" 6 months before expected graduation date.