Program Description

The purpose of the distance learning graduate program in Business/Marketing Education is to provide opportunities for initial teacher certification and professional development for in-service teachers. The degree programs offer educational opportunities through convenient access, especially for areas that are particularly lacking in availability of educational resources. The program assists in providing professional development to business educators in the area of continuously changing technology.

The purpose of the Business/Marketing Education traditional master’s degree program, building upon an undergraduate degree in business/marketing education, is to strengthen professional educators’ abilities and competencies to teach business and marketing courses in grades 6 through 12. The program is designed for students to attain their master’s level (A-level) teacher certification. Course work within the degree is planned to update students’ knowledge and skills in business-related content, educational psychology, curriculum and teaching, evaluation of teaching and learning, and foundations of education. The master’s degree is intended to help teachers develop higher levels of competence than is possible in initial certification programs and to strengthen their dedication to being competent, committed, and reflective educators.

The purpose of the Business/Marketing Education alternative master’s degree program is identical to the purposes for preparing teachers at the undergraduate level except persons completing an Alternative Master’s Certification Program will be expected to demonstrate knowledge and skill above the level required for completion of an undergraduate teacher certification program. The knowledge and skill needed include subject matter knowledge, student development, diversity, instructional strategies, classroom management and learning environment, communication, planning, assessment, professionalism, and collaboration. The program is designed to enable graduates to become competent, committed, and reflective educators.

The Specialist in Education degree program builds upon the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs of students within Business/Marketing Education. The purpose of the Specialist in Education program is to further strengthen professional educators’ abilities and competencies for teaching in secondary, postsecondary, and non-school settings. The program is designed for students to attain their post-master’s (Alabama Class AA) teacher certification. Graduates complete course work which will update their knowledge and skills in related technical content, educational psychology, curriculum development and teaching, evaluation of teaching and learning, and foundations of education. Graduates are also required to complete a field project which addresses a practical problem related to Business Education. The program provides further support to graduates as competent, committed, and reflective educators.

Auburn University was the first in Alabama to offer distance learning graduate programs in Business Education. The Auburn Distance Program's unique combination of delivery methods and convenience make it an attractive program nationwide. The program assists in providing professional development to business educators in the area of continuously changing technology.