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Master's in Environmental Education

The Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College offers a 12-month graduate program that culminates in a master's degree in environmental education. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, this program is designed for college graduates who will work as environmental educators in diverse settings such as nature centers, outdoor education programs, nonprofit camps, parks and recreation programs, public and private schools, and independent environmental organizations.

Applications are currently being accept for the 2008/2009 school year starting July 7th 2008 and ending the beginning of June 2009.

Program Design and Philosophy

The program is designed as an intensive experience in all aspects of environmental education. By experiencing the many facets that lead to the delivery of quality programs, the student will become an excellent interpreter of natural history.

A distinctive aspect of this program is an immersion in natural history, which includes utilizing various media to record observations and using scientific methods for ecological field research. An integrated portfolio and project will be outcomes of this experience. We believe it is essential for environmental educators to be well grounded in the concepts of ecosystems. Each student will study an ecosystem (a microsystem at Merry Lea) throughout the yearlong program. The first three courses in the curriculum (Ecology, Research Methods and Measurements, Principles of Environmental Education) will provide the tools for gathering and interpreting data, as well as making practical applications in designing and delivering programs. Exposure to and engagement with K-12 program delivery at Merry Lea will create important learning experiences for each graduate student. Learning will occur through modeling by the professional environmental educators and through direct involvement in guiding learning experiences for K-12 students. We believe that the outstanding "environmental education laboratory" at Merry Lea will provide a high quality framework as graduates begin their careers as environmental educators.