Applying for a Rank 1/Masters Plus 30 Degree Program

What is Rank 1? It is a question that can be quite confusing. First of all, it is important to know Rank 1 can also be known as a Master's plus 30 degree or a Sixth Year Program. This program provides extra training for teachers and school administrators beyond the bachelor's degree level. Pursuing this degree can be quite a wise move. Of its many benefits, Rank I graduates can receive a considerable pay increase, job promotion, greater work responsibilities or all of the above. While enrolled in an online Rank 1 program, you, the teacher or school administrator, will earn extra 30 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree and hone your skills in teaching methods, administrative modules and educational trends.

There are several colleges that offer this particular program—most of which are private colleges and conducted exclusively online. For example, University of the Cumberlands offers a Rank 1 program that combines Rank I course work with supplemental certification programs in Special Education or a School Leadership program. For admission, potential students must have a valid teaching license, a Master's degree in Education, a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and passing scores on Licensure Examinations (PRAXIS, NTE, etc.).

Tuition costs will vary depending on your college of choice. On average, you should expect to pay about $325 per credit hour. At our featured school, the University of the Cumberlands, tuition rates for online courses in graduate education courses is only $291 per credit hour. Meanwhile, traditional graduate education courses cost $250 per credit hour.

The Rank I program was designed for the sole purpose of being a career tool for teachers and educators alike. This program offers a lot of potential as most states reward their teachers and teaching staff with the latest skills and knowledge. As mentioned previously, Rank I can directly lead to future monetary gains.

Basically, students who wish to obtain a Rank I Plus 30 will pursue a variety of graduate courses totaling 30 hours, which would culminate in a Rank 1 status. These types of degrees or certificates can also be pursued in Special Education and Leadership. This would be exceptionally beneficial to someone who was already an educator and wished to pursue a position as a principal, a director of special education or a superintendent.

The exact requirements of a Rank I program vary from school to school and should be verified before proceeding with the admission process. However, the following information highlights some of the major elements of a Rank I program.

To qualify one must have completed a master's or fifth year program with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and be able to verify this information by a transcript. Normally, three letters of recommendation are also required stating the performance of the candidate as an educator. Further, students must take at least 15 hours of level six classes and the maximum is 9 hours that are acceptable for independent study or special courses. Normally, students can transfer a maximum of 15 semester hours of graduate coursework if all other conditions are met.

The Rank I Program requires 12 hours of a professional area, nine of a selected content area, and nine hours of electives. This is how the Rank 1 Plus 30 is calculated. Whether online or on campus, Rank I programs, typically, have a mandatory orientation that must be completed prior to the start of classes. Check with your school for exact details.

If you are interested in learning more about a specific Rank I program, check out our featured Rank I program at the University of the Cumberlands.