Patton College of Education Campus-Based Graduate Programs
The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education is located on the beautiful Ohio University campus in Athens, Ohio.
This iconic campus has been home to generations of leaders-in-the-making in the education, recreation, and human and consumer science fields since 1886 (Read about our history). Our award-winning and nationally recognized graduate programs continue to equip leaders for careers in all fields.
Students can study online or on campus. This page contains campus-based graduate programs but you can view a full list of our online graduate programs.
Master's Degree Programs
Adolescent to Young Adult with 7-12 Grade Master's with Licensure
The Master’s Program with Licensure in Adolescent-to-Young-Adult (AYA) and Multi-Age Education is a one-year (3 academic terms), in-person program that leads to an Ohio teaching license in a selected content area. It offers extensive field experience in classrooms in and around Athens and is only open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Art Education PreK-12 Grade with Licensure
This program is offered in partnership with the OHIO School of Art + Design. Students who complete this program will receive a Master of Education degree with a Multi-Age Visual Arts License, and be eligible to apply for and teach art for grades Pre-K-12.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) specialization prepares graduates in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders by addressing emotional, cognitive, and behavioral processes with an integrated counseling approach. In addition to core counseling coursework, CMHC students are trained in psychopathology, diagnosis, and treatment planning, and personality assessment. There are two additional specializations available:
- Clinical Mental Health/Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling
Coaching Education
The Masters of Coaching Education program is nationally recognized as a leader in preparing coaches to excel at all levels of competition. Students can finish in as little as one year, but we offer a flexible program of study based on the length of time you want to take to complete the master's degree. We also offer online Coaching Education programs.
College Student Personnel
The master's program in College Student Personnel (CSP) is a long-established, nationally respected, full-time, cohort-based program, that takes two academic years to complete. The curriculum integrates theory and practice, blending courses in student development theory, student affairs administration, counseling, and higher education with hands-on experience in student affairs offices at Ohio University and neighboring institutions.
Educational Leadership
Through a balanced online and in-class instructional approach, the Master’s in Educational Leadership is a 30-credit program completed over three semesters. The program prepares students to be leaders in education and related fields such as P-12 school districts, government agencies, foundations, and non-profit organizations. The courses align with National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards and new cohorts begin each summer or fall at the Athens and various regional campuses.
Educational Research and Evaluation
The master's program in Educational Research and Evaluation (EDRE) is designed to prepare graduates for a more advanced study of quantitative methods and for roles in research organizations. This major is intended to allow students the flexibility necessary to develop programs that meet their individual needs and interests, so developing a personalized program of study is required for each student.
Higher Education (Hybrid)
The Hybrid Master’s in Higher Education program is designed for working professionals in the Southeast Ohio region seeking career advancement and participating in or transitioning into higher education and student affairs administration. Students will engage in face-to-face learning with professors for most courses, while 20–40% of their coursework will be completed online depending on the start semester. This part-time program can be completed in just 1 year and 8 months, with two courses per semester.
Middle Childhood Education
The Master’s Program in Middle Childhood Education (MCE) offers a clinical program and leads to a teaching license for middle childhood (grades 4-9) in two subject areas (select two from: language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies). The program can be completed in one year (3 academic terms). Teacher candidates are expected to begin their program of study during the summer term and to follow the prescribed sequence of courses.
Parks, Recreation, Hospitality, and Tourism
The Parks, Recreation, Hospitality, and Tourism (PRHT) master's program combines coursework, research, and practical experiences to cultivate parks, recreation, hospitality, and tourism professionals and scholars. The graduate-level program is committed to enriching our communities through model outreach programs and activities and to advancing scholarship that informs policy and practice. The program offers three specializations: Hospitality Management, Outdoor Recreation and Education, and Recreation Management.
School Counseling
The School Counseling (SC) specialization prepares graduates to serve the pre-K-12 population by assuming leadership and advocacy roles to promote optimum development for all students. In addition to core counseling coursework, SC students are trained in professional school counseling as well as counseling and assessment of children and adolescents. Also offered online
Doctoral Programs
Counselor Education and Supervision
Doctoral study in Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) at Ohio University is designed to provide advanced preparation for counselors in the areas of counseling, supervision, teaching, research and scholarship, and leadership and advocacy. Graduates of the program serve as counselor education faculty in colleges and universities and counseling leaders in public and private educational, human services, and mental health settings.
Curriculum and Instruction
The PhD program in Curriculum and Instruction is built on a common foundation of learning theory, the social and cultural contexts of school education, curriculum and instruction theory, the moral and ethical dimensions of leadership, and quantitative and qualitative research methods. This program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. For a full-time student, completing a degree in 4–5 years is typical.
Educational Leadership
A key element and uniqueness of the Educational Leadership (EDLE) study at Ohio University is its explicit focus on context (e.g., rural, urban, teacher-leaders, organizational leadership). The program has a rich history of developing specializations and programs related to educational leadership in different contexts. Students are organized into cohorts that work together from the beginning to the end of the coursework portion of the program. The coursework follows a prescribed sequence, which enables the students to complete the coursework in twenty-four months and become eligible for comprehensive examinations.
Educational Research and Evaluation
The doctoral program in Educational Research and Evaluation (EDRE) is intended to prepare graduates for faculty positions and for leadership roles in research organizations. Additionally, the degree is intended to allow students the flexibility necessary to develop programs that meet their individual needs and interests. New students may begin in the fall semester only. The application deadline is March 31st.
Higher Education
Ohio University is the only institution in southeastern Ohio that offers a Ph.D. program in Higher Education. Its faculty includes internationally recognized scholars who can deliver up-to-date knowledge about Higher Education with the academic rigor that is demanded in Ph.D. studies. There are three formats for the Ph.D. program: part-time executive format, full-time on-campus, and part-time on-campus.
Instructional Technology
The doctoral specialization in Instructional Technology is designed for individuals whose major professional interest is exploring research and theory in instructional and informational technologies. The Instructional Technology program accepts applications for the doctoral program any semester of the year.
Mathematics Education
The PhD in Mathematics Education develops scholars who study teaching, learning, and assessment in mathematics—kindergarten through college. The program prepares these scholars to act as stewards of the field of mathematics education, with all its complexity and diversity. This program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. As a full-time program, degree completion in 4–5 years is typical.
Science Education
The PhD program in Science Education is built on a common foundation of learning theory, the social and cultural contexts of education, curriculum and instruction theory, the moral and ethical dimensions of leadership, and quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. In addition to completing a dissertation, it is expected that all students completing a doctoral degree in Science Education will demonstrate knowledge and skills in a common core of competencies and an area of specialization. The program can be completed full- or part-time. For full-time students, program completion typically requires 4 years.
Social Studies Education
The Ph.D. program in Social Studies Education is built on a common foundation of learning theory, the social and cultural contexts of school education, curriculum and instruction theory, the moral and ethical dimensions of leadership, and quantitative and qualitative research methods. This program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. For a full-time student, program degree completion in four years is typical, with at least two years in residence at the Athens campus of Ohio University.
Graduate Certificate and Endorsement Programs
Sport Coaching Certificate
The Graduate Certificate in Sport Coaching is an on-campus program that aims to develop students' knowledge of effective coaching methods and the principles that underpin them across the range of developmental coaching levels. The certificate is available to students who have been admitted to a graduate degree program at Ohio University. Courses in this program can be used towards one of our Master's in Coaching Education Programs.