Career and Technical Education
Career and Technical Education Program Director:
Dr. Kemaly Parr, Assistant Professor and CTE Program Director
Adolescent, Career and Special Education
3241 Alexander Hall • Murray, KY 42071
270-809-2854
Teaching real-world applications can be an incredibly rewarding experience. The College of Education and Human Services offers both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Career and Technical Education (CTE).
Through these programs, you can pursue a career in business and marketing education, family and consumer sciences, or engineering and technology education. Below, you'll find more information about these degree programs offered at Murray State University.
Business and Marketing Education
The Business and Marketing Education baccalaureate degree program at Murray State
University is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
(CAEP). In addition, MSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools Commission on Colleges. The accreditation of the academic program assures
students a high quality education and greater opportunities in the employment market.
Career Outlook: The students majoring in Business and Marketing Education at Murray State University
will be prepared for a career as a teacher at the middle or secondary school level.
Teaching positions increase in number each year. In fact, several geographic locations
currently have a shortage of teachers, and a teacher shortage is projected nationwide
for the future. With additional education and experiences, business educators are
qualified for such positions as business managers, department chairs, and area coordinators
of centers for career and technical education.
Family and Consumer Sciences Education
The Family and Consumer Sciences Education program is accredited by the Council for
the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Kentucky Department of Education
(KDE). A degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education can provide a variety of
career options with cooperative extension services, businesses, family resource centers,
and schools. Family and Consumer Sciences Education includes teaching others about
content areas of family and consumer sciences, including family studies, nutrition
and food science, textiles and apparel production and analysis, resource management,
consumer skills, and living environments. Graduates can teach in middle, secondary,
or post-secondary classrooms, but there are also opportunities as educators or program
directors with other family-related agencies.
Career Outlook: A career in family and consumer sciences can provide a good income and will give
you the satisfaction of helping others. The primary responsibility of this profession
is to help individuals and families solve daily living problems associated with their
family, job, and other life roles. There is a shortage of family and consumer sciences
teachers in the state of Kentucky and in the nation. It is predicted that this shortage
will exist for at least ten years because of teacher retirements. Teachers and early
childhood professionals will continue to be needed to ensure that children and youth
are prepared for their futures as family members and as professionals.
Engineering and Technology Education
The Engineering and Technology Education baccalaureate degree program is accredited
by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). As an Engineering
and Technology Education graduate, you will be prepared to teach in technology education
programs that are offered in most middle and secondary schools. A nationwide movement
in support of this program ensures that graduates have excellent employment prospects.
The diversity of the Engineering and Technology Education program will provide you
with an overview of an industrial setting that is sought by employers.
Career Outlook: If you desire to serve society, there may be no better way than through engineering
and technology education. There is a demand for technology teachers of all occupational
areas. This is due to the renewed emphasis on preparing people for the world of work
in schools, community colleges, and adult programs in Kentucky and in our nation.
Technology Education
This baccalaureate degree may be used to become eligible for initial certification
in career and technical education (grades 5-12) when combined with an appropriate
associate’s degree. To become eligible for initial certification in career and technical
education, students must hold an appropriate associate’s degree and/or other needed
technical courses, be employed by a school district in the area where certification
is required, and attend mandatory state training for certification. After three years
of teaching experience and the completion of this degree for certification, the teacher
may be eligible for Rank II.
Master of Science in Education
Career and Technical Education Initial Certification Track
This degree may be used to become eligible for initial certification in career and
technical education (grades 5-12) when combined with an appropriate technical bachelor’s
degree and or other needed technical courses. To become eligible for initial certification
in career and technical education (grades 5-12), students must hold an appropriate
technical bachelor’s degree and/or other needed technical courses, be employed by
a school district in the area where certification is required, attend mandatory state
training for certification, maintain a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 as detailed in
the MSU Bulletin, and have successful completion of program portfolio. After three
years of teaching experience and the completion of this degree for certification,
the teacher may be eligible for Rank II.
Master of Science in Education
Career and Technical Education Track
This Master of Science in Education degree program is designed to fulfill course requirements
for Rank II classification for career and technical education teachers (grades 5-12).
The program consists of 30 semester hours of graduate-level coursework. Applicants
should consult an advisor for admission requirements. EDU 600 must be taken as the
first course in the core sequence. At least 21 semester hours must be earned at MSU,
and the requirements for the program must be completed within eight years of the time
a student initially enrolls in any course applicable to the program. The student’s
progress will be continuously assessed throughout the program using established program
checkpoints. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation.