Education - Master's

The faculty in Teacher Education are committed to the further development of educational leaders who are dedicated to educational equity for all persons. The program is aligned with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) to reflect the importance of applied research and content development of educators. (Programs offered in Teacher Education are designed for the practitioner.) Candidates pursuing the M.Ed. will engage in action research as a component of the program. The Master of Science (M.S.) degree requires a master's thesis or a master's paper. Students are encouraged to work closely with an academic adviser to ensure that personal and professional goals are clear and achievable.

Teacher Licensure Option

The Teacher Licensure option allows candidates with a degree in a teachable major to complete professional education coursework to earn teacher licensure. The program is aligned with North Dakota (ND) program approval standards but transfers well to other states. Additional content coursework may be needed to meet licensure requirements and will be evaluated upon entry to the program. Passing scores on the Praxis Core Academic Skills exam as well as completion of youth hours is required for full admission to the program. Contact the Teacher Education program for a transcript evaluation to determine a plan of study.

The Teacher Licensure programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and are approved by the ND Education Standards and Practices Board. Changes in national and state legislation, standards, or rules can affect academic program requirements.

Content Focused Options

Content-focused master's degree programs in Teacher Education focus on increasing both pedagogical skills and content expertise and are most ideally suited for current school-based educators. Candidates in these programs complete the four core pedagogical courses listed on the program of study and at least nine credits of master's-level content coursework; the total program of study is typically 33-36 credits. Candidates who are interested in teaching dual credit courses must complete a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours in the academic field in which they will be teaching. Candidates work with their graduate committee and adviser to identify an appropriate plan of study. This degree plan does not lead to teacher licensure, and candidates are encouraged to work with their advisers if licensure is desired.

Candidates may choose from the following content areas:

• Computer Science Education
• English Education
• History Education
• Mathematics Education
• Science Education
• Social Science Education

Whole Child Approaches

The Master’s degree in Education with an option in Whole Child Approaches integrates education, human development, and health fields to foster holistic approaches to student-centered learning. The program prepares elementary and secondary educators to engage families and communities in creating positive and healthy school climates that promote student wellness and academic achievement. Graduates will be prepared to implement the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model to advance K-12 students’ social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development through evidence-based practices.

Curriculum and Instruction

The program focuses on further development of teacher leaders. The curriculum includes areas of human development, learning, foundations of education, school curriculum, assessment, and further study in areas of interest. Candidates choosing this option for an M.S. degree must also complete a thesis.