Elementary Education (MS)

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Master of Science

Major Credits

31

Total Credits

31

Locations

Online

Career Cluster

Education and Training

Accreditation

CAEP

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

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Program Requirements

Common Core

This purpose of this course is to develop a theoretical and research-based understanding of 21st Century learning that will provide the foundational underpinnings for utilizing instructional practices that foster empowered citizenship within the elementary classroom.

Prerequisites: none

Examines research and theory in education. Explores major research and theoretical thinking in education.

Prerequisites: none

Research/Methods Course(s)

This course focuses on developing skills related to academic writing.

Prerequisites: none

Restricted Electives

Tracks - Choose one track to complete the program.

STEM Track

Through hands-on experiences students learn the basics of engineering needed to teach this content at the elementary school level. Topics include the engineering design process, reverse engineering, engineering fields/professions, and experience with instructional strategies. The course focuses on the engineering strand of the K-6 Minnesota State Science Standards.

Prerequisites: none

Students will develop competency using the specific technology skills needed to become effective Elementary Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) teachers.

Prerequisites: none

Students will learn to integrate the four disciplines of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) into their instruction in the elementary classroom.

Prerequisites: none

Develop skills, knowledge, and dispositions related to technology use for literacy learning in the elementary classroom.

Prerequisites: none

Math Track

This course is designed to help educators develop an in-depth understanding of research-based practices that center equity to develop competency for engaging elementary children in mathematical learning experiences. Emphasis on the NCTM's effective mathematics teaching practices.

Prerequisites: none

This course aims to enhance educators' skills in using formative assessment techniques that elicit evidence of elementary students' mathematics learning. Explore research-based practices that empower students as active learners. Emphasis on planning, implementing, and evaluating formative assessments, with a focus on valuing diversity in thinking, positive identity development, and providing empowering feedback.

Prerequisites: none

This course aims to empower educators to cultivate inclusive elementary mathematics environments through a strengths-based lens. Participants will critically examine challenges in differentiation practices that can marginalize students, with an emphasis on fostering positive mathematical identities, diverse thinking, and exploring strengths-based differentiation strategies. The goal is to accommodate a variety of learners while fostering student agency.

Prerequisites: none

Unrestricted Electives

A total of 12 credits is required. Select credits in consultation with your advisor. Credits cannot be double counted.

Capstone Course

Choose 1 - 4 Credit(s). Select one option in consultation with your advisor.

For students completing a Master's degree with the alternate plan paper option.

Prerequisites: none

For students completing a Master's degree with the creative project option.

Prerequisites: none

For students completing the Master's or Specialist degree using the thesis option.

Prerequisites: none

Degree Plan

The Degree Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual degree plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 6 Credits

This purpose of this course is to develop a theoretical and research-based understanding of 21st Century learning that will provide the foundational underpinnings for utilizing instructional practices that foster empowered citizenship within the elementary classroom.

Prerequisites: none

This course aims to enhance educators' skills in using formative assessment techniques that elicit evidence of elementary students' mathematics learning. Explore research-based practices that empower students as active learners. Emphasis on planning, implementing, and evaluating formative assessments, with a focus on valuing diversity in thinking, positive identity development, and providing empowering feedback.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 5 Credits

Students will learn to integrate the four disciplines of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) into their instruction in the elementary classroom.

Prerequisites: none

This course focuses on recent research, issues, and instructional approaches in K-12 reading. Emphasis is placed on providing effective instruction for all learners and includes topics related to content and pedagogy. Students will develop the ability to: explain components of a balanced approach to literacy instruction, describe phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension and their contribution to reading, plan and deliver effective instruction, and reflect on literacy instruction.

Prerequisites: none

Summer - 6 Credits

Presents information about elementary learners' writing development, genres for the elementary curriculum, and assessment of elementary students' writing. Research-validated practices for teaching diverse learners will be the focus of the course.

Prerequisites: none

Examines research and theory in education. Explores major research and theoretical thinking in education.

Prerequisites: none

Second Year

Fall - 6 Credits

This course focuses on developing skills related to academic writing.

Prerequisites: none

Develop skills, knowledge, and dispositions related to technology use for literacy learning in the elementary classroom.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 6 Credits

This course focuses on implementing high-quality, research based literacy instruction within the disciplines/content areas. The course emphasizes the use of varied instructional approaches and materials related to vocabulary and comprehension of a wide-range of print-based and multimodal texts. Students will be able to: identify features of a motivating environment for literacy learning and plan appropriate explicit instruction for literacy within disciplines/content areas.

Prerequisites: none

This course aims to empower educators to cultivate inclusive elementary mathematics environments through a strengths-based lens. Participants will critically examine challenges in differentiation practices that can marginalize students, with an emphasis on fostering positive mathematical identities, diverse thinking, and exploring strengths-based differentiation strategies. The goal is to accommodate a variety of learners while fostering student agency.

Prerequisites: none

Summer - 2 Credits

For students completing a Master's degree with the alternate plan paper option.

Prerequisites: none

Policies

Admission

  1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from a recognized college or university in another country, is required.
  2. 2.75 GPA or above is required for immediate consideration of your application. If your GPA is less than 2.75, your application will require special review. In this situation, an Extenuating Circumstances statement may be appropriate.
  3. Transcripts: Official transcripts from all previous institutions.
  4. Resume
  5. Letters of recommendation. Two letters of recommendation from those who can speak to your experience working with children or youth, or who can vouch for your commitment to educational equity.
  6. Extenuating circumstances statement (optional). While this is not required, if there is something on your transcript that does not accurately reflect who you are as a student, please write no more than 500 words documenting unusual circumstances or hardships you have faced and the ways in which you have overcome or responded to them.

P/NC Standards: Courses may not be taken as P/NC. 

Retention Standards: Continuance throughout the program is not automatic. Students will be monitored for a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.