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Master of Education Degree - Elementary Education

 

Overview

A woman giving a presentation in an elementary school classroom.

The Master of Education in Elementary Education is a graduate degree within the School of Education. If you have questions regarding this program, please contact dsu.hawk@dickinsonstate.edu or call 1-800-279-HAWK.

This graduate degree has a dual focus of research and pedagogy. It's not intended as a pathway to teacher licensure, but will move in-service teachers up the salary schedule considerably, while increasing their professional knowledge and pedagogical skills as classroom teachers. It has a cognate devoted to elementary education which will set it apart from others in the United States.

The program level learning outcomes are based on the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Five Core Propositions, which provide the foundation for the overall program design. The specific learning objectives are described and addressed in each course syllabus, based on the course's curriculum. The Five Core Propositions which form the core values of the M.Ed. in Elementary Education are:

Master of Education in Elementary Education Program Outcomes

Proposition 1. Teachers are committed to students and their learning. (This proposition directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I, V, VI, and X.)

Proposition 2. Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects. (This proposition directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, and X.)

Proposition 3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning. (This proposition directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes V, VI, VII, and X.)

Proposition 4. Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience. (This proposition directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes IX and X.)

Proposition 5. Teachers are members of learning communities. (This proposition directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I, IX and X.)

Each course in the program is mapped to a core proposition with aligning artifacts or evidence. All students are required to present a capstone portfolio aligned with the NBPTS Five Core Propositions and demonstrate evidence that they have met the core values as outlined by NBPTS prior to graduation. Students are also required to complete an action research project in an elementary school environment and present their findings within the capstone portfolio. Finally, the students will complete a survey in their first semester of coursework designed to assess their standing on the Five Core Propositions, and then complete another survey after their completion of their capstone to assess their growth.

Career Options

Why should you pursue a Master of Education in Elementary Education

The Master of Education in Elementary Education provides the depth of pedagogy and research needed for in-service elementary teachers to serve as instructional coaches, curriculum designer or literacy expert. This program can be completed in two years and culminates with an Action Research project.

Possible Career Paths

  • Instructional Coach
  • Curriculum Designer
  • Educational Consultant
  • Career Counselor

Requirements

Education Professional Core Courses

EDUC 505Exceptional Learners

3

EDUC 511Cultural Diversity in a Complex World

3

EDUC 515Childhood and Adolescent Psychology

3

EDUC 521Curriculum Design, Delivery and Assessment

3

Total Credit Hours:12

Elementary Education Cognate Courses

EDUC 516Teaching Middle Grade and Children’s Literature in the Elementary Classroom

3

EDUC 517Cross-curricular Literacy in the Elementary Classroom

3

EDUC 518Teaching and Learning in the Elementary Classroom

3

EDUC 519Teaching Math in the Elementary Classroom

3

EDUC 531Educational Research

3

EDUC 541Integrating Technology into the Learning Environment

3

EDUC 574Capstone/Portfolio

1

EDUC 585Action Research

3

Total Credit Hours:22
Graduate students must maintain an overall graduate GPA of 3.0, and all other graduate policies will apply. Prospective students do not need to be licensed teachers.

Total Credit Hours:34