Elementary Education (MS)

Catalog Year

2023-2024

Degree

Master of Science

Major Credits

31

Total Credits

31

Locations

Online

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

Students will understand current trends in mathematics instruction for elementary students and develop competencies in the following: promoting reasoning and problem-solving, using mathematical representations, facilitating meaningful mathematical discourse, posing purposeful questions, building procedural fluency from conceptual understanding, supporting productive struggle, eliciting evidence of student thinking, and creating equitable opportunities in teaching and learning mathematics. Emphasis is on National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Principles of effective mathematics teaching and Standards for Mathematical Practice.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to enhance skills for using formative assessment strategies that elicits elementary children¿s thinking to support learning with understanding. Emphasis is on understanding children¿s mathematical thinking, assessing for mathematical proficiency, positioning children as competent sense makers and valuing diverse ways of thinking.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to build understanding and skills for differentiating elementary mathematics in ways that fosters an inclusive environment. Emphasis is on critically evaluating ways differentiation practices can work to marginalize children and perpetuate patterns of inequities within the math classroom and developing with strategies that value diverse ways of knowing and thinking.

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 is designed to enhance skills for using formative assessment strategies that elicits elementary children¿s thinking to support learning with understanding. Emphasis is on understanding children¿s mathematical thinking, assessing for mathematical proficiency, positioning children as competent sense makers and valuing diverse ways of thinking.

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 is designed to build understanding and skills for differentiating elementary mathematics in ways that fosters an inclusive environment. Emphasis is on critically evaluating ways differentiation practices can work to marginalize children and perpetuate patterns of inequities within the math classroom and developing with strategies that value diverse ways of knowing and thinking.

Prerequisites: none

Summer - 2 Credits

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

Prerequisites: none