MSTL Program Information

 

Program Design
Program Options
Course Descriptions
Certificates
Course Schedules
Professional Development / Relicensure
 

 

• KSP 665 - Professional Teacher, Leader, Scholar (3 credits)
• KSP 640 - Assessment for Learning (3 credits)

• KSP 609 - Research Methodology (3 credits)
• KSP 610 - Scholarly Writing (3 credits)
• Capstone (KSP 694, 695, or 698) (1 credit)

 

Program Design

• Convenient, engaging, on-line, professional learning environment
• Research-based, standards-aligned courses
• Courses designed to respond to current educational needs
• Ongoing student advising, mentoring, and evaluation with university faculty
• Flexible options meet the diverse needs of teachers, cohorts, and schools
   

 

 Program Options

Complete a  single class	Complete a certificate	Complete a Master's Degree
Choose a course to increase your skills in a single area. There are 21 courses from which to choose. Each course is 3 credits Typical course length is 10 weeks.	Develop expertise as a teacher leader in a specific area Choose from 4 certificates. Each certificate is composed of three courses. Typically it takes one year to complete a certificate.	Earn a Master of Science in Teaching and Learning Complete two introductory courses: KSP 665 - Professional Teacher, Leaders, Scholar AND KSP 640 - Assessment for Learning. Complete 7 elective courses (21 credits) Add required research core courses (7 credits) Develop and write a paper, project, or thesis as a capstone for the degree Full time students can complete the degree in 2 years. Part time students must complete the degree within 6 years.

 

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Course Descriptions

Each course is 3 credits.

KSP 601 - Culturally Responsive Teaching

This course uses experiential, intercultural activities to examine how our own world view impacts the curricular choices we make while teaching. Learners will develop a plan to integrate a multicultural world-view and culturally responsive teaching into their current curriculum.
 

KSP 609 - Research Methods

Understand principles and practices of effective qualitative and quantitative research design. Apply research designs to investigate educational issues and develop a proposal for research of a selected educational issue. Permission to register is required and students must complete KSP 609 prior to registering for KSP 610.

Permission to register is required and students must complete KSP 609 prior to taking KSP 610

KSP 610 - Scholarly Writing

In this course you will demonstrate the principles and practices for effective scholarly work. You will organize research findings in a scholarly paper that includes a complete literature review, methods, discussion, and conclusion for an applied paper, creative project, or thesis. Permission to register is required and students must complete KSP 609 prior to taking KSP 610.

 

KSP 612 - Differentiated Instruction

Improve student achievement through differentiated curriculum and instruction by  addressing  student readiness, styles and interests. Differentiate units, lessons, assessments, and environments to improve learning for all students.

 

KSP 619 - Using Technology in the Classroom

This course includes in-depth modules which present various types of application for the classroom. Current software applications and hybrids will be explored to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each. This course establishes both theoretical and practical application and integration of technology into the classroom.

 

 KSP 624 - Differentiation Using Technology

This course will provide the students with a philosophical, professional, and practical framework for the integration of computer technology into differentiated instruction in the K-12 classroom using integrated instruction and web-based software. Students will explore learner characteristics, student needs and elements of differentiated instruction and will design and implement differentiated technology-integrated lesson plans.

 

KSP 638 - Content Area Literacy for English Learners

This course will focus on the content area classroom and will examine the interaction between first and second language literacy. Students will learn strategies for helping English Learners (ELs) improve reading skills and develop content area literacy.

 

KSP 640 - Assessment for Learning

Students will align classroom assessments with state or national standards to develop clear and comprehensive learning targets. Students will design and align several types of assessments to learning targets to increase student learning and motivation. Students will also integrate technology into assessment practices.

 

KSP 641 - Problem Based Learning

Students will develop cooperative and collaborative classroom learning communities to address authentic issues through problem-based learning. The course also focuses on effective instructional and assessment approaches that increase student-teacher, student-student, and student-community relationships.

 

KSP 644 - Partnering for Student Success

This course will focus on the various stakeholders involved in educating diverse student populations. Students will become familiar with the culture, norms and assets of the broader community and how they influence student learning.  The need and strategies for collaborative practice will be examined.

 

KSP 657 - Leading Professional Learning Communities

Students will learn how to develop, lead, maintain, and sustain learning communities focused on increasing student and professional learning and systems thinking. They will assess stages of learning community development in a school setting and develop plans for inclusion of essential elements of effective learning communities.

 

KSP 663 - Curriculum Design

Students will use theories for organizing and managing curriculum to: align standards with outcomes, curriculum, instruction, and assessment; develop deep curriculum alignment; develop skills for assisting colleagues with aligning school improvements in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

 

KSP 665 - Professional Teacher, Leader, Scholar

This course focuses on the examination of the role of the professional teacher as leader and scholar. Students analyze professional standards and theories for teaching, leading, and scholarship in the 21^st Century and assess themselves and their school settings for areas of strength and improvements. Students develop plans for professional growth as well plans to implement changes in schools. 

 

KSP 675 - Data Informed Decision Making

This course is designed to promote a culture of collaboration, inquiry, and student achievement through data driven decision making. Methods of data collection and analysis will be examined and used by students to develop a data driven school improvement plan.

 

KSP 689 - Introduction to Technology

 In this course, students will evaluate practices, current trends, and assumptions about web-based technology and the educational strategies that guide contemporary pedagogical integration practice. Through inquiry-based, hands-on approach into various topics and issues, students will develop a historical social context in which to view and think about technology in education, as well as critically analyze the integration, utilization, and adoption of technology in education. Students will work with web-based tools for integrating digital technologies into their own pedagogies.

 

KSP 694, 695, or 699 - Applied Paper, Creative Project, Thesis

 Complete a capstone paper, project, or thesis under the supervision of an advisor

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Certificates

A certificate is awarded when three courses are completed within the certificates below. Please see course descriptions above to learn more about each course.

Learning Communities and Leadership

KSP 665 - Professional Teacher, Leader, Scholar 
KSP 657 - Leading Professional Learning Communities
KSP 641 - Problem Based Learning

 

Data Informed Decision Making to Improve Student Learning

KSP 612 - Differentiated Instruction
KSP 675 - Data Informed Decisions Making
KSP 640 - Assessment for Learning

KSP 663 - Curriculum Design

 

Educational Technology in the Classroom

KSP 624 - Differentiation Through Technology
KSP 619 - Using Technology in the Classroom
KSP 689 - Introduction to Technology

 

Culturally Responsive Teaching

KSP 644 - Partnering for Student Success
KSP 601 - Culturally Responsive Teaching
KSP 638 - Content Area Literacy for English Learners

Research Requirement

Courses are are offered two semesters each year.

KSP 609 - Research Methods
KSP 610 - Scholarly Writing
KSP 694, 695, or 699 - Applied Paper, Creative Project, or Thesis

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Course Schedules

	Fall	Spring	Summer
2012-13	KSP 638, 640, 665, 624	KSP 641, 675, 619	KSP 644, 665
2013-14	KSP 601, 663, 689, 665	KSP 638, 640, 619, 657	KSP 665, 612
2014-15	KSP 644, 665, 675, 624	KSP 601, 619, 663, 641	KSP 640, 638, 665
2015-16	KSP 665, 657, 612, 689	KSP 644, 675, 657, 619	KSP 601, 665, 663
2016-17	KSP 638, 624, 640, 665	KSP 619, 612, 641	KSP 665, 644, 675

 

Relicensure Professional Development

 If you need relicensure credits, several of the courses in KSP and in the MSTL may serve the specific requirements for relicensure. Please check with your local licensure committee to assure that they will accept these courses.

• Human Relations for Minnesota Teacher Licensure – KSP 450 or KSP 550 (Approved by Minnesota Department of Education)
• Differentiated Instruction – KSP 612 - Differentiated Instruction
• The Middle School – KSP 646 (Extending Middle School Licensure)
• Content Area Literacy - KSP 638 - Content Area Literacy for English Learners
• Technology in the Classroom - Any of the technology courses in the MS in Teaching and Learning or the MS in Educational Technology Programs 

 

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