Elementary Education (MS)

The MS in Elementary Education program is an asynchronous online program that prepares in-service, licensed  K-12 teachers from around the world to be  leaders in the field of  elementary education.  This program  includes coursework that focuses  on applying research and theory  to classroom practice. The program requires students to select  “track” of specialization in STEM, mathematics, or as a generalist. Thus, the program can be tailored for individual interests. The tracks  within  the  MS in Elementary Education  program can  also  lead to a  Graduate Certificate in Mathematics Pedagogy and/or  work toward  the  Graduate Certificate in Reading.  In addition to the coursework completed for the  selected  track, students also complete  research/capstone coursework.  There is additional electives, so students can select coursework that is particularly relevant to their work and  interests. 

The MS in Elementary Education is designed to influence teachers’ ability to design and enact effective  assessment and instruction for the diverse needs of all children in elementary school  and, further, supports teachers to be consumers and producers of scholarship that informs effective instructional practices.  Therefore, educators in the MS in Elementary Education  program complete a capstone project that demonstrates their ability to synthesize scholarship  in a specific area  and communicate the practical implications of that scholarship to other educators in meaningful ways in order to influence and improve educators' instructional practice. 

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

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