Earn your M.Ed. in Master Teacher online and position yourself for promotion and lane changes with the customizable Master of Education program from Northwestern College. You know your strengths and areas to improve or develop further as an educator. Tailor your master's degree to your career goals and aspirations in a program with 12 to 15 credits of elective courses. The flexibility of the Master Teacher M.Ed. enables you to transfer up to 6 credits from another graduate program (completed within the last 7 years).
It's more than a lane change.
100% online. 8-week courses.
Earning a graduate degree doesn't have to cost you time away from your other responsibilities. Northwestern College's online Masters in Education means you can log into class each week to complete your coursework, whenever it's most convenient for you.
Take one online 8-week class at a time, completing two classes each semester, and you'll finish your M.Ed. in 2 years or less and be eligible for financial aid.
Program Requirements
Courses
Core (18 credits):
EDU 555 - Trends and Issues in 21st Century Education (3 credits)
(3 credits) Teachers and schools must continually examine currentpractices in PreK-12 education in search of better solutions to increasestudentachievement and to thoroughly prepare children for the world in whichthey will live and work. In this course students will study currentsocial, political and academic trends and issues affecting children,teachers and schools. Students will define their personal positionsbased on facts and experience, and will collaborate with others toadvocate for solutions that improve education for PreK-12 grade students. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 560 - Curriculum and Assessment for Student Learning (3 credits)
Through a process of discussion, reflection, reading, discovery and practice, this course will lead students to a more comprehensive understanding of how curriculum and assessment are interrelated. Students will delve into timely issues associated with curriculum and assessment affecting schools. Upon completion, students will be prepared to develop aligned curriculum and assessment that takes into consideration local, state and national standards, best practices and students' diverse needs. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education. (3 credits)
EDU 570 - Teaching and Learning with Technology (3 credits)
(3 credits) Technology integration in the K-12 setting can enhancelearning, improve motivation and engagement, increase accessibility,individualize instruction, differentiate assessment and improvecommunication with parents and stakeholders. In this course studentswill broaden their understanding of the technology available to them inthe PreK-12 classroom and improve their ability to leverage specifictechnology to improve teaching and learning. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 610 - Educational Research Methods and Design (3 credits)
(3 credits) This course will provide an overview of research methodologyemployed for studies in the field of education. Topics include basicresearch methodology, interpretation of findings, and application ofresearch in educational settings. Students will develop their ability tocritically evaluate educational research and to judiciously applyfindings in their professional settings. By the conclusion of the coursestudents will be able to identify a potential topic for future researchand outline the basic methodology needed to conduct the study. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 635 - Master’s in Education Capstone (3 credits)
(3 credits) In this course students will apply the cumulative knowledge andskills learned in their master's program. The research focus may be related to student learning, teacher effectiveness,school quality, school policy, or other area by approval. The project will beproposed, approved, designed, and implemented prior to thestudent's graduation with a master's degree in education from NorthwesternCollege. Students who do not have a finished capstone approved by theM.Ed. Director at the conclusion of EDU635 will repeat thecourse for credit. Prerequisite: EDU610.Note: Graded on a pass/no pass basis.
Choose one:
EDU 540 - Teaching Young Children with Diverse Needs (3 credits)
(3 credits) Students will learn to design curriculum, instruction andassessmentspecific to the needs of diverse children ages 0 through 8. Create safeand nurturing classroom environments that are developmentally appropriateand respect diversity. Collaborate with stakeholders to meet the needsof young children. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 565 - Instructional Strategies for Diverse Students and Settings (3 credits)
(3 credits) This course is intended for experienced teachers, and willfocus onbuilding off of prior knowledge and experience to improve studentlearning. Research-based instructional strategies will be studied, withparticular emphasis on adapting and employing strategies to fit students'cognitive abilities, motivation, interest, cultural background and otherunique characteristics in diverse settings. Students in this class willapply new instructional strategies in their practice to positively impactlearning in the PreK-12 classroom. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
Master Teacher Emphasis (12-15 credits):
Choose four or five electives:
EDU 505 - Collaboration & Advocacy in the Early Childhood Community (3 credits)
(3 credits) Examine characteristics of the diverse cultures and structuresprevalentin American families, and how those factors influence children's growthand development. This course emphasizes strategies to improvecollaboration with families, schools and community partners to improvestudents' success outcomes. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 525 - Advanced Child Development (3 credits)
(3 credits) Intensive study of typical and atypical development of childrenfrombirth through age eight. This course will immerse you in research thatwill improve your ability to facilitate the cognitive, emotional,physical and social development of young children with diverse abilitiesand needs. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 530 - Leadership of Early Childhood Programs (3 credits)
(3 credits) Thorough examination of roles, responsibilities andcharacteristics ofeffective leaders of early childhood programs with a focus on personalgrowth in leadership and communication. Emphasis on identifying areas ofstrength and need in programs and staffing to create opportunities forimprovement. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 535 - Strategies for Early Literacy Development (3 credits)
(3 credits) Examine widely accepted theories of language, reading andwritingdevelopment in young children. Use research and assessment data toidentify curricula and instructional strategies most suited to thediverse needs of young children. Examine research and develop strategiesto leverage play in providing successful literacy instructionalexperiences. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 575 - Science and Math in Early Childhood: A STEM Approach (3 credits)
3 credits) Integrate science and math instruction throughout the earlygrades curriculum, with a focus on activating children's innatecuriosity, modeling habits of the mind, and fostering students' belief intheir ability to learn. Focus on curriculum, instruction and assessmentthat are developmentally appropriate for young children. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 590 - Special Topics in Education (3 credits)
(3 credits) Study contemporary and research-based theory and practicerelated to PreK-12 education. The specific topic of this course willreflect instructional strategies, current trends and issues, curriculum andassessment, legislation, best practices, and research of interest to PreK-12 practitioners. Students are allowed to register for this course morethan once. Prerequisite: Bachelor's degree or permission of the department chair.
EDU 615 - Peer Assessment and Instructional Coaching (3 credits)
3 credits) Instructional coaches are on-site professional developerswho teach educators how to use proven instructional methods. To besuccessful in this role, coaches must be skilled in a variety of roles,including public relations guru, communicator extraordinaire, conflictresolver, master organizer and expert educator. In this course studentswill study factors related to professional learning and hone theirability to improve academic outcomes for students through supportive peercoaching relationships. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 620 - Professional Learning Communities for School Improvement (3 credits)
(3 credits) Learn to use professional learning communities to unifyteachers and administrators around a shared vision for student and schoolgrowth. This course will equip you to form a PLC, evaluate baselinedata, create a plan, and develop professional development to prepareteachers to implement the plan. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 625 - Teacher as Leader (3 credits)
3 credits) This course prepares participants to transition fromclassroom teachers to teacher leaders within their school and district.Through the lens of practical application, students will examineeffective leadership theory, the culture of their setting, and theirpersonal strengths and needs to leverage leadership that will drivepositive change. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 630 - Technology Coaching and Leadership (3 credits)
(3 credits) Use the constructs of adult learning and professionallearning communities to develop a coaching relationship with peerteachers that will support their integrated use of technology to improvestudent and school outcomes. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
Total Credits: 30-33 credit hours
Elective courses can also be chosen from any graduate-level program including M.Ed. tracks: Administration, Early Childhood, Teacher Leadership, and Special Education, and endorsement programs: Birth Through Grade Three, Computer Science, Mild/Moderate, and Behavior/Learning, Intellectual.
