Master of Education Program - Concentration in Elementary Education

Valley City State University has designed this concentration for teachers at the elementary level wishing to pursue a master’s degree. The curriculum is structured around a set of core requirements that provide a broad foundation in education, research, and technology.

Curriculum in this concentration is designed for K-6 educators who seek to deepen their understanding of teaching and learning. The program of study anchors coursework in learning theory, effective use of technology, and the principles of assessment, as well as providing elective coursework to support the student’s unique professional goals. The coursework may also apply in situations where states require an advanced degree with a focus on Elementary Education.

Concentration Requirements

The Master of Education in Elementary Education requires 36 hours of coursework, an action research report, and an oral defense of a comprehensive portfolio. The curriculum is structured around a set of core requirements that provide a broad foundation in education, research and technology. All M.Ed. students are required to complete 12 hours of core courses and three hours of Special Program Courses.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Core Required Courses
EDUC 610	Research in Education	3
EDUC 625	Issues in School, Community, and Family	3
EDUC 640	Supervision and Assessment of Teachers and Learners	3
EDUC 657	Exceptionality, Diversity, and Differences	3
Required Courses
EDUC 631	Principles of Teaching and Learning in Elementary	3
EDUC 650	Field Design and Implementation	3
EDUC 667	Literacy as Communication in Elementary	3
EDUC 675	Teaching with 21st Century Tools	3
EDUC 685	Action Research in Education	3
Electives
Select six hours from the following:		6
EDUC 642	Supervision of Student Teachers
EDUC 664	Literature and Literacy for Children and Young Adults
STEM ED 655	STEM Curriculum and Methods in Elementary
STEM ED 670	Design, Technology, and Engineering for Elementary
Special Program Requirements
EDUC 689	Research Application	1
EDUC 698	Capstone	2
Total Credits		36

Total Core 12 Hrs
Total Required 15 Hrs
Total Electives 6 Hrs
Total Special Program Requirements 3 Hrs
Total Credits Needed to Graduate 36 Hrs

Course Rotation

Core Values/Learning Outcomes

Effective use of Instructional Technologies
Expertise in Research, particularly Action Research
Expertise in Assessment
Supervisor/Leader/Coach
Expertise in Curriculum/Instruction
Diversity/Global Awareness

The program’s Core Values and National Board of Professional Teaching Standards lay the broad foundation for the overall program design. Specific objectives are then addressed in each course, based on its curriculum. At the course level, the required projects and activities provide a rich and diverse collection of opportunities for assessment of student knowledge and understanding by the professor.