Professional Teaching – Learner-Focused Instruction Emphasis
Experience professional and personal transformation.
Learner-focused instruction isn’t just something you’ll study — it’s something you’ll put into practice.
Through inquiry-based projects, reflection and collaboration, you’ll connect graduate coursework directly to your own learners and professional setting.
The program also incorporates local field experiences that may include cultural centers, museums, local businesses or government, community mapping, neighborhood investigations, and story gathering — helping you discover new ways to connect curriculum, learners and community.
Designed for working educators, this 32-credit M.S.Ed. blends online coursework with collaborative, in-person learning one weekend each month. Apply what you learn directly to your professional practice while earning your master’s degree.
A program within Institute for Professional Studies in Education
Program at a glance
- Degree: Master of Science in Education (MSED) – Professional Teaching Emphasis: Learner-Focused Instruction
- Format: Full-time, Blended
- Commitment: 4 academic terms ≈ 18 months
- Program start: Varies by cohort
- Credits: 32
This pathway is designed for educators who want to better understand their learners, strengthen instructional practice and explore questions that matter in their own classrooms and communities.
Through place-based curriculum design, authentic assessment, and practitioner inquiry, educators develop practical strategies for planning, implementing and evaluating instruction while building skills in collaboration and instructional leadership.
Admission requirement: bachelor’s degree in any field.
Why UWL’s Master of Science in Education (MSED)- Professional Teaching program?
La Crosse Area Cohort
Start: Spring 2027 | La Crosse area
Online graduate coursework combined with one in-person weekend per month in the La Crosse area. In-person meeting dates for spring 2027 term: Jan. 30, Feb. 27, April 3 and May 1.
Madison Area Cohort
Start: Summer 2027 | Madison area
Online graduate coursework combined with one in-person weekend per month in the Madison area. In person meeting dates for summer 2027: June 18, July 16 and Aug, 13.
A typical weekend may include:
- Collaborative curriculum development
- Interactive workshops and discussion
- Inquiry-based projects
- Practitioner research and reflection
- Authentic assessment and instructional planning
- Applying new ideas to your own learners and classroom
Throughout the program, you’ll connect graduate coursework to your own professional setting, using questions, challenges and experiences from your classroom to guide your learning.
Through practitioner research, reflection and collaboration, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your learners and develop strategies you can use immediately to strengthen your teaching.
Program Questions?
Rochelle is here for you and is always happy to help!
Important dates
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Your application will be reviewed as soon as it is complete.
Continuous notification.
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Hear from an alum
Katy Smith, '11, M.Ed.
This program was a great fit because the schedule allowed me to juggle a full-time job and raise three kids. I could also tailor the program to meet my educational interests — specifically teaching adult learners. It helped make crystal clear what I was good at, focus on it and get even better at it.