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This 32 credit program is designed for teachers and other education professionals seeking to meet desired professional advancement goals.
 
This program begins exclusively in the spring and summer terms. Online program does not start in a fall term. 
 
The Master of Science in Education (MSED) Learning Community program is based on a learning-in-community, constructivist philosophy.  Teachers who enroll make an 18-month commitment to achieve three goals:
  • to improve professional practice
  • to develop increased proficiency in a content specific area
  • to earn a master's degree

The online format combines three semesters of 100% online learning and two summers of face-to-face for a week at UWL with additional online work for the rest of the summer terms.  

Summer Institute 2023: TBD

We also have an online program without the summer institute requirement.  Please see the tab above marked Online with No Summer Institute.

The Fall for Education Conference is the first full weekend in November annually.  The conference is part of learning outcomes for each IPSE program including Educational Leadership, Director of Instruction, MSED Learning Communities, and Reading.  A Special Course Fee of $60.00 is incorporated into fall tuition for the conference to help compensate for meals and breaks. Attendance at the conference is a program requirement.

Get your master's degree in 18 months. 

  • The ME-PD Online Program is approved in the following states:
    AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, MS, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NH, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WV, WA, WI, WY
This 32 credit program is designed for teachers and other education professionals seeking to meet desired professional advancement goals.
 
This program will be offered with starts in summer, fall, and spring terms.
 
The Master of Science in Education (MSED) Learning Community program is based on a learning-in-community, constructivist philosophy.  Teachers who enroll make an 18-month commitment to achieve three goals:
  • to improve professional practice
  • to develop increased proficiency in a content specific area
  • to earn a master's degree

The online format combines five semesters of 100% online learning.

Get your master's degree in 18 months.

The Fall for Education Conference is the first full weekend in November annually.  The conference is part of learning outcomes for each IPSE program including Educational Leadership, Director of Instruction, MSED Learning Communities, and Reading.  A Special Course Fee of $60.00 is incorporated into fall tuition for the conference to help compensate for meals and breaks. Attendance at the conference is a program requirement.

  • The ME-PD Online Program is approved in the following states:
    AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, MS, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NH, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WV, WA, WI, WY

FIVE ACADEMIC TERM ONLINE PROGRAM 

Course Course Name Credit
Term 1
EDU 601 Learning in Community I 1 credit
EDU 611 Technology in Education I 1 credit
EDU 631 Curriculum Development and Assessment I 1 credit
EDU 651 Democracy, Diversity, and Social Justice in Education I 1 credit
EDU 661 Teacher Leadership I 1 credit
EDU 621 Best Practice Pedagogy I 1 credit
Term 2
EDU 602 Learning in Community II 1 credit
EDU 612 Technology in Education II 1 credit
EDU 632 Curriculum Development and Assessment II 1 credit
EDU 652 Democracy, Diversity, and Social Justice in Education II 1 credit
EDU 641 Educational Research I 2 credits
EDU 622 Best Practice Pedagogy II 1 credit
Term 3
EDU 703 Learning in Community III 1 credit
EDU 713 Technology in Education III 1 credit
EDU 733 Curriculum Development and Assessment III 1 credit
EDU 662 Teacher Leadership II 1 credit
EDU 642 Educational Research II 2 credits
Term 4
EDU 704 Learning in Community IV 1 credit
EDU 723 Best Practice Pedagogy III 1 credit
EDU 734 Curriculum Development and Assessment IV 1 credit
EDU 753 Democracy, Diversity, and Social Justice in Education III 1 credit
EDU 763 Teacher Leadership III 1 credit
EDU 743 Educational Research III 2 credits
Term 5
EDU 714 Technology in Education IV 1 credit
EDU 724 Best Practice Pedagogy IV 1 credit
EDU 754 Democracy, Diversity, and Social Justice in Education IV 1 credit
EDU 744 Educational Research IV 2 credits
EDU 764 Teacher Leadership IV 1 credit
TOTAL   32 credits

COURSE DESCRIPTION

EDU 601/EDU 602/EDU 703/EDU 704       Learning in Community   
In this course, students will come to understand the value of learning in a collaborative setting.  Students will examine theories and key aspects of community development.  Students will practice creating and sustaining community within the learning community and within their workplace.  Opportunities will also be given to explore developing professional learning communities beyond the program.

Objectives:

  • Students will understand what it means to learn in community.
  • Students will examine theories of community development.
  • Students will create and sustain learning in community within the ME-PD Learning Community.
  • Students will create and sustain learning in community within the professional workplace.         

 

EDU 641/EDU 642/EDU 743/EDU 744      Educational Research    
In this course, students will gain knowledge of action research and implement an action research study in the workplace.  Students will understand and experience all stages of the action research process.  Students will recognize the value of data in making    decisions regarding PK-16 teaching and learning.  Students will complete an action research study and disseminate the results.

Objectives:

  • Students will recognize different methods of educational research.
  • Students will identify and implement various data collection tools.
  • Students will understand and implement an action research study.
  • Students will write a scholarly action research article.

 

EDU 631/EDU 632/EDU 733/EDU 734       Curriculum Development and Assessment    
In this course, students will evaluate current curriculum, investigate curricular frameworks, and align curriculum to teaching standards and academic standards.  Students will experience, investigate and implement various forms of assessment.  Students will design classroom curriculum that aligns curriculum and assessment for the purpose of improving PK-16 student learning.

Objectives:

  • Students will evaluate the current curriculum and assessment practices.
  • Students will improve their knowledge of academic content area.
  • Students will align classroom curriculum and assessment with teaching standards and academic content standards.
  • Students will collect and analyze evidence of PK-16 student learning and modify instruction as necessary.
  • Students will utilize ongoing assessments to monitor and promote student learning and to guide curriculum development.
  • Students will critique, identify, and develop quality curriculum.

 

EDU 621/EDU 622/EDU 723/EDU 724       Best Practice Pedagogy     
In this course, students will study and apply research-based best practices for teaching and learning.  They will be challenged to reflect upon current practice, incorporate best practices, and improve future practice as they seek continuous improvement.    Students will be provided a variety of forums to investigate, analyze and reflect upon their implementation of multiple instructional methodologies for the purpose of improving PK-16 student learning.

Objectives:

  • Students will study and apply research-based best practices and current research to teaching with the purpose to improve   PK-16 student learning.
  • Students will understand brain development as it relates to student learning and the learning environment.
  • Students will align teaching and instruction to the developmental needs of their students.
  • Students will be familiar with and apply instructional strategies appropriate for specific content area subject matter.

 

EDU 651/EDU 652/EDU 753/EDU 754     Democracy, Diversity and Social Justice in Education     
In this course, students will examine social issues that influence the Learning Community, personal behavior, professional settings and institutional systems.  Issues explored will include (but will not be limited to) class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, and religion, as well as harassment and bullying.  Through this exploration, students will understand how social issues influence relationships in order to take action regarding equity and justice in the workplace.

Objectives:

  • Students will examine areas of diversity that influence the Learning Community and current professional settings.
  • Students will examine reflectively the issues of diversity including, but not limited to class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and religion.
  • Students will promote issues of equity and justice.
  • Students will understand how diversity influences relationships at a personal and institutional level.
  • Students will understand harassment and bullying.

 

EDU 611/EDU 612/EDU 713/EDU 714               Technology in Education     
In this course, students will distinguish between informational and instructional technology.  They will be exposed to a variety of technology tools and software and gain practical technology skills.  Students will use a variety of online tools and programs to    communicate and collaborate.  They will analyze and implement developmentally appropriate instructional technology in their    workplace.  They will explore current technology and how it relates to the culture of PK 16 students.  Students will document       competency related to student-created goals in a professional development portfolio.

Objectives:

  • Students will distinguish between informational technology and instructional technology.
  • Students will be exposed to various informational and instructional technology tools and software.
  • Students will be able to create, communicate and collaborate online.
  • Students will explore the role of current technology and PK-16 student culture.
  • Students will discover what technology is developmentally appropriate for their students.
  • Students will critically choose when, where, and how to integrate technology within their classrooms.

 

EDU 661/EDU 662/EDU 763/EDU 764               Teacher Leadership     
In this course, students will explore teacher leadership that strengthens professional practice.  They will reflect upon political issues and educational issues in developing their personal and professional identity.  Students will be challenged to demonstrate educational leadership beyond their own classroom.  Students will explore initiatives related to systems and trends that improve and contribute to learning.

Objectives:

  • Students will develop an awareness of and a means of utilizing their personal and professional identities.
  • Students will share newly acquired skills and knowledge with others in the profession.
  • Students will demonstrate leadership in the educational profession beyond teaching in their own classroom.
  • Students will develop political awareness of educational issues.
  • Students will develop an understanding of school systems.