Elementary Education (16-Month Option, Non-Licensure*) - MS in Education

Educators have the opportunity to study data-driven and research-backed techniques for building fundamental skills in their elementary-aged students in this 30-semester-credit specialization. Content focuses on developing critical literacy, mathematical, and STEM skills in students to enable them to develop critical thinking skills and tackle everyday challenges. Emphasis on practical strategies includes the following:

Implementing research-based practices in key areas of reading instruction.
Employing technology to promote higher levels of engagement and learning.
Adopting data-driven practices to identify areas of need, monitor student progress, and inform instruction.
Applying proven strategies to ensure students learn critical math content and skills.
Improving students’ analytical and problem-solving skills.

Each course is 4 weeks in length, and students take up to two courses at once.

*The MS in Education with a specialization in Elementary Education (16-Month Option, Non-Licensure) does not lead to an endorsement, certification, or licensure. Walden makes no representation, warranty, guarantee, or commitment that successful completion of this program or coursework for graduate credit within this program will permit a graduate to obtain state certification or licensure.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this program, graduates will be able to:

Apply research- based instructional practices to help students in grades PK-6 achieve Common Core State Standards and other state standards.
Evaluate reading and literacy development of all students in grades PK-6 including linguistically, culturally, and academically diverse learners.
Apply literacy assessment data appropriately to inform reading and literacy instruction in grades PK-6.
Utilize a variety of manipulative materials and emerging technological resources in the grades K-6 classroom to incorporate the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)Process Standards and the Common Core State Standards for Mathematical Practice into teaching and learning.
Apply strategies to help students in grades K-6 diagnose misconceptions, solve problems successfully, and develop mathematical habits of mind.
Engage students successfully in developmentally appropriate inquiries that require them to develop concepts and relationships from their observations, data, and inferences in a scientific manner.

Degree Requirements

30 total semester credits
Core courses (15 sem. cr.)
Specialization courses (6 sem. cr.)
Elective courses (9 sem. cr.)

Specialization Curriculum

Core Courses (15 sem. cr.)

Specialization Courses (6 sem. cr.)

Electives (9 sem. cr.)

Students undertake the following courses as required elective credit.
MSED 6110 - The Collaborative Educator♦
MSED 6145 - Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning♦
MSED 6155 - Fluencies for the Digital Generation♦
MSED 6160 - Understanding English Language Learners♦
MSED 6165 - Teaching English Language Learners♦
MSED 6170 - Advocacy in Education♦
MSED 6175 - The Ethical Teacher–Leader♦
MSED 6180 - The Trauma-Informed Educator♦
MSED 6210 - Developing Resilient Learners♦

Course Sequence**

The recommended course sequence is as follows:

Semester	Course	Credits
1	MSED 6010 - The Passion to Teach	1 sem. cr.
1	MSED 6025 - Exploring Diversity in the Learning Environment	1 sem. cr.
1	MSED 6015 - Communicating Professionally	1 sem. cr.
1	MSED 6035 - Teachers as Social Change Agents♦	1 sem. cr.
1	MSED 6125 - Differentiating by Design♦	1 sem. cr.
1	MSED 6150 - Implementing a STEM Approach♦	1 sem. cr.
1	MSED 6185 - Literacy in the Primary Grades (P–3)♦	1 sem. cr.
1	MSED 6020 - Planning for Professional Growth	1 sem. cr.
2	MSED 6130 - Increasing Student Engagement♦	1 sem. cr.
2	MSED 6135 - Effective Behavioral Interventions♦	1 sem. cr.
2	MSED 6170 - Advocacy in Education♦	1 sem. cr.
2	MSED 6115 - Designing Engaging Instruction♦	1 sem. cr.
2	MSED 6901 - Capstone I: Defining the Action Research Question	1 sem. cr.
2	MSED 6140 - Designing Data-Driven Instruction♦	1 sem. cr.
2	MSED 6030 - Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners	1 sem. cr.
2	MSED 6145 - Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning♦	1 sem. cr.
3	MSED 6175 - The Ethical Teacher–Leader♦	1 sem. cr.
3	MSED 6190 - Literacy Growth in Grades 4–6♦	1 sem. cr.
3	MSED 6120 - Enriching Learning With Technology♦	1 sem. cr.
3	MSED 6200 - Developing Cognitively Demanding Mathematical Tasks♦	1 sem. cr.
3	MSED 6902 - Capstone II: Planning for Action Research	1 sem. cr.
3	MSED 6180 - The Trauma-Informed Educator♦	1 sem. cr.
3	MSED 6205 - Orchestrating Mathematical Discourse♦	1 sem. cr.
3	MSED 6160 - Understanding English Language Learners♦	1 sem. cr.
4	MSED 6155 - Fluencies for the Digital Generation♦	1 sem. cr.
4	MSED 6165 - Teaching English Language Learners♦	1 sem. cr.
4	MSED 6110 - The Collaborative Educator♦	1 sem. cr.
4	MSED 6210 - Developing Resilient Learners♦	1 sem. cr.
4	MSED 6195 - Reading Interventions♦	1 sem. cr.
4	MSED 6903 - Capstone III: Reporting on Action Research	1 sem. cr.

**While the MS in Education with a specialization in Elementary Education 1-credit, 16-month option is designed to be completed in 16 months, time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of time to completion, call an enrollment specialist at 1-866-492-5336.

Note on Teacher Licensure or Certification

This program does not lead to teacher licensure or certification. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.