Master of Arts in the Practice of Teaching

Beginning fall semester 2007, the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies is offering a new graduate degree program, the Master of Arts in the Practice of Teaching. This 30-hour degree is structured in a manner that allows teachers to customize their program of study to meet individual needs and professional goals. You have the opportunity to study the issues that matter to you, your school, and your community. Students currently enrolled in the master’s degree in Early Childhood, Elementary Teaching or Middle School may choose to complete their original program, or meet with their advisor for information on how to transition to the new program in the Practice of Teaching.

Application Information
ED 6790 Capstone Research Project

Once admitted to the program, you will work with your assigned academic advisor to select classes in your chosen area of study. The design of your program will be driven by your interests. Coursework can be divided into a 12-credit core program (“Foundations of Practice”); 12 credits in a student-identified area of specialization; and 6 credits of education electives, as illustrated below:

Core Program Outline

Foundations of Practice (required core courses): 12 credits

• ED 6010  Intro to Ed. Research
• ES 6330  Human Nature & Diversity
• ES 6340  Culture and Politics of Ed. Institutions
• ED 6790 Capstone Project or Thesis 

Area of Specialization: 12 credits
Students may select, with approval of their assigned advisor, twelve semester hours in a student-identified specialization area.

Educational Electives: 6 credits
Students may select, with approval of their assigned advisor, six semester hours of education electives.

Examples of Possible Program Options

Students in the Practice of Teaching program have the opportunity to select regularly-scheduled departmental courses to create programs that allow them to receive the State ZA Endorsement in Early Childhood Education, or to specialize in K-12 Curriculum and Instruction, or in K-12 Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on issues related to Urban Education, among other areas. (Please note that the examples shown below are not required choices; in collaboration with program advisors, students may select other class options that reflect their personal educational goals.)

Educational Electives: 6 credits

• LS 5160  Pro Symposium in Reading
• ED  5750  Administration of Child Development Centers

For more information on this emphasis, contact , 387-3509.

SAMPLE:  K-12 Curriculum & Instruction emphasis

Foundations of Practice: (required core courses) 12 credits
(ED 6010, ES 6330, 6340, ED 6790)

Area of Specialization: 12 credits

Educational Electives: 6 credits

For more information on this emphasis, contact , 387-1723.

SAMPLE:  K-12 Curriculum & Instruction; Issues in Urban Education emphasis

Foundations of Practice: (required core courses) 12 credits
(ED 6010, ES 6330, 6340, ED 6790)

Area of Specialization: 12 credits

Educational Electives: 6 credits

For more information on this emphasis, contact , 387-3490.

Self-Designed Specializations

Additional focus areas are available to help continue the professional growth and development of educators and provide opportunities to expand to new areas of knowledge and skill.  Students may also select courses outside of the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies to create a variety of specialized programs.  This flexibility allows students to focus their program toward an academic content area related to their own teaching position (such as science, mathematics, language arts, etc.), or to an area that addresses other personal, academic and professional interests (fine arts, leadership, foreign language, psychology, etc).