Mar 29, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Elementary Education (M.A.)


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Admissions Information  

The M.A. in Elementary Education (CLD, Early Childhood, and STEM) has been distinctly designed for the practicing educator. Our 30-credit hour, 24-month programming is a unique departure from traditional formats. An accelerated track (16 months) for the Professional Development Center cohort is also available. At USD, teachers will experience a current and relevant curriculum that is customizable to meet their professional needs. Ours is a program that is theoretically-laden, research-based, and highly customizable. Through compressed, hybridized, and online coursework, teachers will experience a significant role in deciding their own master’s level professional development in an affordable and timely manner. The express purpose of our programming is to work collaboratively, through a cohort model, with in-service teachers toward excellence and effectiveness in teaching. New cohorts begin every June.

Degree requirements vary and are based on the student’s individual need. Below is a brief explanation each program’s credit-hour requirements.

Master of Arts, Elementary Education Plan B (non-thesis) option: Total 30 credit hours


Note: Plan A (thesis) also available. Four credit hours of thesis are required in lieu of an elective. 

Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Learners Specialization


Year One - Summer


Year Two - Summer


Year Two - Fall/Spring


Note:

IAM students please work closely with your advisor to complete the requirements within the 16 month program. IAM students need to enroll in EDFN 755  and EDFN 775  in place of the electives.

Early Childhood Education Specialization


Year One - Summer


Year One - Fall/Spring


Note:

IAM students please work closely with your advisor to complete the requirements within the 16 month program. IAM students need to enroll in EDFN 755  and EDFN 775  in place of two electives.

Science, Technology and Math Education (STEM) Specialization


Major Requirements


IAM students, please work closely with your advisor to complete the requirements within the 16 month program. IAM students need to enroll in EDFN 755  in place of the elective and EDFN 775  for an approved substitution for ELED 794  .

Note: Plan A (thesis) also available. Four credit hours of thesis are required in lieu of an elective.

Master of Arts Elementary Education, Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach Plan B (non-thesis) option: Total 32 credit hours


Students in this program are required to take the Praxis Exam for Reading Specialists as an additional graduation requirement.

Note: Plan A (thesis) also available. Four credit hours of thesis are required in lieu of an elective.

Major Area Coursework


Supporting Area Coursework


Required supporting course work (4-6 credit hours required):
Technology course 1-3 credit hours

  • 3 cr hrs
  •  

  • Outside Elective Courses from the following Recommended Areas (2-4 credit hours required):

    • Linguistics and Language Development
    • Language Arts
    • Children’s and Adolescent Literature
    • Special Education/Learning Disabilities  

     

Note:


IAM students please work closely with your advisor to complete the requirements within the 16 month program. IAM students enroll in EDFN 755 in place of a course from the “Outside Elective Courses from the following Recommended Areas” and EDFN 775 in place of  the technology course under “Required supporting course work”.

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