Elementary Education (M.A.)

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The M.A. in Elementary Education (Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, Early Childhood, and Science, Technology and Math Education ) specializations have been distinctly designed for the practicing educator. Candidates in our program will experience a current and relevant curriculum designed to meet their professional needs. Our programs focus on teaching principles of learning and instruction through a framework of current theory, research, best practices, diversity, and technology in order to prepare reflective graduates that have broad knowledge of the multiple factors affecting individuals’ development, performance, and leadership within P-12 classrooms and professional practice.

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

Major Requirements

ELED 562 - Teaching English as a New Language (C) 2 cr hrs
ELED 564 - Linguistics and Language Acquisition for P-12 ELL Teachers 3 cr hrs
ELED 566 - P-12 Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment for ELL 3 cr hrs
ELED 570 - P-12 Literacy Methods for English Language Learners 3 cr hrs
EDER 761 - Graduate Research & Design (C) 3 cr hrs
ELED 776 - Theory and Pedagogy for Diverse Learners 3 cr hrs
ELED 778 - Culturally & Linguistically Responsive Assessment and Evaluation 3 cr hrs
ELED 783 - Research and Advocacy in Diverse Educational Contexts 3 cr hrs
ELED 794 - Internship (M.A.) (C) 2 to 8 cr hrs (4 cr hrs required)
Select 1 of the following courses (3 cr hours):
Language course (language other than English) 0-3*
*Unless completed at the undergraduate level l or approved for a waiver based on bilingual identity
Elective approved by program advisor 0-3

Accelerated Master’s Program: B.A. or B.S./M.A with Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Learners specialization

Up to 12 credits applied toward the B.S. program may be used to satisfy graduate credit. The following restrictions apply:

Dual-listed courses taken at the 500-level can be applied to both the B.A./B.S. and M.S. degrees. Dual-listed courses must be taken at the 500-level.
The student must apply to, and be admitted to, the accelerated program prior to taking courses to be credited toward the accelerated program.
No courses taken prior to admission to the accelerated program may be counted toward an accelerated graduate degree.
Courses that are “double counted” must be approved by the program coordinator for inclusion in the program of study prior to registration for the course or the credits will not be applied toward the accelerated graduate degree.
Only courses taken at the student’s home institution are eligible for accelerated program credit. No transferred courses from other institutions will be allowed to count toward the accelerated master’s degree.
Students admitted to the accelerated M.A. Program may be allowed to register for all courses included in his/her program of study and these credit hours may apply to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

Early Childhood Education Specialization

Major Requirements

EDER 761 - Graduate Research & Design (C) 3 cr hrs
ELED 512 - Kindergarten Education (C) 3 cr hrs
ELED 711 - Research and Methods in Early Childhood Education 3 cr hrs
ELED 713 - Advanced Curriculum & Practices in Early Childhood Education 3 cr hrs
ELED 715 - Leadership & Administration in Ec 3 cr hrs
ELED 773 - Research-Based Methods in Curriculum and Instruction 2-3 cr hrs (3 cr hrs required)
ELED 776 - Theory and Pedagogy for Diverse Learners 3 cr hrs
ELED 795 - Practicum 1 to 3 cr hrs (3 cr hrs required)
Electives (LT 712 recommended) 3 cr hrs
Select one of the following for 3 hours:
SPED 770 - Survey: Early Childhood Special Education 3 cr hrs
SPED 771 - Strategies, Planning & Assessment in Early Childhood Special Ed. 3 cr hrs

Science, Technology and Math Education (STEM) Specialization

Major Requirements

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

EDER 761 - Graduate Research & Design (C) 3 cr hrs
ELED 700 - Stem Methods I: History, Foundations, Trends and Issues of Science Technology and Math 3 cr hrs
ELED 710 - Stem Methods II: Research Literature in Stem Education 3 cr hrs
ELED 720 - Designing Projects and Environmens in Stem Education 3 cr hrs
ELED 773 - Research-Based Methods in Curriculum and Instruction 2-3 cr hrs (3 cr hrs required)
ELED 794 - Internship (M.A.) (C) 2 to 8 cr hrs (3 cr hrs required)

Elective courses (12 credit hours)

ELED 766 - Technology Integration for Effective Instruction 3 cr hrs OR
SEED 766 - Technology Integration for Effective Instruction 3 cr hrs
ELED 776 - Theory and Pedagogy for Diverse Learners 3 cr hrs OR
SEED 776 - Theory and Pedagogy for Diverse Learners 3 cr hrs
LT 712 - Instructional Technologies for Active Learning 3 cr hrs
LT 716 - Systematic Design of Instruction 3 cr hrs
LT 731 - Multimedia Production 3 cr hrs
TET 732 - Emerging Technologies in Teaching and Training 3 cr hrs
Also accepted: Any graduate level math and science courses will be accepted should the students be qualified and interested to take such courses.

Master of Arts Elementary Education, Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach Plan B (non-thesis) option: Total 30 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

ELED 752 - Reading/Literacy Program Leadership and Change 3 cr hrs
ELED 757 - Assessment and Interventions for Struggling and Dyslexic Readers 3 cr hrs
ELED 781 - Theoretical Foundations of Literacy and Dyslexia 3 cr hrs
ELED 794 - Internship (M.A.) (C) 2 to 8 cr hrs (3 credit hours required)
Or
SEED 794 - Internship (M.A.) (C) 1 to 8 cr hrs (3 credit hours required)
ELED 795 - Practicum 1 to 3 cr hrs (3 credit hours required)
Or
SEED 795 - Practicum in Secondary Education (M.A.) 1 to 6 cr hrs (3 credit hours required)

Supporting Area Coursework

EDER 761 - Graduate Research & Design (C) 3 cr hrs
ELED 792 - Topics (C) 1 to 3 cr hrs Research Topics -Advanced Readings 1 cr required
Student Teaching or Electives approved by advisor (student may also take Plan A Thesis in these credit hours) 8 cr hrs
ELED 688 - Student Teaching (C) 1-8 cr hrs
SEED 688 - Student Teaching (C) 1-8 cr hrs
Elective with approval of Advisor-Students who have not completed graduate level middle level reading (MLED 560) or secondary reading methods courses (SEED 550) will be required to take one of them as an elective. Students who have completed either MLED 560 or SEED 550 will enroll in an elective approved by the advisor. (3 credit hours required)

Note:

Students who have not completed SEED 550 7-12 Reading and Content Literacy or its equivalent, or MLED 560 or its equivalent, will be required to select one of the two courses as an elective. Students who have completed SEED 550 or MLED 560 while completing their undergraduate degree may count one of these on their Master’s degree.

Accelerated Master’s Program: B.A. or B.S./M.A. with Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach specialization

Up to 12 credits applied toward the B.A./B.S. program may be used to satisfy graduate credit in the Elementary Education, M.A.-Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach Plan B (non-thesis) option.

The following restrictions apply:

Dual-listed courses taken at the 500-level can be applied to both the B.A. or B.S. and M.A. degrees. Dual-listed courses must be taken at the 500-level.
The student must apply to, and be admitted to, the accelerated program prior to taking courses to be credited toward the accelerated program.
No courses taken prior to admission to the accelerated program may be counted toward an accelerated graduate degree.
Courses that are “double counted” must be approved by the program coordinator for inclusion in the program of study prior to registration for the course or the credits will not be applied toward the accelerated graduate degree.
Only courses taken at the student’s home institution are eligible for accelerated program credit. No transferred courses from other institutions will be allowed to count toward the accelerated master’s degree.
Students admitted to the accelerated M.A. Program may be allowed to register for all courses included in his/her program of study and these credit hours may apply to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Candidates will understand and apply knowledge and skills appropriate to their professional field of specialization.
Candidates will demonstrate understanding of principles of learning that are appropriate to their field of specialization.
Candidates will demonstrate professional dispositions that are appropriate to their field of specialization.

Courses or Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification

The University of South Dakota as of July 1, 2020, cannot confirm whether any particular course or program meets educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification in states other than South Dakota. If you are planning to apply for licensure/certification in a state other than South Dakota after completion of your program, contact the academic department offering your major or CDE at 605.658.6152 or by email at cde@usd.edu. USD is working to comply with these requirements and will provide up-to-date information as it becomes available.

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference the State Authorization webpage below.

Information about State Authorization & Professional Licensure