Secondary Education (M.A.)

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The M.A. in Secondary Education (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners and Science, Technology and Math Education) specializations have been distinctly designed for the practicing Educator. Students will experience a current and relevant curriculum that meets their professional needs. Our program focuses 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.

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

- 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 (30 hours)

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

Accelerated Master’s Program: B.A. or B.S./M.A with Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Learners Plan B (non-thesis) 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.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.

Science, Technology and Math (STM) 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
SEED 700 - Stem Methods I: History, Foundations, Trends and Issues of Science Technology and Math 3 cr hrs
SEED 710 - Stem Methods II: Research Literature in Stem Education 3 cr hrs
SEED 720 - Designing Projects and Environments in Stem Education 3 cr hrs
SEED 773 - Research-Based Methods in Curriculum and Instruction 3 cr hrs (3 cr hrs required)
SEED 794 - Internship (M.A.) (C) 1 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.

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