Elementary Education (M.A.)

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Program Overview

A master’s in elementary education provides the opportunity to study STEM or Literacy Education in greater depth. Specifically designed for the practicing educator, specializing in Science, Technology and Math (STEM) is ideal for teachers interested in enhancing their knowledge and skills necessary for designing, implementing, and evaluating integrated STEM lessons in their classrooms. The Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach specialization prepares current elementary, middle, and high school teachers to use research-proven literacy practices and programs to effectively teach students and adults. Graduates can expect to become leaders in their schools related to effective STEM or Literacy instruction. The USD School of Education has been accredited by CAEP (formerly NCATE) since 1956. Learn more at usd.edu/tre or usd.edu/online-eled.

DELIVERY: Online

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.

Science, Technology and Math Education (STM) Specialization

Major Requirements - 30 credit hours

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

Elective courses (12 credit hours)

Any TET/LT/ELED/SEED/MLED course with a focus on Science, Technology, or Mathematics (approved by the advisor)

All courses below are recommended courses by the department to fulfill this requirement for the STM specialization:

ELED 766 - Technology Integration for Effective Instruction 3 cr OR
SEED 766 - Technology Integration for Effective Instruction 3 cr
ELED 776 - Theory and Pedagogy for Diverse Learners 3 cr OR
SEED 776 - Theory and Pedagogy for Diverse Learners 3 cr
LT 712 - Instructional Technologies for Active Learning 3 cr
LT 716 - Systematic Design of Instruction 3 cr
LT 731 - Multimedia Production 3 cr
TET 732 - Emerging Technologies in Teaching and Training 3 cr

Accelerated Master’s Program: B.S.Ed., B.A. or B.S./M.A. with STEM Education specialization

Approved to start Summer 2024.

Up to 12 credits applied toward the B.S.Ed., B.A., or B.S. program may be used to satisfy graduate credit in the STEM Education specializations of the M.A. ELED or SEED programs. This accelerated option is available only to those currently enrolled in a USD B.S.Ed., B.A. ,or B.S. program.

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.

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

Supporting Area Coursework

EDER 761 - Graduate Research & Design (C) 3 cr
ELED 792 - Topics (C) 1 to 3 cr 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
SEED 688 - Student Teaching (C) 1-8 cr
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.S.Ed. in Elementary Education/M.A. with Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach specialization

Up to 12 credits applied toward the B.S.Ed. in Elementary Education 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.

General Application Requirements

Completed application
$35 application fee
Official transcripts*
Letters of recommendation*
Statement of purpose
Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog

Courses or Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification

The educational curriculum for your academic program may or may not meet 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, please review that state and your program on USD’s Licensure-Track Programs webpage. Licensure-Track Programs

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 USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

Questions?

Division of Teacher Residency and Education
605-658-6639 | tre @usd.edu | usd.edu/tre

Graduate Admissions
605-658-6140 | gradadmissions@usd.edu | usd.edu/grad