Program: Elementary Education (M.A.) - University of South Dakota

Apr 04, 2025

2007-2009 Graduate Catalog

This program is offered for the classroom teacher in the elementary schools. Options are available for those wishing to strengthen content areas, enhance general teaching skills or add to their certification. Students will find specialization options in elementary education, reading specialist, early childhood education, and curriculum director, and an endorsement in middle-level education. For further information, the student should confer with a member of the staff in elementary education.

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 32–33 credit hours

Elementary Education core 18 credit hours
Elementary Education elective 3 credit hours
Required supporting courses 6 credit hours
Supporting courses outside of area 5–6 credit hours

Note

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

Elementary Education core: 18 credit hours

ELED 720 - RESEARCH & PRACTICES IN SCIENCE IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2 to 3
3 credit hours required.
ELED 732 - RESEARCH & PRACTICES IN MATHEMATICS IN THE ELEM. SCHOOL 2 to 3
3 credit hours required.
ELED 742 - RESEARCH & PRACTICES IN LANGUAGE ARTS IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1 to 3
3 credit hours required.
ELED 755 - RESEARCH & PRACTICES IN READING IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2 to 3
3 credit hours required.
ELED 761 - RESEARCH & PRACTICES IN SOCIAL STUDIES IN THE ELEM. SCHOOL 2 to 3
3 credit hours required.
ELED 773 - ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM 2 to 3
3 credit hours required.

Required supporting course work: 6 credit hours

Technology course 1-3 credit hours

EDER 761 - RESEARCH METHODS IN EDUCATION 3

Master of Arts Elementary Education, Reading Specialist Plan B (non–thesis) option: Total 32 credit

Reading Specialist core 22-24 credit hours
Required supporting courses 6 credit hours
Supporting courses outside of area 2–4 credit hours

Note

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

Reading Specialist core: 22-24 credit hours

ELED Additional ELED-prefixed course 3 credit hours

ELED 550 - ELEMENTARY-LEVEL READING METHODS 2 to 3
3 credit hours required.
ELED 755 - RESEARCH & PRACTICES IN READING IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2 to 3
3 credit hours required.
ELED 757 - ASSESSMENT, DIAGNOSIS, AND INTERVENTIONS FOR EFFECTIVE READING INSTRUCTION 3
ELED 781 - PSYCHOLOGY OF READING 3
ELED 795 - PRACTICUM IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 1 to 3
MLED 560 - MIDDLE LEVEL READING METHODS 3
SEED 550 - 7–12 TEACHING READING IN CONTENT AREAS 3

Required supporting course work: 6 credit hours

Technology course 3 credit hours

EDER 761 - RESEARCH METHODS IN EDUCATION 3

Master of Arts Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education Plan B (non–thesis) option: Total 32–33 credit hours

Early Childhood Education core 15 credit hours
ELED/SPED elective 3 credit hours
Required supporting courses 6 credit hours
Emphasis courses 8–9 credit hours

Note

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

Early Childhood Education core: 15 credit hours

ELED 512 - KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION 3
ELED 592 - SPECIAL TOPICS 1 to 3
3 credit hours required.
Or
ELED 711 - RESEARCH AND METHODS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 3
ELED 713 - ADVANCED CURRICULUM & PRACTICES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 3
ELED 795 - PRACTICUM IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 1 to 3
3 credit hours required.
SPED 770 - SURVEY: EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION 3

Required supporting course work: 6 credit hours

Note

Other emphases are available in Early Literacy, Primary Education, Parent Education-General, Reading, Coordination and Supervision, and Early Childhood Special Education. Consult with the academic advisor for information.

Master of Arts Elementary Education, Curriculum Director Plan B (non-thesis) option: 35–42 credit hours

Curriculum Director core 12 credit hours
Required supporting courses 9 credit hours
Other support courses 5-9 credit hours
Program Specific courses 9-12 credit hours

Curriculum Director core: 12 credit hours

EDER 761 - RESEARCH METHODS IN EDUCATION 3
ELED 512 - KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION 3
Or
ELED 713 - ADVANCED CURRICULUM & PRACTICES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 3
ELED 773 - ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM 2 to 3
3 credit hours required.
SEED 740 - SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM 3

Required Supporting courses: 9 credit hours

Other Support Courses: 5-9 credit hours

SPED One course 1-3 credit hours
One technology course 1-3 credit hours

MLED 731 - MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION AND CURRICULUM 3

Program Specific Courses: 9-12 hours

ELED 774 - IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION 2 to 3
3 credit hours required.
ELED 794 - INTERNSHIP (M.A.) 2 to 8
3 credit hours required.

Elementary Education (M.A.)

Master of Arts, Elementary Education Plan B (non–thesis) option: Total 32–33 credit hours

Note

Elementary Education core: 18 credit hours

Required supporting course work: 6 credit hours

Master of Arts Elementary Education, Reading Specialist Plan B (non–thesis) option: Total 32 credit

Note

Reading Specialist core: 22-24 credit hours

Required supporting course work: 6 credit hours

Master of Arts Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education Plan B (non–thesis) option: Total 32–33 credit hours

Note

Early Childhood Education core: 15 credit hours

Required supporting course work: 6 credit hours

Note

Master of Arts Elementary Education, Curriculum Director Plan B (non-thesis) option: 35–42 credit hours

Curriculum Director core: 12 credit hours

Required Supporting courses: 9 credit hours

Other Support Courses: 5-9 credit hours

Program Specific Courses: 9-12 hours

At least one of the following