Elementary Education - STEM 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 (non-thesis) option: Total 30 credit hours

Note: Thesis also available. Four credit hours of thesis are required in lieu of an elective.

STEM Education 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 - Research Sci & Math Inst Meth 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 STEM Education (approved by the advisor)

All courses below are recommended courses by the department to fulfill this requirement for the STEM 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
TET 712 - Instructional Design for Interactive Learning 3 cr
TET 716 - Systematic Design of Instruction 3 cr
TET 731 - Visual Design for Learning 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.

General Application Requirements

Completed application
$36 application fee
Official transcripts*

*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

Location Matters for Non-Licensure Track Programs

This program is not designed or advertised to lead to a professional license or certification required for employment.

USD is permitted to operate under the terms of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) policies and standards in offering online courses/degree programs to residents in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Online courses/programs may also be offered to residents of California (a non-SARA state) because it does not regulate out-of-state public institutions.

Additionally, this program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. Please contact a program representative if you have questions regarding supervised field study.

Distance education courses or programs will not be offered outside of the United States without prior written approval from the University, which may be withheld for any reason. If you are taking distance courses while physically located outside of the United States, it is your responsibility to confirm the following: (a) if the country will recognize an online degree; (b) the availability of supervised field study opportunities in the country; and (c) if the country charges any additional taxes, withholdings or fees associated with online distance education programs.

For more information, please visit USD’s State Authorization page or contact your admissions counselor.

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