Teaching and Learning (MS)

Summary

The degree emphasizes improvement of teaching, technology, and leadership skills in order to meet the needs of a diverse student population. The program is available to all teachers who wish to broaden their knowledge base, enhance their classroom performance and better serve the needs of all learners.

The degree is designed around a variety of certificate options, including:

  • Culturally Responsive Teaching
  • Curriculum and Technology
  • Planning for Students’ Learning
  • Teacher as Leader
  • Any of the certificates in our Education Technology Master’s Program

This structure provides students with the flexibility to custom design their degree by choosing from a combination of courses and/or certificates.

In addition, those interested in teaching in higher education and/or dual enrollment classes may complete the two research classes (6 credits) and four required core classes (12 credits) plus a Content Specialization (GC, 18 credits) for a Teaching and Learning Specialization masters (36 credits). Optional Content Specializations:

  • History Specialization
  • Psychology Specialization
  • Family Consumer Science Specialization
  • Communication Education Specialization
  • English: Teaching Writing  or English Literature Specialization
Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Master of Science

Major Credits

31

Total Credits

31

Locations

Online

Career Cluster

Education and Training

Apply

Program Requirements

Common Core

* KSP 609 or its equivalent is a prerequisite for KSP 610

This course introduces learners to foundational theory, research, and pedagogy for culturally responsive, relevant, and sustaining practices. Learners will examine strategies to develop equity-minded approaches that cultivate an inclusive and safe learning environment. Learners will integrate students¿ cultural and educational experiences to inform teaching and learning practices.

Prerequisites: none

Designed to provide a learning experience in utilizing techniques and procedures in scholarly writing.

Prerequisites: none

Learners will develop expertise using technology tools to address individual student needs. In this course, learners will explore the assumptions, biases and limitations of integrating technology tools, and the implications of those for teaching and student learning. Through the use of technology integration frameworks, learners will evaluate implications of both access and opportunity of using technology teaching, learning, and assessment. This course will also explore ways in which technology can both be an avenue towards social justice in education and how technology can exacerbate inequities.

Prerequisites: none

Learners will explore, recognize, and mitigate personal and cultural biases in their learning environment assessment practices. Learners will use technology to align their assessments with state or national standards to develop clear and compressive learning goals which support equitable learning opportunities. Learners will create and align assessments, communicate results to learners and stakeholders, and use results to support learners¿ continuous growth.

Prerequisites: none

This course focuses on the examination of the learner¿s role as a teacher leader scholar in our diverse and evolving society. Learners analyze professional teaching, technology and social justice standards, and current educational trends and research to identify a problem of practice in education to target improvements. Learners collect data and information as evidence of the nature and scope of the problem and develop a plan for personal and/or professional growth to address the problem.

Prerequisites: none

Research/Methods Course(s)

The research process is one that is complicated, and nonlinear, and very often difficult for students to understand and see its strengths and weaknesses. This course will introduce students to research methodologies as applied to research and evaluation. The course will focus on developing skills and applying different methodologies in a research plan.

Prerequisites: none

Restricted Electives

Choose one area of specialization.

Education Specialization - Choose 12 Credit(s). A total of 31 credits is required for the degree with the Education Specialization.

Learners will develop effective and equitable instruction to improve student achievement through differentiated, critical thinking, cooperative, and problem-based curriculum and instruction. Learners will learn about and apply best practices to meet the needs of diverse student populations through increased student-teacher, student-student and student-community relationships. Learners will explore, recognize, and mitigate personal and cultural biases in instruction practices in order to apply effective and equitable student-centered learning.

Prerequisites: none

This course will provide the learners with reflective and practical experiences for the integration of accessibility, technology and learning. Students will explore student characteristics and needs, learning goals and experiences, accessibility tools, differentiated instruction, and technology to design and evaluate integrated lesson plans.

Prerequisites: none

This course explores family, community, societal, and cultural influences in educating diverse student populations. Learners will examine theory and a range of strategies to develop equitable school, family, and community partnerships. Learners will identify strategies to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and develop asset-based frameworks to engage collaborative partnerships. Learners will explore and recognize organizational and cultural barriers to collaborative family and community partnerships.

Prerequisites: none

Learners will use theories and research-based methods to examine and align curriculum, standards, instruction, and assessment to meet the needs of a diverse student population.Learners will explore, recognize, and mitigate personal and cultural biases in curriculum. Learners will develop cohesive curriculum, instruction, and assessment which aligns to school improvement plans and/or mission and learning principles.

Prerequisites: none

With a focus on digital literacy and digital equity, learners will critically analyze and evaluate educational technology frameworks, models, and research to support teaching and learning. Learners will learn how to use technology integration frameworks to guide decision-making about and evaluate use of technology. Learners consider teaching contexts to apply effective uses of technology to support students¿ learning needs with alignment to standards, learning goals, teaching strategies, and assessments.

Prerequisites: none

History Specialization - Complete the History graduate certificate for the specialization.

Psychology Specialization - Complete the General Psychology graduate certificate for the specialization.

Family Consumer Science Specialization - Complete the Family Consumer Science Education graduate certificate for the specialization.

Communication Specialization - Complete the Communication Education graduate certificate for the specialization.

English Specialization - Complete either the Teaching Writing graduate certificate or English Literature graduate certificate for the specialization.

Capstone Course

Select the Capstone option appropriate for your specialization.

Education Options - Choose 1 Credit(s).

For students completing a Masters degree with the alternate plan option.

Prerequisites: none

For students completing a Master's degree with the creative projects option.

Prerequisites: none

For students completing a Masters or Specialist degree with the using the thesis option.

Prerequisites: none

History Option - Choose 2 Credit(s).

Psychology Option - Choose 1 Credit(s).

This course involves the preparation of a professional portfolio showing the connection of current work related to psychology to content, theories, and / or ideas within the discipline.

Prerequisites: none

Communication Option - Choose 1 Credit(s).

Review and interpretation of a body of research.

Prerequisites: none

Provides first-hand experience in applying communication theories in the workplace under the direction of an on-site supervisor.

Prerequisites: none

English Option - Choose 1 Credit(s).

Independent capstone experience, focusing on secondary research sources; paper may have other guidelines specific to the program option.

Prerequisites: none

On-site field experience, the nature of which is determined by the specific needs of the student's program option.

Prerequisites: none

Family Consumer Science Option - Choose 1 Credit(s).

Degree Plan

The Degree Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual degree plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 6 Credits

This course focuses on the examination of the learner¿s role as a teacher leader scholar in our diverse and evolving society. Learners analyze professional teaching, technology and social justice standards, and current educational trends and research to identify a problem of practice in education to target improvements. Learners collect data and information as evidence of the nature and scope of the problem and develop a plan for personal and/or professional growth to address the problem.

Prerequisites: none

With a focus on digital literacy and digital equity, learners will critically analyze and evaluate educational technology frameworks, models, and research to support teaching and learning. Learners will learn how to use technology integration frameworks to guide decision-making about and evaluate use of technology. Learners consider teaching contexts to apply effective uses of technology to support students¿ learning needs with alignment to standards, learning goals, teaching strategies, and assessments.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 6 Credits

This course introduces learners to foundational theory, research, and pedagogy for culturally responsive, relevant, and sustaining practices. Learners will examine strategies to develop equity-minded approaches that cultivate an inclusive and safe learning environment. Learners will integrate students¿ cultural and educational experiences to inform teaching and learning practices.

Prerequisites: none

Learners will use theories and research-based methods to examine and align curriculum, standards, instruction, and assessment to meet the needs of a diverse student population.Learners will explore, recognize, and mitigate personal and cultural biases in curriculum. Learners will develop cohesive curriculum, instruction, and assessment which aligns to school improvement plans and/or mission and learning principles.

Prerequisites: none

Summer - 6 Credits

The research process is one that is complicated, and nonlinear, and very often difficult for students to understand and see its strengths and weaknesses. This course will introduce students to research methodologies as applied to research and evaluation. The course will focus on developing skills and applying different methodologies in a research plan.

Prerequisites: none

Learners will explore, recognize, and mitigate personal and cultural biases in their learning environment assessment practices. Learners will use technology to align their assessments with state or national standards to develop clear and compressive learning goals which support equitable learning opportunities. Learners will create and align assessments, communicate results to learners and stakeholders, and use results to support learners¿ continuous growth.

Prerequisites: none

Second Year

Fall - 6 Credits

Learners will develop effective and equitable instruction to improve student achievement through differentiated, critical thinking, cooperative, and problem-based curriculum and instruction. Learners will learn about and apply best practices to meet the needs of diverse student populations through increased student-teacher, student-student and student-community relationships. Learners will explore, recognize, and mitigate personal and cultural biases in instruction practices in order to apply effective and equitable student-centered learning.

Prerequisites: none

This course explores family, community, societal, and cultural influences in educating diverse student populations. Learners will examine theory and a range of strategies to develop equitable school, family, and community partnerships. Learners will identify strategies to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and develop asset-based frameworks to engage collaborative partnerships. Learners will explore and recognize organizational and cultural barriers to collaborative family and community partnerships.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 3 Credits

Learners will develop expertise using technology tools to address individual student needs. In this course, learners will explore the assumptions, biases and limitations of integrating technology tools, and the implications of those for teaching and student learning. Through the use of technology integration frameworks, learners will evaluate implications of both access and opportunity of using technology teaching, learning, and assessment. This course will also explore ways in which technology can both be an avenue towards social justice in education and how technology can exacerbate inequities.

Prerequisites: none

Summer - 4 Credits

Designed to provide a learning experience in utilizing techniques and procedures in scholarly writing.

Prerequisites: none

For students completing a Master's degree with the creative projects option.

Prerequisites: none

Policies

The Teaching and Learning MS is available to all teachers who wish to broaden their knowledge base, enhance their classroom performance, and better serve the needs of all learners.

Those interested in teaching in higher education and/or dual enrollment classes may complete the two research classes (6 credits) and four required core classes (12 credits) plus a Graduate Certificate in a Content Specialization (18 credits) for a Teaching and Learning Specialization masters (36 credits). Optional Content Specializations:

  • History Specialization
  • Psychology Specialization
  • Family Consumer Science Specialization
  • Communication Education Specialization
  • English: Teaching Writing or English Literature Specialization

Admissions Standards

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for fall, spring, and summer start. Applications are reviewed as they are completed.  To complete the online application, you will need to submit the following:

  • Letters of recommendation
  • Resume or vita
  • Transcripts for institutions that you’ve attended

Bachelor's degree in education from an accredited university and teaching experience is preferred. Students with an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above will be most competitive for admission to the program. 

Letters of recommendation focusing on your academic potential and your promise to become an educational leader are encouraged.

Progression Standards

Students must make adequate yearly progress toward degree completion and must know the MSU, Mankato, Graduate College Policy and Course Requirements and adhere to time limits for program completion. Students are strongly encouraged to complete in two to three years and inform their advisor if they are unable to enroll in classes during a given academic year. 

To complete the program in two years and be classified as full time, students need to complete 6 credits/2 classes each semester fall, spring, and summer. But students do have the flexibility to enroll in a single class each term and complete the program within 4 years. 

Completion/ Graduation Standards

Students must successfully complete KSP 609 Research Methods before enrolling in KSP 610 Scholarly Writing. During these two courses, students will research the literature and complete a capstone project of their choice to show case their expertise. Students are encouraged to enroll in KSP 610 in their final semester to support the graduation paperwork process. If this course needs to be taken before the final semester be sure to maintain regular contact with your advisor to ensure all paperwork is filed in a timely manner.