SMU : M.A. in Instruction

Areas of Study

M.A. in Instruction

Program Overview

Considering a career change to enter the teaching profession?

The Master of Arts in Instruction (MAI) program is tailored to serve students who have completed a bachelor’s degree with little or no previous course work in education, and who wish to obtain a teaching license in Elementary Education (K-6) with an Early Adolescence (5-8) Specialty or Early Adolescence/Young Adult Education (5-12). The program is designed for both the recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree who subsequently decides to pursue a teaching career, or for the person who may wish to make a career change and enter the teaching profession. The program is based on the standards required by the Minnesota Board of Teaching. All standards and requirements must be satisfactorily completed prior to recommendation to the state for licensure.

Program Structure

The program prepares students to become licensed teachers in the state of Minnesota. Students also have the opportunity to complete the master's degree in Instruction that same academic year or within the following five years.

Students can choose between the following teacher preparation areas:

Students choosing Early Adolescence / Young Adult have the choice of the following specialty areas:

Communication Arts and Literature
Mathematics
Social Studies
Life Science
Physical Science
World Languages & Cultures (Spanish or French)

To earn the master's degree, students complete nine credits beyond the licensure preparation courses. Master's coursework focuses on cultivating teacher leadership and scholarship through research.

Program Delivery

Saint Mary's M.A. in Instruction is offered two different ways to accommodate adult learners. The program on the Twin Cities campus is delivered part-time on evenings and weekends, and is accommodating for learners who want to continue to work while going to school.

The Winona campus M.A. in Instruction is offered full-time for one year with housing options so students can live on campus. Students will attend classes over the course of a full day with some evening sessions.

All students are expected to spend significant time in K-12 schools in conjunction with their coursework.

A transcript analysis is conducted through the admission process to evaluate content preparedness. Additional content area courses may be required.

Testimonials

Christy DeRuyter

Logan Colby

Locations

Twin Cities
Winona

Admissions Contacts

Twin Cities	Winona
Sarah Fisher	Jan Dimmitt-Olson
(612) 728- 5122 or (866) 437-2788	(507) 457-6600 or (800) 635-5987
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota	Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs	MAI Graduate Program
2500 Park Ave	700 Terrace Heights #23
Minneapolis, MN 55404	Winona, MN 55987-1399

Course Information

Required K-8 Licensure Courses	Required 5-12 Licensure Courses
EDUC 510/511 Educational Measurement & Assessment (2 cr.)	EDUC 510/511 Educational Measurement & Assessment (2 cr.)
EDUC 515 Foundations of Education (2 cr.)	EDUC 515 Foundations of Education (2 cr.)
EDUC517 Learning, Development, & Exceptionality (3 cr.)	EDUC517 Learning, Development, & Exceptionality (3 cr.)
EDUC520 Reading, Language Arts & Children's Literature Methods: K-8 (4 cr.)	EDUC525 Curriculum & Instruction (4 cr.)
EDUC521 Science Methods: K-8 (2 cr.)	EDUC530 Reading & Writing in the Content Areas: Grades 5-12 (2 cr.)
EDUC523 Artistic Expression Methods: K-8 (2 cr.)	EDUC533/534 Technology in the Classroom: Grades 5-12 (1 cr.)
EDUC522 Mathematics Methods: K-8 (2 cr.)	EDUC540 Special Methods: Social Studies 5-12 (2 cr.)
EDUC524 PE & Health Methods: K-8 (2 cr.)	EDUC543 Special Methods: World Languages & Cultures 5-12 (2 cr.)
EDUC533/534 Technology in the Classroom: Grades 5-12 (2 cr.)	EDUC544 Special Methods: Communication Arts & Literature 5-12 (2 cr.)
EDUC550 Middle Level Education (2 cr.)	EDUC545 Special Methods: Mathematics 5-12 (2 cr.)
EDUC551 Adolescent Literature (1 cr.)	EDUC546 Special Methods: Physical Science 5-12 (2 cr.)
EDUC554 Clinical Practicum (0 cr.)	EDUC547 Special Methods: Life Science 5-12 (2 cr.)
EDUC585 Advanced Literacy Methods for Diverse Learners (3 cr.)	EDUC551 Adolescent Literature (1 cr.)
EDUC565 Human Relations, Cultural Diversity & American Indian Culture (2 cr.)	EDUC558 Students with Special Needs (1 cr.)
EDUC555 Student Teaching: Elementary Education (K-6) with an Early Adolescence (5-8) Specialty (6 cr.)	EDUC565 Human Relations, Cultural Diversity & American Indian Culture (2 cr.)
EDUC570 Professional Capstone/Portfolio (2 cr.)	EDUC560 Student Teaching: Early Adolescence/Young Adult 5-12 (6 cr.)
	EDUC570 Professional Capstone/Portfolio (2 cr.)
Required Additional Courses for M.A. Degree	Required Additional Courses for M.A. Degree
EDUC580 Critical Issues in Education ( 3 cr.)	EDUC580 Critical Issues in Education ( 3 cr.)
EDUC590 Introduction to Educational Research (2 cr.)	EDUC590 Introduction to Educational Research (2 cr.)
EDUC595 Philosophy of Education ( 3 cr.)	EDUC595 Philosophy of Education ( 3 cr.)
EDUC599 Research Project & Presentation (1 cr.)	EDUC599 Research Project & Presentation (1 cr.)

Course Descriptions

EDUC510/511 Educational Measurement and Assessment (2)
This course focuses on how to apply measurement theory to classroom evaluation. Analysis, administration and interpretation of standardized assessment instruments, performance assessments using the Minnesota Graduation Standards model, teacher-constructed assessment tools, and evaluation and grading are examined.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
EDUC515 Foundations of Education (2)
This course examines the historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations of education, including such topics as schooling in a changing pluralistic society, human relations and the discrimination issues in education, legal and political forces which impact American education, and the teacher’s professional roles and responsibilities; and 2) educational psychology, including (a) child and adolescent cognitive, social/emotional, and moral development; (b) psychology of exceptional children, federal and state laws and policies regarding assessment, free appropriate public education and inclusion of students with disabilities; and (c) motivation, learning theories, classroom management and principles of effective teaching.
EDUC517 Learning, Development, and Exceptionality (3)
Students will learn and apply the principles of educational psychology, including (a) child and adolescent cognitive, social/emotional, and moral development; (b) motivation, learning theories, classroom management and principles of effective teaching; and (c) psychology of exceptional children, including knowledge of exceptional educational need areas as defined by Minnesota, Wisconsin and federal law, the major characteristics of the disability areas in order to recognize their existence in children, and knowledge of various alternatives for providing the least restrictive environment for children with exceptional educational needs.
Must be taken concurrently with EDUC515.
EDUC520 Reading, Language Arts and Children’s Literature M (4)
Students participate in constructivist learning experiences to master the knowledge, dispositions, and skills needed to teach literacy from kindergarten through middle school. National and state standards and curriculum guides are used to develop appropriate teaching plans for primary, intermediate, and middle school students. Students master lesson planning and performance assessments using the Minnesota literacy content standards. Field experiences augment classroom readings, discussion and activities of developmental stages of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in children.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
EDUC521 Science Methods: K-8 (2)
This course is designed to help pre-service teachers develop knowledge, methods, and evaluative tools to become competent in teaching science in kindergarten through eighth grade. Students learn how to plan science programs, to choose from a range of effective teaching techniques, and to evaluate student learning using the Minnesota performance assessment model (Science content standards for primary, intermediate, and middle school).
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
EDUC522 Mathematics Methods: K-8 (2)
This course covers the instructional methods which enable students to learn the math concepts and skills taught in childhood and early adolescence settings. National and state standards are studied in relation to math instruction in kindergarten through eighth grade. Students also learn to prepare lesson plans and performance assessments using the Minnesota math content standards for primary, intermediate, and middle school.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
EDUC523 Artistic Expression Methods: K-8 (2)
This course emphasizes the integration of art and music into various curriculum areas to meet the needs of diverse learners in elementary and middle school.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
EDUC524 PE and Health Methods: K-8 (2)
This course presents learning activities and methodologies for teaching children and early adolescents health, physical education, and outdoor education.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
EDUC525 Curriculum and Instruction: Grades 5-12 (4)
Middle and secondary school philosophy, classroom management, motivation, and student developmental differences are examined. An emphasis is placed on unit development, daily lesson planning, interdisciplinary planning, teaming, cooperative learning, exploratory learning and a variety of teaching strategies appropriate for grades 5-12.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
EDUC528 Social Studies Methods: K-8 (2)
This course is designed to help the student develop the skills to teach social studies from kindergarten through eighth grade, and to evaluate student learning. An emphasis is placed on developmentally appropriate practices and addressing diverse needs of learners at primary, intermediate, and middle school levels using the Minnesota social studies standards for curriculum planning.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
EDUC530 Reading and Writing in the Content Areas (2)
This course focuses on how to assess reading and written language skills of middle and high school students, the cognitive and skill levels required by various content-area materials and written tests, use of alternative testing strategies, and instructional strategies for developing strategic readers and competent writers in all content areas. Adaptation of course materials, teaching strategies, and testing for students with exceptional educational needs is featured.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
- EDUC525 Curriculum and Instruction: Grades 5-12
EDUC533 Technology in the Classroom: 5-12 (2)
This course covers an introduction on how to facilitate technology-based learning. Major topics include: 1) information literacy, including criteria for web-based research; 2) discipline-specific software and technology; 3) presentation systems (appropriate PowerPoint usage, using electronic microscope and other digital media); 4) assessment and grading tools; 5) educational uses of wikis, blogs and podcasts; 6) storyboarding applications in education; 7) using technology to support learner assessment, diagnostic analysis, and support data analysis; 8) developing habits of effective monitoring of technology; and 9) using technology in an ethical manner.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
EDUC534 Technology in the Classroom: Grades 5-12 (1)
This course provides an introduction to technology-based learning. Major topics include: 1) information literacy, i.e.criteria for web-based research; 2) discipline-specific software and technology;3) presentation systems (Hyperstudio, projection microscopes, Power Point); and, 4) assessment and grading tools.
EDUC540 Special Methods: Social Studies 5-12 (2)
This course addresses curriculum, skills, and knowledge needed to teach social studies in grades 5-12. Topics include Minnesota Social Studies content standards for middle and high school, lesson and unit planning, and evaluation procedures.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
EDUC525 strongly recommended.
EDUC543 Special Methods: World Languages and Cultures 5-12 (2)
The purpose of this course is to introduce methods for teaching world languages in grades K-12. Topics include lesson and unit planning, the Minnesota Graduation Rule and national standards, questioning skills, and effective teaching strategies.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
EDUC525 strongly recommended.
EDUC544 Special Methods: Communication Arts & Literature 5 (2)
The purpose of this course is to introduce methods for teaching communication arts and literature in middle and high school. Topics include lesson and unit planning, the Minnesota content standards, national standards, and questioning skills.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
EDUC525 strongly recommended.
EDUC545 Special Methods: Mathematics 5-12 (2)
The purpose of this course is to introduce methods for teaching mathematics. Topics include lesson and unit planning, the Minnesota Graduation Rule and national standards, classroom management, and effective teaching strategies.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
EDUC525 strongly recommended.
EDUC546 Special Methods: Physical Science 5-12 (2)
The purpose of this course is to introduce methods for teaching the physical sciences. Topics include lesson and unit planning, the Minnesota Graduation Rule, national standards, questioning skills, discrepant events in science and demonstrations supporting them, and science classroom safety. Classroom management, effective teaching strategies, and utilization of technology to enhance instruction are also stressed.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
EDUC525 strongly recommended.
EDUC547 Special Methods: Life Science 5-12 (2)
The purpose of this course is to introduce methods for teaching the life sciences. Topics include lesson and unit planning, the Minnesota Graduation Rule, national standards, questioning skills, discrepant events in science and demonstrations supporting them, and science classroom safety. Classroom management, effective teaching strategies, and utilization of technology to enhance instruction will also be stressed.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
EDUC525 strongly recommended.
EDUC548 Special Methods: Art Education K-12 (2)
This course combines a knowledge of philosophical and instructional trends in visual art with an understanding of pedagogy and professional development for teachers of visual art. The course will focus on identification, development, and implementation of a standards-based, sequential art curriculum for elementary, middle and high school students.
EDUC550 Middle Level Education (2)
This course focuses on the philosophy, organizational structure, and teaching methods central to middle level education. Particular emphasis is placed upon interdisciplinary planning, team teaching, student advising, and cooperative and exploratory learning. An emphasis is placed on developmentally appropriate practices and addressing needs of diverse learners.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
- EDUC520 Reading, Language Arts and Children’s Literature M
EDUC551 Adolescent Literature (1)
This course is designed to familiarize communication arts teachers with major genres, authors, and award winning books for middle and high school students. Methods for use of adolescent literature in the classroom will be featured, along with critical literary terms and applications.
EDUC554 Clinical Practicum (0)
Students will work under a cooperating teacher in an area school for a significant field experience. Translation of learning theory to classroom practice and preparation for student teaching will be featured.
EDUC555 Student Teaching: Elementary Education (K-6) with (6)
While working closely with a cooperating teacher, the student gradually becomes fully responsible for planning, organizing, and teaching lessons, maintaining a conducive learning environment, and implementing school routines and practices. Students student-teach for a minimum of 15 weeks in the Twin Cities vicinity.
Prerequisites:
- All other licensing coursework
Must be taken concurrently with EDUC570.
EDUC558 Students with Special Needs (1)
This course focuses on understanding and providing differentiated instruction in grades 5-12 for students with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, special gifts and talents, Asperger’s syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and/or other emotional/behavioral disabilities.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
EDUC560 Student Teaching: Early Adolescence/Young Adult 5- (6)
While working closely with a cooperating teacher, the student gradually becomes fully responsible for planning, organizing, and teaching lessons, maintaining a conducive learning environment, and implementing school routines and practices. Students student-teach for a minimum of 15 weeks in the Twin Cities vicinity.
Prerequisites:
- All other licensing coursework
Must be taken concurrently with EDUC570.
EDUC565 Human Relations, Cult Diversity & Am Indian Cult (2)
This course is designed to sensitize students to issues which can cause discriminatory and prejudicial behaviors in students, teachers, administrators, parents, and members of the community at large. Emphasis is placed on developing the skills and dispositions of an inclusive, multicultural teacher in today's diverse classrooms. A particular focus is placed on Minnesota Indian cultures.
EDUC570 Professional Capstone/Portfolio (2)
The course is designed to assist students in integrating their professional identity along program-based dimensions of theory and practice. Candidates complete a professional portfolio that addresses their mastery of the Standards of Effective Practice and outlines plans for professional development.
Prerequisites:
- All other licensing coursework
All other licensing coursework must be taken concurrent with EDUC555/560.
EDUC580 Critical Issues in Education (3)
This course will vary in content according to timeliness of issues, instructors’ fields of expertise, and the educational interests of the students enrolled. This course will cultivate teacher leadership, integrating both educational goals and responsiveness to community issues.
EDUC585 Advanced Literacy Methods for Diverse Learners (3)
This course focuses on the concepts and skills needed to teach kindergarten through eighth grade children who differ in how they acquire literacy because of learning, attention, language, and cultural differences.
Prerequisites:
- EDUC515 Foundations of Education
- EDUC520 Reading, Language Arts and Children’s Literature M
EDUC590 Introduction to Educational Research (2)
This course introduces the student to the fundamentals of designing and conducting educational research. Each student will conduct a literature review on a research topic of special interest, and design an action research proposal.
EDUC595 Philosophy of Education (3)
This course is designed to engage the student in intensive study of the ideas prominent educational philosophers in relation to critical issues in contemporary education. Students will be expected to present and defend a personal philosophy of education that reflects their beliefs relevant to philosophical writings and current issues.
EDUC599 Research Project and Presentation (1)
The Research Project is the culminating activity leading to the M.A. in Instruction degree, and is graded on a pass/fail basis. Students will be expected to present and defend their research.