Welcome
All educators, regardless of their employment setting, strive to facilitate learning. The goal of the Master of Science in Education program is to foster development of educators who engage in reflective practice.
Many full time students finish the degree in two semesters plus a one summer school session. Others finish the course work in two or three years, attending summer sessions and taking a few classes during the year. But you can take as long as seven years to complete the degree. (On-campus students can transfer up to ten credits of course work into the M.S. Education program. If you have already earned graduate credits at UW-Stout, or any other accredited university, your program director will help you determine if you have credits eligible for transfer. Online students must complete 30 credits through UW-Stout.)
Graduates of the Master of Science in Education find new positions in educational fields or return to the classroom with an enhanced understanding of themselves, learners, pedagogy, and leadership.
The Master of Science in Education (with either the professional development concentration or the certification concentration) is offered on campus. Many required courses are offered in the evening, on weekends, or in the summer. The Master of Science in Education with the professional development concentration is also offered entirely online, with cohort groups starting in the fall and spring semesters.
Core Program
All students take core classes that explore current issues in teaching and learning. Core program objectives address planning and preparation, instruction, the learning environment, and professionalism.
Upon completion of the Masters of Science in Education, graduates will demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and dispositions:
Planning and Preparation
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Explore the personal, historical, philosophical, sociological, psychological, multicultural, and political influences in educational practice from an organizational and personal perspective.
- Analyze current issues and trends in education in the context of educational research and historical foundations of education.
Instruction
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Examine how various orientations to curriculum integrate the theoretical, instructional, and educational modes of discourse.
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Plan, evaluate, and revise curriculum used in your practice.
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Analyze, evaluate, and revise your teaching and make judgments about the appropriateness of various teaching methods in various contexts.
Learning Environment
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Use and evaluate educational technologies appropriate to your practice.
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Analyze the philosophy and principles underlying organization and operation of schools.
Professionalism
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Examine personal practice to reflectively develop a personal philosophy and practice of education in one or more areas of educational specialization.
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Interpret assessment data, educational research, and conduct applied research to improve teaching and learning.
All students work with a committee or research advisor to complete a research project. The students choose from one of three research options: a traditional research paper, a program evaluation, or a research grant proposal. Each option will include a research methods course and an applied research project.
Certification Concentration
The Certification concentration is for individuals who are interested in obtaining a teaching certification while pursuing the M.S. degree. You do not have to possess an undergraduate degree in teaching in order to qualify for this program. In addition to the required course work in the M.S. in Education, course work must be completed in psychology, curriculum development, foundations of education, reading and language arts, evaluation/assessment, exceptional needs education, and discipline-specific pedagogy.
The following certifications are available to all on campus M.S. Education students:
- Broadfield Science Education
- Early Childhood Education
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Family and Consumer Sciences Education
- Marketing and Business Education
- Special Education
- Technology Education
In addition, individuals who currently hold a Wisconsin teaching license can complete the following with the M.S. in Education certifications:
- Adaptive Special Education
- Reading Teacher (online)
Meeting with an advisor on an individual basis will determine the number of credits needed to become certified. At least 20 credits plus student teaching must be completed at Stout to be recommended for certification by UW-Stout.
Professional Development Concentration
The Professional Development concentration is designed for K-12 licensed teachers seeking further professional development, or other professional educators (such as post-secondary teachers, business/industry educators, post-secondary coaches, post secondary student service providers) who desire further professional development. This concentration allows individuals to tailor the electives section of the program to meet their professional goals. The requirements are comparable with PI 34 Professional Development Plans. This concentration is available on campus or online.
Financial Help
The university offers a limited number of graduate assistantships. Scholarships are available for selected groups, including minorities. Some students take out loans. The Graduate School and program director have information on assistantships, while the Financial Aid Office can supply information on loans and scholarships.