Masters of Education
Quality Schools
Collaborative Learning and Teaching
Mild/Moderate Special Education
Technology Integration
Emphasis in Quality Schools
The Master of Education with an Emphasis in Quality Schools will be offered exclusively by distance learning in an online format enhanced with video. There are no residency requirements for this program. Please refer to distance learning requirements for computer hardware, software, and knowledge prerequisites.
The program centers on the work of Dr. William Glasser's Quality School concepts. Glasser is a world-renowned psychiatrist, educator, and author of several books including Schools Without Failure, Choice Theory, The Quality School and Every Student Can Succeed. Glasser says choice theory is the cornerstone of a quality education. With choice theory, the key to effective education is a strong student-teacher relationship built on trust and respect. Reduced discipline problems, increased parental support, and improved test scores are results that are achieved consistently in Glasser's quality schools.
Emphasis in Collaborative Learning and Teaching
Showcased by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) as a model program, this program provides teachers the option of completing a master's program designed around standards and requirements for National Board Certification.
The Master of Education in Collaborative Teaching and Learning is created for K-12 teachers and is designed to provide a meaningful course of graduate study regardless of subject area certification. It involves 30 hours of coursework to be completed either as a residency or online. The course focuses on the study and practical implemenation of the NBPTS core propositions and assists practicing teachers in preparing for the NBPTS process.
Residency students will complete all coursework at one of our four campuses: Lamoni, Iowa; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa; or Independence, Missouri. Distance learning students will complete the coursework through the Internet in collaboration with a faculty mentor. Please refer to the distance learning requirements for computer hardware, software, and knowledge prerequisites.
Emphasis in Mild/Moderate Special Education
The Master of Education with an Emphasis in Mild/Moderate Special Education will be offered exclusively by distance learning in an online format enhanced with video. There are no residency requirements for this program. Please refer to distance learning requirements for computer hardware, software, and knowledge prerequisites.
This Master's is designed to enhance the teaching skills of K-12 Mild/Moderate Special Education teachers or for teachers who have mild/moderate students within their non special education classroom. It is a curricular and instructional methodologies based degree with a diagnostic testing course to administer and use results for individual and classroom instruction. Either a K-6 or 7-12 emphasis is available.
Program topics, learning experiences and outcomes are based on the five core propositions of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Additionally, this program is aligned with the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) content standards.
Emphasis in Technology Integration
This Master of Education emphasizes cutting edge technology that teachers can use to improve student learning in their classroom. Teachers will evaluate the tools they have available and create a plan for ongoing skills improvement for themselves and their students. They will learn to use the technology they have to actively engage students in learning, inherently manage student behavior and create dynamic curriculum by tapping into their students’ natural motivations. Beyond elevating the student’s performance, teachers will also learn to utilize technology to assist in collaborating and establishing interpersonal relationships with other professionals. Technology that is covered includes podcasting, wiki’s, blogs, Microsoft Photo Story, electronic portfolios and more.
This program is aligned with the NETS-T Standards (National Education Techology Standards for Teachers) as well as the NBPTS standards (National Board for Professional Teaching Standards).
This ten-course program consists of eight required courses and then each student will select from one of two paths of two additional courses that meet their specific needs. The two paths are Virtual Schools and Differentiated Instruction. Virtual Schools explores how to design and teach an online course. Differentiated Instruction examines how to design instruction for diverse learning styles.
