Master of Education

The Master of Education degree (M.Ed) program at The College of St. Scholastica is a fully online degree program for practicing teachers and other education professionals. The program engages learners to reflect upon their teaching practices to improve student learning and address critical issues in today's schools. We prepare "21st century teachers" who are both familiar and comfortable with the technology of the modern classroom. Learners will also acquire new strategies on how to use data and research to impact their classrooms.

St. Scholastica's Master of Education program offers students 3 concentration options to fulfill their elective requirements:

• Educational Technology (certificate awarded)
• Online Instruction (certificate awarded)
• Professional Studies (focus electives on your interests)

Program Components

Cohort model

Online learning isn't independent learning at St. Scholastica. We've applied a cohort model to our M.Ed., which means you'll move through the program with the same group of colleagues. We've also implemented a host of technologies to help bridge the gap between the computer and the classroom.

Program Advisor

An online advisor is assigned to you at the beginning of the program and stays with you until you graduate. Your online advisor is available to answer questions and offer support.

Other student resources

• Wimba Classroom is a fully functional virtual classroom that allows you to participate in live discussions with other students, attend online lectures, and much more.
• A 24-hour help desk means that you'll never struggle alone with an uncooperative computer.
• Instant messaging and discussion boards enable virtual class discussions.
• Other support services, including Atomic Learning and SMARTHINKING, help you master important software and provide online tutoring support to make sure you have help when you need it.

Professional Core

Current Issues and Future Trends in Education (3 credits)
This course will provide an introduction to the M.Ed. Program and will examine 21st Century teaching and learning as it applies to reflective practice, issues of equity and social justice, and global educational perspectives. In addition, education theory will be introduced as it applies to education policy and practice to engage learners in professional scaffolding of knowledge and best practice for 21st Century teachers and learners. Future trends in education will be examined and discussed.

21st Century Technologies for Teaching (3 credits)
Course will provide an overview of current research and application of 21st Century technology to increase student learning and enhance teaching. Participants will gain useful tools and skills to integrate technology into their practice. In addition, participants will assess current technology skills and knowledge to increase competency and application of technology.

Promoting Critical and Creative Thinking in the Classroom (3 credits)
Course will develop tools for inquiry-based instruction to enhance and further develop critical thinking skills. Strategies for competency in the development of critical thinking pedagogy will be explored, evaluated and developed for ones' own practice.

Assessment and Data Driven Decision Making (3 credits)
Course examines assessment and the process of using data to make informed decisions and to develop sound assessment tools that increase student learning. Participants will evaluate and plan assessment strategies for practical application. In addition, the relationship between curriculum, instruction, and assessment will be examined.

Culturally Responsive Instruction (3 credits)
Course will examine contemporary trends in education as they relate to the changing landscape of today's schools and how engaging in reflective practice and critical pedagogy can increase student learning. Participants will develop instructional strategies to meet the needs of a diverse student body using 21st technology and pedagogy grounded in education theory, bridging theory and practice.

Course builds upon previous introduced educational research and challenges contemporary concepts of Action Research. Each participant explores and develops a critical question and drafts a capstone proposal. Participants learn to design and engage in structured inquiry. In addition, course will further develop participant's understanding of educational research, its uses, purpose and the different types. This course is the first of two.

Research Based Inquiry-Capstone II (3 credits)
Course is part two of the research-based series of courses. Participants conduct classroom research to answer developed research question posed in the first course. Students determine the format in which to demonstrate their competency in project criteria.