Walden University Offers Enhanced Online Degrees for Educators in Professional Development and Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

Minneapolis—March 10, 2010—Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership, the leading provider of online education programs, announced that it will be offering new and enhanced MS in Education (MSEd) specializations designed to meet the diverse career goals of today’s educators. Walden made this announcement at the Celebration of Teaching & Learning 2010 conference in New York City. The Celebration is considered one of the leading K–12 education professional development conferences in the Northeast region.

Walden is now one of the only online universities to offer an MSEd with a specialization in Professional Development (Grades P–12). Its Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (Grades K–12) specialization has been enhanced to place greater emphasis on diversity and differentiated learning.

“Throughout 2010, the Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership will continue to add to its program offerings with a focus on providing 21st-century learning opportunities that serve all students,” said Dr. Kate Steffens, dean of the college. “Walden’s programs are designed to address the ongoing needs of our students by giving them the knowledge and skills they need to impact their diverse learning communities.”

MS in Education with Professional Development (Grades P–12) Specialization
Walden’s new Professional Development specialization was designed to prepare teachers to make an impact outside of the classroom. This new area of study will help educators to acquire the knowledge and develop the skills they need to support and improve teaching and learning through the professional development of classroom teachers.

As professional development specialists, educators are focused on teachers, their abilities and their impact on student achievement. This specialization helps prepare educators to create teacher growth opportunities, select appropriate materials and technologies for their schools, develop and implement curricula and assess programs for quality and adherence to educational standards.

Outcomes of the Professional Development specialization are based on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Core Propositions and the National Staff Development Council (NSDC) Standards.

MS in Education with Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (Grades K–12) Specialization
Walden’s enhancements to the MS in Education with Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment specialization are designed to improve teachers’ abilities to respond effectively to their students’ diverse learning needs. Through this MSEd specialization, K–12 teachers can acquire the knowledge and develop the skills to design and implement effective curricula, provide enhanced instruction, evaluate student learning and help all students learn and achieve at the highest levels possible.

The Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (Grades K–12) specialization is based on standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Core Propositions and Early and Middle Childhood Generalist standards.

Walden’s MS in Education program offers a wide range of specializations in areas of critical importance to education today, including leadership, professional development, literacy, technology, mathematics and science. Walden’s degree programs support the needs of educators at all levels, from preschool through higher education, and at various stages of their profession, including career changers interested in pursuing teaching, new and veteran classroom teachers and experienced faculty and administrators.

For more information on the new and enhanced M.S. in Education specializations, visit www.WaldenU.edu/msed.

About Walden University
For 40 years, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 40,500 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries are pursuing their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees at Walden. The university provides students with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network—a global network of 45 online and campus-based universities in 20 countries.

Walden offers more than 40 degree programs with more than 180 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include: health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration, technology and engineering. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.hlcommission.org.