Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (Grades K–12)

Find the Option That Fits Your Life, Career, and Learning Style

MSEd Traditional: If you’re more comfortable with structured learning, a predictable course load, and a fixed schedule, consider our 20-month traditional MSEd track. The manageable workload is perfect for busy professionals who have a limited amount of weekly time to devote to their studies.

MSEd Accelerated: If you’re a highly motivated educator who wants to fast-track your learning, the MSEd Accelerated track is for you. You can gain all the skills and valuable insights found in the traditional MSEd track and earn your degree in just 12 months.³

MSEd One-Credit: If you’re looking for an innovative, intensive learning experience that offers a set semester-based tuition schedule, the MSEd One-Credit format is a great fit for you. Walden’s MSEd One-Credit Elementary Education format is driven by a classroom teacher-focused curriculum offered in three completion options: 12 months, 16 months, or 20 months.⁴

MSEd Traditional

Curriculum

Completion Requirements

• 30 total semester credits

This sequence represents the minimum time to completion. Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.

Courses

Show Course Descriptions

Course Code	Title	Credits
EDUC 6610	Teacher as Professional Show Effective teachers are leaders who make a positive difference in classrooms, schools, and society.  Education professionals explore what it means to be a teacher leader in today's diverse and changing educational landscape, while gaining expertise in current research-based educational advancements.  They examine their values, beliefs, vision, and mission, and they explore teacher effectiveness in relation to their role in the larger context of the teaching profession. They collaborate in professional learning communities and advocate for students and other educators in order to promote positive social change. They synthesize their learning throughout the course and use this knowledge to enhance professional growth and development.	(3 sem. cr.)
EDUC 6730	Curriculum Design for Learning Show Professional educators must have the knowledge and skill to make important decisions regarding what students learn and how they will learn it to ensure student success. In this course, education professionals engage in a research-based process for designing and mapping curriculum that motivates students and promotes academic success. Beginning with the end in mind, education professionals identify clear learning goals and big ideas, create authentic assessments, and develop essential questions to guide effective instructional planning and ongoing assessments using their district or state standards and/or benchmarks. They also apply the curriculum design process to a subject area they teach, keeping in mind the influence of learning environment, family involvement, and social development on the design process.	(3 sem. cr.)
EDUC 6651	Teacher Leadership in the Classroom: Increasing Learning and Achievement Show The focus of teacher leadership expands from self to students, increasing the sphere of influence of the teacher leader to the classroom context in this course. Education professionals concentrate on advancing their expertise in the field of teaching by increasing their knowledge and skills in three key areas: knowledge of learners and learning; knowledge of subject matter and curriculum goals; and knowledge of effective teaching models, strategies, and practices. They learn to apply this expertise in the classroom in ways that directly affect the learning and achievement of their students.	(3 sem. cr.)
EDUC 6650	Enhancing Learning for Diverse Populations Show In this course, education professionals explore the value of linguistic and cultural diversity and the powerful learning opportunities it affords today's classrooms and schools. They examine their attitudes, beliefs, and biases regarding linguistically and culturally diverse students, families, and communities, and they learn approaches for working together to ensure high levels of learning for all students. Through real-world observations, they assess strategies for ensuring equitable access to high-quality learning experiences. Education professionals also explore effective practices, such as cultural responsiveness, anti-bias curriculum, differentiated instruction, and academic vocabulary development. (Prerequisite(s): Endorsement candidates must complete special education endorsement courses and receive a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher prior to moving into MS in Education courses.)	(3 sem. cr.)
EDUC 6731	Assessment for Student Learning Show Education professionals in this course examine the historical and contemporary perspectives on assessment, including trends in high-stakes assessment and accountability. They learn types and purposes of assessment as well as how to use assessments effectively. Education professionals also analyze strengths and weaknesses of various assessment methods and use ongoing assessments to guide decisions that will improve student performance. They explore and discuss data collecting and analysis, grading, record-keeping, and reporting. Additionally, they learn the importance of student self-assessment and the best ways to support their students in monitoring learning and reflecting on how to improve personal performance.	(3 sem. cr.)
EDUC 6657	Creating an Effective Classroom Learning Environment Show Education professionals have the opportunity to learn to create safe, supportive, and respectful learning environments that promote social-emotional development, self-responsibility, and character, in order to optimize learning for all students. They can learn how to foster a sense of community in the classroom and develop positive relationships with and among students. Skills and strategies for managing dynamic and flexible classroom structures and for teaching conflict resolution are presented. Educators are also provided with strategies for building positive relationships and engaging in effective communication and problem solving with parents and families. (Prerequisite(s): Endorsement candidates must complete special education endorsement courses and receive a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher prior to moving into MS in Education courses.)	(3 sem. cr.)
EDUC 6732	Differentiated Instruction Show The practice of differentiating instruction is a way for educators to meet diverse learning needs and preferences without having to individualize instruction for every student. In this course, education professionals learn how to differentiate five instructional elements—content, product, process, affect, and learning environment—according to  students' interests, readiness, and learning profile. They explore flexible grouping and managing the differentiated classroom. Using their classroom curriculum, they plan and implement differentiated lessons and align them to important learning goals, essential questions, and formative and summative assessments while ensuring that their instruction includes meaningful applications of knowledge. Education professionals also learn how to draw on resources, such as staff, community members, and educators to support the "whole" child in the learning process.	(3 sem. cr.)
EDUC 6674	Designing Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for Students With Special Needs Show Educators must recognize the importance for all students, including students with special needs, to achieve high academic standards. In this course, education professionals examine the learning challenges of students who, by definition of federal law, have disabilities as well as those of students who have significant difficulty with learning but do not qualify for special education services. Education professionals learn how to adapt curriculum, instruction, and assessment to maximize learning for students with special needs. They also have the opportunity to evaluate and describe activities and experiences through the perspective of a student with a learning disability, thus gaining empathy and a deeper understanding of how to work with students with special needs.	(3 sem. cr.)
EDUC 6625	Habits of Mind: Thinking Skills to Promote Self-Directed Learning Show Education professionals in this course are helped to develop skills and strategies to prepare students for living and learning productively in today's society. They complete a variety of assignments designed to provide practical application of course content, such as designing a lesson in which they integrate habits of mind with other instructional elements to achieve multiple outcomes. They also create a rubric that allows students to demonstrate learning in each area of the lesson. Additionally, they reflect on the theories, concepts, and strategies learned in the course and consider the influence of new knowledge on future personal and professional endeavors. Through this course, education professionals learn how to help students manage, motivate, and modify their own learning as a continuing lifelong process.	(3 sem. cr.)
EDUC 6733	Action Research for Educators Show Education professionals use action research in a variety of ways to positively impact P–12 student learning. They examine, design, and implement action research. They address relevant problems, become involved in collaborative inquiry, use data and research to inform their practice, improve P–12 student academic success, and contribute to positive social change in their classrooms and school environments. Education professionals collect and analyze student data, develop and implement data-informed decisions to guide instructional planning, and engage in reflective practices to ensure continuous improvement and enhance professional growth.	(3 sem. cr.)
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Note on Teacher Licensure or Certification
This program does not lead to teacher licensure or certification. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.

Tuition and Fees

Curriculum Component	Requirements	Cost	Total *
Tuition	30 total semester credit hours	$580 per semester hour	$17,400
Technology Fee	Per semester	$210	$1,050
		TOTAL	$18,450
		Transfer up to 15 credits	$9,120
		Total with Maximum Transfer Credits†	$9,330

The tuition reflects the minimum credits to completion. Program completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.

^*Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,000 and $1,400.

^†Maximum transfer credit total includes reduction in technology fee as related to reduced number of courses over time

MSEd Accelerated

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for this master’s program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, teaching experience, and meet the general admission requirements. All applicants must submit a completed online application and transcripts. Depending on program specialization, additional requirements may apply.

More information for international applicants.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this program, educator professionals will be able to:

• Draw on knowledge of subject matter and curriculum to make sound decisions about what is important for students to learn within and across the subject areas of the middle childhood and middle grades curriculum.
• Develop lessons and behaviors that help students learn to respect and appreciate individual and group differences.
• Use a variety of approaches to help students build knowledge and strengthen understanding.
• Identify skills gaps and preconceptions students may bring to the subject.