Teacher Leadership (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 credit hours

While the MSED accelerated program is designed to be completed in 12-months, 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 6640	Designing Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Show In this course, education professionals examine classroom curriculum, instruction, and assessment in the context of standards and accountability. The importance of alignment of these components and resulting impact on student learning are emphasized. Educators explore learning theory, learner variables, and the need for differentiation to meet diverse learning needs. Multiple purposes and methods of assessment as well as effective approaches to grading and reporting will be discussed. Using their state or district standards, educators engage in a process for designing standards-driven classroom curriculum, instruction, and assessment that will meet the diverse learning needs of their students. (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 6617	Teacher Leadership in the Classroom: Increasing Learning and Achievement (Accelerating) 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 6616	Enhancing Learning for Diverse Populations (Accelerating) Show Education professionals examine the value of adapting the learning environment for multiple diverse populations within the classroom. They explore their attitudes, beliefs, and biases regarding diverse students, families, and communities, and they learn approaches for working together to ensure high levels of learning for all students. Through real-world application, they assess and implement high-quality learning experiences that provide equitable access to promote positive social change. Education professionals incorporate their students' background experiences and differentiate instruction using effective practices so all P–12 students have the opportunities and resources to learn.	(3 sem. cr.)
EDUC 6647	Dynamic Teacher Leadership Show Education professionals are introduced to the concept of teacher leadership and its value in the field of education today in this course. They engage in personal assessment and analysis so that they may cultivate the dispositions and attitudes of a teacher leader for the purpose of effecting positive change in their learning communities. They also learn the critical importance of expanding their knowledge of educational research and theory to guide leadership decisions that effectively address today's educational challenges. Education professionals complete coursework that emphasizes self-examination and self-perceptions with regard to teacher leadership.	(3 sem. cr.)
EDUC 6604	Creating an Effective Classroom Learning Environment (Accelerating) 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.	(3 sem. cr.)
EDUC 6655	Teacher Leadership: Mentoring, Coaching, and Collaboration With Colleagues Show Education professionals address teacher leadership in the context of advancing the expertise and leadership of peers, thereby expanding education professionals' spheres of influence beyond the walls of the classroom. They explore mentoring and coaching models designed to promote the professional growth of their colleagues. They learn and apply skills for mentoring novice teachers and for engaging in coaching relationships with peers at all stages of the teacher development cycle. Through conceptual and application-based activities, education professionals address various forms of collaboration with colleagues, focusing on interpersonal and communication skills.	(3 sem. cr.)
EDUC 6619	Designing Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for Students with Special Needs (Accelerating) Show This course emphasizes the need for all students, including students with special needs, to achieve high academic standards. Education professionals in this course 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. Educators learn how to adapt curriculum, instruction, and assessment to maximize learning for students with special needs.	(3 sem. cr.)
EDUC 6618	Teacher Leadership in Professional Learning Communities (Accelerating) Show The sphere of influence for education professionals is extended from working with peers to engaging with stakeholders throughout the greater school community in this course. Education professionals learn the processes, benefits, and challenges of building and working in learning communities to identify issues and solve problems that affect student learning and achievement. They consider professional growth and development as an integral part of various types of school improvement processes. Additionally, they engage in a variety of practical assignments, such as an analysis of their own school's development of mission, vision, values, goals, and communication elements as a professional learning community.	(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.)
VIEW ALL COURSES Less Courses

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

Admission 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

Graduates of this program will be prepared to:

• Engage students in learning within and across the disciplines and help students understand how the subjects they study can be used to explore important issues in their lives and the world around them.
• Collaborate with colleagues to improve schools and to advance knowledge and practice in their field.
• Use a variety of approaches to help students build knowledge and strengthen understanding.
• Identify skills gaps and preconceptions students may bring to the subject.
• Use diverse instructional strategies to teach for understanding.
• Collaborate with others to improve student learning.
• Collaborate with other professionals on instructional policy, curriculum development, and staff development.