Master of Science in Education

Our Master of Science in Education curriculum is designed for P-12 teachers in which you will have the power to influence, motivate, and empower future generations.

The program is an advanced teacher preparation program created for trained teachers—with a consistent group of learners —who want to improve their teaching skills, increase their professional marketability, and pursue career advancement in areas such as teacher leadership, professional development, or mentoring.

Professional instructors will guide you every step of the way as you:

• Apply action research and other assessment theories and strategies to evaluate and improve your teaching practice and enhance student performance in the classroom
• Explore the reflective decision-maker model and develop competencies required for effective teaching, including various approaches to classroom management and discipline
• Focus on designing curricula for K-12 education in accordance with local and national standards
• Complete a capstone course in which you will implement the methodologies learned in your online coursework, collect and analyze data, and write an action research report focused on improving student learning 

Applicants who received National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) status through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) prior to enrollment may receive transfer credit for the following courses: ED 502 Transforming Teaching Practice, ED 532 Curriculum Design, and ED 562 Student Assessment.

In order to receive credit, candidates must submit, by the end of the first term, an official transcript from the American Council on Education for review and verification by the Prior Learning Assessment Center. This transcript can be obtained by visiting www.acenet.edu/transcripts. Transcripts received by the Prior Learning Assessment Center after the end of the first term may be denied eligibility for an official transfer credit evaluation.

Developing expertise in a particular subject is essential, especially for middle and high school teachers who must exhibit a high level of proficiency in the subject area they teach. Purdue Global's Master of Science in Education program offers three concentrations to help you achieve the academic competencies required in a specific area of teaching.

Teaching Literacy and Language: Focus on developing curricula at the elementary and secondary levels in accordance with the National Council of Teachers of English standards. Develop skills for teaching basic reading and writing skills to elementary, middle, and high school students. Explore ways to help students overcome comprehension difficulties and how to develop courses for students with special learning challenges.

Teaching Students with Special Needs: Special education is an area of teaching in great need of qualified and caring instructors who understand the challenges faced by students with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and physical handicaps. Examine best practices and methods for adapting curricula to accommodate children with special needs. Focus on interventions, transition planning, and complying with federal, state, and local requirements. 

Educational Leadership: Study how to improve the school environment for students, teachers, and the community; enhance student learning; and follow nationally recognized standards developed by the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) and the NCATE/Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC). Examine best practices for educational leadership in the areas of school finance and operations, legal issues in education, curriculum development for school improvement, and supervision and staff development. In addition, focus on the special needs, diversity, and cultural concerns that face site-based administrators.

Master of Science in Education degree candidates must be current or former prekindergarten through 12th grade teachers and are expected, but not required, to hold a valid state teaching license. Candidates should also have a consistent group of learner in which they could apply theory to practice. The Master of Science in Education does not lead to initial teacher certification or teaching endorsements.

Applicants should contact their school district to ensure that a Purdue Global Master of Science in Education degree will satisfy specific state or district requirements for an increase in pay, renewal of a current license, or recertification of an expired license.