MS - Elementary Education Program of Study
Program of Study
The coursework for the Master’s in Elementary Education consists of 33 graduate credit hours, which include foundational, methods, and clinical experience courses.
Step 1 - Foundations (12 hours)
- EL 751 Application of Developmental Theories (3 hrs)
This course is for students who are practitioners in any educational setting from pre-K through secondary school. Course covers the main theories currently used as the foundation for quality education, pre-K through late adolescence and young adults. Effective practitioners can articulate the theoretical bases for teaching goals and strategies.
- EL 892 Teaching/Learning Models (3 hrs)
This course will provide educators the opportunity to examine and apply research-based instructional strategies that positively affect student learning and achievement.
- EL 750 Classroom Management and Student Motivation (2 hrs)
This course is designed for both the practicing and pre-service teacher. It studies the problems related to classroom management, student motivation and discipline. Procedures and practices for managing school classrooms are reviewed with attention given to appropriate classroom teaching methodology and needs of the student. Some individualization of instruction will be offered to the students as they establish their personal plan for classroom and student management.
- *IT 727 Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (2 hrs)
This course is designed to enhance and extend the technology skills of practicing educators, apply those skills in innovative ways, and create lesson plans that support collaborative, project-based learning. It examines the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings required to transition to a technology-rich classroom. Practical ideas, suggestions and lesson plans to ensure successful technology integration will be provided.
- *EL 725 Differentiating Instruction (2 hrs)
The term differentiation is currently used in the educational world to describe implementation of instruction that encompasses diverse learners. The content of this course focuses on diversity under a broader term - differentiating instruction. This better describes the personalization of a student’s instruction and the content of the course.
* These courses can be taken during any of the steps and may be used to help balance hours for financial aid. All other courses must be completed prior to entering Step 3.
Step 2 - Methods / Practice (17 hours)
- EL 803 Best Practices in Elementary Science (3 hrs)
This course is designed to develop prospective and in-service elementary teachers’ knowledge and skills in teaching problem solving and inquiry based science. Course focus will include relevant research and standards, including STEM integration, to the effective teaching of elementary science content. Concepts and material developed in the class will be related to actual classroom situations.
- EL 801 Best Practices in Elementary Language Arts (3 hrs)
The skills, understandings, and values developed through the teaching of oral and written communication in the elementary school. Tools for communication and self-expression included in spelling, manuscript, and cursive writing, grammar, listening, speaking vocabulary, and creative expression will be reviewed.
- EL 804 Best Practices in Elementary Social Studies (3 hrs)
Designed to assist prospective and in-service teachers in understanding procedures for teaching social studies, content and materials appropriate for social studies at the various levels, and present influences and trends affecting the teaching of elementary social studies. Concepts and material developed in the class will be related to actual classroom situations.
- EL 802 Best Practices in Elementary Mathematics (3 hrs)
This course is designed to develop prospective and in-service elementary teachers' knowledge and skill in teaching mathematics. Course focus will include relevant research and standards, applicable to the effective teaching of mathematics content to elementary school students. Concepts and material developed in the class will be related to actual classroom situations.
- EL 721 Reading Theory and Practice Elementary (3 hrs)
Emphasis is placed on the teaching of reading and its relationship to the language arts (reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing). The content includes an overview of theories and learning models that have influenced the teaching of reading. Discussions will focus on the importance of a literacy-rich environment both in the classroom and home. Prominent research in reading education will be reviewed and applied to the student’s own learning situation.
- EL 819 Practicum Experience (Fall or Spring semesters only) (2 hrs)
A practicum is a practical course of study. This practicum course is designed to provide an opportunity for the Candidate to integrate and demonstrate skills acquired in method’s coursework. The Candidate will have opportunities to self-monitor personal teaching and classroom roles and responsibilities (including daily observation/participation, planning and teaching of lessons).
Candidates will complete the above 17-credit hours of methods coursework. While enrolled in these methods courses, candidates must complete two credit hours of practicum experience, applying pedagogy gained in the methods coursework.
Step 3 - Clinical / Student Teaching (4 hrs)
- EL 875 Clinical Experience (4 hrs)
A clinical experience is designed to create a shadowing/residency type setting for Candidates. This course is designed to provide an opportunity for the Candidate to integrate and demonstrate professional teaching skills. The Candidate will have opportunities to self-monitor personal teaching and classroom roles and responsibilities (including daily teaching routines, planning and teaching of lessons, classroom management, and meeting the needs of all learners in a PK-6 classroom setting).
The final four credit hours above consist of 12 weeks (480 hours contact hours) clinical experience in an elementary school. Candidates will apply the knowledge, skills, and dispositions gained through coursework.
Components of the clinical experience are:
- Placement – Candidates will have the opportunity to choose the location of their elementary classroom placement, subject to approval.
- Mentor – A mentor will be chosen by the candidate to provide day-to-day collaboration and support. The mentor must be approved and be from the placement school. The mentor is expected to conduct weekly observations and oversee the candidate’s self-evaluation process.
- Supervisor – An Emporia State University supervisor will be assigned to support the mentor and candidate in this collaboration, as well as review and assess requirements of the clinical experience.
- Teaching Portfolio – During the clinical experience, candidates will complete the Kansas Performance Teaching Portfolio (KPTP), a requirement for licensure.
- Praxis Exam – Candidates must take Praxis Elementary Education Content and PLT tests required for licensing in the state and program completion. (Emporia State University is a certified testing site for the Praxis exam. Learn more...