Professional goals in education do not always involve working for a public or private K-12 school district. The skills and knowledge students acquire in an online Master of Science in Education — Instruction degree program from the University of Wisconsin-Superior can benefit a variety of careers. Whether you are currently an educator or a professional with a bachelor’s degree in another field, this master’s degree may be the right step to advance your career.
What Is Different About This Degree?
The Master of Science Degree in Education — Instruction is unique in several ways. First of all, you do not need a degree in teaching — or even a teaching certificate or license — to apply for the program. The program does not prepare you for licensure or help you secure a position in the public school system.
Instead, this degree has two distinct purposes: to prepare non-educators for careers in a nontraditional teaching roles or to enhance the planning and instructional practices of educators already working in traditional teaching roles.
What Are the Required Courses?
Course requirements for the degree are also unique among postgraduate degree programs. Like other programs, the Master of Science in Education requires certain core courses; however, of the thirty hours of required coursework, electives comprise half.
Required courses include educational theories in learning, motivation and environment; how to create and use assessments; and effective planning and instructional strategies. A student-designed research project is also a requirement. These core courses help familiarize nontraditional educators with the best practices in teaching. They also support K-12 educators by meeting the professional development requirements of the Wisconsin Teacher Standards.
The electives, however, make this degree stand out. Graduate students interested in pursuing a nontraditional teaching role or a community-based position that requires both educational and leadership components will find a number of coursework options. They can take courses such as administrative leadership, special education and curriculum development, or two courses dealing with diversity, social justice and conflict resolution. Further, according to the University of Wisconsin-Superior, “Students can choose courses from the other two online MSE programs — MSE in Educational Administration or MSE in Special Education — and/or transfer up to 9 approved credit hours to count for three of their elective courses.”
For licensed teachers who want to hone their classroom teaching skills, the program offers eight elective courses. They include some of the same coursework for nontraditional educators but also courses that cover exceptional learners and school law. Teachers in this program can also transfer approved credit hours or select courses from other graduate programs.
How Long Does It take to Earn This Degree?
Students can complete the coursework for the online Master of Science in Education — Instruction in as few as 12 months. The University of Wisconsin-Superior offers several start dates throughout the academic calendar year, so you can begin the program when it is convenient for you.
Perhaps you want to coordinate a community-based Head Start program, or you’d like to use your professional experience and knowledge to teach others in your field as a corporate trainer. Maybe you are a classroom teacher who wants a little more information about students with special needs or how you can start a mediation program at your school. The online Master of Science in Education — Instruction degree offered by the University of Wisconsin-Superior will meet your needs and more.
Learn more about the UW-Superior online MSE Instruction program.
Source:
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction — Teacher Standards
