Elementary Licensure
Master of Science in Education - Teaching and Learning - Elementary Courses - 40 credits
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDC 5400 |
Foundations of the Teaching Profession
This is the initial course within the teacher licensure program offering a framework for historical, philosophical, theological, social, ethical, scientific, and technological contributions that have influenced the American public and parochial educational systems. Students will explore contemporary issues in American education as they consider their own personal philosophy of teaching and their future role in the teaching profession in a school community. Additionally, students will consider many of the dilemmas facing a classroom teacher within rural, urban and/or suburban cultures today with respect to current state and federal school law, legal rights, responsibilities and educator expectations. | 3 |
| EDC 5405 |
Educational Psychology: Understanding Theory of Teaching and Learning
This course explores cognitive and behavioral theories in respect to student learning, motivation and instructional strategies to meet the needs of all students. Planned supports such as trauma sensitive classrooms, teacher impact, and the importance of student/teacher relationships are explored as best practices in teaching and learning.
| 3 |
| EDC 5410 |
Interdisciplinary Instruction: Teaching in the Middle School
This course will delve into the unique considerations of the middle-level classrooms. Discussion will center upon the adolescent learner, the middle-school design, and the curricular approaches most impactful at this level. Consideration will be given to approaches of integrating curriculum between traditional core content and specialized curriculum. Students will learn how to integrate fine arts curriculum such as imagination and creativity into core content areas. Ideas of how teachers can deepen student engagement by integrating the arts across the curriculum using activities that incorporate dance, theatre, music, storytelling, poetry and the visual arts into the everyday classroom will be explored. Additionally, this course will stress learning through body- kinesthetic learning throughout the curriculum. | 3 |
| EDC 5415 |
Measuring What Matters: Assessment and Instruction
This course will examine a variety of instructional strategies and introduce the student to the assessment and evaluation processes. Students will explore the processes of both formative and summative assessments for instruction and learn; analyzing the results in relation to learning, effective instruction and student success. | 3 |
| EDC 5420 |
Teaching Diverse Students, Families, and Classrooms
This course is designed to give the learner the knowledge, tools, and dispositions to effectively facilitate a diverse classroom. This course explores the cultural, physical, socially constructed, and psychological differences in people. An emphasis in this course is on understanding how students’ learning is influenced by individual experiences, talents, disabilities, gender, language, culture, family, and community values. | 3 |
| EDC 5425 |
Supporting the Exceptional Learner: Strategies for Success
This course is designed for the student to explore alternative ways of viewing, understanding, and teaching the exceptional child. Specifically, this course provides instruction in the teaching of the following areas for students with disabilities; differentiation, classroom management, co-planning and instructional strategies, technology for learning and understanding special education while meeting the needs of all students. | 3 |
| EDC 5430 |
Science of Reading: Foundations and Instructional Practice
This course explores the science behind effective literacy instruction, equipping educators with research-based strategies to support diverse learners in mastering reading skills. Students will examine foundational reading components, including phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension, while gaining practical skills in assessment and instructional design. Through hands-on activities, students will learn to tailor instruction to foster literacy development across varied learning contexts. | 3 |
| EDC 5441 |
Curriculum and Methods: Social Studies
This course introduces participants to the essential topics and pedagogy necessary to construct a comprehensive social studies curriculum. Emphasis will be placed on content aligned with the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards, including a specific focus on the Native American tribes of Wisconsin. Participants will also explore how to integrate literacy strategies into the social studies curriculum, enhancing students' understanding and engagement with the material. | 1 |
| EDC 5442 |
Curriculum and Methods: Language Arts
This course is designed to introduce participants to the theories, framework, skills, and strategies used in the field of language arts. Strategic reading and writing will be the primary focus, with speaking, listening, and literature integrated throughout the course. Participants will explore differentiated instruction in teaching literacy across all grade levels, with practical applications and opportunities to research, discuss, observe, and apply strategies, resources, and processes involved in literacy learning. | 2 |
| EDC 5440 |
Curriculum and Methods: STEAM
This course will focus on Science and Technology to be analyzed and developed through Engineering and the Arts, with the knowledge that everything is based in elements of Mathematics. Participants will learn to develop, create, implement, and assess a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) program, lessons and units. A variety of frameworks will be reviewed and discussed to allow for easy replication of STEAM units and activities. Inquiry-based lessons for instruction and assessment will be explored to help gain a better understanding of possible classroom applications and projects. Educators will leave the course with a roadmap to better implement STEAM into their classroom, promote STEAM questioning, and develop STEAM PBL (Project Based Learning) units. This framework not only includes the art of aesthetics and design, but also the divisions of the liberal, language, musical, physical and manual arts. | 3 |
| EDC 5445 |
Curriculum and Methods of Mathematics
This course will examine the requisite math topics and skills of the early childhood, elementary and middle-level classroom. Attention will be given to multiple means of explanation for math concepts, the use of manipulatives, and connections to the Wisconsin Standards for Mathematics. | 3 |
| EDC 7205 |
Applied Teaching Seminar: Experience & Evidence I
This seminar pairs supervised classroom experience with professional portfolio development. Candidates refine their instructional practice through an extended teaching placement aligned to their licensure area while receiving coaching from supervisors. Simultaneously, they begin building a working portfolio, collecting artifacts, setting goals, and reflecting on their progress toward professional standards. This is the first of two portfolio and pre-student teaching experiences in the graduate initial licensure program. | 1 |
| EDC 7405 |
Applied Teaching Seminar: Experience & Evidence II
This seminar pairs supervised classroom experience with professional portfolio development. Candidates refine their instructional practice through an extended teaching placement aligned to their licensure area while receiving coaching from supervisors. Simultaneously, they begin building a working portfolio, collecting artifacts, setting goals, and reflecting on their progress toward professional standards. This is the second of two portfolio and pre-student teaching experiences in the graduate initial licensure program. | 1 |
| EDC 7416 |
Student Teaching
This course provides a single culminating clinical experience for graduate students pursuing initial teaching licensure. Conducted in a school setting, teacher candidates work under the guidance of a cooperating teacher within the specific licensure area they are pursuing. Candidates actively engage in planning lessons, delivering instruction, assessing student learning, and modifying lessons to meet diverse learning needs. Through observations, reflective practices, discussions, and participation in professional development meetings, candidates gain practical experience and mentorship to prepare for the responsibilities and expectations of their future teaching roles. | 5 |
| EDC 7450 |
Capstone for Teaching and Learning
This capstone course guides graduate students through the complete process of action-based educational research and project implementation. Candidates will identify a real-world instructional challenge, develop a research-based solution, and compile all components of the capstone project through virtual collaboration and independent work. The course concludes with the formal submission and presentation of the completed project, demonstrating readiness to lead meaningful change in educational settings. | 3 |
| Total Hours | 40 | |