Education students in the classroom

Graduate Programs

M.Ed. INITIAL LICENSURE

The Elementary and Secondary M.Ed. – Initial Licensure program is designed for any individual who has an undergraduate degree in an area of study other than teacher education and who wants to pursue graduate studies to become licensed as an elementary or secondary school teacher.

Through classroom study and integrated teaching experience in real classrooms, students transition from knowing their subject to knowing how to share that passion with others. After two academic years, candidates complete their degree and can apply for licensure. Once licensed, Valpo graduates are eligible to teach in public schools in Indiana and dozens of other U.S. states.

Elementary Education M.ED Coursework
Foundations Coursework
  • ED 520 – Educational Psychology – 2 credits
  • ED 557 – Curriculum Design – 2 credits
  • ED 570 – Diversity, Equity, and Education – 2 credits
  • ED 567 – English Language Learning Methods – 3 credits
  • SPED 540 – Differentiated Instructional Practices – 3 credits
Methods Coursework
  • ED 510 – Foundations of Emergent and Early Literacy – 3 credits
  • ED 523 – Methods of Teaching Science in the Elementary School – 4 credits
  • ED 524 – Methods of Teaching Math in the Elementary School – 4 credits
  • ED 527 – Methods of Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School – 4 credits
  • ED 529 – Literacy in the Elementary School – 3 credits
Student Teaching
  • ED 545 – Seminar: Efficacy in Professional Practice – 1 credit
  • ED 630 – Supervised Student Teaching – 5 credits

Total: 36 credits

Secondary Education M.ED Coursework
Foundations Coursework
  • ED 506 – School and Society – 2 credits
  • ED 516 – Technology in the classroom – 1 credit
  • ED 521 – Communication for Engagement – 3 credits
  • ED 520 – Educational Psychology – 2 credits
  • ED 557 – Curriculum Design – 2 credits
  • ED 570 – Diversity, Equity, and Education – 2 credits
  • ED 567 – English Language Learning Methods – 3 credits
  • SPED 540 – Differentiated Instructional Practices – 3 credits
Methods Coursework
  • ED 560 – Literacies Across the Content Areas – 3 credits
  • ED 58* – Methods of Teaching in Middle & Secondary Schools (for specific content areas – English, Math, Social Studies, Science) – 3 credits
Student Teaching
  • ED 545 – Seminar: Efficacy in Professional Practice – 1 credit
  • ED 630 – Supervised Student Teaching –  5 credits
Total: 36 credits

Students complete 10 credits of student teaching under the supervision of a cooperating teacher and university field instructor. During the field education experiences, students are engaged in full-time teaching and therefore will not be able to work at another daytime job.

Process

To apply, prospective students must submit the following materials:

  • A completed Graduate School application form
  • Graduate application fee of $30 for U.S. applicants, $50 for international applicants
  • Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work
  • Essay relating graduate study to professional goals, and clearly stating reasons for wanting to become a teacher. (This essay substitutes for the General Essay on the Graduate School application form)
  • Two letters of recommendation. Recommendation forms for each degree are available either online or at the Graduate School. Persons writing the recommendations should not be related to the applicant.

Visit valpo.edu/grad for additional information and application forms.

Upon successful completion of the program, teacher candidates are eligible for a master of education from Valparaiso University and, after passing all assessments required by the state and the education department, an Indiana initial teaching license.

This teaching license qualifies an individual to teach in public and some parochial school settings in Indiana. Indiana teaching licenses are reciprocal with teaching licenses in more than 40 other states and territories in the United States.

Three checkpoints must also be successfully completed in this program — at the time of admission, before the student teaching internship, and at the end of student teaching. More information is available in the course catalog.

Financial aid is available through direct and indirect student loans for students taking six credits or more during fall and spring semesters. Students may also transfer up to nine credits of approved graduate coursework into the program.

There are several forgivable loans available for teachers. This allows students to have their loan either partially or totally forgiven in exchange for years of service in the teaching field.

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