The Elementary Master's Program in the School of Education offers an advanced degree for experienced teachers seeking to enhance their knowledge and skill as teachers.

Core courses in the major include opportunities for students to explore current theories of learning and instruction, to engage in inquiry and reflection on teaching practice, to examine the social and cultural contexts of contemporary schools, and to analyze the nature and purposes of current perspectives on curriculum. Students also select courses in the advanced study of content areas relevant to elementary education. The program encourages candidates to pursue individual interests in depth through elective courses. Since most of the candidates in the program are practicing teachers, no additional formal field experience is required. Students, however, often use the course assignments as an opportunity to integrate current curriculum theory and teaching methods into their own classroom practices. As a culminating experience, students elect to write a thesis or complete a practicum project. The practicum option is often selected by students and is carried out as an action research project in their own classroom or school. Recent examples of such projects can be found at the School of Education on each campus.

Degree Requirements

Major (12 cr.)

• J500 Instruction in the Context of Curriculum (3 cr.)
• E535 Elementary School Curriculum (3 cr.)

Choose two of the following courses (Students may choose other courses related to elementary education with the approval of an advisor):

• E545 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Reading in the Elementary Schools (3 cr.) (Bloomington) OR L500 Instructional Issues In Language Learning (3 cr.) (Indianapolis)
• E547 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Social Studies in the Elementary Schools (3 cr.)
• E548 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Science in the Elementary Schools (3 cr.)
• E595 Problem Analysis in Elementary Education: (variable title) (1-3 cr.)
• J511 Methods of Individualizing Instruction (3 cr.)
• N543 Advanced Study in the Teaching of Mathematics in the Elementary Schools (3 cr.)

Foundations (3 cr.)
Select one of the following courses:

• H504 History of American Education (3 cr.)
• H520 Education and Social Issues (3 cr.)
• H525 Anthropology of Education (3 cr.)
• H530 Philosophy of Education (3 cr.)
• H540 Sociology of Education (3 cr.)
• P510 Psychology in Teaching (3 cr.)
• P515 Child Development (3 cr.)
• P516 Adolescent Development (3 cr.)
• P525 Psychological Issues in Education (3 cr.)
• P540 Learning and Cognition in Education (3 cr.)
• P544 Applied Cognition and Learning Strategies (3 cr.)

Electives (15 cr.)
Elective courses must complement the major, and may be from within or outside of the School of Education. Students wishing to focus on a particular discipline, such as mathematics, science, or social studies, may include courses from these fields here. Elective courses must be approved by a program advisor.

Thesis, Practicum, or Other (6 cr.)

• X599 Master’s Thesis in Education (1-6 cr.)
• J538 M.S. Practicum/Internship (1-6 cr.)
• Other courses selected with the approval of your faculty advisor