Master of Education
For educators planning to take the next step in their careers, the Master of Education program is an excellent choice.
Grand View's Master of Education program offers you the flexibility to design your graduate studies to fit your interests and goals. You can select one endorsement area and pair it with the core or take graduate credit in any GV program - it's that easy! To earn a master's degree, you need a minimum of 33 credits.
Why Grand View?
- Convenient online or blended core courses structured for working professionals.
- Small class sizes - you'll get personal attention and get to know your classmates
- Develop meaningful relationships with your professors
- Innovative curriculum and teaching methods - you'll learn skills you can put to work immediately in your classroom or school environment
- Personalize your education to match your goals
- Grand View is approved by the Iowa Association of Area Education agencies to offer graduate professional development credit
- Students can transfer up to six (6) approved graduate credit hours, including graduate professional development credit
| Admission and Application Requirements (M.Ed.) |
Admission Requirements
- A baccalaureate degree earned from a regionally accredited institution, evidenced by an official transcript.
- Validated minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. (Students below 3.0 will be considered for provisional acceptance.)
- A current or pending license to teach in the state of Iowa.
- Complete the application for admission.
Submit the following:
- Include a statement of purpose with application that addresses: 1) the student’s interest in the program, including the identification of short-term and long-term career goals; 2) the skills and experiences the student will contribute to the program; 3) expectations the student has of the program.
- A professional resume.
- Two letters of recommendation (professional and/or academic)
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| Admission and Application Requirements (Stand-Alone Endorsements) |
Admission Requirements
- A baccalaureate degree earned from a regionally accredited institution, evidenced by an official transcript.
- Validated minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. (Students below 3.0 will be considered for provisional acceptance.)
- A current or pending license to teach in the state of Iowa.
- Complete the application for admission.
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| Course Requirements |
Culturally Responsive Teacher Leadership Core (15 credits)
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| Culturally Responsive Educational Leadership
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3 credits
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Offered first 8 weeks of fall semester
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The focus of this course is developing the attitudes, dispositions, and skills needed to lead in multicultural educational settings. Students will explore and examine their individual leadership styles and will understand processes of school improvement and second order change. Students will explore major state initiatives like: Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, the Iowa Core, and the Early Literacy Initiative. This course will also examine theoretical and historical issues that affect the culture and climate of schools and that require school leaders to be culturally competent and culturally responsive. Participants will examine issues such as, urban education, rural education, immigration, overpopulation, low funding, segregation, linguistic diversity, race and discrimination, and low achievement. This course will deeply examine how school leaders can apply various theoretical lenses to address issues related to urban schooling. Students will also begin to analyze and use data to better understand student achievement and school environment.
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| Improving Collaborative Culture Through Instructional Coaching, Modeling, and Mentoring
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3 credits
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Offered first 8 weeks of spring semester
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In this course, students will explore a variety of strategies and models for creating a collaborative culture and will develop the effective communication skills required of teacher leaders, such as an instructional coaches and mentors. Students will learn how to use data, gap analysis, and action planning to prioritize professional development needs. Then, students will apply adult learning theory and Universal Design for Learning to plan professional development for classroom teachers. Students will then practice delivering professional development, anticipating and responding to the potential pitfalls that may arise as a result of the change and reform process. This course also focuses on establishing the theoretical foundations for using non-evaluative techniques for peer feedback, coaching, modeling, and mentoring. Students will gain experience conducting walk-through observations, designing questions focused on promoting instructional growth, providing specific, constructive feedback to peers, modeling effective teaching strategies for peers, goal-setting, and problem solving.
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| Empowering the Community Through Education
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3 credits
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Offered second 8 weeks of fall semester
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In order to meet the demands of the 21st century, schools need to create organized and planned partnership programs that fosters an environment which encourages families to become actively involved and contribute to their student’s academic success. These partnership programs must recognize that student learning is not confined to the school, but takes place in both in the home and the greater community. This course, therefore, features an introduction to the theory and principles of community education, an approach to education that builds upon the strengths and actively addresses needs within a community. Some of the examples studied will be full-service community schools, after school programs, adult and cooperative learning programs, and community based efforts to bring about social change. Students will analyze current and historical examples of community education and design strategic plans for fostering community-school collaboration in their own practice.
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| Educational Policy and Law |
3 credits
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Offered 8 weeks in May / June
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In this course, students will understand the major legal and policy issues that are affecting schools in the 21st century. Students will examine and explore educational legal precedent with a focus on how schools leadership teams collaborate when problem-solving. Students will also understand the legal, economic, and social implications of major policy initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels and how to advocate for students’ and other stakeholders’ needs within policy frameworks.
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| Research in Education |
3 credits |
Offered second 8 weeks of spring semester
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This course will focus on exploring the strengths and limitations of various research designs and the use of research in education. Students will have the opportunity to read a variety of research and explore differing purposes of various kinds. They will design a small research project focused on improving instructional practice in their classroom, building, or district. Students will reflect on their own practice and develop strategies for incorporating new research findings and resources into their practice to increase Pre-K/12 students’ achievement.
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| Student Testimonials |
Dr. Jaclyn Easter
“Dr. Easter has gone above and beyond for me on too many occasions to mention. She has encouraged me to present with her at a statewide teacher's conference, encouraged me to take multiple education practicum opportunities, and has overall pushed me to be the strong, confident student teacher I am today. She is truly an amazing woman. My Grand View experience simply would not have been nearly as remarkable without her. That is why Dr. Easter is absolutely deserving of the mentor appreciation award.” ?- Madison Green
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Endorsements
These endorsements can be paired with the core or taken for stand-alone graduate credit.
ELL (20-21 credits)
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- ELL Methods (3)
- ELL Assessment (3)
- ELL Practicum (2)
- Linguistics for Educators (3)
- Language Acquisition (3)
- Serving Immigrant and Multilingual Students (3)
- Modern Languages for the 21st Century Educator (3) or Foreign Language (4)
Transcripts must be analyzed to identify the specific requirements needed to complete any endorsement.
Learn More About the ELL Program
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Instructional Coaching Certificate (10 credits)
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Please consider this opportunity to add the Instructional Coaching Certificate to your MEd. Almost twenty percent of teachers are in a leadership position in their schools. This certification provides further training for roles that include the coaching of teachers in instruction and for providing professional development. For one additional credit hour and a fifty hour internship, you can be certified by Grand View as an Instructional Coach. This program is entirely online with you performing internship hours at your school. You will work with the Graduate Program Coordinator and receive feedback on your reflections on your internship hours and experiences.
Courses You Will Take
*Instructional Coaching Certificate is a 10 credit certificate. However, 9 of the credit hours are already included in Grand View's Masters of Education program, making it easy to complete.
- EDGR 521 Culturally Responsive Educational Leadership (3)
- EDGR 559 Educational Policy an Law (3)
- EDGR 561 Improving Collaborative Culture through Coaching, Modeling, and Mentoring (3)
- EDGR 589 Instructional Coach Internship (1)
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| Instructional Strategist I (25 credits)
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Grand View’s Instructional Strategist I endorsement program allows teachers who are currently teaching to complete an endorsement to teach special education. Current teachers interested in teaching and working with students with special needs can add Grand Views’ Instructional Strategist I endorsement. Our program addresses multiple learning disabilities and equips teachers to work in K-8 or 5-12 mild/moderate instruction settings. This endorsement authorizes teachers for K-8 or 5-12 mild/moderate instruction, an in-demand teacher shortage area in Iowa.
Grand View’s Education program offers individualized, high-quality education that can lead to long-term career opportunities. Become equipped to work with individuals using evidence-based practices that meet the needs in our rapidly changing schools.
Courses You Will Take
Several of these courses are a part of teacher licensure. Licensed teachers enrolling in the program will have transcripts reviewed to determine how credits will transfer.
- Human Development (PSYC 212)
- Pedagogies of Exceptional Learners (EDUC 242)
- Instructional Strategist I Methods (EDUC 343 / EDGR 533)
- Career / Vocational Programming (EDUC 360 / EDGR 535)
- Education Practicum: Instructional Strategist I (EDUC 362 / EDGR 532)
- Working with Families, Teachers, and Community Agencies (EDUC 363 / EDGR 536)
- Mental Health First Aid / Trauma-Informed Care: What to Know to Be Successful with Children (EDUC 415 / EDGR 515)
- Assessing and Instructing Struggling Readers (EDUC 431 / EDGR 543)
- Diagnosis and Evaluation of Special Education Students (EDUC 440 / EDGR 538)
- Individual Behavior Management (EDUC 475 / EDGR 539)
Download Course Schedule
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Instructional Strategist II: Intellectual Disabilities (25 credits)
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Grand View University offers future and current teachers the opportunity to add Instructional Strategist II endorsements in Intellectual Disabilities (ID) or Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders (LD/BD). These K-12 endorsements will prepare you to meet the educational needs of complex learners in your school community.
The Instructional Strategist II: ID endorsement is required to serve students with significant intellectual disabilities in the school setting. Because the endorsement is in a shortage area, adding it has the potential to expand your career opportunities exponentially. The endorsement allows you the opportunity to realize your vocation to be a valued and effective educator of students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Please note that teachers with an Instructional Strategist I endorsement may only have 9 to 10 hours to finish to complete the Instructional Strategist II endorsement.
Courses You Will Take
Several of these courses are a part of teacher licensure for those with Instructional Strategist I endorsements. Licensed teachers enrolling in the program will have transcripts reviewed to determine how credits will transfer.
- Pedagogies of Exceptional Learners (EDUC 242, 3 credits)
- Career / Vocational Programming (EDUC 360 / EDGR 535, 3 credits)
- Working with Families, Teachers, and Community Agencies (EDUC 363 / EDGR 536, 3 credits)
- Instructional Strategist II: Characteristics of Intellectual Disabilities (EDUC 367/EDGR 574, 3 credits)
- Diagnosis and Evaluation of Special Education Students (EDUC 440 / EDGR 538, 3 credits)
- Instructional Strategist II Methods: Using Assistive Technology (EDUC 466 / EDGR 566, 1 credit)
- Instructional Strategist II Methods: Designing Curriculum and Instruction for Students with ID (EDUC 467 / EDGR 567, 1 credit)
- Instructional Strategist II Methods: Challenging Behaviors (EDUC 468 / EDGR 568, 1 credit)
- Instructional Strategist II Methods: Education Assessment (for ages 5-21) (EDUC 469 / EDGR 569, 1 credit)
- Instructional Strategist II: ID Practicum (EDUC 472/ EDGR 572, 3 credits)
- Individual Behavior Management (EDUC 475 / EDGR 539, 3 credits)
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Instructional Strategist II: Learning Disabilities & Behavioral Disorders (25 credits)
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Grand View University offers future and current teachers the opportunity to add Instructional Strategist II endorsements in Intellectual Disabilities (ID) or Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders (LD/BD). These K-12 endorsements will prepare you to meet the educational needs of complex learners in your school community.
The Instructional Strategist II: LD/BD endorsement is required to serve students with significant learning disabilities and behavioral disorders in a school setting. You’ll engage in rewarding work as students develop emotionally and behaviorally. Having the additional endorsement will be a valuable credential in your job search.
Please note that teachers with an Instructional Strategist I endorsement may only have 9 to 10 hours to finish to complete the Instructional Strategist II endorsement.
Courses You Will Take
Several of these courses are a part of teacher licensure for those with Instructional Strategist I endorsements. Licensed teachers enrolling in the program will have transcripts reviewed to determine how credits will transfer.
- Pedagogies of Exceptional Learners (EDUC 242, 3 credits)
- Career / Vocational Programming (EDUC 360 / EDGR 535, 3 credits)
- Working with Families, Teachers, and Community Agencies (EDUC 363 / EDGR 536, 3 credits)
- Instructional Strategist II: Characteristics of Learning Disabilities & Behavioral Disorders (EDUC 366/EDGR 573, 2 credits)
- Mental Health First Aid / Trauma-Informed Care: What to Know to Be Successful with Children (EDUC 415 / EDGR 515, 1 credit)
- Diagnosis and Evaluation of Special Education Students (EDUC 440 / EDGR 538, 3 credits)
- Instructional Strategist II Methods: Learning Disabilities (EDUC 478 / EDGR 578, 2 credits)
- Instructional Strategist II Methods: Behavioral Disorders (EDUC 479 / EDGR 579, 2 credits)
- Instructional Strategist II: LD/BD Practicum (EDUC 464/ EDGR 564, 3 credits)
- Individual Behavior Management (EDUC 475 / EDGR 539, 3 credits)
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Reading (17 credits)
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- Language Acquisition and Learning (3)
- Writing Across the Curriculum (3)
- Content Area Reading (3)
- Assessing and Instructing Struggling Readers (3)
- Teaching Individualized Reading (3)
- Education Practicum: Reading K-8/5-12 (2)
The endorsement requirements vary slightly for elementary and secondary levels. Transcripts must be analyzed to identify the specific requirements needed to complete any endorsement.
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| STEM (15 credits) |
- Inquiry, Problem Solving, and the Nature of STEM (2)
- Models and Methods of Teaching STEM (2)
- Engineering, Programming, and Design for Educators (2)
- Experiential STEM (1)
- STEM electives -- selected with your advisor (7)
State endorsement also requires: 12 hrs. of Science, 12 hrs. of Math, elementary or secondary math methods course and an elementary or secondary science methods course.
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Grand View University has partnered with VESi to provide you with affordable online courses. VESi offers online continuing education courses for professional development and salary advancement.
If you have any questions, please contact Steven Kellogg at 515-263-6183 or skellogg @ grandview.edu.
View Complete VESi Course List