Education (MA) - Concentrations
Click one of the links here to jump to a specific MA in Education concentration, or read the brief descriptions of each below.
MA in Education Concentrations
Early Childhood Education Concentration
This concentration is designed for individuals who have an elementary teaching certificate and who currently have or are seeking careers as educators of young children, birth through eight years of age. Individuals with backgrounds in child development who do not hold teaching certificates may also be considered for enrollment in the program. The concentration focuses on educational issues and practices suitable for both populations. Michigan teaching certificate holders who wish to add the early childhood endorsement (coded ZA in Michigan) will be assisted in planning an appropriate program. This program complies with the standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Literacy K-12 Concentration
This concentration is developed for individuals who hold elementary or secondary teaching certificates, and offers courses that focus on issues and practices related to an integrated language arts curriculum. The material will be considered in terms of learners from diverse backgrounds and school settings. The concentration is designed to allow students who have Michigan teaching certificates to complete coursework necessary to add a certificate major endorsement in reading (coded BR in Michigan). This endorsement will allow students to teach reading as a special subject and serve as a building resource person in grades K-12. The program complies with the guidelines on Advanced Reading Education of the International Reading Association.
Special Education Concentration
This concentration provides students with valuable knowledge, skills, and competencies in working with individuals with special needs, especially those in multicultural populations. Students will master skills in assessment, program planning, behavioral and instructional interventions, and working as part of an interdisciplinary team with the school, family, and community and become familiar with adaptive technologies for individuals with special needs. The concentration is designed to allow students who have Michigan teaching certificates to complete coursework necessary to add a Learning Disabilities (coded SM in Michigan) or Cognitive Impairments (coded SA in Michigan) K-12 endorsement on their certificate. The concentration is designed to meet the needs of working professionals with a range of evening, weekend, compressed format, online, and "mixed mode" (combination of online and face-to-face classes) courses.
Technology in Education Concentration
This concentration is designed for people who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills in the use of technology as it relates to education. Teachers, instructional technologists, educational administrators, and others who seek relevant, practical grounding in tools and concepts related to the use of technology in educational settings are prime candidates for this program. Teaching certification is not required. The concentration focuses on enactment of innovative projects within learning environments, provides opportunities for students to create individualized educational technology projects, and emphasizes building a long-term network of innovative educators. The program is offered in a mixed mode format, which blends Internet-based coursework with limited on-campus meetings. Students also have the option of applying to the Global Program of the Technology in Education concentration, which features convenient online courses and two 3-week summer residencies in Geneva, Switzerland in a condensed, 15-month program. Michigan teaching certificate holders who wish to add the educational technology endorsement (coded NP) will be assisted in planning an appropriate program.
