M.Ed. in Teaching

Degree Overview

Did you earn your college degree in something other than teaching? Are you looking to become a teacher? Don’t burn extra time and money earning a second bachelor’s degree.

It’s better and faster to start your teaching career with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Teaching from the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota.

Increasingly, school districts want to hire teachers with master’s degrees in education to help them face growing demands and changes in education and in schools of all sizes.

This 17-month program is built with working professionals in mind, so in most cases, students work full-time until the final semester of the program when they are placed into classrooms for professional, hands-on student teaching. 

Best Reasons to Earn Your M.Ed. in Teaching at USF:

Accreditation. The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the Fredrikson School of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the M.Ed. in Teaching program is approved by the South Dakota Department of Education.

Teaching License. When you graduate from USF’s Master of Education in Teaching degree program, you’ll be eligible for licensure by South Dakota’s Department of Education as a secondary teacher (middle school and high school) in your undergraduate major content area or, in some cases, a K-12 teacher if your undergraduate major is in music, foreign language, physical education or art.

Higher Salary. Many school districts offer teachers with master’s degrees higher salaries.

Flexibility. Complete your degree with a combination of evening on-campus and online classes. Most working professionals continue full-time employment for the first 13 months of the program. 

Christian University. USF is a private, Christian university. For many of our students at the associate, bachelor's and master's level, this is an important factor in their graduate school decision.

Location. Our campus is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Outcomes

A Master of Education in Teaching offers graduates numerous career opportunities in education. They can become classroom teachers, instructing students in various subjects and grade levels. Alternatively, graduates may work as curriculum developers, designing instructional materials to enhance student learning. Others pursue roles as education specialists, providing support to teachers and students in areas like literacy or special education.

Career Outlook

  • Average Salary: $65,900
  • Job Postings: 1,185

Average salary is based on a high school teacher position from Salary.com. Job posting data is for high school teacher positions and is provided by Lightcast. This number represents unique job postings from companies looking to hire in the last 30 days as of May 2024.

Courses

The M.Ed. in Teaching includes 35 semester hours. 

The following timeframe allows individuals pursuing the M.Ed. in Teaching to continue full-time employment until the final professional semester of the program. All coursework including the professional student teaching credits can be completed in the 17-month timeframe.  

Spring Year 1

EDU526

Educational Psychology & Eval

(3.0 s.h)

EDU506

Foundations of Education

(3.0 s.h)

EDU508

Pedagogy for Middle and Secondary Level Educators

(3.0 s.h)

Summer Year 1

EDU505

Human Relations

(3.0 s.h)

EDU540

Technology in Education

(3.0 s.h)

Fall Year 1

EDU515

Exceptional Students

(3.0 s.h)

EDU557

Literacy Across the Curriculum f or Middle Level & English Lrnrs

(3.0 s.h)

EDU533

Native American Studies

(3.0 s.h)

Spring Year 2 - Professional Semester

EDU555

Research & Instructional Mngmnt

(3.0 s.h)

EDU525

Secondary/K-12 Content Methods

(3.0 s.h)

EDU556

Teacher Residency: Secondary/K12

(2.0 s.h)

Some online classes are considered remote, meaning designated synchronous online class meeting times are expected, and some are considered asynchronous, meaning no designated meeting times. Remote components to classes have the benefit of regular virtual access to fellow graduate students, the instructor, and a community feel, and asynchronous components allow for great flexibility for personal and professional schedules. Please contact education.web@usiouxfalls.edu with specific course questions. All USF instructors are trained in online pedagogy.

Requirements

You’re eligible for USF’s Master of Education in Teaching program, designed for working professionals looking to change careers to teaching, if you meet the following criteria:

  • You already hold a bachelor’s degree in an academic major that is taught at the secondary level or in a related area.
  • You earned a minimum 2.6 GPA or appropriate disposition and demonstrated knowledge and skill in a related field for provisional entrance; 3.0 GPA for unconditional admission.
  • You submit an application. Applications include a personal statement. Using your best writing skills, you will explain in 250-500 words your long-term education and career goals, stating any areas of specific interest and experience that may be relevant to your graduate program.
  • You successfully pass the Praxis II exam in your undergraduate major content area (within the first nine semester hours of your M.Ed. coursework).

Apply Now

When can I start?

This 17-month program is designed to begin early January.

We are now recruiting for January 2025 Cohort!

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Virtual Office Hours

For bachelor's degree holders interested in earning teacher certification in just 17 months or interested in working in a post-secondary institution, adult learning organization or business industry talk to USF Director of Graduate Studies Becky Thurman. Ask questions, talk through interests and more! Affordable, competitive tuition under $400/credit hour. Transparent pricing. No hidden fees.

Check back for office hours coming soon!

For more information contact:
Becky Thurman
605-575-2083
becky.thurman@usiouxfalls.edu 

Tuition and Financial Aid

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The best way to get to know USF is through a visit! Take a virtual tour or sign up for an in-person visit to understand what it's like to be a University of Sioux Falls student.

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