The Master of Science in Education (MSEd) Program seeks to prepare professionals who are dedicated to and skilled at helping individuals of all ages improve themselves through education in the contexts of school, family, community and work. Enhancing the quality of education in these environments requires a core of hard-won knowledge as well as creativity, courage and dedication. Students in the MSEd program:
- Engage in shared, disciplined inquiry into issues of educational research and engage in discussion of seminal works in the fields of cognitive science, educational philosophy, psychology and other academic disciplines
- Participate in rigorous field experiences that foster an understanding of the relations between theory and practice as they are connected to academic study
- Develop a personal philosophy of education
- Complete a master’s project that advances knowledge in an area of personal concern.
Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy ranks seventh among graduate schools of education nationwide, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Concentrations Students in the MSEd program pursue one of four concentrations:
Elementary Teaching
Successful completion of the Elementary Teaching program entitles students to be recommended for a State of Illinois Standard Teaching Certificate (Type 03) for grades K-9, which is required for teaching in Illinois public schools. Additionally, students in both the Elementary and Secondary Teaching concentrations may pursue an endorsement in Middle School Teaching.
Successful completion of the Elementary Teaching program entitles students to be recommended for a State of Illinois Standard Teaching Certificate (Type 03) for grades K-9, which is required for teaching in Illinois public schools. Additionally, students in both the Elementary and Secondary Teaching concentrations may pursue an endorsement in Middle School Teaching.
Secondary Teaching
Successful completion of the Secondary Teaching program entitles students to be recommended for a State of Illinois Standard Teaching Certificate (Type 09) for grades 6-12, which is required for teaching in Illinois public schools. Additionally, students in either the Elementary or Secondary Teaching concentrations may pursue an endorsement in Middle School Teaching.
Successful completion of the Secondary Teaching program entitles students to be recommended for a State of Illinois Standard Teaching Certificate (Type 09) for grades 6-12, which is required for teaching in Illinois public schools. Additionally, students in either the Elementary or Secondary Teaching concentrations may pursue an endorsement in Middle School Teaching.
Advanced Teaching
The Advanced Teaching concentration allows experienced certified teachers to pursue professional growth in an area of particular interest and to earn an advanced degree. Course work is highly individualized and may be linked to ongoing research.
We now offer the new Gifted Concentration in Advanced Teaching.
The Advanced Teaching concentration allows experienced certified teachers to pursue professional growth in an area of particular interest and to earn an advanced degree. Course work is highly individualized and may be linked to ongoing research.
We now offer the new Gifted Concentration in Advanced Teaching.
Higher Education Administration and Policy
The goal of the program is to prepare skilled and reflective leaders to function effectively in administrative positions at colleges and universities, as well as government agencies and private, nonprofit organizations concerned with higher education.
The goal of the program is to prepare skilled and reflective leaders to function effectively in administrative positions at colleges and universities, as well as government agencies and private, nonprofit organizations concerned with higher education.