The Purpose of the Master's Project
Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy emphasizes inquiry and reflection as essential tools for educators. Therefore, all students in the Master of Science in Education Program complete a Master's Project. The Master's Project presents an opportunity for students to do original research on a topic of genuine interest related to teaching and learning. Through the Master's Project students gain the tools and ability to systematically analyze issues that they encounter and to continuously improve their practice.Master's Project Course Work
Students are guided through the Master's Project by a three-course sequence. In the first course, students work to identify the question that will guide their research. Students also explore the process of questioning and gain the tools to articulate a question that is researchable within the scope of the Master's Project. Most often the Master's Project Question grows out of a student's own experiences as a teacher or teacher in training. Students then begin a literature review to connect their own research question to research that has already been done on the topic.In the second course, students learn skills and techniques for collecting original data on their topic. Data collection methods include surveys, interviews, observation and archival analysis. Students then create a data collection plan that will best help them answer the Master's Project Question and begin to gather original data.
In the third course, students continue to collect data and learn how to systematically analyze those data. Students complete a written research report and make a formal presentation of their findings.
Collaborative Model
Students are assigned to a coach and a cohort of eight to 10 students who stay together for the duration of the Master's Project sequence. Research team members read each other's proposals and project drafts, discuss research articles and provide each other with feedback, encouragement and support.Research groups can be a tremendous help to participants. Additionally, being on a team gives students the opportunity to learn a good deal about the topics their colleagues are researching. This collaborative model is unique to Northwestern University and consistently allows students to produce high-quality research.
Sample Master's Project Topics
Elementary Teaching
How can international children's literature create cross-cultural understandings and connections in an elementary classroom?Why are Black and Hispanic students underrepresented in many elementary school gifted programs in diverse school communities, and what can be done to help overcome this problem?
Secondary Teaching
How should a high school class on the law be designed and taught in order to maximize students' critical thinking?How can teachers more effectively support and affirm gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students?
How can blogging be used to create an authentic dialogic community in the secondary English classroom?
Advanced Teaching the Gifted
How can Chicago Public Schools retain and support its teachers during their first five years?How can mentors help inexperienced urban teachers create a positive classroom climate?