School of Education & Social Policy
 
Curriculum


Students explore the meaning and structure of teaching and learning and, through field experiences, collaborate with skilled mentors
Students' experiences in the MSEd program grow out of their needs and interests.
Areas of Concentration
  • Art
  • English
  • Foreign Languages
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social Science
Teacher preparation at Northwestern addresses the challenges that educators face in establishing and maintaining high-quality schools. Students in the Secondary or Special Teaching concentration develop an understanding of the roles of public and private schools, the organization of schools and districts, the integrated functions and particular responsibilities of different school personnel, the social and cultural dimensions of education, issues related to professional growth, school-community relations and the setting of deliberative goals and standards.

Through course work and field experience, students in this program learn to plan and present effective lessons and units in their particular subject areas, taking into account grade and ability levels; the interests, experiences, and cultural backgrounds of students; and the nature of school communities. In addition, emphasis is given to the characteristics of desired teaching-learning experiences, including classroom atmosphere, curriculum development and evaluation.

Note: course syllabi listed on this website are intended for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect current readings and assignments. Current students should always refer to syllabi distributed by their professors in class.
Fall
MS_ED 404 Adolescent Development in Social Contexts
MS_ED 406 Research and Analysis in Teaching and Learning I: Discussion and Question Development
MS_ED 454-59 Methods and Techniques of Secondary Teaching
MS_ED 478-79 Practicum Seminar (requires concurrent registration in MS_ED 454 through -459
Elective Students pursuing certification in English take MS_ED 424 Foundations of Reading and Language Acquisition


Winter
MS_ED 488-489 Student Teaching
Elective Learning Sciences Elective (may be taken Winter or Spring Quarter; students pursuing certification in Science must take LRN_SCI 435 Science Education)


Spring
MS_ED 403 Early and Middle Childhood Development and Learning
MS_ED 407 Research and Analysis in Teaching and Learning II:Literature Review and Research Methodology
MS_ED 413 Problems in the Philosophy of Education
MS_ED 428 Dynamics of Middle School Curriculum for "Special" Certificate
Elective Students pursuing certification in English take MS_ED 420 Foundations of Writing Processes


Summer
MS_ED 402 Social Contexts of Education
MS_ED 408 Research and Analysis in Teaching and Learning III: Analysis Interpretation and Dissemination
MS_ED 427 Educating Exceptional Children
MS_ED 422 Teaching Reading in the Content Area for "Special" Certification

15 total courses required for the MSEd degree (as well as completion of any general education and/or subject area specialty course work required for certification)


Note: One elective must be chosen from an approved list of courses in the Learning Sciences Department of the School of Education and Social Policy.


Note: The MSEd program recommends that students pursue the required courses in the sequence described above. Students who need to complete additional coursework to fulfill requirements for state certification are encouraged to enroll and take those courses during the spring and/or summer quarters before the sequence described above. Students must be available during the day during fall and winter quarters when they pursue the teaching practicum and student teaching.