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Accelerated MSED

Reduce the length of a master's degree to as few as nine units!

Northwestern undergraduates can take classes toward a master's degree while earning their bachelor's degree. This program is available in four concentrations:

  • Elementary Teaching
  • Secondary Teaching.
  • Educational Studies
  • Learning Sciences

Northwestern undergraduates must apply for the Accelerated Master’s Program; admission to the MSEd Program is not guaranteed. However, the application fee will be waived. All other regular admission requirements apply.

Application Process

Follow the application process for your chosen concentration. You can learn more about each concentration by visiting the Teaching, Learning, and Education pages, where you will find information on all of the concentrations. To see their respective application processes, please visit the links below:

Teacher Licensure

If seeking teacher licensure through either the Elementary or Secondary Teaching concentrations, please note that in addition to the core degree curriculum, specific subject area certification requirements apply. We advise that you review these licensure requirements carefully. Content area courses required for licensure may be taken either as an undergraduate or as a graduate student.

 Undergraduate substitutions for MSEd courses

This table contains the possible undergraduate substitutions for MSEd courses in the accelerated masters program. 

This table contains the possible undergraduate substitutions for MSEd courses in the Elementary Teaching track
This 
Undergraduate Course
Fulfills This 
MS_ED Requirement
TEACH_ED 302-0 Social, Cultural, and Linguistic Contexts of Education MS_ED 402-0 Social, Cultural, and Linguistic Contexts of Education
SESP 201-0 Human Development: Childhood & Adolescence 
Or 
PSYCH 244-0 Developmental Psychology
MS_ED 405-0 Child and Adolescent Development
TEACH_ED 310-0 Foundations of Learning in a New Language MS_ED 410-0 Foundations of Learning in a New Language
TEACH_ED 311-0 Elementary Methods for Teaching Science & Social Studies I MS_ED 411-0 Elementary Methods for Teaching Science & Social Studies I
TEACH_ED 322-0 Linguistics Informed Approaches to Literacy MS_ED 422-0 Linguistics Informed Approaches to Literacy
TEACH_ED 323-0 Elementary Literacy Methods and Content MS_ED 423-0 Elementary Literacy Methods and Content
TEACH_ED 327-0 Educating Exceptional Children MS_ED 427-0 Educating Exceptional Children
TEACH_ED 328-0 Dynamics of Middle School Curriculum MS_ED 428-0 Dynamics of Middle School Curriculum
TEACH_ED 366-369 Middle Grades Methods and Techniques MS_ED 466-469 Middle Grades Methods and Techniques
HDSP, LOC, LRN_SCI, SESP, or SOC_POL coursework addressing issues of identity, cognition, and education 1 graduate-level elective

A Note About Course Requirements

By petition, you may count a 300-level (or higher) class from The Graduate School if related to education or your chosen subject area. No matter how many of the courses above are taken as an undergraduate, the MSEd degree requires 9 units at a minimum.  Contact the MSEd Program to ensure you are choosing the best courses for your concentration!