Master of Education (M.Ed.)

New!

Five 1-credit online, self-paced, graduate professional development courses beginning June 1, 2019. 

EDGD 503 – 2
Classroom Management by Robert Marzano

EDGD 503 – 3 
Better Conversations by Jim Knight

EDGD 503 – 4
Mindset by Carol Dweck

EDGD 503 – 5
Collaborative Leadership by Peter Dewitt

EDGD 501 – 7
Differentiated Classroom by Carol Ann Tomlinson

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Like us on FacebookWhy study Master of Education?

Building on a strong initial licensure teacher education program, the Master of Education program through five of its emphases seeks to develop strong teacher leaders and address PK-12 practitioner needs in the areas of Early Childhood, English as a Second Language, Special Education, Reading and Talented and Gifted. 

UIU’s Master of Education program is designed to increase your skill set when working with students as well as enhance your knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be an effective leader in your discipline. Classes are taught by individuals who have strong hands-on experience teaching in K-12 and working in Higher Education.  Course scheduling is flexible- take classes online and/ or at select centers in Iowa.

The Andres School of Education at Upper Iowa University offers the Master of Education program with emphases in Early Childhood, English as a Second Language, Instructional Strategist, Reading, Talented and Gifted, Teacher Leadership, and Higher Education. Through a partnership with The 2 Sisters, graduate-level courses for teaching literacy and math skills, Daily 5© and Daily 3©, are available. UIU is the only institution endorsed by The 2 Sisters to offer graduate level coursework in Daily5©/CAFE and Daily 3©. Programs are offered on campus, at some of the UIU centers, and online. Check the specific program to determine availability. 

Curriculum

Within the M.Ed. emphases, UIU offers advanced coursework in the areas of Early Childhood Education, English as a Second Language, Reading, Special Education, Talented and Gifted, Teacher Leadership and Higher Education. Additional information specific to the curriculum is available in the M.Ed. Handbook. 

Program Admission

Requirements for admission to the Master of Education program can also be found in the M.Ed. Handbook. 

Emphasis Areas:

    • Early Childhood
      • Birth-Grade 3: Inclusive Settings
    • English as a Second Language
      • English as a Second Language K-12
    • Instructional Strategist
      • Instructional Strategist I: Mild/Moderate (K-8 and/or 5-12)
      • Instructional Strategist II: Behavior Disorders/Learning Disabilities K-12
      • Instructional Strategist II: Intellectual Disabilities K-12
    • Reading 
      • Reading (K-8 and/or 5-12)
      • Reading Specialist

Certificate Programs

Four 15-credit certificate programs are offered at Upper Iowa University: Literacy Coach and Teacher Leadership. Six of the 15 credits may be transferred for the certificate. Financial aid is not available for certificate programs. 

Available only at UIU:

Tuition Grants

Ask about our special grants for non-degree seeking students. Financial aid is available for students enrolled in the M.Ed. In addition to student loans, qualified applicants can receive up to $4000 a year in TEACH grants.

Master of Education Program (M.Ed.) Locations and Course Offerings

Master of Education Program (M.Ed.) is offered at each of the locations listed below. Course scheduling is flexible - take classes online and/or at any of the centers. Course schedules for each location are available by clicking on the links. 

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the M.Ed. Program, please contact Tom Lockard, Teacher Education Coordinator, at lockardt26@uiu.edu or 563-425-5759

Frequently Asked Questions

What different emphasis areas are available in the Master of Education Program?

  • Upper Iowa University Master of Education has 7 areas or emphasis: Early Childhood, English as a Second Language, Higher Education, Instructional Strategist, Reading, Talented and Gifted, and Teacher Leadership.

How long does the Master of Education Program take to complete?

  • The program is designed to be completed in two years if the candidate takes one course per session.

What is the cost per credit hour for Master of Education courses?

  • The 2019 - 2020 cost per credit hour is $482. There is an introductory rate of $300 per credit hour for the first six graduate credits when paying out-of-pocket. You are considered a non-degree seeking student until you are accepted into the Master of Education program. Once you are accepted, you become a degree-seeking student, which allows you to apply for financial aid if you choose. If you are interested in taking some courses to “test drive” our program, this is a great way you can do it! The graduate credits you take as a non-degree seeking student will apply towards the 36 graduate credits needed for your M.Ed.

How many credits are required for a Master of Education degree?

  • Each area of emphasis require 36 credit hours; nine of which are core courses.

How many credits can transfer to the Master of Education Program?

  • Upper Iowa Master of Education allows up to 12 graduate credits to transfer towards an emphasis. Transfer credits need to be relevant to the Master of Education degree.

How are the classes offered?

  • All of the graduate level courses are offered online.

Can I complete multiple endorsements at the same time within my M.Ed. degree?

  • Yes

Will I be able to balance taking classes while working full-time?

  • Yes, most graduate candidates are working full-time and taking graduate level courses. Upper Iowa’s unique five 8-week sessions and one 6-week accelerated summer session allows candidates to focus on one 3-credit, online course per session. This allows the candidate to be a full-time graduate candidate to be eligible to receive financial aid.

Can I use financial aid for the Master of Education degree?

  • Yes, taking one course per session is considered full-time at the graduate level and does qualify to apply for financial aid.

When can I start? Is there a sequence I need to follow?

  • Upper Iowa’s unique five 8-week sessions and one 6-week accelerated summer session allows candidates to start at the beginning of any session. Tentative degree plans are created based on the start of the emphasis and courses are offered often enough to provide flexibility in starting and completing the Master of Education degree when it works for YOU!

What are the expectations for the Clinical Teaching Experience?

  • Clinical Teaching Experience is a graded experience required to obtain a special education or ESL endorsement. If the candidate is currently working with students for which the endorsement would cover, the candidate can complete the Clinical Teaching Experience in his/her own classroom. A colleague licensed in special education or ESL will serve as a cooperating teacher and a University Supervisor will be secured. The special education experience is four credits and is 4 weeks long; the ESL experience is one credit and is one week long. A Clinical Teaching Handbook is available for each placement explaining the expectations of the candidate.

When is EDU 590 Capstone Seminar taken?

  • EDU 590 Capstone Seminar is offered sessions 1, 3, and 5 and is taken as the last course in the program.

I have a bachelor’s degree, but it’s not in education. Can I get my initial teaching license with this Master of Education degree?

  • We do not offer classes for initial teacher licensure at the graduate level. What we do have are classes offered during the day at our main campus in Fayette and night classes at our centers in Waterloo, Quad Cities and Des Moines. Through these four locations you could take the course work that you need to complete your teacher education degree through us. Depending on what you want to teach, you could take graduate level courses while taking undergraduate courses. The graduate course work, as well as some undergraduate course work, can be taken online.