Master of Education

(30 credits, 11 courses)

This track will prepare you to be a strong leader in reading development. You will learn to evaluate and address literacy development and instruction in a school. You will also gain experience in developing instructional strategies for an elementary literacy program.

Note: This track meets the Master's degree requirement for a master educator license in the state of Iowa and in conjunction with undergraduate courses in reading may lead to a developmental reading endorsement.

• EDUC 501 Issues in Education
• EDUC 502 Learner Development
• EDUC 503a Interpreting Education Research (1.5 cr)
• EDUC 504 Curriculum Development and Evaluation
• EDUC 505 Foundations of Special Education
• EDUC 506 Best Practices in Instructional Strategies
• EDUC 508 Teaching with Technology
• EDUC 511 Assessment of Learning Difficulties
• EDUC 513 Instructional Decisions
• EDUC 521 Advanced Content Reading & Children’s Lit
• EDUC 522 Advanced Pedagogies for Teaching Literacy (1.5 cr)

3 credit courses unless indicated

(30 credits, 12 courses)

This track will prepare you to be a strong leader in reading development. You will learn to evaluate and address literacy development and instruction in a school. You will also gain experience in developing instructional strategies for an elementary literacy program.

Note: This track meets the Master's degree requirement for a master educator license in the state of Iowa and, in conjunction with undergraduate courses in early childhood may lead to an early childhood endorsement.

• EDUC 501 Issues in Education
• EDUC 502 Learner Development
• EDUC 503a Interpreting Education Research (1.5 cr)
• EDUC 505 Foundations of Special Education
• EDUC 508 Teaching with Technology
• EDUC 511 Assessment of Learning Difficulties
• EDUC 512 Advanced Behavior and Social Interventions
• EDUC 513 Instructional Decisions
• EDUC 522 Advanced Pedagogies for Teaching Literacy (1.5 cr)
• EDUC 531 Issues in Early Childhood Education and Curriculum
• EDUC 532 Organization & Admin of Early Childhood Ed (1.5 cr)
• EDUC 533 Infant and Toddler Education (1.5 cr)

3 credit courses unless indicated

(30 credits, 12 courses)

This specialization will help you to become a competent leader in the role of instructional coach. You will focus on strategies that help shape the instructional culture of a school and promote staff professional development. Courses and an internship will provide experience in curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and faculty development.

• EDUC 501 Issues in Education
• EDUC 502 Learner Development
• EDUC 503a Interpreting Education Research (1.5 cr)
• EDUC 504 Curriculum Development and Evaluation
• EDUC 505 Foundations of Special Education
• EDUC 506 Best Practices in Instructional Strategies
• EDUC 507 Classroom Assessment Strategies
• EDUC 522 Advanced Pedagogies for Teaching Literacy (1.5 cr)
• EDUC 523 Advanced Pedagogies for Teaching Math (1.5 cr)
• EDUC 551 High Impact Coaching
• EDUC 559 Internship in Instructional Coaching (1.5 cr)
• EDUC 561 Instructional Leadership

3 credit courses unless indicated

(30 credits, 11 courses)

This specialization will strengthen your classroom skills and prepare you to assume leadership in curricular decisions and instructional practices. It will provide practical, hands-on instruction for teaching in a distinctively Christian manner.

• EDUC 501 Issues in Education
• EDUC 502 Learner Development
• EDUC 503a Interpreting Education Research (1.5 cr)
• EDUC 503b Action Research Proposal (1.5 cr)
• EDUC 504 Curriculum Development and Evaluation
• EDUC 505 Foundations of Special Education
• EDUC 506 Best Practices in Instructional Strategies
• EDUC 507 Classroom Assessment Strategies
• EDUC 508 Teaching with Technology
• EDUC 510 Action Research Project
• EDUC 551 High-Impact Coaching

3 credit courses unless indicated

(30 credits, 11 courses)

This specialization will prepare you to be a competent leader in educational technology. You will gain practical, hands-on experience as you focus on specific strategies for helping to shape the technology and culture of a school. This will be seen in promoting staff professional development and effective teaching and learning in online and blended classrooms, integrating technology, e-learning design, and emerging technologies.

• EDUC 501 Issues in Education
• EDUC 502 Learner Development
• EDUC 503a Interpreting Education Research (1.5 cr)
• EDUC 504 Curriculum Development and Evaluation
• EDUC 508 Teaching with Technology
• EDUC 541 Technology Integration
• EDUC 542 Emerging Technologies
• EDUC 543 Online Teaching and Learning
• EDUC 544 E-Learning Design
• EDUC 545 Portfolio-Educational Technology (1.5 cr)
• EDUC 551 High Impact Coaching

3 credit courses unless indicated

(30 credits, 11 courses)

This specialization consists of 11 courses in a 30-credit hour program and prepares the teacher or administrator to be a competent leader in special education roles. The program provides practical, hands-on learning experiences in teaching and leading in a distinctively Christian manner. Coursework focuses on specific strategies for assessing and addressing learning difficulties of various types. Courses and field hours provide experience in developing instructional strategies, behavior interventions, and inclusion opportunities for special needs learners. Additional focus is on working with professionals and parents to maximize learning opportunities for children.

• EDUC 501 Issues in Education
• EDUC 502 Learner Development
• EDUC 505 Foundations of Special Education
• EDUC 511 Assessment of Learning Difficulties
• EDUC 512 Advanced Behavior and Social Interventions
• EDUC 513 Instructional Decisions
• EDUC 514 Transitional Support & Collaborative Partnerships
• EDUC 522 Advanced Pedagogies for Teaching Literacy (1.5 cr)
• EDUC 523 Advanced Pedagogies for Teaching Math (1.5 cr)
• SPED 611 Foundations of ABA
• SPED 613 Experimental Design & Interpretation of Data

Students who are interested in adding a special education teaching endorsement to their Iowa teaching license may contact grad@dordt.edu for more information.

• K-8 Instructional Strategist 1: Mild/Moderate (260)
• 5-12 Instructional Strategist 1: Mild/Moderate (261)
• K-12 Instructional Strategist 2: Behavior Disorders/Learning Disabilities (263)

First-time applicants for an Iowa teaching license will need to complete the Requirements for Institutional Recommendation for Licensure as noted in the university catalog.

3 credit courses unless indicated

(30 credits, 10 courses)

This specialization will prepare you to be an educational leader, capable of undertaking the tasks and responsibilities of a principal or director of special education. This is a licensure specialization approved by the state of Iowa and leads to an administrator’s license. Students seeking the Initial Administrator license in the state of Iowa must complete six additional field experience credits to qualify for the license. Significant hours will be spent in on-the-job field experiences, allowing you the opportunity to put into practice what you are learning in the classroom.

• EDUC 501 - Issues in Education
• EDUC 502 - Learner Development and Principles of Learning
• EDUC 503 - Interpreting and Applying Educational Research
• EDUC 504 - Curriculum Development and Evaluation
• EDUC 505 - Foundations of Special Education
• EDUC 560 - Foundations of Educational Leadership
• EDUC 561 - Instructional Leadership
• EDUC 562 - Legal and Ethical Foundations in Educational Leadership
• EDUC 563 - Collaborative Leadership
• EDUC 564 - Management and School Improvement

Those seeking the Initial Administrator license in the state of Iowa must take six additional credits of field experience (560L, 561L, 563L, and 564L).

• EDUC 560L - Field Experience I in School Leadership (1.5 cr)
• EDUC 561L - Field Experience II in School Leadership (1.5 cr)
• EDUC 563L - Field Experience III in School Leadership (1.5 cr)
• EDUC 564L - Field Experience IV in School Leadership (1.5 cr)

3 credit courses unless indicated

(30 credits, 10 courses)

This specialization will prepare teachers, coaches, and education professionals for leadership in educational athletics. It focuses on issues, research, leadership in education, and principles and perspectives related to sport leadership.

• EDUC 501 - Issues in Education (summer, fall, spring)
• EDUC 560 - Foundations of Leadership (fall, spring)
• EDUC 563 - Collaborative Leadership (fall, spring)
• HHP 505 - Being the CEO of Your Program (summer odd)
• HHP 510 - Leadership Principles in Sport (summer odd)
• HHP 515 - Ethics and Sport (fall even)
• HHP 520 - Christian Perspectives on Advanced Sport Psychology (spring even)
• HHP 525 - Administration of Interscholastic Sports (summer even)
• HHP 530 - Practicum Series (summer, fall, spring)

Choose one of the following:

• MPA 513 - HR Management (spring odd)
• MPA 514 - Public Relations (spring even)
• MPA 515 - Project Management (fall odd)
• MPA 552 - Grant Writing and Fundraising (spring even)
• HHP 530 - Practicum (may be repeated once) (summer, fall, spring)

3 credit courses unless indicated

To learn more, visit our admissions requirement page.

The Curriculum and Instruction specializations in Teacher Leadership, Special Education, Developmental Reading, Early Childhood Education, Educational Technology, and Instructional Coach specializations and the Administration specialization in Sport Leadership are each 30 credits.

The School Leadership specialization is 30 credits and meets Initial Administrator license requirements in the State of Iowa. Those seeking Initial Iowa Administrator License must take an additional 6 credits of field/lab work. These field hours can be done in the school or district in which one is currently teaching and do not require absence from current teaching assignments.

The program can be completed in two years. A typical plan of study includes one course every fall semester and spring semester and three courses every summer for two full years. A slower pace can reduce summer work to two courses in each of three summers. The School Leadership and Teacher Leadership specializations offer an accelerated option that can be finished in as little as 14 months.

Yes, all courses are 100% online. No travel or on-campus residency is required.