Graceland University
One of the most affordable ways to earn an accredited Master of
Education online.
Since 1895, Graceland University has been dedicated to providing
all students an education grounded in the core values of caring
and community. As we expand our programs and our locations to
help meet the needs of today's students, we continue to focus on
bringing out the full potential of every student who joins us on
campus or online.
Graceland has a reputation for quality educational programs and
excellent student support. Our online platform is user friendly
and our faculty will give you the personal attention necessary
for your academic and professional success. Graceland University
has recently been approved by the US Department of Education to
offer Federal Financial Aid to eligible students in online
programs.
Master of Education
Showcased by the National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards (NBPTS) as a model program, this program provides
teachers the option of completing a master's program designed
around standards and requirements for National Board
Certification. The School of Education provides several options
for students wishing to pursue the Master of Education with an
emphasis in the following areas:
- Collaborative Learning and Teaching (Curriculum and
Instruction)
- Differentiated Instruction
- Mild/Moderate Special Education with Licensure
- Quality Schools
- Technology Integration
The Graceland University School of Education is accredited by the
National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, 2010
Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC, 20036,
202.466.7496, (www.ncate.org). This accreditation covers the
online Masters of Education, as well as traditional education
programs. Graceland University is accredited by the Higher
Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools, (NCA), 30 North LaSalle
Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602, 800.621.7440,
(www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org).
Collaborative Learning and Teaching (Curriculum and
Instruction)
This Master of Education is a curriculum and instruction based
degree that is the only one of its kind to be designed around
the 5 core propositions of the National Board of Professional
Teaching Standards. If a teacher is considering gaining
National Board Certification, this program is ideal. They will
acquire valuable experience in completing NB Certification-like
assignments and gain the understanding of what the NBPTS
expects a quality teacher to know and do.
Even if a teacher does not plan to pursue certification, this
degree takes their abilities to the next level of teaching
excellence as it provides a rich variety of practical material
that can be taken directly into their classroom. They will be
exposed to teaching concepts which include Dr. Robert Marzano's
Instructional Strategies, Dr. Carol Tomlinson's Differentiated
Instruction, Dr. Grant Wiggins and Dr. Jay McTighe's Backward
Design research and Dr. Eric Jensen's Brain research.
This degree was developed for K-12 teachers and provides a
meaningful course of graduate study regardless of subject area
certification.
Differentiated Instruction
Graceland University is proud to offer an online Master of
Education in Differentiated Instruction based on the work of
Dr. Carol Ann Tomlinson. Dr. Tomlinson, who appears as a video
instructor in several of the program's courses, is a
world-renowned expert in differentiated instruction and
assessment strategies and techniques. Dr. Tomlinson is author
of The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All
Learners, How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability
Classrooms and Fulfilling the Promise of the Differentiated
Classroom: Strategies and Tools for Responsive Teaching.
Also featured in the program is Dr. William Glasser, author of
several books on education including Choice Theory, The Quality
School and Every Student Can Succeed. Dr. Glasser's educational
approach fosters instructional approaches like differentiated
instruction that meet student's individual needs and strengths.
This is the first Master of Education program to combine the
ideas of Drs. Tomlinson and Glasser into a comprehensive course
of study to help teachers meet the needs of an increasingly
diverse student population within the context of today's
challenging standards-based curriculum.
Differentiated instruction and assessment strategies covered in
the master's program include: pre-assessment of learning styles
and preferences, monitoring and managing student learning,
modifying lessons based on student readiness, tiered
instruction, flexible grouping and authentic assessment. The
program is open to all certificated K – 12 teachers who
are currently teaching. The program is video- and online-based
and there are no residency requirements.
Mild/Moderate Special Education with Licensure
This master's degree program is designed to enhance the
teaching skills of K-12 mild/moderate special education
teachers or for teachers who have mild/moderate students within
their non-special education classroom. It is a curricular and
instructional methodologies based degree. A diagnostic testing
section to administer and use results for individual and
classroom instruction is included.
This program is aligned with the Council of Exceptional
Children (CEC) content standards. Plus, it is based on the five
core propositions of the National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards. Either a K-6 or 7-12 emphasis is available.
This degree does lead to Iowa or Missouri licensure. Other
states may also accept this for licensure.
Quality Schools
Graceland University is proud to offer a Master of Education
that emphasizes Dr. William Glasser's quality school concepts
and practices. Offered online, this program is the only one of
its kind in the United States. Dr. Glasser is a world-renowned
psychiatrist, educator and author of many books including
Schools Without Failure, Choice Theory, The Quality
School, and Every Student Can Succeed. Dr. Glasser
believes that choice theory is the cornerstone of a quality
education. With choice theory, the key to effective education
is a strong student-teacher relationship built on trust and
respect. Reduced discipline problems, increased parental
support, and improved test scores are results that are achieved
consistently in Dr. Glasser's quality schools.
Technology Integration
This Master of Education emphasizes cutting edge technology
that teachers can use to improve student learning in their
classroom. Teachers will evaluate the tools they have available
and create a plan for ongoing skills improvement for themselves
and their students. They will learn to use the technology they
have to actively engage students in learning, inherently manage
student behavior and create dynamic curriculum by tapping into
their students' natural motivations. Beyond elevating the
student's performance, teachers will also learn to utilize
technology to assist in collaborating and establishing
interpersonal relationships with other professionals.
Technology that is covered includes podcasting, wikis, blogs,
Microsoft Photo Story, electronic portfolios and more.
This program is aligned with the NETS-T Standards (National
Education Technology Standards for Teachers) as well as the
NBPTS standards (National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards).
USDLA
The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
www.usdla.org presented its 2007 Platinum Distance Learning Award
to Graceland University's School of Education. Only one other
School of Education won this award.
Since 1987, USDLA has been one of the world's premier distance
learning associations. "We are honoring Graceland University's
School of Education as a leader in the industry," said Dr. John
G. Flores, CEO of USDLA. "Graceland University's School of
Education has raised the bar of excellence and we are truly
honored by their contributions to the distance learning
industry."
Information
If you are interested in this school and would like to find out more, please
Request Information from Graceland University.
