Why choose an accelerated option?
It shortens the time to earn your degrees. Earn graduate credit that you can apply to your bachelor's degree.
Save time and money. Finish with two degrees.
Accelerated Degree
How it works
If you meet the admission requirements listed below, you can start earning graduate credit in your junior or senior year.
Work with your advisor or our department to complete a mixed credit form.
Up to 12 hours of graduate credit will count toward your bachelor’s degree.
Master of Science in Education, Elementary Education
Mandy Benedict-Chambers, Program Director
Hill Hall, Room 223; Phone 417-836-6315
BenedictChambers@MissouriState.edu
Education.MissouriState.edu/EleGrad
Program description
The graduate program in Elementary Education is designed primarily for practicing educators who desire to continue their professional growth toward master teacher with deeper knowledge and advanced skills in elementary teaching. With a curriculum focusing on theory, practice and content knowledge, candidates completing this degree are prepared for greater responsibility within their district, the role of mentor to colleagues and preservice teachers or pursuit of doctoral studies.
The program requires a minimum of 33 semester hours with 15 hours of required courses and 18 hours of elective courses. All required courses may be competed online; elective courses are offered in a combination of face to face or online. Students may apply their elective course hours towards earning a MSU Graduate Certificate in one of the following areas: Curriculum and Instruction, Gifted and Talented Education, Educational Technology, Elementary Mathematics Specialist, Environmental STEM for Teachers, Literacy, Student Mental Health, Family and Community Support, or TESOL. Or students may earn a graduate certificate in a different area that is approved by the Coordinator of the Elementary Education Graduate Program.
Successful completion of focus area coursework provides eligibility for an MSU Graduate Certificate. Graduate certificates may be earned independently or as part of the MSEd in elementary education program. Students must formally apply for admission to a graduate certificate program separately from the admission to the MSEd, Elementary Education program. The graduate certificate is awarded upon successful completion of coursework in the focus area and the certificate will be placed in the official university transcript.
Program admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this program, a student must submit a Graduate Application and meet the following criteria.
- Students must possess a bachelor’s degree and must meet the requirements for admission to graduate study.
- A minimum GPA of 3.00 for courses taken in the undergraduate area of study. Candidates who do not meet the GPA requirement must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) earning a minimum combined score of 290. Results from the GRE must be provided prior to the candidate's registering for more than nine hours.
- Applicants for whom English is a second language must meet the university requirements for admission as defined by International Services.
- A letter of intent describing the applicant's professional goals and teaching philosophy, future plans, background information, teaching experiences, and/or other related experiences with children.
- A copy of an appropriate teaching certificate or eligibility for teacher certification by a state agency should be submitted. Application without certification or eligibility may be accepted with permission from the Coordinator of the Elementary Education Graduate Program or the Department Head of Childhood Education and Family Studies.
- One confidential letter of recommendation from a professional familiar with the candidate’s academic abilities and teaching potential.
- A resume.
A candidate who does not meet all of the above criteria, but who demonstrates outstanding potential, may be fully admitted on the basis of individual merit and successful completion of the first nine hours (3.00 GPA or higher) by the Coordinator of the Elementary Education Graduate Program or the Department Head of Childhood Education and Family Studies.
Accelerated Master of Science in Education, Elementary Education
The MSEd-ELE accelerated program master's option provides exceptional Missouri State University students the opportunity to enroll in graduate-level coursework as a baccalaureate candidate and earn up to 12 credits toward the Elementary Education master's degree program.
Eligible BSEd majors may apply for preliminary acceptance into the MSEd-ELE program after admission requirements for the accelerated master's option have been satisfied. After acceptance into the Accelerated Master's in Elementary Education program, candidates must receive approval from the MSEd-ELE Coordinator, CEFS Department Head and the Dean of the Graduate College before enrolling in a dual BSEd/MSEd course. Acceptance into the program and all approvals must be completed prior to the end of the Change of Schedule period for the course(s). A student will be fully admitted to the Graduate College upon completion of the requirements for the baccalaureate degree and all other Graduate College admission requirements. See the Graduate Catalog for further information.
Admission Requirements for the Accelerated Master's Degree in Elementary Education:
- Junior or Senior standing with an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher
- BSEd major in progress
- Admitted to Teacher Education
- Recommendation of a faculty member in teacher education
- Resume
- A letter of intent describing the applicant's professional goals and teaching philosophy, future plans, background information, teaching experiences, and/or other related experiences with children.
Students admitted to the Accelerated Master's option may take 12 hours from the following courses or a course in consultation with the MSEd-ELE Coordinator/advisor:
Degree requirements
- Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 33 approved graduate hours with a minimum overall GPA of 3.00.
- No more than 16 hours of 600-level course work may be applied to the graduate degree program.
- Comprehensive Examination. A comprehensive examination or equivalent must be passed by the candidate before a degree will be granted.
- Research. Option I: Satisfactory completion of one extensive paper or major creative work facilitated
through the research seminar course.
Option II. Satisfactory completion of a thesis in the candidate’s discipline. This credit shall be not more than 6 hours of the minimum 33 required for the degree. - Transfer credit. Students may transfer in no more than 9 credit hours which must ve approved by the Graduate Program Coordinator.
Course requirements
Courses may count only once in meeting the 33 hour program course requirements.
1. Required Core Courses - 15-16 hrs
| Course Prefix | Course Title | Course Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ELE 711 | Contemporary Issues in Elementary Curriculum | 3 hrs |
| ELE 725 | The Emerging Master Teacher | 3 hrs |
| ELE 720 | Advanced Theory and Practice in Student Assessment and Evaluation | 3 hrs |
|
OR ELE 771 AND |
Action Research Proposal Development OR Proposal Development AND Educational Research Methodology |
3 hrs OR 3 hrs AND 1 hr |
|
OR |
Research Seminar in Elementary Education (Research Option I) OR Thesis (Research Option II) |
3 hrs |
2. Electives. Students in consultation with the Coordinator of the Elementary Education graduate program of advisor will select at least 18 credit hours of electives based on student interest.
Graduate Certificate in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction - select 12 hrs
- ELE 710 Elementary School Curriculum
- ELE 713 Advanced Theory and Practice in the Teaching of Communication Arts
- ELE 714 Advanced Theory and Practice in the Teaching of Social Studies
- ELE 715 Advanced Theory and Practice in the Teaching of Mathematics
- ELE 716 Advanced Theory and Practice in the Teaching of Science
- ELE 721 Standard-based Integrated Curriculum, Learning and Teaching
- ELE 722 Differentiated Instruction for Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle School
Graduate Certificate in Elementary Mathematics Specialist (EMS) with Missouri DESE Certification - 24 hrs
The Master of Science in Education, Elementary Mathematics Specialist is designed for practicing teachers (with at least 2 years of experience teaching elementary or middle school). This track is part of a statewide Mathematics specialist certification in collaboration with other Missouri universities. Elementary Mathematics Specialist (EMS) professionals can serve students and schools in a variety of ways including as classroom teachers, lead or mentor teachers, and school or district-based mathematics specialists.
Prerequisites - 8 hrs
- MTH 750 Number and Operations for Elementary Mathematics Specialists
- ELE 730 Internship in Numbers and Operations
- MTH 752 Rational Numbers and Proportional Thinking for Elementary Mathematics Specialists
- ELE 732 Internship for Rational Numbers and Proportional Thinking
Required Courses - 16 hrs
- MTH 754 Algebraic Reasoning for Elementary Mathematics Specialists
- ELE 734 Internship for Algebraic Reasoning
- MTH 760 Geometry and Measurement for Elementary Mathematics Specialists
- ELE 738 Internship for Geometry and Measurement
- MTH 758 Data and Probability for Elementary Mathematics Specialists
- ELE 736 Foundations of Mathematical Leadership I for Elementary Mathematics Specialists
- ELE 737 Foundations of Mathematical Leadership II for Elementary Mathematics Specialists
Graduate Certificate in Environmental STEM for Teachers - 12 hrs
- EEM 616 Nature Unfolds
- EEM 617 Nature Unleashed
- EEM 618 Project Wet, Wild and Learning Tree
- EEM 619 Nature Unhooked: CMAE Conserving Missouri's Aquatic Ecosystems
Visit the Graduate Catalog for details about the Environmental STEM for Teachers Focus and Certificate Program in Elementary Education.
Graduate Certificate in Education of the Exceptionally Gifted-Talented Child - 12 hrs*
- EEM 720 Introduction to Learner Development and Differences in Gifted and Talented Students
- EEM 721 Curriculum Planning, Instruction and Assessment in Gifted and Talented Education I
- EEM 722 Curriculum Planning, Instruction and Assessment in Gifted and Talented Education II
- EEM 723 Learning Environments and Collaborations in Gifted and Talented Education
*Also, completing the following courses will allow a student to earn MIssouri DESE certification for Gifted and Talented Education.
ELE 720 Adv. Theory and Practice in Student Assessment and Evaluation
SFR 780 Educational Research Methodology, OR ELE 770 Action Research Proposal Development
EEM 796 Problems in Education, which is a Culminating Experience with Gifted Students (three semester hours to include both elementary and secondary settings)
Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology - 12 hrs
- EDT 660 Digital-Age Learning Environments
- EDT 665 Selection and Utilization of Educational Technology
- EDT 763 Administration of Educational Technology
- EDT 764 Instructional Design
Visit the Graduate Catalog for details about the Educational Technology Focus and Certificate Program in Elementary Education.
Graduate Certificate in Literacy - select 12 hrs
- RDG 640 Analysis and Correction of Difficulties in Literacy
- RDG 660 Diversity Issues in Literacy and Content Instruction
- RDG 665 Cultural Diversity in Literacy & Instruction: Classrooms & Community
- RDG 673 Psychology of Global Literacies
- RDG 680 Successful Classroom Communities to Enhance Student Learning
- RDG 685 Techniques of Responsive Support in Literacy Classroom
- RDG 700 Relationship of Language to Literacy and Intellectual Development
- RDG 710 Content Area Literacy
- RDG 740 Issues and Trends in Literacy Education
- RDG 770 Curriculum Design in Literacy
- RDG 780 Assessment Procedures for the Literacy Specialist
- RDG 781 Assessment of Literacy Problems (must be taken concurrently with RDG 782)
- RDG 782 Remediation of Literacy Problems (must be taken concurrently with RDG 781)
Visit the Graduate Catalog for details about the Literacy Focus and Certificate Program in Elementary Education.
Program Requirements
Required Courses - 12 Hours Total*
| Course Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EEM 720 | Introduction to Learner Development and Differences in Gifted and Talented Education | 3 |
| EEM 721 | Curriculum Planning, Instruction and Assessment in Gifted and Talented Education I | 3 |
| EEM 722 | Curriculum Planning, Instruction and Assessment in Gifted and Talented Education II | 3 |
| EEM 723 | Learning Environments and Collaborations in Gifted and Talented Education | 3 |
*Adding SFR 780 Introduction for Educational Research and ELE 772 Research Seminar in Elementary Education or EEM 799 Thesis will earn Missouri DESE certification for Gifted and Talented Education.
Completion Requirements
Courses must be completed with a 3.00 GPA for successful completion of certificate.