Explore Masters of Education Programs of Study
There are many different licensure program pathways available for graduate students at LMU. Learn more about the different levels of Masters teacher certification programs offered here:
The Master of Education in Initial Teacher Licensure (MEdITL) Program offers an opportunity for adults who have already earned a bachelor's degree to earn teaching certification simultaneously with a master's degree. Our accelerated program is ideal for individuals looking for a career change or who have obtained a degree in the desired field but have not yet received a teaching license. The MEdITL program has a unique structure that is ideal for busy adults. Courses are delivered in hybrid, online, and face-to-face formats, with schedules planned for you in advance. We know every student may not be able to attend class during the standard weekday time frame, so we designed our Master of Education programs with flexibility in mind. We do everything we can so that you have the best chance of success.
During the program, you will be expected to analyze, explore, question, reconsider, and synthesize old and new knowledge and skills you had learned during your undergraduate degree to work with your newly added teaching certificate and graduate-level coursework. The program is proven to develop the specialized skills necessary to prepare teaching candidates for diverse opportunities while still encouraging creativity and assisting you to build your vision for the future.
Special Education - Comprehensive (K-12)
Special Education - Interventionist (K-8)
Special Education - Interventionist (6-12)
Master of Education Curriculums
Each teacher certificate degree program has its own unique suggested curriculum with set courses, depending on your licensure area.
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Elementary Education (K-5) Required Courses
For the first two semesters, candidates will attend class approximately ten Saturdays per semester. These classes are set far in advance, and attendance is required.
In addition, candidates will have one or two-weekday afternoon/evening (4:00-6:30 PM and 7:00-9:30 PM) classes per week. The weeknight classes are methods of teaching courses and focus on how to teach different subject areas (mathematics, social studies, literacy, etc.).
Elementary candidates will still have the weekly methods courses during the summer, but students won't have to take Saturday classes. As long as candidates have met the requirements, they will be ready to student teach the following semester.
The total required hours for elementary major licensure is 36, consisting of 18 hours of the Professional Education Core courses and 18 hours of Elementary Education Methods Core courses.
Professional Education Core courses:
- Fall or Spring Semester-EDUC 570 Introduction to Teaching and Learning (6 hours)
- Fall or Spring Semester-EDUC 571 Extending and Refining Knowledge of Teaching and Learning (6 hours)
- Following Fall Semester or later-EDUC 591 Enhanced Student Teaching (6 hours)
Total Professional Education Core hours: 18 hours
Elementary Education Methods courses:
- EDUC 572 Early Childhood and Adolescent Development (3 hours)
- EDUC 573 Methods of Teaching Mathematics in K-5 (3 hours)
- EDUC 574 Foundations of Literacy (3 hours)
- EDUC 575 Phonemic Awareness and Phonics (3 hours)
- EDUC 576 Methods of Teaching Science in K-5 (3 hours)
- EDUC 577 Elementary Content Area Literacy (3 hours)
- EDUC 578 Methods of Teaching Literacy in Elementary School (3 hours)
Total Elementary Education Methods Core hours: 18 hours
For Elementary majors who wish to earn the Master of Education in Initial Teacher Licensure degree plus a recommendation for licensure, the following additional courses are required:
- EDUC 501 Foundations of American Education (3 hours)
- EDUC 511 Research and Statistics (3 hours)
Total Master of Education Electives: 6 hours
Total required hours for the MEd degree in Initial Teacher Licensure: 42 hours
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Secondary Education (K-12 or 6-12) Required Courses
For the first two Fall and Spring semesters, candidates will attend class approximately ten Saturdays per semester. These classes are set far in advance, and attendance is required.
In addition, candidates will have a one-weekday afternoon/evening class per week (4:00-6:30 PM and 7:00-9:30 PM). These class meeting dates are set far in advance, and attendance is required.
There is no required summer coursework for secondary candidates, but we have MEd electives that many candidates opt to take. As long as candidates have met the requirements, they will be ready to student teach the following semester.
For secondary majors, the total number of hours for licensure is 24. Secondary candidates may apply for licensure after completing the professional core, required deficiency coursework, testing, and student teaching.
Professional Education Core courses:
- Fall or Spring Semester-EDUC 570 Introduction to Teaching and Learning (6 hours)
- Fall or Spring Semester-EDUC 571 Extending and Refining Knowledge of Teaching and Learning (6 hours)
- EDUC 580 Secondary Methods in Teaching (3 hours)
- EDUC 509 Content Literacy (3 hours)
- Following Fall Semester or later-EDUC 591 Enhanced Student Teaching (6 hours)
Total Professional Education Core hours: 24 hours
For Secondary majors who wish to earn the Master of Education in Initial Teacher Licensure degree plus a recommendation for licensure, the following additional courses are required:
- EDUC 501 Foundations of American Education (3 hours)
- EDUC 511 Research and Statistics (3 hours)
- CI 501 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (3 hours)
- EDUC 572 Early Childhood and Adolescent Child Development (3 hours)
Complete 6 hours from the following courses:
- EDUC 592 Diversity and Equity Issues (3 hours)
- CI 512 Educational Practice and Innovation (3 hours)
- CI 516 Motivational Theory/Environment (3 hours)
- IL 541 School/Community Partnerships (3 hours)
Total Master of Education Electives: 18 hours
Total required hours for the MEd degree in Initial Teacher Licensure: 42 hours
Master of Education Degree Requirements
Earning your master's degree with a teaching certificate from LMU requires you to meet specific benchmarks during the program. To graduate, you must meet or exceed the following requirements:
- Completion of the credit hours specified in your program of study.
- Complete all requirements for Enhanced Student Teaching - EDUC 591 (two placements - 16 weeks total).
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B).
- Payment of all fees.
- Completion of necessary interviews and surveys.
- Compliance with Institutional Research Board policies.
- Passing score on the PRAXIS® exams.
- You must pass the PRAXIS® as a pre-requisite for student teaching.
- Passing score on the edTPA© Assessment while enrolled in EDUC 591 or EDUC 593 courses.
- It is your responsibility to complete the edTPA portfolio to achieve licensure. However, LMU will help you prepare and understand the requirements, depending on the license you're pursuing.
See the Masters of Education Initial Teacher Education Handbook (PDF) for the detailed initial teacher licensure requirements list.
Resources for Master's Teacher Certification
Related Programs in the Carter & Moyers School of Education
Contact Us
Stephanie Johnson
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Carter & Moyers School of Education
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