Our M.A. in Teaching qualifies aspiring teachers to enter the field of their calling. You’ll receive an initial teaching license and gain the skills and knowledge you need for a successful teaching career.

Total Credits

36-37

Finish in as Few as

18-22 months (plus thesis)

Courses

• Locating Resources for Educational Research (EDUC614)

  Introduction of skills needed to search for and cite resources used in a teacher preparation program and master’s thesis. Identification of differences between research-based sources, non-research-based sources, and other scholarly sources on educational topics using discipline-specific resources.

  1 credits

• Historical and Contemporary Issues in K-12 Education (EDUC627)

  Introduction to the teaching profession and focus on influences shaping education. History, philosophy, psychology, sociology, legal matters, reform, and other current education issues. Student mental health and impact of chemicals in student lives, families, and schools. Personal growth planning and the connection between professional responsibilities and personal faith and values.

  3 credits

• Psychology of Student Learning (EDUC634)

  Application of educational principles relevant to the physical, social, emotional, moral, and cognitive development of preadolescents and adolescents. Identification of different approaches to K-12 students’ development, learning, performance, and critical elements needed to structure an effective learning environment. Synthesis of early assessment theory and current issues. Analysis of theories and principles that influence and motivate learning, development, and behavior related to the learning environment.

  3 credits

• General Methods of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (EDUC641)

  Creation of standards-based, short and long-range plans that are linked to student needs and performance, connected to other disciplines, and include technology resources to support learning. Integration of evidence-based instructional strategies that meet learner needs. Development of assessments and evaluations using appropriate data practices. Examination of Christian perspectives and personal values within the professional practice of teaching.

  4 credits

• Field Experiences in School-based Settings (EDUC643)

  Application of information gained through observations of general education, special education, EL and/or other teachers and students with specific learning needs in educational environments. Implementation of principles of effective instruction in the content area and grade level of licensure. Development of planning skills, instructional strategies, assessment skills, self-assessment skills, and professional dispositions using feedback from educational professionals. Observation of teachers’ use of culturally-responsive instructional practices to incorporate students’ experiences, cultures and communication into instruction.

  3 credits

• Teaching Content Area Literacy (EDUC665)

  Analysis of knowledge of research-based skills and assessment strategies, reading processes, and instructional practices in the content area. Integration of various instructional strategies to support readers of various proficiency levels, linguistic backgrounds, and specific learning needs in K-12 settings. Implementation of reading research by determining strategies for developing and implementing academic language, vocabulary, fluency, orthographic knowledge, morphological relationships within words, and comprehension. Application of strategies for enhancing K-12 students’ visual, critical, vocabulary, and writing literacy.

  3 credits

• Equity in Diverse School Contexts (EDUC669)

  Identification of various groups in American communities and how to foster communication. Analysis of Minnesota-based American Indian tribes. Evaluation of the effects that racial, cultural, and economic factors have in the classroom. Exploration of practical classroom strategies for addressing diversity and inclusion challenges such as bias, discrimination, prejudices, racism, religion, gender, and sexism. Designing and differentiating a culturally-responsive curriculum for a variety of students. Differentiation of curriculum and teaching for gifted and talented students.

  3 credits

• Teacher Candidate Seminar (EDUC753)

  Analyzation of data from assessments to monitor student progress and guide next steps for instruction. Strategies for managing student behaviors to maximize learning. Use of classroom teaching, information about students, collaboration with professionals, problem-solving strategies and self-assessment in the teaching and learning environment. Creation of professional job search tools. Social, ethical, legal, and human issues surrounding the use of information and technology. Christian or personal perspectives on the Code of Ethics for Minnesota teachers.

  3 credits

• Preparing the Thesis/Collaborative Research Project (EDUC755)

  Introduction to the educational research process including planning for the process of writing and defending a thesis. Recognition of the characteristics of quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods and meta-analysis. Reflection on research ethics from a Christian worldview. Demonstration of academic research and writing skills including APA formatting proficiency. Summarization of current, relevant literature on a feasible topic. Creation of a prospectus that contains key components of a proposed study.

  1 credits

• Student Teaching Placement I (EDUC778)

  Planning and implementing standards-based instruction based on knowledge of subject matter, educational research and/or theory, appropriate educational technology, and diverse needs of students. Use of formal and informal assessment strategies to monitor growth and progress, give feedback, and guide next steps for instruction. Execution of effective classroom management techniques. Establishment of productive relationships, through effective verbal and written communication, with parents/guardians, counselors, teachers, and other school-based stakeholders.

  5 credits

  Corequisite Course: EDUC753;EDUC781

• Student Teaching II (EDUC781)

  Student teaching for an add-on teaching license and continuation of student teaching for a K-12 teaching license. Planning and implementing standards-based instruction based on knowledge of subject matter, educational research and/or theory, appropriate educational technology, and diverse needs of students. Use of formal and informal assessment strategies to monitor growth and progress, give feedback, and guide instruction. Execution of effective classroom management techniques. Establishment of relationships, through effective verbal and written communication, with parents/guardians, counselors, teachers, and other stakeholders.

  1 credits

  Corequisite Course: EDUC753;EDUC778

• Writing the Thesis/Collaborative Research Project (EDUC790)

  Exploration of a significant educational issue relevant to the student's professional involvement through an independent thesis or collaborative, research project. Oral defense of student’s thesis or project following collaboration with thesis advisor to ensure guidelines have been followed and requirements have been met as noted in the Bethel University Graduate Education Thesis Handbook.

  3 credits

Select one from:

• Social Studies 5-12 Teaching Methods (EDUC659)

  Methods and strategies for designing and implementing standards-based learning plans for secondary social studies students using a variety of materials and educational technology. Creation and implementation of formal and informal assessments for evaluating student progress and performance. Identification of classroom management practices in a technology-integrated environment. Identification of ways to involve business, community, co-curricular activities and extracurricular activities in creating educational opportunities. A Christian or personal worldview perspective on the role of teaching social studies.

  4 credits

• Mathematics 5-12 Teaching Methods (EDUC671)

  Methods and strategies for designing and implementing standards-based learning plans for secondary mathematics students using a variety of materials, educational technology, and multiple representations. Creation of assessments for evaluating student performance. Identification of effective classroom management practices that promote a positive learning environment. Ways to involve stakeholders, co-curricular activities and extracurricular activities to create educational opportunities. Exploration of connections between biblical principles and culturally-relevant mathematics instruction.

  4 credits

• Science 5-12 Teaching Methods (EDUC672)

  Methods and strategies for designing and implementing standards-based learning plans for secondary science students. Creation of assessments for evaluating student progress and performance. Identification of effective classroom management practices in a technology-integrated environment. Safety guidelines for caring for scientific specimens, data, chemicals and equipment. Ways to involve business, industry, community organizations, co curricular activities and extracurricular activities to create educational opportunities. Current topics in science education using a Christian and ethical perspective.

  4 credits

• Visual Arts K-12 Teaching Methods (EDUC674)

  Methods and strategies for designing standards-based learning plans for K-12 visual arts students. Creation of assessments for evaluating student performance. Identification of effective classroom management practices in a technology-integrated environment. Ways to involve business, industry, community organizations, co curricular activities and extracurricular activities to create educational opportunities. History, philosophy, and purposes of visual arts education. Approaches to teaching art history, religion, criticism, and aesthetics, and creation of art prototypes used in visual art learning environments.

  4 credits

• World Languages and Cultures K-12 Teaching Methods (EDUC676)

  Methods and strategies for designing standards-based learning plans for grades K-12 World Languages and Cultures. Creation of assessments for evaluating student performance. Identification of effective classroom management practices in a technology-integrated environment. How second language acquisition theory informs language teaching. Demonstration of speaking proficiency in the target language and in English. Ways to involve stakeholders, co-curricular activities and extracurricular activities to create educational opportunities. Integration of personal faith or worldview on teaching languages and culture.

  4 credits

• ESL K-12 Teaching Methods (EDUC678)

  Methods and strategies for designing standards-based learning plans for grades K-12 English as a second language. Creation of assessments for evaluating student performance. Identification of effective classroom management practices in a technology-integrated environment. Understanding of second language acquisition theory and research. Demonstration of speaking proficiency in English. Ways to involve stakeholders, co-curricular activities and extracurricular activities to create educational opportunities. Personal faith or worldview perspective on teaching languages and culture.

  4 credits

• Communication Arts and Literature 5-12 Teaching Methods (EDUC679)

  Methods and strategies for designing and implementing standards-based learning plans for secondary communication and language arts students using a variety of materials and educational technology. Creation of formal and informal assessments useful for evaluating student progress and performance. Identification of effective classroom management practices that promote a positive learning environment in a technology-integrated environment. Application of philosophy, theory, and research for forming a healthy, professional, community-supported learning environment that includes Christian perspectives and personal values.

  4 credits

• Business 5-12 Teaching Methods (EDUC689)

  Methods and strategies for designing standards-based learning plans for secondary business students. Creation of assessments for evaluating student performance. Identification of effective classroom management practices in a technology-integrated environment. Ways to involve business, industry, community organizations, co-curricular activities and extracurricular activities to create educational opportunities. Strategies for recruiting business education students and organizing instruction about careers, entrepreneurship, work-based learning, and career and technical education based on key legislation.

  4 credits

Licensure and Accreditation

• This program fulfills the licensure requirements in the state of Minnesota. In addition to coursework, there are external tests you must pass.
• Minnesota requires all teacher candidates to complete and pass the edTPA.
• Bethel’s M.A. in Teaching program has approval through Minnesota’s Professional Education Licensing Standards Board (PELSB).
• Student teaching courses are required to be taken at Bethel.
• If you want to obtain a teaching license in a state other than Minnesota, check that state’s requirements for licensure.
  • Bethel University cannot confirm whether courses or programs meet requirements for professional licensure in states outside of Minnesota. Students should contact their program's licensing bureau to determine whether Bethel's program meets requirements for licensure in their state.

Why Choose Bethel?

Learn why you should choose Bethel (Google doc) for a Master of Arts in Teaching.