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Master of Arts in Education | Elementary Education KS (non-licensure) | Graduate Degree Program

Master of Arts in Education | Elementary Education KS (non-licensure)

Master of Arts in Elementary Education (Kansas)

Ottawa University’s Master of Arts in Elementary Education (MAEE) degree provides the structured framework for augmenting knowledge and skills for teaching and learning in the Pre-K- 6 environment. The degree is available through the university's Kansas campuses for students who desire to increase their content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge through application of skill and current research.

Students pursuing the MAEE will develop a clear understanding of all Pre-K- 6 student learning needs, as well as create enriched framework for the classroom learning community. This accelerated degree is designed to provide graduate with the skill set to work in professional continuing education settings, becoming an accomplished educator, assist in preparing new teachers, and/or work towards becoming National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT).

Masters in Education Degree Outcomes

Graduates of the MAEE program will have the skills and knowledge necessary to:

  • Construct opportunities for multiage learning environments
  • Develop engaging intensive intervention strategies and aspects of makerspaces
  • Acquire life balance skills for health and wellness of educators and students
  • Learn how to effectively prepare learning engagement for the online and remote classroom, including universal design, interdisciplinary sessions, gaming activities, and virtual environments
  • Apply systemic practice and theory in the classroom and with professional learning teams
  • Create assessments to determine learning accountability
  • Enhance learning strategies and professional skills for ELL/ELA instruction, the science of reading, exploring STEAM and creativity, and guiding students with special needs

Why Earn a Masters in Education?

It has been widely understood that if the United States of America expects greater returns on its investments in education, we are going to need to put highly qualified, innovative minds in teaching and administrative positions. A Master of Arts in Education is a prerequisite for many education positions and is recognized by school districts as a valuable credential. A master’s degree in education gives educators the knowledge and skills to inspire and encourage a love of learning and the techniques to handle diverse classrooms and learning styles. Master’s degree programs in education prepare educators to utilize high-level teaching methodologies and provide the tools to make work in the field of education more effective and efficient.

For complete curriculum and course descriptions, download a program overview.

Students in OU’s MAEE program can earn their teaching degree in Arizona or Kansas. The education major is based on state, regional, and national licensure criteria and testing competencies. The Ottawa University teacher education programs are state approved in Arizona and Kansas and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

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For more information on earning your Masters in Elementary Education at Ottawa University, contact us today!

Education | Elementary Education KS (non-licensure) is offered at the following locations.

  • Ottawa, KS (Residential Campus)
  • Overland Park, Kansas
  • Online

Education and Qualifications for Elementary Education

The traditional route to becoming a public school teacher involves completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a teacher education program and then obtaining a certificate/license in a specific state. Those who have a college degree in other fields may meet state guidelines by completing a teacher certification/licensure program. For supervisory or other advanced education positions, a master’s degree may be required.

Career Outlook for Elementary Education

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for elementary education teachers was $61,690 in May 2022. About 109,000 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are projected each year, on average, from 2022 to 2032. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Master of Arts in Education: Elementary Education 

(36 credit hours)

Elementary Education Concentration Courses

(18 credit hours)

Arts and Wellness in the Elementary Classroom: Part I | EDC 7120 (1 credit hour)
Examines the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the arts (music, visual arts, dance, and/or theatre), physical education, and wellness.

Arts and Wellness in the Elementary Classroom: Part II | EDC 7121 (1 credit hour)
Learn to plan, implement, and assess (with adaptations as needed) learning experiences in the arts (music, visual arts, dance and/or theatre) and physical education, and wellness that engage all learners (including those with special needs) in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem-solving.

Integrated Teaching in Elementary Science and Mathematics | EDC 7320 (3 credit hours)
Examines the understands and uses scientific disciplinary core ideas, cross-cutting concepts, and science and engineering practices central concepts, tools of inquiry, and introduces the structures of mathematics (counting and cardinality, operations and algebraic thinking, number and operation in base ten and fractions, measurement and data, geometry, ratios and proportional relationships, statistics and probability). Learn how to plan, implement, and assess science and mathematics concepts including engaging elementary learners in curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, exploration, sense-making, conceptual development, and collaborative problem-solving. Experiences will include designing personalized learning needs, ELL strategies, universal design, application of learning technologies, and intensive intervention strategies. Field experience required.

Integrated Teaching in Elementary Social Studies, English and Language Arts ​ | EDC 7321 (3 credit hours)
Examines the central concepts and structures of social studies (the integrated study of history, geography, people and places, economics, civics and government) and the English/language arts (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, Language, and ELL). Learn how to plan, implement, and assess social studies and language arts including aspects of language acquisition, phonics and comprehension strategies, personalized learning needs, use of performance data, application of learning technologies, and the principles of universal design. Field experience required.

The Professional Educator: Lab I | EDC 7700 (1 credit hour)
Gain experience with researched-based strategies, project-based instruction, global collaboration, and reflective practice, which assumes use of technology and universal design.

The Professional Educator: Lab II | EDC 7700 (1 credit hour)
Gain strategies for instruction, inclusion, classroom organization, data management, and student engagement.

Clinical Practice I: Elementary Unified and ELA (English/Language Arts) Teaching Lab | EDC 8500 (4 credit hours)
Student teaching in selected inclusive classrooms with emphasis on the ELA elementary education standards and ELL standard (including phonics, the science of reading, and language acquisition). Special seminars and continuous evaluation of teaching experiences.

Clinical Practice II: Elementary Unified and Mathematics Teaching Lab | EDC 8501 (4 credit hours)
Student teaching in selected inclusive classrooms with emphasis on the mathematics elementary education standards. Special seminars and continuous evaluation of teaching experiences.

Foundation Courses

(18 credit hours)

Foundation of Learning Theory | EDF 7110 (3 credit hours) 
Evaluate key learning theories and environmental factors in relationship to student motivation, along with the behavioral and academic success of students. 

Foundation of Education | EDF 7210 (3 credit hours) 
Explore the historical and philosophical foundations of education in order to evaluate educational trends and create a personal philosophy of education while practicing the profession with intentionality. 

Foundation of Exceptionality | EDF 7310 (3 credit hours) 
A comprehensive investigation concerning the identification, support, and resources necessary for supporting families and children/students with exceptionalities. Utilizing a team-based approach, candidates will construct strategies for creating programs that advocate for and sustain an instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth. 

Foundation of Educational Research and Assessment | EDF 7410 (3 credit hours)
Evaluate the relevance of educational research to curriculum improvement, federal and state policies, systematic processes, and instructional and assessment strategies. Apply various research methods within educational environments at multiple levels. 

Foundation of Ethical Practices in Education | EDF 7500 (3 credit hours)
Examines the ethical guidelines and professional educator standards. Analyze, engage in, and demonstrate aspects of reflective practice, critical perspectives, and making informed and ethical decisions. Candidates will learn about advocating for sound educational practices and policies.

Master's Research Project | EDF 8503 (3 credit hours) 
Prepare major culminating scholarly project directly relevant to the program of study. Approved project proposal required.

For complete curriculum and course descriptions, download a program overview.

Full Degree Catalog

University Accreditation

Ottawa University, as a whole, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Specific degree programs within our institution have also been accredited by relevant bodies within the field:

We are proudly recognized for our commitment to student excellence by the following designations:

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