Master in Teaching

Did you earn your college degree in something other than teaching? Are you looking to become a teacher? Don’t burn extra time and money earning a second bachelor’s degree.

It’s better and faster to start your teaching career with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Teaching from the University of Sioux Falls (USF) in South Dakota.

Increasingly, school districts want to hire teachers with master’s degrees in education to help them face growing demands and changes in education and in schools of all sizes.

This 17-month program is built with working professionals in mind, so in most cases, students work full-time until the final semester of the program when they are placed into classrooms for professional, hands-on student teaching. 

Best Reasons to Earn Your M.Ed. in Teaching at USF:

Accreditation. The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the Fredrikson School of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the M.Ed. in Teaching program is approved by the South Dakota Department of Education.

Teaching License. When you graduate from USF’s Master of Education in Teaching degree program, you’ll be eligible for licensure by South Dakota’s Department of Education as a secondary teacher (middle school and high school) in your undergraduate major content area or, in some cases, a K-12 teacher if your undergraduate major is in music, foreign language, physical education or art.

Higher Salary. Many school districts offer teachers with master’s degrees higher salaries.

Flexibility. Complete your degree with a combination of evening on-campus and online classes. Most working professionals continue full-time employment for the first 13 months of the program. 

Christian University. USF is a private, Christian university. For many of our students at the associate, bachelor's and master's level, this is an important factor in their graduate school decision.

Location. Our campus is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

M.Ed. Quick Start

USF undergraduate students who are currently pursuing a non-teaching bachelor's degree such as English, Business Administration or Exercise Science can join the M.Ed. Quick Start program. The program allows students to take M.Ed. classes for their Master's in Teaching program before completion of their bachelor's degree. Their undergraduate degree will provide content knowledge and their 17-month master's in teaching will prepare them for the classroom with pedagogical practices. Minimum qualifications include completion of 100 hours of undergraduate coursework and a minimum 3.4 GPA in undergraduate classes. Learn more by contacting the Senior Director of Graduate and Continuing Studies  Kama.Konda-Varilek@usiouxfalls.edu 

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Teaching Admission Requirements

You’re eligible for USF’s Master of Education in Teaching program, designed for working professionals looking to change careers to teaching, if you meet the following criteria:

• You already hold a bachelor’s degree in an academic major that is taught at the secondary level or in a related area.
• You earned a minimum 2.6 GPA or appropriate disposition and demonstrated knowledge and skill in a related field for provisional entrance; 3.0 GPA for unconditional admission.
• You submit an application. Applications include a personal statement. Using your best writing skills, you will explain in 250-500 words your long-term education and career goals, stating any areas of specific interest and experience that may be relevant to your graduate program.
• You successfully pass the Praxis II exam in your undergraduate major content area (within the first nine semester hours of your M.Ed. coursework).

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Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Teaching Degree Program Overview

The M.Ed. in Teaching includes 35 semester hours. 

The following timeframe allows individuals pursuing the M.Ed. in Teaching to continue full-time employment until the final professional semester of the program. All coursework including the professional student teaching credits can be completed in the 17-month timeframe.  

In the above chart, some classes marked as online are considered remote, meaning designated synchronous online class meeting times are expected, and some are considered asynchronous, meaning no designated meeting times. Remote components to classes have the benefit of regular virtual access to fellow graduate students, the instructor, and a community feel, and asynchronous components allow for great flexibility for personal and professional schedules. Please contact education.web@usiouxfalls.edu with specific course questions. All USF instructors are trained in online pedagogy.

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When can I start?

This 17-month program is designed to begin early January.

Have questions about the M. Ed. in Teaching? See Real Answers from students.