Northern Vermont University-Johnson offers four graduate-level teacher education programs in curriculum and instruction:

M.A. in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, Inclusive Childhood Education (elementary education and special education)

This rigorous academic program provides education courses for students who have an undergraduate liberal arts degree in an approved discipline area and want to gain a teaching license in both elementary education (K-6) and special education (K-8). A full-time, full-semester internship is required. Course and practicum experiences provide knowledge of the theories, research, standards, and practices that affect schools and informal educational settings.

Learning is studied as a fundamental human endeavor involving culture and context, imagination and interaction, reason and reaction. Careful attention is given to the growth of children as individuals whose perceptions, interests, joys, strengths, and challenges are formed within a community and through agency. Graduates are prepared to help children succeed in school and beyond and to be strong advocates for educational excellence and equity.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rob Schulze

View the Curriculum and Instruction Inclusive Childhood Education requirements.

M.A. in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, Middle-Level Education (math, science, social studies, or English)

This program provides innovative and contextual learning experiences through which graduate students can become prepared for teaching at the middle-school level (grades 5-9). A focus of the program is collaborative efforts and work in middle schools. Graduates who successfully complete the required coursework and licensure requirements receive a recommendation for middle-level licensure. Two practicum experiences and a full-time, full-semester internship are required.

For licensure recommendation in one or more of the core content areas (math, science, social studies, or English), you must have at least 18 credits in the area of endorsement. A transcript analysis is also required to determine whether previous content area coursework fulfills the requirements. The Licensure Office or its designee will conduct the review. If necessary, you will need to take additional content courses to be recommended for licensure.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rob Schulze

View the Curriculum and Instruction Middle-Level catalog.

M.A. in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, Secondary Education (math, science, social studies, or English)

This program provides innovative and contextual learning experiences through which graduate students can become prepared for teaching at the secondary level (grades 7-12). A focus of the program is understanding and engaging adolescent learners. Successful completion of the program may result in recommendation for secondary licensure. Two practicum experiences and a full-time, full-semester internship are required.

For licensure recommendation, the equivalent of a major in one of the core content areas (math, science, social studies, or English) in needed. A transcript analysis is also required to determine whether previous content area coursework fulfills these requirements. The Licensure Office or its designee will conduct the review. If necessary, you’ll need to take additional content courses to be recommended for licensure.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rob Schulze

View the Curriculum and Instruction Secondary Education catalog.

M.A. in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, Unified Arts (art, music, dance, or theater arts)

This program provides innovative and contextual learning experiences through which graduate students can become prepared for teaching in one of the unified arts areas. A focus of the program is creativity and experience. Successful completion of this program may result in recommendation for licensure. Two practicum experiences and a full-time, full-semester internship are required.

You must have an undergraduate degree in an appropriate content area, and a transcript analysis is required to determine whether previous content-area coursework fulfills all requirements. The Licensure Office or its designee will conduct the review. If necessary, you’ll need to take additional content courses to be recommended for licensure.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rob Schulze

View the Curriculum and Instruction Unified Arts catalog.

Designed for licensed teachers who want an endorsement in special education, this program is based on a “characteristics” approach that focuses on students with both low- and high-incidence disabilities. On successful program completion, candidates will be endorsed to teach in special education placements in grades K-12. The program provides philosophical, theoretical, and practical models of current special education policies and procedures, emphasizing hands-on internship experiences.

You’ll use what you learn in authentic settings, strengthening the connection between research and practice. You will develop skills to:

• Understand the diverse characteristics of students with disabilities
• Assess students’ strengths and needs in order to develop and evaluate an individualized plan of study
• Create lessons plans that employ the principles of the Universal Design for Learning and other research-based methods
• Conduct a functional behavioral assessment to help meet behavioral needs of students
• Collaborate and consult with other professionals to provide a wrap-around approach to care
• Identify the impact of culture and diversity on the identification and education of students with disabilities
• Advocate for the rights of people with disabilities

One-Year Option

NVU-Johnson offers the opportunity for students to complete the master’s degree in special education in one year. This requires a strong commitment to rigorous study and should be considered only by students who can dedicate their time to this effort. Students also have the option to complete the program in two years or to develop a plan for completion approved by the program coordinator. We highly recommend that students with full-time jobs consider the part-time program.

Portfolio Development

All students are required to assemble a comprehensive portfolio throughout the program. Each portfolio entry is aligned with the Vermont Special Education Teacher Competencies and is assigned as part of the student’s coursework. Submission of a final portfolio is a requirement for the master’s degree.

Action Research Project

All students must develop a presentation on a relevant action research project conducted throughout the program. The project will be planned and approved in the first-semester research course. You’ll be required to submit a professional paper and give a presentation of your findings as a final project.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rob Schulze

View the M.A. in Education: Special Education requirements.

Be known as the instructor who’s ready to face today’s remote learning challenges head-on.

Northern Vermont University’s new online master of education concentration in digital media instruction is designed for classroom teachers, Educational Technology Specialists, college instructors, and other instructional professionals who wish to learn how to employ digital media to enhance their teaching.

Our curriculum incorporates innovative strategies developed by Discovery Education® and the Discovery Education Network for on-going peer mentoring.

View full degree details.

The Foundations of Education program is a self-designed option for licensed educators who want to pursue particular questions, ideas, or aims through graduate study in education. In consultation with the faculty advisor, you’ll design a program to meet your specific objectives and needs.

The program blends core coursework with a series of topical seminars, enabling you to create an individually designed theme to guide your study. A focus in the program is the development of a critical perspective on the social, political, and structural arrangements of formal education, as well as coursework and teaching experiences designed to promote equity and excellence for all.

You will meet with your faculty adviser frequently to develop and revise your plan of study. All students complete a capstone project; a thesis option is available. An exit interview is required.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. David McGough

View the Foundations of Education – Self Designed requirements.