Catalog

Graduate Programs

Master’s degree programs in the Department of Education are designed to serve teachers, administrators, and other educators working with and on behalf of schools. Each master's program includes course work, fieldwork, and mentoring in the areas of teaching, learning, technology, social justice, diversity, equity, and leadership.

Program Options

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of a master’s degree in the School of Education and Leadership

  • Students will be able to develop, implement, integrate, and assess curriculum.
  • Students will be able to integrate technology in the curriculum to differentiate instruction.
  • Students will be able to implement and evaluate practices and systems that support the success of under-represented minority groups.
  • Students will be able to apply critical thinking skills, analytical reading skills, analytical writing skills, and oral communication skills in the evaluation of educational problems.
  • Students will be able to plan, conduct, evaluate, publish, and present a thesis research project based on a socially relevant research question.

Curriculum and Instruction Emphasis

  • Students will be able to analyze and evaluate the different categories and uses of tests.

Technology Emphasis

  • Students will be able to analyze, evaluate, and apply various technologies for purposes of educational assessment and evaluation, program, development, and improvement.

Disciplinary Studies

  • Students will be able to broaden and deepen knowledge and understanding of a specific subject.
  • Students will be able to develop, implement, integrate, and assess curriculum in a specific subject area, both at the classroom and district levels.
  • Students will be able to plan, conduct, and evaluate a thesis research project based on a socially relevant research question.
  • Students will be able to publish a thesis project in the NDNU Library and present the thesis research to the larger community (at the NDNU Graduate Research Conference).

Articulation with Credential Programs

The School of Education offers students the possibility of enrolling concurrently in some master’s and credential programs.

Preliminary Credential
Students enrolled in NDNU's credential programs have a unique opportunity to count up to 12 of their credential course units toward the MA in Education, significantly reducing the time and financial resources required to earn a degree. Recent graduates of NDNU's credential programs can also count 12 credential units toward either of these degrees.  Contact Dr. Kim Tolley, Program Director, (650) 508-3464 or ktolley@ndnu.edu, for additional information regarding this opportunity.

Master's Thesis and Capstone Project

Advanced studies are characterized by the reflexive integration of theory and practice. Each master's program culminates with a thesis or capstone project that integrates research, practice, and personal reflection. The type of project that is associated with each degree is noted in the program descriptions (e.g., thesis, teacher research portfolio, capstone statement). Each project invites students to demonstrate scholarly knowledge, skills, and habits of inquiry in the context of a particular area of expertise.

It is important to note that the required courses associated with each advanced degree program support students in the completion of their thesis or capstone projects. Through the thesis or capstone experience, students demonstrate their ability to ask thoughtful questions, collect information, analyze information, and reflect on issues regarding teaching, learning, and schooling that will enable them to improve their practice throughout their careers.

Instructions for preparing the thesis can be found in the Thesis Handbook available from the School of Education and Leadership office.

Admission Information

Students may apply to enter programs in the Department of Education for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters and should meet the following requirements:

  1. A bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited institution
  2. Undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better
  3. Two letters of recommendation
  4. Personal interview with the Program Director

Admission requirements vary by program. Certain graduate programs may require an initial interview and/or test scores. See the relevant Catalog sections or printed Program Brochures for program-specific requirements. For details on admission processes, see Graduate Admission.