Frequently Asked Questions

This program is for:

• Licensed teachers seeking professional development in an accredited Master’s program.
• Instructors at post-secondary institutions seeking a master’s degree in professional development who do not require K-12 certification.
• Instructors in business and industry or other community-based settings.

Please note, the online program does not have a certification concentration; if you seek initial teacher certification, only the on-campus M.S. in Education program provides initial teacher certification.

Core Objectives:

1. Explore the personal, historical, philosophical, sociological, psychological, multicultural, and political influences on educational practice from an organizational and personal perspective.

2. Analyze current issues and trends in education in the context of educational research and historical foundations of education.

3. Examine personal practice to reflectively develop a personal philosophy and practice of education in one or more areas of educational specialization.

4. Examine how various orientations to curriculum integrate the theoretical, instructional, and educational modes of discourse.

5. Plan, evaluate, and revise curriculum used in one's own practice.

6. Analyze, evaluate, and revise one's own teaching and make judgments about the appropriateness of various teaching methods in various contexts.

7. Use and evaluate educational technologies appropriate to ones own practice.

8. Analyze the philosophy and principles underlying organization and operation of schools.

9. Interpret educational research and conduct applied research to improve teaching and learning.

Professional Development Concentration Objectives:

1. Reflect on one's own practice to select goals and formulate a professional development plan or license renewal plan aligned with the Wisconsin Standards.

2. In collaboration with peers and the professional development team engage in continuous and annual review of the professional development or license renewal plan.

3. Provide standards-based portfolio evidence of professional development aligned with the accepted teaching standards.

University of Wisconsin-Stout is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Cohorts start in the Fall and Spring.

Yes!  There are currently students enrolled in the Master of Science in Education online program who are located all over the globe.

Fall Cohort Course Sequence [PDF]

Spring Cohort Course Sequence [PDF]

All courses will be taken online and should be completed by end of each semester.

Students enrolled in the online Master’s program will reflectively develop their professional competencies and teaching styles.

Students admitted to the master’s program must take these courses in the professional core.

• EDUC-729 Introduction to Research
• EDUC-726 Administration
• EDUC-735 Problem in Education (Final Project)
• EDUC-750 Curriculum Theory and Practice
• EDUC-790 Professional Portfolio Development
• PSYC-730 Advanced Psychology of Learning

One of the following three courses, depending on area of personal interest and desired professional development:

• EDUC-740 Research Foundations
• EDUC-741 Grant Proposal Development
• EDUC-742 Program Evaluation

Students must complete selectives totaling from 10-12 credits depending on the research project selected. There are 22 online selective courses approved as professional development degree options.

Students may not transfer credits from outside institutions into the program.

Selectives are limited to UW-Stout online courses numbered 500 and above and approved for use in graduate degree programs.

Online learning enables interested students to enroll in university courses without the necessity of traveling to the university campus at set times. Online learning involves connecting to the internet to obtain content material, retrieve and submit assignments and participate in discussions with classmates and teachers.

You will set your own hours and determine when you participate in the class discussion and when you work on assignments. The class environment is available and active seven days a week, 24 hours a day. No matter where you are, you can participate at a time that is convenient for you. Your instructor will be online several times a day. As a general rule, you should check your e-mail and the course discussion board 3-5 days each week in order to keep up with discussions, questions, and assignments.

The difference between an online course and an on-campus course is in the method of accessing and engaging with the content materials. Course objectives and expectations are the same in an online course as an on-campus course, though the methods of delivery may differ significantly. In-class lectures are replaced by various online multi-media presentations, and students are expected to participate frequently in online discussion groups. Assignments are accessed and submitted electronically. Resource materials are provided online (electronically) or may be purchased through online sources.

In order to take an online course, you should be familiar with how to navigate the Internet, use email, and be able to use word processing software (e.g. Microsoft Word). The University of Wisconsin-Stout employs Microsoft Products and access to this software is required. Access to Microsoft Word is required to prepare documents during the course.  Microsoft Office is available to UW-Stout students at a university student discount of $30.00.  The software may be purchased online at WISC: the Wisconsin Integrated Software Catalog.

Since everyone has different computer experiences, we recommend a couple of orientation activities.

Some courses may include recorded audio and video components, and you will need internet "plug-ins" such as RealPlayer or QuickTime to view these components. You may check with the course instructor before the class begins to find out what additional components will be necessary. Many of these "plug-ins" are available to download free off of the internet. A listing of sites that offer commonly needed and downloadable plug-ins are provided for you on the

Free Downloadable Plug-ins page found under Technical Support in the Learner Center.

To apply for the Online Masters in Education program, you will need to complete an application to the UW-Stout Graduate School, as well as apply to the online M.S. in Education program. For complete application information, review How to Apply. Applicants do not need to take the GRE.

To request a packet of information, be added to our email mailing list, or for more information about the program, please contact:

Amy Gullixson
School of Education
Student Services Specialist

Phone: 715/232-2253
E-Mail: gullixsona@uwstout.edu