Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies

Department of Teaching
Learning and Educational Studies
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5276 USA
(269) 387-3465

Master of Arts in Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies

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This 30 hour degree program provides a comprehensive professional development option for current preK-12 teachers. In order to address the ever-changing and complex challenges faced by today's teachers, teachers and faculty advisors work together to customize programs of study to meet individual needs and professional goals.

After you are admitted to the program, work with your advisor to select classes tailored to your interests in your chosen area of study. The result can be a degree that matters to you, your school, and your community, encompassing a set of core program beliefs.

Note: Students in the former program working towards a master’s in early childhood, elementary teaching or middle school, may stay with that program or meet with an advisor to transition to the new program.

Concentrations

  • Curriculum and Instruction - This program designed to bridge theory and practice and prepare teachers, administrators, and staff with a grounded approach to the fields of curriculum theory and design, pedagogy, and multicultural education.
  • Early Childhood Education - This program is designed for early childhood educators and administrators working in a variety of settings including childcare, private and public preschools, and home-based programs.
  • Educational Foundations - This program is designed to explore the socio-cultural, political, and philosophical context of educational theory and practice.
  • Teacher Leader - This program is for Michigan certified teachers who would like to earn the TL (Teacher Leader) endorsement along with a master’s degree.

Admissions requirements

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
  • An overall grade point average of at least a 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) in the last two years of undergraduate work. If you have a GPA of less than 3.0, you may be granted a Conditional Admission. This will be converted to a regular admission if you receive a B or better in the first two graduate courses (six credit-hours) taken.
  • Experience working in a professional setting.
  • A valid Michigan Teaching Certificate will be required if you are seeking additional state endorsements.
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"This program gave me the confidence and language I needed to address challenges and push for change." - Natalia Carvalho-Pinto, alumna
Read more testimonials

Additional information

Teacher institutes support the educational needs of teachers and teacher leaders in our master’s and continuing teacher certification programs.

Applicants are asked to include some program-specific information, with a summary for these requirements found below:

Applicants are encouraged to bookmark this information for quick reference while working through the graduate application process.

Please attend to the procedures in the order outlined by the specified times on the teaching, learning and educational studies M.A. admission page. Some steps have time requirements.

Courses in this program are offered on a rotating basis at four regional centers. Some classes are face-to-face instruction, and many are offered in hybrid format.

  • Battle Creek: Tamara Morgan, Regional Coordinator, (269) 965-5380
  • Grand Rapids: Lisa Orlando, Student Services Specialist, (616) 742-5027
  • Muskegon: Alana Conkright, Office Associate, (231) 777-0500
  • Southwest: Stacey Moore, Student Service Coordinator, (269) 934-1516