About The Program
Format: Online or On Campus
This online master's program prepares educators and aspiring educators to tap their leadership potential and deepen their impact through education. Northern also offers you the option to personalize your experience by selecting from two specialized tracks:
Educational Studies: Secondary Education Track
Already have a bachelor's degree in a non-education field - but would like to teach? No matter what your stage of life, if you'd like to become a teacher as a graduate student, the Millicent Atkins School of Education is ready to support you. Through this program, you can earn a master’s degree and become certified at the secondary school level in South Dakota.
The Educational Studies: Secondary Education program is for people who have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and wish to enter the teaching profession. Qualifying bachelor's degree areas are language arts, mathematics, science, biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, physical science, science composite, social studies, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, sociology, social studies composite, agriculture, business, family and consumer sciences, industrial technology, art, computer science, physical education/health, physical education, health, music, world languages, French, German or Spanish.
On this track, you'll learn to:
- Apply knowledge of content standards and pedagogy to set goals and objectives for learning
- Develop relevant, rigorous, and developmentally appropriate curricula for secondary students
- Foster a safe, engaging, and inclusive classroom environment
- Demonstrate professional dispositions in varied educational settings with regard for diversity and all members of a school community
- Use assessment of students’ learning and their own teaching to inform future planning and teaching
- Deliver meaningful learning experiences for all students as evidenced by a successful student teaching practicum and internship
MSEd Educational Studies: Secondary Education Handbook
Educational Studies: Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies Track
This track allows you to follow a flexible and varied learning pathway that best fits your objectives, interests, and needs. Students on this track will not earn initial certification, but will explore their potential for educational field careers such as instructional designer, community outreach coordinator, academic advisor, athletic director or education publisher. In addition to taking foundation courses, you'll will work closely with faculty to choose from specialization courses that match your career aspirations. Specialization courses include education, English as a second language, leadership and administration, special education, sports performance and leadership, e-learning, English, and music.
On this track, you will:
- Develop an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of education
- Improve the critical thinking skills needed to apply the knowledge and skills learned throughout the program
- Develop the knowledge, skills, and perspective to examine and act upon the ethical and social justice dimensions of education
- Research educational issues and challenges
MSEd Educational Studies: Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook
Because you will customize your program to fit your unique needs, the sky is the limit in terms of career options.
Inquire about internship possibilities within the program.
Abby Woytassek Nelson always intended to pursue teaching, and Northern’s Educational Studies Secondary Education program provided the perfect opportunity.
The program is specifically designed for students like Nelson – candidates who have completed a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue certification to teach in South Dakota while also earning a master’s degree.
“As someone with a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field, I was attracted to the program because it seemed like a perfect fit for my situation,” said Nelson.
Our Faculty
B.S. North Dakota State University
M.M., G.P.D. Peabody Conservatory of Music
D.M.A. North Dakota State University
In addition to her operatic repertoire, Dr. Bultema has appeared as a soloist in an assortment of orchestral works with The Florida Philharmonic, New World Symphony, Miami Chamber Symphony, Peabody Symphony…
Maturita, Conservatory, Prague, Czech Republic
Absolutorium, Academy of Musical Arts (terminal degree) Prague, Czech Republic
D.M.A., Michigan State University
M.M., Wichita State University
B.M., Concordia College
Dr. Marla Fogderud, a native of North Dakota, is an active stage performer and recitalist throughout the United States and Europe. She was an apprentice artist with the Des Moines Metro Opera and has performed roles with Opera Kansas, Wichita State University Opera, Fargo Moorhead Opera, and Michigan State University Opera. She has been a soloist with the Cincinnati International Chorale, Wichita Symphony, Wichita State University Orchestra, Greater Grand Forks Symphony, Michigan State University (MSU) Concert Band, MSU Philharmonic and MSU Symphony.
Dr. Fogderud has appeared on the Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., faculty recital series; Minnesota Public Radio Regional Artist broadcasts; North Dakota Museum of Art Summer Concert Series; Plymouth…
Dr. Anna Schwan joined Northern’s faculty in 2018 after 16 years in public K-12 education, serving as a high school teacher and secondary school administrator. She currently serves as interim dean of the Millicent Atkins School of Education. Previously, she was department chair of Teacher Education and graduate faculty coordinator of the Educational Studies and Leadership and Administration programs.
Research…
At the University of South Carolina, Dr. Shortt studied physical literacy, K-12 sport and physical activity (PA) policy, and child/adolescent PA behaviors in and out of educational settings. The publication of Dr. Shortt’s dissertation, "Conceptualizing Physical Literacy for Assessment of High School Students in the United States," can be found at University of South Carolina Scholar Commons.
Dr. Shortt is Northern's SPL graduate coordinator, chair of the Sports Sciences Department, and faculty athletic representative. She is a member of the International Physical Literacy Association and serves as a country lead.
Dr. Shortt is dedicated to enhancing undergraduate and graduate research and providing advanced hands-on learning opportunities at Northern.
Ph.D. Northwestern University
M.A. University of Minnesota
B.A. Valley City State College
Bill Wieland, a native of North Dakota, is an educator, composer and pianist. His compositions have received numerous awards and performances and he is often featured as a piano accompanist in the region. Dr. Wieland earned a bachelor of arts in composite music (piano) from Valley City State College in 1986, a master of arts in theory and composition from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in 1988 and a doctor of music in composition from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., in 1991. He has taught at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, De Paul University and Northwestern University.
He began teaching music…
