The Master of Arts in Education offers seven areas of concentration, drawing from strengths within and across departments in the College of Education. They include special education, technology and learning, P-12 school and postsecondary leadership, literacy education, athletic coaching, athletic administration, and science and mathematics education.
Students may select one area of concentration for in-depth study or explore more broadly across two areas of interest. It is also possible to earn a graduate certificate and have those credits count towards the degree.
Have questions? Email John Olle, the MAED academic advisor, at ollejohn@msu.edu.
The Athletic Coaching Concentration is designed for individuals who certificate program is best suited individuals seeking to gain knowledge and skills related to administrative and leadership practices at all levels (for instance, scholastic athletic directors, or employees of collegiate athletic departments). Students will choose three of the courses from the following list to fulfill this concentration.
*With advisor approval
The Athletic Coaching Concentration is designed for individuals who coach (or plan to coach) in school, university, or community sport programs. This concentration provides students with the skills and knowledge of the sociological, psychological, and physical aspects of being an effective coach. Students will choose three of the courses from the following list to fulfill this concentration.
*With advisor approval
Focuses on reading, writing, listening and speaking– central concerns in elementary and secondary schooling. This concentration is comprised of three required courses, which cover various components of literacy learning and provide innovative examples of different aspects of the teaching of literacy. Students will complete three of the following courses to fulfill this concentration.
*This course is required for all Michigan teachers who apply for the Professional Certificate after July 1, 2009.
All of the courses in the Graduate Certificate in Children’s and Young Adult Literature (except TE 883 and TE 891) are also part of the Literacy Education concentration. With careful planning, you can fulfill the program’s requirement for a concentration in Literacy Education and this Graduate Certificate without taking any extra courses for your masters. Reach out to John Olle to learn more.
Enhances educational and leadership skills of those currently working in schools or higher and adult education settings. It emphasizes experiences that aim to promote depth and breadth of knowledge, skills, and dispositions in P-12 education and higher and adult education leadership. Students will choose three courses from the following list to fulfill this concentration. It is strongly suggested that students consider taking additional course work in this area in order to deepen their knowledge of school or postsecondary leadership.
*Note: This concentration area is not designed to meet your local/state school administrative certification requirements. For more information about School Administrator Certification, please visit the Department of Educational Administration’s School Administrator Certification Information page.
All of the courses that can count toward the Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary Education (except EAD 871) are also part of the P-12 School and Postsecondary Leadership concentration. With careful planning, you can fulfill the program’s requirement for a concentration in P-12 School and Postsecondary Leadership and this Graduate Certificate without taking any extra courses for your master’s. Reach out to John Olle to learn more.
Designed to help practicing educators enrich the knowledge and skills needed to improve student learning in these two academic areas. The five courses in this concentration are designed to expand and update teachers’ background by introducing recent research on approaches to teaching and learning in mathematics and science. The courses also utilize teachers’ experiences by providing structured opportunities to implement new practices in their classrooms and reflect on the outcomes. Students will choose three courses from the following list to fulfill this concentration.
Note that it is not necessary to take these courses sequentially.
Four of the courses (TE 861A, TE 861B, TE 861C, and TE 855) in the Graduate Certificate in Elementary STEM Education are also part of the Science and Mathematics concentration. With careful planning, you can fulfill the program’s requirement for a concentration in Science and Mathematics Education and this Graduate Certificate without taking any extra courses for your masters. Reach out to John Olle to learn more.
Designed for educators who want to know more about working with students with mild disabilities in K-12 schools. This concentration focuses on policies and practices that will help students with learning and behavioral difficulties succeed in the general education classroom. You can choose three courses from the following list. You are encouraged to select courses that are most relevant to your current position and future career goals. If you have no prior experience in special education, you should start the concentration by taking CEP 840.
Note: This concentration is not designed to meet special education endorsement requirements.
*This course requires access to schools and to students with disabilities.
**To successfully complete this course, you must be teaching, have the chance to teach literacy, and have a student identified with a learning disability (LD) in your class or on your caseload.
***It is recommended, but not required, that students take CEP 840 prior to CEP 842 or CEP 850.
****Students need to have access to a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to complete required coursework.
If you are in need of an override because the system will not let you enroll in a course due to prerequisites, please use this link to submit your request. You will receive an email once your request is processed.
Students interested in the Special Education Concentration may also be interested in related courses that may be taken as elective or core issues courses.
Starting Fall 2024 this concentration will be replaced by the Athletic Coaching and Athletic Administration concentrations.
Designed for individuals who work (or plan to work) in school, university, or community sports programs. This concentration focuses on the psychological, sociological, physical, legal, administrative, leadership, and ethical issues involved with coaching and leadership in amateur athletics. Coursework provides essential knowledge that will enable coaches and administrators to deliver positive and safe sport programs for youth and student athletes. Students are encouraged to select courses that are most relevant to their current position and future career goals. Students who successfully complete this concentration area (and KIN 852, which is a 1-credit course that cannot count toward the MAED) will qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Coaching and Leadership. More information about this certificate can be found here.
To fulfill this concentration, students must complete 9 credits from the following courses:
1. One of the following courses for the Psychosocial Competency (3 credits):
| KIN 855 | Psychosocial Bases of Coaching Athletes | 3 |
| KIN 857 | Promoting Positive Youth Development through Sport | 3 |
| KIN 865 | Stages of Athlete Development | 3 |
2. One of the following courses for the Physical Competency (3 credits):
| KIN 856 | Physical Bases of Coaching Athletes | 3 |
| KIN 868 | Skill Development in Athletes | 3 |
3. One of the following courses for the Legal/Safety Competency (3 credits):
| KIN 829 | Safety and Injury Control | 3 |
| KIN 854 | Legal Aspects of Sport | 3 |
Prepares teachers, administrators, and other educational professionals for the thoughtful use of technologies to support teaching and learning in a range of educational environments. Coursework focuses on stimulating deeper understanding of the role of technology, as well as projects designed to enhance students’ technology skills. Students are encouraged to select courses that are most relevant to their current position and future career goals. Students will choose three courses from the following list to fulfill this concentration.
CEP 813, CEP 817, and CEP 820 are also part of the Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning. With careful planning, you can fulfill the program’s requirements for a concentration in Technology and Learning and this Graduate Certificate without taking any extra courses for your master’s. CEP 813 and CEP 820 are also part of the Graduate Certificate in Learning Design. Reach out to John Olle to learn more.