COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Education in English at Northwest Missouri State University is a 30-credit hour program designed to prepare students for teaching careers while also providing advanced graduate-level study in English. The program combines education core requirements with a focus on English as the subject field, ensuring that students gain both pedagogical skills and in-depth content knowledge. The education core includes courses in data literacy and assessment for schools, multicultural education for diversity, equity, and inclusion, contemporary issues in education, and a practicum for implementing a guaranteed and viable curriculum, providing students with hands-on experience in real classroom settings. In the English subject field, students complete research-focused coursework, including an introduction to graduate study in English, and methodology training in secondary school English for those without prior experience in English teaching methods. Students also select English electives at the 500- and 600-level to total six credit hours, with courses such as English 10590 and English 10501 highly recommended for state licensing if not previously completed. Additionally, students may complete six credit hours of approved electives outside of the School of Language, Literature, and Writing to broaden their academic exposure and enhance professional versatility. This combination of rigorous education coursework, specialized English training, and flexible elective opportunities equips graduates with the expertise, practical experience, and state certification preparation necessary to succeed in secondary English teaching roles. The program emphasizes a balance of theory and practice, enabling students to integrate research, instructional strategies, and advanced content knowledge to support diverse learners effectively. Graduates emerge well-prepared for careers in secondary education, able to design and implement effective curricula, apply inclusive teaching practices, and contribute to the academic and social development of their students while meeting state licensing requirements.