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Specializations & Curriculum
Literacy and Digital Learning
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Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening for the Interactive Classroom
This specialization helps you integrate new media into your classroom to improve reading, writing and language development. Designed for English and Language Arts teachers, elementary educators, and content area teachers, it responds to Common Core State Standards and supports the development of evidence-based best practices. Coursework will strengthen your ability to effectively engage students in reading and responding to complex texts, accessing and critically evaluating information, and sharing their ideas through written work, oral presentations, and multimodal media communications.
Give yourself and your students the advantage of being ahead of the curve by leveraging 21st-century literacy skills.
Course of Study
Earn this Master of Education degree by completing 10 courses (3-units each) for 30 units of coursework. Your Masters of Education online program consists of five foundation courses including a capstone action research project as well as five specialization courses. You may begin your study in any semester with any courses offered. The Capstone Seminar is the final course in your program and builds on knowledge gained in the research and specialization courses. Earn your Master of Education specializing in Literacy and Digital Learning today.
PROGRAM COURSE CURRICULUM
The Master of Education with Literary and Digital learning specialization program spans over five different semesters which includes a mandatory orientation course. Each semester is fourteen weeks and is split into two different courses. The first course is seven weeks and the second course is seven weeks. Below is a sample outline of what the span of the Master of Education with Literary and Digital learning specialization program may look like:
Orientation
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This course introduces you to the University of San Diego and provides important information about the program. Throughout the orientation, … |
Semester 1
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
|
Applied exploration of qualitative research methodologies such as ethnography, grounded theory, case-study and cross-case comparisons, surve… |
3 |
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Exploration of digital texts, online comprehension skills, multimodal annotation, and other new literacy practices required in digital readi… |
3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
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Analysis of the American educational system with a particular focus on issues of diversity, inequity, conflict and social justice within a s… |
3 |
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An examination of important new media literacy skills and their application in the K-12 classroom. Students will actively consider, analyze,… |
3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
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Introduction to the major educational research methods and paradigms with an emphasis on reflective, practitioner-directed inquiry. The cour… |
3 |
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Investigation of theories about how and why we write and how we teach writing in 21st century classrooms. Exploration of how these theories … |
3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
|
Explore key cognitive studies on human cognition and learning. You will critically discuss research and contemporary debates on cognitive pr… |
3 |
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Theoretical and practical foundation to consider what it means to teach and learn within participatory networks and affinity groups. Topics … |
3 |
Semester 5
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
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As a Masters student in Learning and Teaching, candidates have the option of three culminating final projects: studies employing action rese… |
3 |
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Consideration of the ways in which young people leverage digital media for composing, accessing information, finding new audiences, and crea… |
3 |
Calendars
Students are admitted throughout the year for admission into one of three semesters (Spring, Summer, and Fall). Each semester two courses are offered, with students focusing intensively on one course at a time – a total of 7 weeks for each course. An academic calendar for the first year follows.
Success stories
I chose University of San Diego for the nationally ranked and recognized programs they have to offer in Education. USD’s reputation of serving quality education in a brick and mortar environment led me to believe that their online environment would do the same. It did!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the online Master of Education program include a preliminary licensure or does it lead to a teaching credential?
It does not lead to a teaching credential. Our program requires that students have two years of teaching experience. As a result, most students already have a teaching credential or they work in roles that do not require a teaching credential.
Is the online Master of Education program open to students from outside the United States?
Yes! We have students and alumni from all over the world.
Is specific standardized testing like the GRE required for acceptance to the Master of Education program?
No, the GRE is not a requirement. The admissions committee takes a comprehensive approach when reviewing all applications.
Is it possible to be accepted into the program and work through the courses without being a teacher at the same time?
While you do not have to be a teacher simultaneously, you do have to have access to a classroom in order to apply what you’ve learned. Our program focuses on helping to provide skills that educators can apply immediately in their classrooms or places of work.
What accreditations does the online USD M.Ed. program possess?
The USD M.Ed. program is regionally accredited by WASC (the Western Association of Schools and Colleges). Regional accreditation is a very important consideration when deciding on a program because it is the most widely accepted in terms of transfer credit and eligibility for employer tuition assistance programs. It is typically awarded to degree-oriented, nonprofit or state-owned institutions (as opposed to for-profit schools or religious schools that offer vocational or technical training).
Does the program provide a certification for special education teachers?
If you choose the Special Education and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) specialization, you will learn a wealth of knowledge that in most cases is more in-depth than special education certification programs.
Do you need to have a science or math background to be accepted into the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) specialization?
No. At USD we are committed to helping close the STEAM gap. When reviewing applications, we look for individuals who demonstrate a commitment or passion for the field.
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