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Teaching Program Details

Master of Arts

Our M.A. in Teaching qualifies aspiring teachers to enter the field of their calling. You’ll receive an initial teaching license and gain the skills and knowledge you need for a successful teaching career.

Online

Online with Occasional Saturdays

You'll complete coursework online, with occassional on-campus Saturday sessions.

Location: St. Paul

Start Dates: Spring 2025, and Summer 2025

Total credits

36-37

Finish in as few as

17-23 months (plus thesis)

Academic plans and course catalog

See plans

Courses

  • Field Experiences in School-Based Settings (EDUC646)

    Development of planning, assessment, self-assessment skills, instructional strategies, and professional dispositions. Application of information gained through observing general education, special education, EL, and other teachers and students with specific learning needs. Implementation of principles of effective instruction in the content area and grade level of licensure. Observation of teachers’ use of culturally-responsive instructional practices to incorporate students’ personal, cultural, and community assets. Application of current and emerging technologies to improve personal productivity and professional practice.

    4 credits

  • Literacy in Discipline-Specific Contexts (EDUC722)

    Analysis of knowledge of research-based skills and assessment strategies, reading processes, and instructional practices in the content area. Integration of instructional strategies to support readers with specific learning needs in K-12 settings. Implementation of reading research to develop vocabulary, academic language, fluency, orthographic knowledge, morphology, writing, and comprehension. Identification, review, and summarization of resources used for scholarly research using APA documentation.

    4 credits

  • Teacher Candidate Seminar (EDUC757)

    Strategies for managing student behaviors to maximize learning. Use of classroom teaching strategies, information about students, and collaboration with professionals in the teaching and learning environment. Demonstration of the ability to complete a teacher performance assessment to improve planning, instruction, and assessment of student learning. Development of job search tools useful for career growth. Practice professional dispositions and a code of ethics that allows proficient performance in a variety of educational contexts.

    2 credits

    Corequisite Course: EDUC775

  • Student Teaching Placement I (EDUC775)

    Planning and implementing discipline-specific, standards-based instruction that is culturally relevant and based on educational research and/or theory, educational technology, and diverse needs of students. Use of formal and informal assessments to monitor growth and progress, give feedback, and guide next steps for instruction. Execution of effective classroom management techniques.

    4 credits

    Corequisite Course: EDUC757

  • Student Teaching II (EDUC781)

    Continuation of student teaching for K-12 teaching licenses and add-on teaching licenses. Planning and implementing discipline-specific, standards-based instruction that is culturally relevant and based on educational research and/or theory, educational technology, and diverse needs of students. Use of formal and informal assessments to monitor growth and progress, give feedback, and guide next steps for instruction. Execution of effective classroom management techniques.

    1 credits

  • Writing the Thesis (EDUC795)

    Exploration of a significant educational issue relevant to the student's profession through writing an independent thesis or collaborative research project. Recognition of the characteristics of quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, meta-analysis, and action research designs. Reflection on research ethics from a Christian worldview. Oral defense of student’s thesis or project following collaboration with the thesis advisor.

    4 credits

  • Foundations of Education (TEAC521)

    Introduction to the teaching profession and focus on influences shaping education. History, philosophy, psychology, sociology, legal matters, reform, and other current education issues. Student mental health and impact of chemicals in student lives, families, and schools. Personal growth planning, collaboration, and connection between professional responsibilities and personal faith and values.

    2 credits

  • Educational Psychology (TEAC524)

    Identification of different approaches to K-12 students’ development, learning, performance, and critical elements needed to structure an effective learning environment. Understanding of the developmental process of language acquisition and the influence of culture on learning. Synthesis of early assessment theory and current issues. Description of theories that influence learning and behavior related to the learning environment. Integration of Christian or personal faith perspective of learning.

    4 credits

  • General Methods of Instruction (TEAC526)

    Development of effective lesson plans that include all required components. Creation of effective long-range plans, assessments, and evaluations. Design of lesson plans that integrate a variety of instructional strategies and incorporate student assets including language and culture. Description of appropriate data practices related to student assessment and progress. Planning of opportunities that utilize culturally responsive practice to engage all students and especially multilingual learners and those who have been historically marginalized.

    4 credits

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education (TEAC528)

    Identification of various groups in American communities and skills to foster culturally affirming communication and collaboration. Description of Minnesota-based American Tribal Nations and communities. Analysis of how biases, discrimination, prejudices, racism, and sexism impact student learning in the classroom and influence personal identity. Recognition of the impact school environments and practices have on the delivery of equitable education.

    4 credits

  • Select one from:

    • Visual Arts K-12 Teaching Methods (EDUC674)

      Methods and strategies for designing standards-based learning plans for K-12 visual arts students. Creation of assessments for evaluating student performance. Identification of effective classroom management practices in a technology-integrated environment. Ways to involve business, industry, community organizations, co curricular activities and extracurricular activities to create educational opportunities. History, philosophy, and purposes of visual arts education. Approaches to teaching art history, religion, criticism, and aesthetics, and creation of art prototypes used in visual art learning environments.

      4 credits

Licensure and Accreditation

  • This program fulfills the licensure requirements in the state of Minnesota. In addition to coursework, there are external tests you must pass.
  • Minnesota requires all teacher candidates to complete and pass the edTPA.
  • Bethel’s M.A. in Teaching program has approval through Minnesota’s Professional Education Licensing Standards Board (PELSB).
  • Student teaching courses are required to be taken at Bethel.
  • If you want to obtain a teaching license in a state other than Minnesota, check that state’s requirements for licensure.
    • Bethel University cannot confirm whether courses or programs meet requirements for professional licensure in states outside of Minnesota. Students should contact their program's licensing bureau to determine whether Bethel's program meets requirements for licensure in their state.

Why Choose Bethel?

Learn why you should choose Bethel (Google doc) for a Master of Arts in Teaching.