Mitchell Scholars Program
Mitchell Teachers
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Earn Your Master’s Degree — Tuition Free
As an employee of the Mitchell School District, you have the opportunity to earn your Master of Arts in Education from Dakota Wesleyan University at no tuition cost, thanks to a generous gift from Roger and Vicki Musick.
Through the Mitchell Scholars Program, this unique partnership supports Mitchell teachers who are committed to advancing their education, leadership and impact in the classroom.
Ready to apply? Click Apply Now and select M.A. in Education - Mitchell Public School Employees on the application.
Benefits to earning a
Master’s Degree in Education:
Improve your teaching skills
Keep up on advances in education
Focus on
a specialty
Stand out from your peers
Take on a
leadership role
Increase your earning potential
What’s the Difference at DWU?
-
100% online
Complete your coursework anywhere, anytime. -
7-week courses
Courses are accelerated, so you only focus on the skills that are relevant to teaching today. -
15 months
If you attend full-time, you can complete the program in under two years. If you need a slower pace, you can take classes part-time. -
Designed by teachers for teachers
Our M.Ed. program is designed specifically for current teachers looking to increase knowledge, skill and ability. With experienced faculty and relevant courses, you will succeed.
Degree Options
What does your future hold? The DWU Master of Arts in Education program is designed for passionate educators who want to grow, lead, and inspire. Whether you’re strengthening your impact in the classroom, mentoring others, or exploring leadership roles, DWU offers graduate degree options that align with your goals and ignite your professional purpose.
- Advanced Teacher Pathway
- Athletic and Activities Administration
- Educational Policy and Administration
- English as a New Language
- K–12 Principal
Regardless of your path, you will be required to take two courses: Behavior Management Principles and Supporting English Learners in the Classroom.
Master of Education – Advanced Teacher Pathway
Become a master of your classroom! The Advanced Teacher Pathway offers flexible, stackable options to strengthen your classroom approach and leadership skills. Design a personalized degree by combining core classes, one or more graduate certificates, and additional electives. This degree requires 36 credit hours.
Required Courses (6 credits)
EDU 618 Behavior Management Principles
3 Hours
This course will focus on practical strategies for managing student behavior while creating positive and supportive classroom environments. Participants will explore proactive
techniques, reinforcement systems, and data collection tools to better understand the functions of behaviors. This course will also emphasize the importance of building strong
relationships and making environmental adjustments to help students remain regulated, engaged, and ready to learn.
ENL 658 Supporting English Learners in the Classroom
3 Hours
This course equips teachers with the knowledge and strategies to effectively support English learners (ELs) in today’s classrooms. Topics include
second language acquisition, culturally responsive practices, and evidence-based instructional approaches that build both language proficiency and
content mastery. Educators will develop skills to scaffold learning, foster inclusive environments, and collaborate with families and colleagues.
Designed for all content areas, the course prepares teachers to create equitable, supportive learning opportunities for diverse learners.
Behavior Management (12 credits)
EDU 618 Behavior Management Principles
3 Hours
This course will focus on practical strategies for managing student behavior while creating positive and supportive classroom environments. Participants will explore proactive techniques, reinforcement systems, and data collection tools to better understand the functions of behaviors. This course will also emphasize the importance of building strong relationships and making environmental adjustments to help students remain regulated, engaged, and ready to learn.
EDU 633 Inclusive Classroom Culture
3 Hours
This course equips educators with strategies to foster positive, equitable learning environments. Participants will explore relationship-building, effective communication, proactive classroom and environmental strategies, and debriefing practices. The course emphasizes social-emotional learning, restorative practices, and practical tools for managing challenging behaviors while maintaining inclusivity. Educators will leave prepared to strengthen classroom culture, support diverse learners, and apply reflective practices to improve teaching and learning outcomes.
EDU 654 Fostering Resilient Learning Through Trauma-Informed Teaching
3 Hours
This course offers a comprehensive foundation and practical tools for implementing trauma-informed educational practices. Through an exploration of the impact of trauma on brain development and student behavior, participants will gain a deep understanding of how trauma shapes learning and classroom dynamics. The course emphasizes recognizing and responding to student needs from a trauma-informed perspective and introduces evidence-based strategies for fostering emotionally and physically safe classrooms. By the end of the course, participants will be able to implement effective approaches that address both the function and underlying causes of student behaviors, ultimately promoting resilience and positive outcomes for all learners.
EDU 668 Behavior Strategies and Supporting Behavior
3 Hours
This course is designed to equip educators with practical tools and evidence-based strategies to support student behavior in inclusive classroom settings. Emphasis is placed on collecting and analyzing behavioral data, identifying the hypothetical function of challenging behaviors, and teaching appropriate replacement skills. Educators will learn to implement evidence-based behavior strategies that promote positive, proactive classroom management while teaching and reinforcing the behaviors they want to see in their classrooms.
Educational Policy (12 credits)
EDU 651 Education in a Culture of Change
3 Hours
Education in a Culture of Change is a social reconstructive course concerning the mutual cultural impact of schools and society. Students will pay particular attention to change to the school environment. Comparative history will focus on results of major educational changes leading to modern impacts as a result of current trends and issues.
EDU 655 Public Policy in Education
3 Hours
This course focuses on the relationship between the federal and state governments and education in the United States. Topics include foundations of public policy and education: access, affordability, collaboration, reform, digital learning, and how all of these affect curriculum and delivery of the education product.
EDU 657 Education Finance and Funding
3 Hours
This course is a review of the field of education finance and funding, from both the theoretical and practical perspectives. It provides an introduction to finance in education settings, including the economics and financing of education, government financing and funding, institutional resources and expenditures, strategic planning and resources allocations, institutional financial management, and ethics in education finance. Practical help includes grant protocols and once the grant funding process has finished, how sustainability is better achieved beyond the grant period. The course will cover a broad spectrum of varying content in education financial information and funding perspectives.
EDU 687 Legal and Ethical Issues in Education
3 Hours
This course provides an overview of the legal and ethical principles that guide the administration of post-secondary education. Students will be introduced to historical and contemporary legal and ethical issues that help guide decisions made by those working in various settings within education. Topics will include academic freedom, due process, liability, Title IX, human resource law and access.
English As a New Language (18 credits)
ENL 662 Foundations in English as a New Language
3 Hours
This course provides an overview of the foundations related to teaching English language learners. Topics will include exploring the political, legal, and historical, contexts of multilingual education, language acquisition, and language education program models.
ENL 663 Literacy for Multilingual Learners
3 Hours
This course addresses the teaching of English language and literacy to English Language Learners (ELLs). Topics will include practices for oral language, reading, writing, and academic content area instruction in English for K-12 English learners.
ENL 664 Methods for Teaching English as a New Language
3 Hours
Participants will explore the primary approaches and methods for teaching language learners in the English as a Second Language (ESL) classroom, as well as in the content areas. Participants will develop teaching strategies for promoting ESL students' reading, writing, listening and speaking skills as well as facilitating comprehension and critical thinking in content areas using sheltered instruction techniques. Focus will be placed on the communicative approach, where learners are involved in real communication. Participants will analyze, select and modify materials to facilitate learning in ESL students with diverse characteristics and needs.
ENL 665 Culture and Linguistics
3 Hours
Linguistics for English as a New Language deals with training and research in linguistics as it relates to educational theory and practice, specifically the teaching and learning of K-12 English as a Second Language students. Also addressed are issues concerning dialects, bilingual education and children with special needs involving language. The course also examines the principles of language acquisition and language learning, to consider how they are connected to cultural background and cultural identity and explore effective approaches to instruction.
ENL 668 Assessment of ENL Students and Programs
3 Hours
This course will provide participants with a comprehensive knowledge foundation in the selection, administration and interpretation of measurement instruments appropriate for English Language Learners (ELL). Participants will investigate a variety of language assessment tools used to identify, place and monitor students receiving services. Emphasis will be placed on instruments and approaches used to determine and monitor ELL students English proficiency and academic development in English. This course will also explore evaluating the effectiveness of ESL programs and ensuring ESL students receive research-based and effective programming. The course is intended to give participants an historical perspective of the theoretical foundation of ESL.
ENL 671 Language in Learning Across the Curriculum
3 Hours
This course equips educators with evidence-based strategies to support multilingual learners across content areas. Participants will explore the relationship between language, literacy, and learning, and gain practical tools to analyze academic language demands and scaffold instruction effectively. Emphasis is placed on developing students’ language resources, integrating visuals and texts, and designing inclusive lessons that build content knowledge and academic language simultaneously. The course is ideal for teachers working in linguistically diverse classrooms who want to enhance their instructional practices and promote equitable access to learning.
Research & Analysis in Education (9 credits)
EDU 603 Statistical Analysis in Education
3 Hours
This course is the reinforcement of basic managerial math, to include some statistical analysis, research methodology, mathematics for education and elementary calculus. Emphasis is placed on practical applications and tools as well as analytical inquiry of the results.
EDU 683 Assessment, Planning, and Evaluation
3 Hours
This course covers the basic principles of assessment and planning strategies for educators, planners and decision makers in education. Students learn how to construct, validate and apply traditional tests of achievement. In addition, forms of alternative and naturalistic assessment are considered. The course will examine conceptual and practical assessment issues relating to administration and institutional performance, teaching and learning, student performance and outcomes and measurement issues.
EDU 690 Research Methodologies
3 Hours
This course will give graduate education students an applied knowledge of research methods. Students will develop skills in evaluating statistical data, conducting research and producing essential elements of experimental and theoretical research projects.
Athletic and Activities Administration (18 credits)
BUS 606 Adaptive Leadership and Change Management
3 Hours
Organizations are faced with constant and rapid changes in their local and global environments. This perpetual change necessitates that leaders have skills in resiliency, adaptation and innovation. During this course, students will explore theories of adaptive leadership, reflect on their adaptive leadership skills and develop strategies for improvement. In the second part of the course, students will explore principals of change management, learn how to uncover and address resistance to change, develop change plans, and implement and monitor change progress. Students will be able to: incorporate strategies to improve resiliency and adaptation in their context, conduct a stakeholder analysis and address resistance to change through appropriate behavior change plans.
BUS 617 Employee Life Cycle
3 Hours
Students will learn the employment cycle and the performance management cycle. Knowledge and skills developed will help student recruit, hire, develop, retain, and reassign or release coaches, staff and volunteers.
BUS 627 Event and Facilities Planning and Management
3 Hours
This course prepares students with skills they need to plan events and use tools for event planning and management. Students will also learn how to manage and oversee facilities and contract with other entities for facilities management.
BUS 628 Advanced Public Relations and Promotion
3 Hours
Advanced Public Relations and Promotion will prepare students to develop community partnerships, manage public outreach and engagement, work with the press, and use technology for promotion.
BUS 629 Revenue Generation and Management
3 Hours
Throughout this course students will develop skills needed to raise funds from their public, write grants, and manage budgets. Students will learn contemporary practices for generating funds and managing budgets.
BUS 636 Conflict Management
3 Hours
Conflict can be positive and negative, depending on several factors including how leaders manage. This course engages students in strategies to engage conflict in ways that are constructive for the organization and people involved. Activities will help students understand their conflict style and develop their own conflict management skills. Students will be able to: use mediation, negotiation, and other relevant conflict management strategies in professional settings, use communication effectively in high-stress environments and apply needs- and interest-based strategies to resolve conflict.
Differentiation for All Learners (15 credits)
EDU 611 Differentiation in Practice
3 Hours
This course provides educators with a foundation in differentiating instruction through content, process, and product. Participants will explore flexible strategies that engage students at varying readiness levels, interests, and learning profiles. Emphasis is placed on designing inclusive lessons, integrating student choice, and applying evidence-based practices to ensure high expectations and meaningful learning for all students.
EDU 614 Understanding to Support the Neurodivergent Child
3 Hours
This course provides educators with knowledge and strategies to support neurodivergent learners, including students with ADHD, autism, and other learning differences. Participants will examine proactive approaches to instruction, communication, and behavior while fostering student strengths. Emphasis is placed on creating inclusive environments where neurodivergent learners feel valued, understood, and empowered to succeed.
EDU 616 Fostering Belonging in Diverse Classrooms
3 Hours
This course provides educators with strategies to build inclusive classroom communities that honor the diversity of all students. Participants will examine social-emotional learning, emotional intelligence, culturally responsive practices, and American Indian education. Emphasis is placed on cultivating belonging, fostering respectful relationships, and integrating equity-minded practices into instruction so that all students feel safe, supported, and engaged.
EDU 618 Strategies for Talented and Gifted Education
3 Hours
This course provides educators with tools to identify and nurture talented and gifted learners. Participants will explore differentiation methods, enrichment opportunities, and acceleration options that promote creativity, rigor, and critical thinking. Emphasis is placed on equitable identification practices, culturally responsive approaches, and balancing academic challenge with social-emotional support to maximize the potential of advanced learners.
ENL 658 Supporting English Learners in the Classroom
3 Hours
This course equips teachers with the knowledge and strategies to effectively support English learners (ELs) in today’s classrooms. Topics include second language acquisition, culturally responsive practices, and evidence-based instructional approaches that build both language proficiency and content mastery. Educators will develop skills to scaffold learning, foster inclusive environments, and collaborate with families and colleagues. Designed for all content areas, the course prepares teachers to create equitable, supportive learning opportunities for diverse learners.
Teacher Leadership (12 credits)
EDU 615 School Improvement
3 Hours
This course is a study of the school improvement process designed to equip educational leaders with the knowledge and skills to facilitate sustainable, systemic school improvement.
EDU 672 Introduction to Teacher Leadership
3 Hours
This course introduces the foundations of teacher leadership, including collaboration, mentoring, and facilitating professional learning communities. Participants explore how teacher leaders shape school culture, drive instructional growth, and foster student success while remaining in the classroom.
EDU 674 Advocacy and Agency in Education
3 Hours
This course develops teachers’ capacity to advocate for students, schools, and the profession. Participants learn strategies to communicate with stakeholders, engage ethically in policy discussions, and use data and storytelling to influence change.
EDU 677 Instructional Supervision
3 Hours
The role of educational leader in instructional supervision continues to change. This course fully explores current research in providing effective instructional supervision.
Master of Education - Athletic and Activities Administration
If you are the leader for athletics or extra-curricular activities for your school, consider the Athletic and Activities Administration degree option! The path will offer you practical and relevant skills needed to excel in specialized leadership and management opportunities. You will learn and apply skills for developing and managing high-functioning teams, planning events, managing facilities, raising funds, working with the public, using contemporary skills for promotion and more. The program requires 36 coursework credit hours, including a practicum.
Courses
BUS 606 Adaptive Leadership and Change Management
3 Hours
Organizations are faced with constant and rapid changes in their local and global environments. This perpetual change necessitates that leaders have skills in resiliency, adaptation and innovation. During this course, students will explore theories of adaptive leadership, reflect on their adaptive leadership skills and develop strategies for improvement. In the second part of the course, students will explore principals of change management, learn how to uncover and address resistance to change, develop change plans, and implement and monitor change progress. Students will be able to: incorporate strategies to improve resiliency and adaptation in their context, conduct a stakeholder analysis and address resistance to change through appropriate behavior change plans.
BUS 617 Employee Life Cycle
3 Hours
Students will learn the employment cycle and the performance management cycle. Knowledge and skills developed will help student recruit, hire, develop, retain, and reassign or release coaches, staff and volunteers.
BUS 627 Event and Facilities Planning and Management
3 Hours
This course prepares students with skills they need to plan events and use tools for event planning and management. Students will also learn how to manage and oversee facilities and contract with other entities for facilities management.
BUS 628 Advanced Public Relations and Promotion
3 Hours
Advanced Public Relations and Promotion will prepare students to develop community partnerships, manage public outreach and engagement, work with the press, and use technology for promotion.
BUS 629 Revenue Generation and Management
3 Hours
Throughout this course students will develop skills needed to raise funds from their public, write grants, and manage budgets. Students will learn contemporary practices for generating funds and managing budgets.
BUS 636 Conflict Management
3 Hours
Conflict can be positive and negative, depending on several factors including how leaders manage. This course engages students in strategies to engage conflict in ways that are constructive for the organization and people involved. Activities will help students understand their conflict style and develop their own conflict management skills. Students will be able to: use mediation, negotiation, and other relevant conflict management strategies in professional settings, use communication effectively in high-stress environments and apply needs- and interest-based strategies to resolve conflict.
EDU 613 School and Community Relations
3 Hours
This course investigates how school community relations are impacted by varying strategies for building community support, developing and selecting staff, and using the strengths of staff members, both in the school and in the community.
EDU 618 Behavior Management Principles
3 Hours
This course will focus on practical strategies for managing student behavior while creating positive and supportive classroom environments. Participants will explore proactive techniques, reinforcement systems, and data collection tools to better understand the functions of behaviors. This course will also emphasize the importance of building strong relationships and making environmental adjustments to help students remain regulated, engaged, and ready to learn.
EDU 661 Advanced Educational Psychology
3 Hours
Advanced Educational Psychology connects developmental theories to practice. It examines theories of learning and how they may be applied in the classroom. It will include the study of cognitive development, motivation and learning, how knowledge is constructed, constructivism, individual differences in learning, and learning environments.
EDU 683 Assessment, Planning, and Evaluation
3 Hours
This course covers the basic principles of assessment and planning strategies for educators, planners and decision makers in education. Students learn how to construct, validate and apply traditional tests of achievement. In addition, forms of alternative and naturalistic assessment are considered. The course will examine conceptual and practical assessment issues relating to administration and institutional performance, teaching and learning, student performance and outcomes and measurement issues.
EDU 685 Teaching and Learning
3 Hours
This course will provide an examination of the complex relationships between adult development, motivation and learning. General models and teaching styles are addressed and will include quantitative and qualitative research areas.
EDU 687 Legal and Ethical Issues in Education
3 Hours
This course provides an overview of the legal and ethical principles that guide the administration of post-secondary education. Students will be introduced to historical and contemporary legal and ethical issues that help guide decisions made by those working in various settings within education. Topics will include academic freedom, due process, liability, Title IX, human resource law and access.
EDU 691 Educational Policy and Administration Practicum or Thesis
6 Hours
Students will intern at an approved setting, complete a directed study, or propose and complete a project with appropriate evaluation and university supervision. OR Students will complete all aspects of the thesis under the guidance and supervision of a thesis committee.
ENL 658 Supporting English Learners in the Classroom
3 Hours
This course equips teachers with the knowledge and strategies to effectively support English learners (ELs) in today’s classrooms. Topics include second language acquisition, culturally responsive practices, and evidence-based instructional approaches that build both language proficiency and content mastery. Educators will develop skills to scaffold learning, foster inclusive environments, and collaborate with families and colleagues. Designed for all content areas, the course prepares teachers to create equitable, supportive learning opportunities for diverse learners.
Master of Education - Educational Policy and Administration
If you have a passion for educational policy and leadership, this is your degree option! It requires 36 coursework credit hours, including a capstone experience consisting of your choice of either a research thesis or practicum and comprehensive examination.
Courses
EDU 603 Statistical Analysis in Education
3 Hours
This course is the reinforcement of basic managerial math, to include some statistical analysis, research methodology, mathematics for education and elementary calculus. Emphasis is placed on practical applications and tools as well as analytical inquiry of the results.
EDU 610 Human Relations: Multiculturalism
3 Hours
This course offers an in-depth approach to providing an understanding of cultural backgrounds and the influences of dehumanizing biases such as racism, sexism and classism on the lives of students. There is a specific focus on South Dakota standards for human understanding as delineated by the South Dakota Department of Education.
EDU 618 Behavior Management Principles
3 Hours
This course will focus on practical strategies for managing student behavior while creating positive and supportive classroom environments. Participants will explore proactive techniques, reinforcement systems, and data collection tools to better understand the functions of behaviors. This course will also emphasize the importance of building strong relationships and making environmental adjustments to help students remain regulated, engaged, and ready to learn.
EDU 655 Public Policy in Education
3 Hours
This course focuses on the relationship between the federal and state governments and education in the United States. Topics include foundations of public policy and education: access, affordability, collaboration, reform, digital learning, and how all of these affect curriculum and delivery of the education product.
EDU 659 Educational Leadership
3 Hours
This course examines the day-to-day management of learning environments. Topics include classic organizational theory, traditional administrative and governance models, campus climate and culture, project management, collaboration in the community, leadership analysis, ethics, educational advocacy and other management principles.
EDU 661 Advanced Educational Psychology
3 Hours
Advanced Educational Psychology connects developmental theories to practice. It examines theories of learning and how they may be applied in the classroom. It will include the study of cognitive development, motivation and learning, how knowledge is constructed, constructivism, individual differences in learning, and learning environments.
EDU 675 Education Law
3 Hours
This course is an intensive study of associated school law in the state of South Dakota and federal legal procedure and protocol.
EDU 683 Assessment, Planning, and Evaluation
3 Hours
This course covers the basic principles of assessment and planning strategies for educators, planners and decision makers in education. Students learn how to construct, validate and apply traditional tests of achievement. In addition, forms of alternative and naturalistic assessment are considered. The course will examine conceptual and practical assessment issues relating to administration and institutional performance, teaching and learning, student performance and outcomes and measurement issues.
EDU 685 Teaching and Learning
3 Hours
This course will provide an examination of the complex relationships between adult development, motivation and learning. General models and teaching styles are addressed and will include quantitative and qualitative research areas.
EDU 687 Legal and Ethical Issues in Education
3 Hours
This course provides an overview of the legal and ethical principles that guide the administration of post-secondary education. Students will be introduced to historical and contemporary legal and ethical issues that help guide decisions made by those working in various settings within education. Topics will include academic freedom, due process, liability, Title IX, human resource law and access.
EDU 690 Research Methodologies
3 Hours
This course will give graduate education students an applied knowledge of research methods. Students will develop skills in evaluating statistical data, conducting research and producing essential elements of experimental and theoretical research projects.
EDU 691 Educational Policy and Administration Practicum or Thesis
6 Hours
Students will intern at an approved setting, complete a directed study, or propose and complete a project with appropriate evaluation and university supervision. OR Students will complete all aspects of the thesis under the guidance and supervision of a thesis committee.
ENL 658 Supporting English Learners in the Classroom
3 Hours
This course equips teachers with the knowledge and strategies to effectively support English learners (ELs) in today’s classrooms. Topics include second language acquisition, culturally responsive practices, and evidence-based instructional approaches that build both language proficiency and content mastery. Educators will develop skills to scaffold learning, foster inclusive environments, and collaborate with families and colleagues. Designed for all content areas, the course prepares teachers to create equitable, supportive learning opportunities for diverse learners.
SPD 601 The All-Inclusive Classroom
3 Hours
This course introduces participants to the inclusion of students with disabilities in K-8, 7-12, and higher education settings and addresses the needs of these individuals from birth through adulthood. It will focus on the effects of various disabilities on learning and examine modifying curriculum and differentiating instruction to meet the educational needs of individual students. Participants will study relevant case law and consider the design of instructional environments to accommodate all learners.
Master of Education - English as a New Language (ENL)
ENL teachers are in high demand! English as a New Language education endorsement requires coursework that studies linguistics, development of curriculum and instruction for new language acquisition, language and culture, program assessment, reading for students with limited English proficiency, and English as a New Language methodology course. The program requires 36 coursework credit hours and the completion of a comprehensive exam.
Courses
EDU 613 School and Community Relations
3 Hours
This course investigates how school community relations are impacted by varying strategies for building community support, developing and selecting staff, and using the strengths of staff members, both in the school and in the community.
EDU 618 Behavior Management Principles
3 Hours
This course will focus on practical strategies for managing student behavior while creating positive and supportive classroom environments. Participants will explore proactive techniques, reinforcement systems, and data collection tools to better understand the functions of behaviors. This course will also emphasize the importance of building strong relationships and making environmental adjustments to help students remain regulated, engaged, and ready to learn.
EDU 675 Education Law
3 Hours
This course is an intensive study of associated school law in the state of South Dakota and federal legal procedure and protocol.
EDU 677 Instructional Supervision
3 Hours
The role of educational leader in instructional supervision continues to change. This course fully explores current research in providing effective instructional supervision.
EDU 691 Educational Policy and Administration Practicum or Thesis
6 Hours
Students will intern at an approved setting, complete a directed study, or propose and complete a project with appropriate evaluation and university supervision. OR Students will complete all aspects of the thesis under the guidance and supervision of a thesis committee.
ENL 651 Practicum for the Elementary Teacher or Practicum for the Mid and High School Teacher
1 Hours
Practicum activities will include classroom visits, observations, action research and self-reflection related to the field of English as a Second Language. Participants will receive instructor and peer feedback that prepares them for a final project centered upon teaching and academic programming in their local district. The practicum is embedded within each of the four required ENL endorsement courses.
ENL 658 Supporting English Learners in the Classroom
3 Hours
This course equips teachers with the knowledge and strategies to effectively support English learners (ELs) in today’s classrooms. Topics include second language acquisition, culturally responsive practices, and evidence-based instructional approaches that build both language proficiency and content mastery. Educators will develop skills to scaffold learning, foster inclusive environments, and collaborate with families and colleagues. Designed for all content areas, the course prepares teachers to create equitable, supportive learning opportunities for diverse learners.
ENL 662 Foundations in English as a New Language
3 Hours
This course provides an overview of the foundations related to teaching English language learners. Topics will include exploring the political, legal, and historical, contexts of multilingual education, language acquisition, and language education program models.
ENL 663 Literacy for Multilingual Learners
3 Hours
This course addresses the teaching of English language and literacy to English Language Learners (ELLs). Topics will include practices for oral language, reading, writing, and academic content area instruction in English for K-12 English learners.
ENL 664 Methods for Teaching English as a New Language
3 Hours
Participants will explore the primary approaches and methods for teaching language learners in the English as a Second Language (ESL) classroom, as well as in the content areas. Participants will develop teaching strategies for promoting ESL students' reading, writing, listening and speaking skills as well as facilitating comprehension and critical thinking in content areas using sheltered instruction techniques. Focus will be placed on the communicative approach, where learners are involved in real communication. Participants will analyze, select and modify materials to facilitate learning in ESL students with diverse characteristics and needs.
ENL 665 Culture and Linguistics
3 Hours
Linguistics for English as a New Language deals with training and research in linguistics as it relates to educational theory and practice, specifically the teaching and learning of K-12 English as a Second Language students. Also addressed are issues concerning dialects, bilingual education and children with special needs involving language. The course also examines the principles of language acquisition and language learning, to consider how they are connected to cultural background and cultural identity and explore effective approaches to instruction.
ENL 667 Applied Linguistics
3 Hours
Participants will explore the relationship between language and society and the role of the ENL Teacher in teaching the cultures and societies that surround the language. The course also examines topics such as multilingualism, language and gender, identity in language and teaching, and language planning, as they relate to the overall understanding of student perception of the language.
ENL 668 Assessment of ENL Students and Programs
3 Hours
This course will provide participants with a comprehensive knowledge foundation in the selection, administration and interpretation of measurement instruments appropriate for English Language Learners (ELL). Participants will investigate a variety of language assessment tools used to identify, place and monitor students receiving services. Emphasis will be placed on instruments and approaches used to determine and monitor ELL students English proficiency and academic development in English. This course will also explore evaluating the effectiveness of ESL programs and ensuring ESL students receive research-based and effective programming. The course is intended to give participants an historical perspective of the theoretical foundation of ESL.
ENL 669 Curriculum, Programs, and Policies for ENL
3 Hours
Introduction to the curriculum, programs, policies, and laws that support new language learners with respect to legal issues, instructional strategies, assessments, and accommodations and that are grounded in second language acquisition theory.
ENL 670 Seminar in Special Topics
3 Hours
Through course readings, discussions and written reflections, this course examines multiple aspects of Multilingual Learner (ML) education. Issues examined include but are not limited to Newcomers, Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education, Learning Theory and Approaches for Language Learning, Generation 1.5, Family Engagement, Multilingual Learners in Special Education, and Response to Interventions for MLs.
Master of Education - K-12 Principal
If you are interested in educational leadership in K-12 schools, have a bachelor’s degree in either elementary or secondary education, and three years of teaching experience, this is the master's degree for you! This program requires 36 coursework credit hours, including an internship, and the completion of a comprehensive exam.
Courses
BUS 617 Employee Life Cycle
3 Hours
Students will learn the employment cycle and the performance management cycle. Knowledge and skills developed will help student recruit, hire, develop, retain, and reassign or release coaches, staff and volunteers.
EDU 603 Statistical Analysis in Education
3 Hours
This course is the reinforcement of basic managerial math, to include some statistical analysis, research methodology, mathematics for education and elementary calculus. Emphasis is placed on practical applications and tools as well as analytical inquiry of the results.
EDU 610 Human Relations: Multiculturalism
3 Hours
This course offers an in-depth approach to providing an understanding of cultural backgrounds and the influences of dehumanizing biases such as racism, sexism and classism on the lives of students. There is a specific focus on South Dakota standards for human understanding as delineated by the South Dakota Department of Education.
EDU 613 School and Community Relations
3 Hours
This course investigates how school community relations are impacted by varying strategies for building community support, developing and selecting staff, and using the strengths of staff members, both in the school and in the community.
EDU 615 School Improvement
3 Hours
This course is a study of the school improvement process designed to equip educational leaders with the knowledge and skills to facilitate sustainable, systemic school improvement.
EDU 618 Behavior Management Principles
3 Hours
This course will focus on practical strategies for managing student behavior while creating positive and supportive classroom environments. Participants will explore proactive techniques, reinforcement systems, and data collection tools to better understand the functions of behaviors. This course will also emphasize the importance of building strong relationships and making environmental adjustments to help students remain regulated, engaged, and ready to learn.
EDU 659 Educational Leadership
3 Hours
This course examines the day-to-day management of learning environments. Topics include classic organizational theory, traditional administrative and governance models, campus climate and culture, project management, collaboration in the community, leadership analysis, ethics, educational advocacy and other management principles.
EDU 665 Curriculum & Teaching Methods
3 Hours
This course is an intensive study of differentiated instruction and teaching methods of secondary schools in connection with the latest research and foundational knowledge of human learning. It includes an understanding of the middle school concept and instructional strategies that support that concept. It covers a distinct study of delivery systems and curricular models that can affect the most dynamic positive change for individual students.
EDU 673 Educational Administration
3 Hours
Educational Administration continues to be in a state of flux as school districts explore varying models of effective administration and leadership. With reference to the most commonly designed instructions, educational administration will be introduced to students. Specific coverage of how principals function in the elementary school setting will be explored. The dynamics of secondary school administration and their similarities and differences to elementary will be researched and studied. Current trends, both in general administration and assessment and evaluation add to this exhaustive study of educational administration.
EDU 675 Education Law
3 Hours
This course is an intensive study of associated school law in the state of South Dakota and federal legal procedure and protocol.
EDU 677 Instructional Supervision
3 Hours
The role of educational leader in instructional supervision continues to change. This course fully explores current research in providing effective instructional supervision.
EDU 690 Research Methodologies
3 Hours
This course will give graduate education students an applied knowledge of research methods. Students will develop skills in evaluating statistical data, conducting research and producing essential elements of experimental and theoretical research projects.
EDU 693 Internship
3 Hours
Candidates will intern with a school administrator with appropriate evaluation and university supervision. The internship must include all job responsibilities of the principalship, and time spent in both the elementary and secondary levels.
ENL 658 Supporting English Learners in the Classroom
3 Hours
This course equips teachers with the knowledge and strategies to effectively support English learners (ELs) in today’s classrooms. Topics include second language acquisition, culturally responsive practices, and evidence-based instructional approaches that build both language proficiency and content mastery. Educators will develop skills to scaffold learning, foster inclusive environments, and collaborate with families and colleagues. Designed for all content areas, the course prepares teachers to create equitable, supportive learning opportunities for diverse learners.
Accreditation and Rankings
The DWU Master of Arts in Education is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and is affirmed by the South Dakota Department of Education and NC-SARA.
We are honored.
2025 Best Online Master’s in Education Programs
U.S. News and World Report
Best Online College in South Dakota
University HQ
Top 50 Best Master’s in Educational Leadership Online
Top Education Degrees
Best Online Master’s in Educational Administration
Intelligent.com
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission, you must meet the following criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7
After you have completed the online application, we will contact you to explain how to complete the submission process. You will be asked to provide:
- An official transcript from your bachelor’s degree-awarding institution
- A letter of support from your evaluator
-
A Statement of Purpose - 300 to 500 words answering the following question:
In what ways do you plan to apply what you learn to support and enhance education within the Mitchell School District, particularly in improving outcomes for the next generation of students?
Following your acceptance into the program, you will be required to submit a promissory note declaring your commitment to employment with the Mitchell School District for five years.
Classes begin in January. Space is limited to 15 participants per year.
Cost
Great news! Tuition, books and supplies are covered!
Your Contacts
As you explore the M.Ed. program, you will work with an admissions representative, our program director, and director of education and community engagement.
Janet Greenway
Graduate & Online Enrollment Coordinator
Melissa Weber, Ed.D.
Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives | Associate Professor of Education | Master of Arts in Education Director
Tressa Wede, Ed.D.
Director of Education and Community Engagement | Associate Professor of Education
