Curriculum

The curriculum in this program is both engaging and practical with more hands-on applications and collaborative discussions than most other traditional master's degree programs for teachers. The courses in this program provide you with knowledge and skills that you can implement the next day in your own classroom. The faculty of the Saint Xavier University's Master of Arts in Teaching and Leadership degree program make the difference. They are dedicated instructors and facilitators with extensive K–12 teaching experience. They model for you the best instructional practices and teaching strategies they use with their own students. Then they provide feedback on your progress as you practice what you've learned.

Required Courses

The Master of Arts in Teaching and Leadership degree program provides a strong foundation in significant educational research on effective schools and teaching. It also guides you on how this research is applicable to the teaching-learning process.

The courses for the first year include:

• Cooperative Learning
• Technology for Educators
• Introduction to Research: Practice and Theory
• Team Seminar I
• Developing Multiple Intelligences through Learning and Teaching Styles
• Authentic Assessment
• Action Research in Practice
• Positive Discipline

The courses for the second year include:

• Team Seminar II
• Action-Research Project I
• Developing Students' Cognitive Abilities
• Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum
• Student Achievement through Professional Development
• Action-Research Project II

Each course is aligned with the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards as well as:

The 11 Illinois Teaching Standards:

1. Content Knowledge
2. Human Development and Learning
3. Diversity
4. Planning for Instruction
5. Learning Environment
6. Instructional Delivery
7. Communication
8. Assessment
9. Collaborative Relationships
10. Reflection and Personal Growth
11. Professional Conduct

And the 10 Wisconsin Teacher Standards for Development and Licensure:

1. Teachers know the subjects they are teaching
2. Teachers know how children grow
3. Teachers understand that children learn differently
4. Teachers know how to teach
5. Teachers know how to manage a classroom
6. Teachers communicate well
7. Teachers are able to plan different kinds of lessons
8. Teachers know how to test for student progress
9. Teachers are able to evaluate themselves
10. Teachers are connected with other teachers and the community

Want to learn more about each course? Read the course descriptions.

"When I began the program I was a burned out teacher who wanted a pay raise. Through the program I was able to implement many exciting and positive teaching methods that transformed my classroom into an exciting atmosphere of creative and higher level thinking. The learning experiences were so rich that I never wanted the program to end!"

Sue Hilton
Class of 1997 & current FBMP instructor
Villa Park, IL