Program Overview

This program helps teachers continue their professional growth and advance in competence in their work in elementary school classrooms. The program may be used to develop an academic specialization of work with elementary school children or to explore a field of specialization for present or future professional goals.

Aside from the M.Ed. degree, other education programs are available. Visit gvsu.edu/education/grad for details.

Why Study Instruction and Curriculum at Grand Valley?

• The program opens up a number of career opportunities for professional renewal and development of educators.
• The College of Education and Community Innovation's Office of Certification and Accreditation provides centralized services for advising, field placement, and certification.
  
• Flexible classes offered evenings, weekends, and during summer make it easier for teachers and administrators to plan their schedules. Some classes are offered online.
• Faculty members are leaders in their fields, melding together the philosophy of education and students' needs as practitioners.
• Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

Accreditation

Grand Valley State University's College of Education and Community Innovation is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA). The faculty are leaders in their fields, melding together the philosophy of education and your needs as a practitioner.

Location & Format

Classes for graduate students in this major meet in a combination of online and in-seat at the downtown Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

• Hybrid

Coursework

All Master of Education (M.Ed.) programs require a minimum of 33 semester hours.

Career Options

• P-12 teaching
• School administration
• College level professional and administrative positions

Application Deadline

Deadline for fall semester is July 15; winter, November 15; spring/summer, March 15. Early application is strongly encouraged to secure course enrollment. Those applications received after the deadline will be considered on an individual basis and program availability. Late applicants should contact program director Ellen Schiller, [email protected] The $30 nonrefundable application fee is waived if you have previously applied to GVSU.

Admission Requirements

All students seeking degree, endorsement, approval, license or certificate change must be formally admitted to graduate study. A maximum of six graduate credits earned prior to graduate admission may apply to degree requirements.

In addition to university admissions requirements in the GVSU catalog, students must meet the Master of Education (M.Ed.) Admission Criteria.

• Instruction and Curriculum – completed application and one letter of recommendation.  If an applicant has a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a positive letter of recommendation, then the applicant will be admitted. If the applicant has less than a 3.0, then the applicant can be admitted by demonstrating one or more of the following:
  • evidence of responsible professional work experience;
  • graduate certification/endorsement;
  • previous graduate work or a previous master's degree; and/or
  • acceptable GRE scores. 

Visit the Education page for alternate criteria and procedures.

Helpful Links

• Scholarships
• Financial Aid
• Tuition & Fees
• The Graduate School
• Education, General Programs
• Education, Elementary to Middle Teaching Programs
• FAQ

For More Information

gvsu.edu/education/grad
401 Fulton Street West, Building C
(616) 331-6650
Program Contact: Ellen Schiller, Ph.D., [email protected]

gvsu.edu/gradapply

Ellen Schiller, Ph.D.
(616) 331-7126