The Graduate School of Education and Human Development site logo

The Graduate School of Education and Human Development

 

Master's in Elementary Education

The Elementary Education M.Ed. program consists of a comprehensive and innovative series of experiences designed to develop the knowledge, skills, and qualities essential for initial teaching effectiveness. The mission of the program, grounded in the Graduate School of Education and Human Development's bridging concepts—Research and Scholarship, Reflective Practice, Community Service, and Educational Leadership, is to prepare teachers who are knowledgeable in the research and scholarship of curriculum and methods of instruction; who are reflective practitioners in the integration of theory and practice; who are actively dedicated to teaching and learning in a pluralistic democracy; and who, as leaders, are eager to contribute to the national conversation about the reform of American schools and society.

The program's mission is further grounded in a conceptual framework that consists of an integrated set of three themes: knowledge, individuality, and social responsibility. These three themes provide a cohesive conceptual framework for the entire program and are reflected in all aspects of program coursework as well as in related clinical experiences. The relationship of the conceptual framework's three themes is interactive.

This master's program is approved by the office of the State Superintendent - Standards and Credentialing of the District of Columbia and is part of the GSEHD unit accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Dr. Beck was one of six GW graduates honored in 2015 with the GW Alumni Association’s highest annual award for service .

For more information about the unique features of this program, its conceptual framework, and curriculum please view, download, or print: Elementary Education . Program Plans for the 1 and 2 year options can be found here.

 

Knowledge

Good teachers know the subject matter they teach; and understand the process of its construction and the impact of its use in real world settings. This extended view of knowledge establishes a base for meaningful classroom instruction in content areas.

Individuality

Today’s youngsters come from a rich array of cultural and experiential backgrounds. They bring to schools a diverse set of personal, social, and academic expectations. Good teachers are attentive to students as individuals; they are also sensitive to the broader cultural context that gives shape to diversity.

Social Responsibility

Teaching is a socially significant profession that calls for a wider, moral vision extending beyond the narrowness of personal gain and private intellectual development. The education of today’s youth is connected to many crucial issues confronting the larger social order.

 

Highlights

Why a GW Master's in Elementary Education?

Licensure Eligible: A one-year or two-year, intensive 33 credit program, the Elementary Education model leads to eligibility for licensure in grades 1-6. The program is approved by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification and accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Internship and Immersion: Course work covers a broad array of topics from development and diversity, language and literacy to perspectives in American education. The course work strengthens the program's clinical practice in 24 partnership elementary schools in the Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland districts.

Fairfax County

  • Great Falls
  • Spring Hill
Falls Church City
  • Thomas Jefferson
Montgomery County Public Schools
  • Somerset
Independent Schools
  • Concord Hill School (Montgomery County)
  • Georgetown Day School(DC)
  • Norwod School (Montgomery County)
  • Our Savior Lutheran School (Arlington County)
  • Washington International School (DC)

Partnership Schools

Alexandria City
  • James Polk
  • Samuel Tucker
Arlington County
  • Arlington Science Focus School
  • Glebe
  • Long Branch
  • Tuckahoe
District of Columbia Public Schools
  • Eaton, NW
  • Hyde, NW
  • Janney, NW
  • Key, NW
  • Lafayette, NW
  • Langley, NE
  • Watkins, SE
  • District of Columbia Public Charter Schools
    • DC Bilingual Public Charter
    • Yu Ying Public Charter
Curriculum

Foundation Courses

CPED 6604 Perspectives in American Education
CPED 6606 Theories of Learning and Development
CPED 6608 Development and Diversity
SPED 6290 Affective Development and Behavior Management in Special Education

Methodology

CPED 6410 Reading Children’s Literature across the Curriculum
CPED 6412 Elementary School Curriculum and Methods (Math)
CPED 6412 Elementary School Curriculum and Methods (Science)
CPED 6412 Elementary School Curriculum and Methods (Language Arts)
CPED 6412 Elementary School Curriculum and Methods (Social Studies)
CPED 6623 Foundations of Reading Development
EDUC 6114 Introduction to Quantitative Research

Internship

CPED 6635 Professional Internship in Elementary Education (taken for 6 credits)

Faculty

 

Beck, Sylven Associate Professor, Curriculum and Pedagogy
Green, Colin Academic Dean; Associate Professor, Curriculum and Pedagogy
Tate, Patricia Associate Professor, Curriculum and Pedagogy

 

Career Outlook

Opportunities

Our Elementary Education graduates are teaching throughout the country and the Washington DC metropolitan area. In addition to teaching, our graduates become leaders in their profession. They are:

Teacher Mentors Cooperating Teachers Gifted Resource Teachers Advanced Academic Program Teachers Reading Specialists Early Childhood Specialists School Based Technology Specialists Instructional Coaches Literacy Coaches Mathematics Coaches

Admissions

Program Entry: Summer (Full Time, 1-Year Cohort), Fall (Part-Time: first year only, 2-Year Cohort)
Prerequisites: Bachelors Degree
Campus: Main Campus

Application Requirements

  • Online Application
  • Resume
  • Statement of Purpose
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation Transcripts (unofficial)
  • Writing sample (should consist of an academic paper written for undergraduate studies, a professional paper, or published academic or professional work with full citation)
  • Application Fee

*Additional application requirements may exist for international applicants For more information on any of these requirements, please visit our Admissions FAQ page.

Applications are currently being accepted for the Fall 2022 start term on a rolling basis. The next deadline to apply is June 30th. 

If you have questions about submitting your application, please contact our Admission Office at gsehdadm@gwu.edu or at 202.994.9283.

Transformation Begins Here

Learn more about the Master's in Elementary Education program located on campus (202-994-9283).