Teacher Master’s Program

What Will You Learn?

Master of Arts in Education with Concentration in Curriculum and Instruction Courses (38 credits)

Introduction to Curriculum and Instruction: STEM | EDC 7010 (3 credit hours)
Foundation of Learning Theory | EDF 7110 (3 credit hours)
Foundation of Education | EDF 7210 (3 credit hours)
Foundation of Exceptionality | EDF 7310 (3 credit hours)
Foundation of Educational Research and Assessment | EDF 7410 (3 credit hours)
Differentiated Instruction | EDC 7291 (3 credit hours)
Games, Simulations, Virtual Environments, and AI in Education | EDC 7313 (3 credits)
Global, Cultural, and Ethical Perspectives in Educational Technology | EDC 7323 (3 credits)
Data-Driven Instruction: Part 1 | EDC 7501 (3 credit hours)
Data-Driven Instruction: Part 2 | EDC 7502 (3 credit hours)
Master's Research Project | EDF 8503 (3 credit hours)

One of these is taken with each course starting after the second course.
EXP 8701 Executive Practicum (.5 credits)
EXP 8702 Executive Practicum (.5 credits)

In addition, students apply their classroom experience to coursework in a practicum that is one credit per term
(totaling 5 credits) and the beginning on-boarding session equates to three credit hours. So the entire degree program is 38 credit hours.

ADVANTAGES OF THIS PROGRAM

Career Advancement and Professional Excellence
Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction is designed to help motivated teachers achieve their educational and career goals. Upon completion of this program, students will have developed the skills and knowledge to:

• Improve their teaching
• Create an enriching learning environment
• Plan for changes in teaching
• Encourage improved education for all students
• Assess outcomes for school curricula, programs, services and activities
• Become a leader in education
• Continue to grow professionally.

Candidates earning a degree in curriculum and instruction are prepared to manage instructional programs within their district, their school and/or content area. Through course work and research, graduates gain confidence when instructing staff and providing regular feedback to teachers concerning data-driven instruction, research-based practices, effectiveness in meeting the needs of students, and supporting specific instructional programs.

This Master of Arts degree in Education covers subjects such as philosophy, accountability and change; differentiated instruction; curriculum development and evaluation; curriculum design and content studies; and more.

Collaborative
The program is offered in a cohort model, which means students progress class-by-class, together as a group, building valuable networks that can serve them beyond graduation. The Master of Arts in Education program faculty are experts in their fields, currently connected to what it takes to succeed in the field of education today. In addition to their impressive backgrounds, our faculty share a passion for teaching and a desire to help students succeed.

Students begin their program at the Ottawa University campus in Overland Park, Kansas, for an extended orientation and on-boarding program. Upon completion of the onboarding program, they will move to the location of their hiring school district.

Full-time, paid positions during the degree program
A critical component of this degree program is the curriculum requirement that students have a teaching position during the term of their program. Students will work full-time in a Kansas school as a requirement for the degree. They will receive full-time compensation for their work. Average full-time teacher salaries for teachers in this program range from US$42,000 to US$47,000 per year. In some school districts, students will have access to additional benefits and opportunities for compensation

Students will be authorized for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and will work with a local school during the 2-year term of their degree program. CPT is temporary authorization for practical training directly related to a student’s major field of study. A student’s major field of study is listed on their I-20. "Practical training" is a type of off-campus employment authorization that enables F-1 students to take part in an internship, Co-op, field placement, practicum, or work / service experience that is integral to the curriculum. Students are required as part of the MAED course of study to maintain eligible CPT employment for the duration of their study with Ottawa University. Credit for CPT is awarded through successful completion of the Executive Practicum course.

Program Requirements and Process
Start by assembling an application folder that includes the following documents to be used for application to the Master of Arts in Education program and also an application for a teaching license in Kansas.

Documents in the Application Folder:
-  Application Form for admission into the Ottawa University MAED program.
-  Professional Resume: Must have a minimum of two years of teaching experience.
-  Application for a teaching license from the state of Kansas (1-year, non-renewable license that will be converted to a permanent teaching license after a year).
-  Copy of teaching license or proof of teacher training from home country.
-  Statement of Purpose: Upload a maximum 2-page, double spaced essay describing your sense of purpose at Ottawa University. Please organize your thoughts around one of the following components using specific experiences from your life: personal, intellectual or civil/social. *Not required if you have studied or worked in the U.S.
-  Degree Certificates & Transcripts: Upload all university transcripts, even if a degree was not earned. Foreign transcripts should be evaluated by an Ottawa University-approved international credentialing service such as WES (World Education Services). The WES evaluation can be a document certification with GPA.
-  Two Letters of Recommendation: Upload twoletters of recommendation from professional and/or academic sources. Letters from family members will not be accepted. (Letters must be signed and dated.)
-  Proof of English Proficiency: Upload official test results. TOEFL score of 88 IBT, IELTS overall score of 6.5 with no individual scores below 5.5. *Not required if you have studied or worked in the U.S. or come from an English-speaking country.
-  Copy of Passport: Upload photo and address pages of passport. Students already in the U.S. must also submit a copy of their visa, current I-20, and most recent I-94 document.
-  Financial Support: Upload a bank statement showing US $24,760. Alternate documents can include loans, lines of credit, or sponsor bank statements with a signed and dated sponsorship letter.

Application Process
1- To participate in this program students must first be admitted to the Master of Arts in Education program at Ottawa University. They must complete the Ottawa University Master’s degree admission application and send the completed application and application documents to their local representative. The agent will send the application materials to ZCo GPS to be assessed, packaged and sent to the University.
2- Students must also secure full-time employment in a Kansas school district to participate in this program.

-Securing a Paid Teaching Position 
a. Complete the application for a Temporary Teaching License in Kansas, including their Application Folder and $70 application fee as well as a background check ($57). A Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) form will need to be submitted for the license. Background check information can be found at this link: https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/Teacher-Licensure- TL/Licensure/Fingerprint-Information.
b. The Kansas Department of Education will assist in seeking teaching positions throughout the state of Kansas and guide you to present your credentials to interested districts.
c. Interested school districts will arrange an interview.
d. Students will receive a formal offer letter of employment from the school district.

Summary of Process Steps
1- Student submits bachelor’s degree transcripts for credential evaluation by WES. Please note: In order to be accepted into this Master of Arts in Education program at Ottawa University, students must have a bachelor’s degree in education with a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
2- Student submits application form and application documents to their local representative. Their local representative submits these documents to ZCo GPS. ZCo GPS will assess and package the application materials and submit to Ottawa University for admission to the Master’s degree program.
3- Student receives an acceptance letter from Ottawa University.
4- Student applies for Temporary Teaching License in Kansas (including Application Folder).
5- Student has job interview and receives position offer letter from employing school district.
6- Student registers for a VISA interview with the U.S. Embassy.
7- Student applies for an American Social Security Number. (This can be done when student arrives at the Ottawa University Overland Park campus for their onboarding course. Student must complete and submit the CPT Employer form as well as copies of their job offer and job description to the International Programs department of Ottawa University. International Programs will provide the I-20 with CPT authorization and a letter to present to the Social Security Office. Please see attached explanation.)

Coming to the United States
This program is designed to be completed at the Ottawa University campus in Overland Park, Kansas. Upon acceptance into the program and after successful completion of the Kansas Temporary Teaching license, students will receive a Form I-20 from Ottawa University. This document is required to secure your F1 VISA and embassy appointment for coming to the United States.

After you receive your I-20, you must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee. This is a fee from the U.S. government and must be paid before your VISA appointment. Take the payment receipt with you to your appointment.

Make an appointment at the U.S. Embassy for an interview. Complete the Online VISA application (DS-160) after you receive your I-20 to schedule your in-person interview. Take your I-901 receipt, your I-20 and your DS-160, as well as identification documents, with you to the interview.

Please note: Upon entry to the United States, students must demonstrate that they have sufficient program funds in their bank account to cover the cost of the first year of the program: $10,260 and first-year living expenses of $14,500 = $24,760.