Master of Education in Professional Development

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's master of education in professional development graduate program is a blended weekend and online 30-credit cohort program designed specifically for the professional development of educators. The two-year program is an excellent choice for those who seek a meaningful master's degree that will have a lasting, positive impact on their teaching, their leadership and their students' engagement and learning.

All courses throughout the program focus on equity and justice, inclusion, critical thinking and collaboration. Each course is co-taught with a UWEC faculty member and an experienced K-12 schoolteacher, with the goal of developing collaborative leaders. Coursework is intentionally designed for continuous application of theory to practice in your own classroom, providing ways for you to determine the practices that work best for you and your context. As part of the final capstone requirement, you’ll explore your own action research project and discover how you can develop your professional practice to improve student learning and create change in your school.

As a graduate of the MEPD program, you'll leave UW-Eau Claire with a variety of research-based strategies to apply to your own classroom. Additionally, you'll find that a better understanding of research and evidence-based practices enables you to make data-informed decisions and enhance student engagement and outcomes. Whether you seek new understandings, strategic ways to facilitate student learning, or the opportunity to re-envision your leadership, our renowned program will provide the experiences and skills necessary for change.

The master of education in professional development program is a 30-credit, 20-month master's program comprised of 10 courses.

Curriculum is focused on improving learning outcomes for your K-12 students. Aligned with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, coursework will encourage you to become a better leader, researcher and teacher. Throughout the 10 courses, expert faculty will connect common themes, providing the foundation for connected future learning. Every course will model between five to 20 classroom practices that teachers can immediately apply in their own classrooms.

Learn more about the master of education in professional development graduate program in the UWEC course catalog.

What classes do master of education in professional development students take?

Each three-credit course spans eight weeks, consisting of two Saturday face-to-face meeting times (one per month). In addition to the face-to-face meetings, cohort members are expected to reserve approximately three hours for online discussions and work per week.

• ES 755: Collaborative Leadership: Building Effective Relationships
• ES 720: Cultural and Social Foundations of Learning
• ES 788: Introduction to Educational Inquiry
• ES 738: Curricular Design and Innovation
• ES 710: Student Development and Learning
• ES 740: Introduction to Action Research
• ES 774: Evaluation, Assessment and Data-Based Decision Making
• ES 746: Teaching All Students: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• ES 771: Designing a Learning Environment
• ES 742: Advanced Topics in Teaching
• Action Research Poster Presentation and Oral Defense

Visit our graduate admissions page to see the application process, deadlines, and required materials.

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum of a 2.75 cumulative GPA.
• A minimum of two years of teaching experience or equivalent experience.
• Documented commitment to teaching or education-related profession (i.e., teaching certification, a statement from a supervisor or equivalent).
• A resume of career-related experiences.
• A statement of professional aspirations and related needs.

For more information, please contact:
Phil Huelsbeck
huelsbpj@uwec.edu