Instruction and Learning

Mission Statement

The Instruction and Learning Program mission is firmly grounded in a vision of commitment to learning environments in which all learners have access to educational opportunities, choices, and experiences that enable them to achieve at the peak of their potential. The professional education programs are designed for delivery through innovative and efficacious systems that provide professional development and excellent educational experiences to diverse populations in a geographically and economically challenged region. To this end, we provide a variety of rich, intentional, and meaningful experiences designed to support candidates' development of appropriate dispositions, graduate candidates prepare to impact students' lives and learning and to take leadership roles in classrooms, schools, and beyond. 

Program Responsibilities

The Instruction and Learning Program believes it has responsibilities to current graduate candidates and to their future clients. Additionally, the faculty believes it has a responsibility to collaborate with the communities withing which it works, to continue to grow as a program, and to model professional involvement and identity. 

Program Objectives

• The program will prepare and graduate candidates capable of identifying and analyzing contemporary issues in education and examine their effect on instructional practice in a culturally responsible learning environment.
• The program will prepare and graduate candidates capable of conducting classroom research using quantitative and qualitative methods in your classroom, school district and community to improve instruction and learning.
• The program can document the effects of instruction of students using assessment and evaluation methodologies that accurately reflect student performance. 
• The program will prepare and graduate candidates that demonstrate critical thinking, creative thinking, reflective thinking and self-regulation in professional learning environments.
• The program will prepare graduate candidates that demonstrate and promote the integration of technology in professional learning environments.
• The program will prepare graduate candidates who have increased awareness and intervention skills in mental health, suicide awareness, and collaborative problem-solving change processes.

Program Learning Outcomes for Instruction and Learning, MSEd

• The graduate candidate will identify and analyze contemporary issues in education.
• The graduate candidate will be able to examine their effect on instructional practice in culturally responsive environments.
• The graduate candidate will develop appropriate assessment methodology for use in their research proposal. 
• The graduate candidate will demonstrate critical, creative and reflective thinking processes throughout the program.
• The graduate candidate will  demonstrate the use of learning theories and self-regulation in their instructional practice.
• The graduate candidate will demonstrate the integration of technology in course work and program exit requirements.
• The graduate candidate will demonstrate awareness and intervention skills in mental health, suicide awareness, and collaborative problem-solving change processes.

Degree Offered

Admission Application Instructions

First Step:

• Complete the Application to MSU-Northern
  • An MSU-Northern application is needed regardless of new admission and/or re-admission.
  • Costs: $30 for new application fee/$0 for re-application fee.
• Send official transcripts to Registrar's Office
  • Transcripts must be sent from the institution(s) you have attended and taken classes, except MSU-Northern.
• Send proof of immunizations to the Registrar's Office

Second Step:

• Once admitted to MSU-Northern, call the CASE Program Manager for Graduate Studies, at 406.265.3735 with this information:
  • Mailing Address, Phone Number, and Email Address
  •  3 Letters of Recommendation
  •  Letter of Intent (limit 1 page)
  •  Autobiography (limit 5 pages) 
  •  Resume 
•  Simple Background Check - $20. Fill out the form completely or it will be returned.
•  Send back form and money to the following address:

•  Class Registration Form - Complete and submit to the CASE Program Manager at shari.damron@msun.edu.

Third Step:

• Once your file is complete, you will receive a determination letter and will meet with an advisor.

Admission Deadline:

• Fall Semester: May 1 to submit application to the Graduate Education Program.
  

Faculty & Staff

Curtis Smeby
Professor of Instruction and Learning
smebyc@msun.edu | 406.265.3517