University of the People

Master of Education in Advanced Teaching (M.Ed.) 
Situated in a global context, the M.Ed. program invites students to explore the historical, social and 
philosophical aspects of education from a comparative perspective.  It emphasizes understanding of 
the learner and the physical, psychological, social, and cultural forces that shape learning.  Students are 
introduced to the latest research on teaching and learning and explore its implications for curricular 
decision making and instructional planning.  They analyze strategies for classroom management and 
the fostering of a positive learning community.  Coursework examines the role of assessment in 
objective-driven teaching and learning and delves into how technology can be used to meet learner 
needs.    
UoPeople offers programming leading to a Master of Education in Advanced Teaching. Students will 
choose to specialize in either the elementary and middle school level (grades K-8) or in the secondary 
school level (grades 6-12).  The program is intended for practicing teachers and those who might wish 
to teach in independent schools, but please note that it DOES NOT LEAD TO STATE LICENSURE OR 
CERTIFICATION.   
This program is designed to provide advanced training to prepare highly skilled teachers who possess 
the advanced skills required to facilitate the development and learning of all students in their care.  
Graduates will serve as models and mentors for colleagues, and contribute to developing the next 
generation of beginning teachers preparing to enter the profession.   
The M.Ed. in Advanced Teaching was designed in cooperation with the International Baccalaureate 
(IB).  The IB is a global leader in the provision of high-quality, accessible programs for K-12 students.  
Offered by almost 5,000 schools in more than 150 countries, IB programs encourage both personal 
growth and academic achievement.  The IB requirement to attend a Category 1 Workshop is waived for 
qualified graduates of the M.Ed. program.  
A total of 39 semester credit hours are required to complete the UoPeople M.Ed. degree.  Students 
must complete a minimum of 13 courses. Each course is 9 weeks in length, and students earn 3 credits 
per course.  
Program Goals: 
Successful graduates of the program will learn to:  
 

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Ensure the availability of appropriate curricula for learners by: 
 
•  Setting learning goals and objectives for the classroom  
•  Identifying the instructional needs of individual learners based on their developmental 
profile and personal contexts  
•  Selecting, adapting and/or creating curricular materials that meet the instructional needs of 
individual learners  
•  Understanding the impact of assessment on curriculum and its relationship to curriculum 
design  
 
 
Create an effective learning environment by: 
 
•  Arranging the classroom in ways that meet regulatory requirements, support instruction, 
and promote individual and collaborative learning  
•  Establishing a welcoming learning environment that embraces diversity, collaboration, 
mutual respect and personal responsibility and integrates technology to enhance teaching 
and learning  
 
 
Employ instructional approaches that support learning by: 
 
•  Creating plans that guide instructional decisions  
•  Selecting instructional activities and materials that enable learners to meet the established 
instructional goals  
•  Employing instructional approaches that foster a learner’s critical thinking, global 
awareness, and communication and self-management skills   
•  Structuring opportunities for student-directed inquiry and the exploration of 
interdisciplinary connections  
•  Utilizing instructional technology to create authentic learning opportunities and enhance 
teaching and learning  
•  Ensuring exposure to real world questions and issues that offer perspectives beyond the 
learner’s local experiences  
 
 
Assess and provide feedback on learner growth and development by: 
 
•  Identifying appropriate measures for assessing learning  
•  Administering standardized and teacher-designed formative and summative assessments 
appropriate to the learner and the instructional purpose  
•  Monitoring the learner’s progress against external and teacher-set objectively-established 
metrics  
•  Fostering student self-reflection and self-assessment  
•  Using assessment results to plan future instruction  

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•  Providing effective feedback to students, and using feedback to modify teaching and 
learning activities  
 
 
Engage in continuing professional development by: 
 
•  Reflecting on the impact of their professional actions on learners, the school, their 
colleagues, and others in the community of interests  
•  Seeking opportunities to advance their professional knowledge and skills to better meet 
learner needs  
•  Engaging in classroom-based research to improve curricular and instructional decision 
making