The 30-credit Master of Arts in Education program is designed to be completed at your own pace. Courses are offered on evenings during the school year or during the daytime or evenings in the summer. Depending on the number of courses you take each semester, you can finish the program in two to three years.

Component 1: Required Professional Courses (12 credits)

This component focuses on understanding of children and adolescents and the conditions under which learning takes place, organization of curricula, implementation of effective instructional strategies, and social and cultural issues influencing educational policies and practices. Required courses include:

• EDU 700: Diversity Among Learners
• EDU 715: Seminar – Issues & Problems Affecting Education
• EDU 740: Curriculum & Assessment
• EDU 742: Instructional Strategies

Component 2: Subject Area Specialization (12-18 credits)

Choose from two different specialization paths:

• Special Emphasis Option: Take a minimum of 9 credits in a single subject area such as art, adaptive education, English or reading, or Waldorf Education. Special emphases in adaptive education (12 credits) and reading (18 credits) meet requirements for Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WDPI) licenses.
• Practice-based Emphasis Option: Take courses in your subject area(s) and other areas having direct application to your classroom practice. You may choose from a wide array of electives. Courses do not need to be in a single subject or interest area. 

Component 3: Inquiry and Instructional Project (6 credits)

Apply your knowledge, pedagogical expertise and craftsmanship to a classroom-based action research project. Courses for this component are:

• EDU 705: Introduction to Professional Inquiry
• EDU 706: Instructional Project

See complete degree requirements and a listing of courses in the Graduate Bulletin (PDF).

Transfer Credits

A maximum of 9 credits or 30 percent of total program credits, whichever is greater, may be transferred from other regionally accredited institutions with the approval of the program director. All transfer credits must be at a grade B or better, and must be documented with official transcripts. Credit earned prior to admission will be evaluated during the admission process only.

Our programs are approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WDPI), the state agency that licenses teachers. The WDPI requires you to have a 2.75 or better cumulative GPA to be endorsed for a license. 

If you are seeking a license in Early Childhood, Elementary/Middle School Education, or Cross-Categorical Special Education you must successfully complete the Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT). Those seeking a license in Spanish or bilingual education must successfully complete The ACTFL oral and written exams. If you maintain a B or better GPA in your major, no other exams are required. 

The programs are reviewed annually, and Education faculty meet regularly with a WDPI liaison and state organizations to remain on the forefront of evolving requirements in the profession.  

The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Students who satisfactorily complete one of the programs can be endorsed for licensure in Wisconsin at the level for which they have prepared. Students planning to teach in states other than Wisconsin should review the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s License Portability information.

To be eligible for the Mount Mary Master of Arts in Education graduate program, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have teacher certification in Wisconsin or another state. (If you have completed a teacher preparation program but do not have certification, contact the program director before applying.)
• Submit all required application materials. (see details below)

Priority Application Deadlines

• August 1, for fall semester entry
• December 1, for spring semester entry
• May 1, for summer semester entry

*Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a rolling basis.

Complete and submit the online Graduate Student Application.

1. Submit the nonrefundable application fee. You can submit the payment online by credit card or e-check through the application portal. Note: The application fee is waived for Mount Mary alumni. Contact your graduate admission counselor to obtain the waiver code for alumni.
2. Submit your official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. You will need to contact each institution (typically the registrar’s office) to have your transcript sent directly to Mount Mary University. If you are in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree, send your current transcript at the time of application and then send your final transcript once your degree is conferred. If you previously attended Mount Mary, you do not need to request Mount Mary transcripts, but you should provide transcripts from other schools, if applicable.  Official transcripts can be submitted via mail or electronically to:
   • Graduate Admission Office, Mount Mary University, 2900 N. Menomonee River Parkway, Milwaukee, WI 53222-4597
   • mmu-admissop@mtmary.edu 
3. Submit two letters of recommendation. The recommendations should be from professionals in the field of education, including one from your current principal or supervisor. Recommendation forms and instructions are provided in the Graduate Student Application.
4. Write and submit a career goals statement. The statement should describe your career goals, specifying objectives, experience or skills contributing to your decision to pursue graduate study in education. Please include your name on the statement and submit the statement as an MS Word document.
5. Provide a copy of your teaching license(s). To obtain a copy of your teaching license in Wisconsin, contact the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. If you do not hold a teaching license, please contact the program director before applying.

Application materials can be uploaded in the application portal or sent via postal mail or email to:

• Mount Mary University, Graduate Admission Office, 2900 N. Menomonee River Parkway, Milwaukee, WI 53222-4597
• mmu-admissop@mtmary.edu

Admission decisions will be made after all application materials are received.

Mount Mary University offers a Reading Teacher license program. This program enables licensed teachers with a minimum of two years of teaching experience to be licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. This program can be completed as a standalone program or in conjunction with the Master of Arts in Education program. 

This program requires the completion of the following 17 graduate credits:

• EDU 502: Teaching Reading & Language Arts in the Middle/Secondary SchoolLiteracy in the Content Areas (3 credits) 
• EDU 510: Developmental Reading for the Middle ChildhoodTeaching Literacy in Elementary/Middle School Classrooms, Gr. 3-5 (4 credits) 
• EDU 511: Developmental Reading for Early ChildhoodTeaching Literacy in Early Childhood Classrooms, Pre-K-Gr. 2 (4 credits) 
• EDU 523: Reading & Learning Disabilities (3 credits) 
• EDU 559: Assessment & Instruction of Literacy Difficulties (3 credits)  

Based on your previous licensure and coursework, up to 6 undergraduate credits may be substituted for two of these courses.   

To be licensed through Mount Mary University, you need to apply and be admitted to the Reading Teacher (316) license program. If you wish to also pursue the Master of Arts in Education degree, these graduate-level reading courses may be applied to the elective component of that degree program. You also may choose to enroll in these courses as a special student. 

Note: If you wish to pursue the Master of Arts in Education degree, in addition to the Reading Teacher (316) license, you will need to follow the application procedures for the Master of Arts in Education program. 

To be eligible to apply for the Reading Teacher (316) license program, you must hold a teaching license from Wisconsin or another state, as well as submit the following application materials:  

1. Complete and submit the online Graduate Student Application. 
2. Submit the nonrefundable application fee. The application fee is waived for Mount Mary alumnae. If you’re an alumna, contact your graduate admission counselor to obtain the waiver code prior to submitting your application. 
3. Provide a copy of your teaching license(s). To obtain a copy of your teaching license in Wisconsin, contact the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. If you do not hold a teaching license, please contact the program director before applying.  
4. Complete and submit a criminal background check. Submit a criminal background check (state and federal screening) through CastleBranch. When completed in CastleBranch the Education Department will have access to the results of your background check. It is not necessary to email the results of your background check if completed via CastleBranch. 

Submit all application materials via postal mail or email to: 

Mount Mary University, Graduate Admission Office, 2900 N. Menomonee River Parkway, Milwaukee, WI 53222-4597 
mmu-admissop@mtmary.edu  

Admission decisions will be made after all application materials are received. 

Email mmu-gradinfo@mtmary.edu or contact your graduate admission counselor with application questions.

Mount Mary University partners with the Great Lakes Waldorf Institute to offer you opportunities to earn a Waldorf teacher certificate, as well as to complete a Master of Arts in Education degree.  

The Association of Waldorf Schools of North America recognizes Great Lakes Waldorf Institute as one of eight full member institutes in North America, and the first full member in the Midwest. 

A Waldorf teacher certificate is granted through the Great Lakes Waldorf Institute, while the master’s degree is awarded by Mount Mary University. The Waldorf Teacher Certificate qualifies you to teach in Waldorf schools, but does not lead to licensure by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. 

The Waldorf Teacher Certificate program requires 27 credits. You’ll take the following courses at Mount Mary:

• EDU 630: Human Development Birth to 21 (2 credits) 
• EDU 632: Awakening Inspiration through Artistic Practice (2 credits) 
• EDU 633: The Inner Life of the Waldorf Teacher (2 credits) 
• EDU 640: Awakening Intuition through Artistic Practice (2 credits) 
• EDU 641: Child Development and Child Study (2 credits) 
• EDU 643: Awakening Imagination through Artistic Practice (2 credits) 
• EDU 700: Diversity Among Learners (3 credits) 
• EDU 740: Curriculum Design (3 credits) 
• EDU 742: Instructional Strategies (3 credits)  

In addition to the courses above, you will choose to take 3 courses from the following pairs of 2-credit courses: 

• EDU 631: Essentials of Waldorf Grades Teaching (Grades 1-8 Track)OR EDU 645: Essentials of a Waldorf Kindergarten (Early Childhood Track) 

• EDU 635 Teaching Math in the Waldorf School (Grades 1-8 Track)OR EDU 646: Early Childhood: Meeting the Needs of Children in the Kindergarten (Early Childhood Track) EDU 642: Teaching Science in the Waldorf School OR EDU 647:  
• Deepening our Work & Preparing Children for First Grade (Early Childhood Track)The Great Lakes Waldorf Institute may require additional experiences not associated with Mount Mary University. 

Waldorf & Master’s Degree Program Curriculum Requirements

If you wish to achieve both a Waldorf Teacher Certificate and earn a Master of Arts in Education degree, you must complete all of the above requirements, plus these additional 9 credits:

• EDU 715: Seminar – Issues & Problems Affecting EducationPolicy Issues in Education (3 credits) 
• EDU 705: Introduction to Professional Inquiry (32 credits) 
• EDU 706: Instructional Project (34 credits)

1. Apply FIRST through Great Lakes Waldorf Institute at: https://www.greatlakeswaldorf.org/glwi-application
2. Upon approval by Great Lakes Waldorf Institute, apply to Mount Mary University as a degree-seeking or special student. Application materials (transcripts, recommendations, etc.) submitted to Great Lakes Waldorf Institute will be used for admission to Mount Mary University. 

Email mmu-gradinfo@mtmary.edu or contact your graduate admission counselor with questions. 

Mount Mary University partners with the Urban Learning Collaborative (ULC, formerly MTEC) to offer you opportunities to earn your initial Wisconsin state teaching license and the Master of Arts in Education degree.  

Initial state teacher certification is granted through the Urban Learning Collaborative (ULC), while the master’s degree is awarded by Mount Mary University. More information about available license areas and requirements is available on the ULC web site: https://urban-learning.org/ 

Debra Dosemagen, Ph.D. 
Professor, Department Chair and Graduate Program Director 
Phone: (414) 930-3160 
Email: dosemagd@mtmary.edu 
Expertise: Mathematics education, teacher research 

Vanessa Varela, M.A in Ed, M.A. in F.L.L. 
Assistant Professor 
Phone: (414) 930-3105 
Email: varelav@mtmary.edu 
Expertise: Second Language Acquisition and Social Justice, Multilingual Learners, Multicultural Children's Literature 

According to 2024 data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for teachers ranges from $63,210 - $64,580.