Griffons Support Others
Today’s Pre-K – 12 classrooms are more diverse than ever, and finding effective ways to teach all students is more important than it’s ever been.
Gain a deep understanding of how to effectively differentiate instruction for learners who are: English learners, gifted, at-risk for school failure, or who experience mild to moderate disability. Graduates of the program will gain specific skills associated with differentiating:
- content: what is to be learned
- process: how learners acquire information
- product: how learners demonstrate learning
- learning environments: where and with whom learners learn.
All the courses for this degree are available 100% online.
Master of Applied Science in Assessment
The Master of Applied Science in Assessment – Differentiated Instruction option provides a deep understanding of fundamental issues associated with differentiating instruction methods.
Students will obtain:
- Knowledge of differentiated instructional methods needed to successfully teach all learners in diverse classrooms
- Knowledge of effective approaches to differentiated instruction
- Opportunities to develop leadership skills, including: needs analysis, shared vision, improved communication, adult learning, measurement of efficacy and overcoming resistance
- Enhanced general knowledge of diverse, inclusive classroom settings
- Training in analytical and critical thinking methods
- Support for an internship experience
The Differentiated Instruction option is designed to meet the needs of the following professionals:
- Current and future teachers, from early childhood, elementary and secondary education, who want to learn techniques to more effectively support all learners in diverse, inclusive, PreK-12 classrooms
- School administrators, who are interested in improving instructional practices in their school or district
- Current or future educational policy makers, who wish to enhance their understanding of the power of differentiated instruction for meeting the unique needs of ALL learners in diverse, inclusive, PreK-12 classrooms
While successful completion of the Differentiated Instruction master’s degree will prepare graduates to better meet the diverse challenges of teaching in today’s classrooms, it is not a program that will lead to licensure. The State of Missouri does not currently offer a teacher certification unique to differentiated instruction.
- Strong foundation in current research in the field of differentiating instructional content, process, product and learning environments
- All required courses are available online
- A professional core sequence, which focuses on critical reading of education literature and analyzing research in education

Dr. Susan Bashinski
Graduate Program Director & Professor
sbashinski@missouriwestern.edu
(816) 271-4394

Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Professional Core | ||
EDU 611 | Research Development and Literature Analysis | 3 |
EDU 678 | Master Education Experience I | 3 |
EDU 679 | Master Education Experience II | 3 |
Concentration Requirements | ||
EDU 661 | Multidisciplinary Approaches in Differentiated Instruction | 3 |
EDU 662 | Teacher Leadership for Differentiated Instruction | 3 |
TSL 560 | Methods of Teaching ELLs | 3 |
EDU 677 | Advanced Methods, Differentiation, and Instruction | 3 |
Optional Courses- Take three courses from the following five: | 9 | |
Materials and Assessments for ELLs | ||
Language and Culture | ||
Collaborating with Families and School Personnel for Inclusion | ||
Behavioral Management & Interventions | ||
Foundations of Professional Ethics | ||
Open Elective | 3 | |
Approved graduate-level elective course(s) | ||
Total Credit Hours | 33 |
Graduation Requirements
- Filing an approved Application for Graduation.
- Satisfactory completion of all required coursework as listed on the approved Program of Study.
- Earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, with no more than 6 credit hours of C in all required coursework.
- Official approval of required Master Educator Experience (or capstone).
Are you ready to declare a program of study? Download, sign and submit the form(s) to the program director.
About Our Graduate Programs
Delivery: 100% online
Application Deadlines:
- Fall 2021: Aug. 23, 2021
- Spring 2022: Jan. 11, 2022
- Summer 2022: May 24, 2022
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