Margaret Aker, Ph.D.

Core Faculty,
Department of Teaching and Learning

Margaret Aker, is an active educator-learner with over thirty years of experience in education at all preK-doctoral levels. She has taught in higher education, both face-to-face and online for over 19 years completing a Ph.D. online in Educational Leadership at Concordia University Chicago and a Ph.D. ABD face-to-face in Reading Education at Arizona State University.

Margie is an active writer including:  Aker, M., & Herrera, L. J. P. (2020). Smart literacy learning in the 21st century: Facilitating PBSL pedagogic collaborative clouds. In Ally, M., Yu, S., & Tsinakos, A. Emerging technologies and pedagogies in the curriculum (pp. 429-447). Springer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Rajan, R. S., & Aker, M. (2020). The impact of an in-school dance program on at-risk preschoolers' social-emotional development. The Journal of Dance Education.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Herrera, L. J. P., Daniel, L., & Aker, M. (2019). Developing opportunity youth's literacy, creativity, and critical thinking through PBSL: Facilitating 21st century learning and mixed realities. English Leadership Quarterly, 47(4).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Margie is an active researcher focusing on early reading and the late life brain. 

Margie is an active presenter:

Aker, M., Herrera, L. J. P., & Daniel, L. (2020, June). Making connections: Incorporating PBSL into your 21st century classroom. Kappa Delta Pi.

Aker, M. (2018). Literacy collaborative clouds: Living the dream. The 14th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning.

Aker, M. (2018). Upskilling for the future: PBL and 21st century skills. CUC-HUEB 2nd International Symposium. 

An active grant professional, Margie has been involved in many proposals over the years--in business, for a Fortune 500 company, and in education, at the local, state, and federal levels. Active in her community, she is the founder of Fun Fridays, a STEAM after school program for low SES children. Margie is thrilled to become a Teaching and Learning Core Faculty member for Awesome ACE!

Education

  • Doctorate in Educational Leadership
    Concordia University
  • Doctorate in Reading Education
    Arizona State University
  • Degree in Reading
    National Louis University
  • Bachelor's in Elementary Education
    Depauw University

Research Interests

My research interests include early childhood language development and the brain; problem-based service-learning; problem-based learning; pedagogic collaborative clouds; non-linear learning; phenomenography; and grant management.

Program Affiliations

Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction Doctor of Education

This customizable degree is designed to help you advance your understanding of a wide range of curriculum development and instructional methods that can improve teaching and learning in diverse educational settings.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Instructional Technology Doctor of Education

This customizable degree is designed to help you advance your understanding of methods of instructional technology for a wide range of educational settings. Through a tailored approach to the dissertation process, you can complete the program in as little as three years.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Leadership Doctor of Education

The Doctor of Education in Leadership program is designed to help you advance your leadership and research skills within your chosen discipline, whatever that may be. Through a tailored approach to the dissertation process, you can complete the program in as little as three years.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Nursing Education Doctor of Education

The Doctorate in Nursing Education is for master’s degree nurses who want to help address the growing need for more RNs in today’s ever-expanding healthcare system. The American College of Education Ed.D in Nursing Education program is a fully online curriculum to prepare nurses as educators in either an academic or professional development setting. The program uses a unique interdisciplinary approach to focus on the science of teaching and learning. Students will engage in scholarly research to support their dissertation while developing the competencies to create and evaluate curriculum, develop effective teaching strategies, use innovative technology to promote learning and much more as they prepare to educate the next generation of nurses.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Public Health Education Doctor of Education

The customizable Doctorate in Public Health Education is designed for healthcare educators and professionals who wish to address public health issues through education in local, national and international communities at the post-master’s level.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Second Language Instruction Doctor of Education

The Doctorate of Education in Second Language Instruction is designed for professionals with a master’s degree who wish to advance their second language instruction skills and knowledge at the post-master’s level. Through a tailored approach to the dissertation process, you can complete the program in as little as three years.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction degree is for leaders who wish to advance their skills in curriculum development and instructional methods at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Adult Education and Training Master of Education

The M.Ed. in Adult Education and Training will prepare you to teach and train adults to advance their careers. Focusing on learning technology tools, you’ll learn to identify adult learning needs, develop training materials for adult learners, and assess adult training efficacy to meet career advancement or workforce development goals.

31

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Advanced Studies Master of Education

This program is designed to help those wanting to teach at the secondary or college level meet education requirements. With more than 10 majors and more than five Focus of Study areas, it allows you to obtain 18-credit hours in the area of your choosing.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction Master of Education

This program provides PreK-12 educators with a thorough background of current scientific research and pedagogy to help them learn how students learn. It is designed around the “learn, apply, assess” model to maximize gains in student performance.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction for Graduates of the M.Ed. in Elementary Education Master of Education

19

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Educational Business Administration Master of Education

The Master of Education in Educational Business Administration program was designed for those who want to develop business and leadership skills in an educational setting. Framed by the standards from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), the program prepares strategic leaders for senior administrative positions in a variety of settings including public, charter, and private schools, as well as community colleges and other educational institutions or learning organizations.

35

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Educational Technology Master of Education

The Master of Education in Educational Technology program prepares educators and other professionals to serve as technology leaders by teaching them to track trends and leverage technology as an effective tool to support learning and meet the needs of school staff, teachers, and students.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Elementary Education Master of Education

Specifically designed for elementary teachers who wish to advance their expertise and skills, the Master of Education in Elementary Education degree will build on their current understanding of young students’ learning needs and introduce them to new ways of incorporating technology into the classroom.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education Master of Education

The Master of Education in English as a Second Language and Bilingual program addresses the needs of teachers who are interested in working with linguistically and culturally diverse non-native English speakers. It is aligned to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards: English as a New Language.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Higher Education Master of Education

Designed for individuals who wish to advance their skills or career in higher education, this program focuses on the ever-changing global, economic, and technological environments that impact the field of higher education.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Technology Master of Education

This degree is designed for students wishing to use technology to pursue a career in instructional design. You will learn how to evaluate, develop, and implement effective instructional design in a variety of educational settings.

31

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Integrated Curriculum Master of Education

This program will help K-12 educators enhance their curriculum in order to improve student performance, close achievement gaps, and prepare students for the future workplace. You will learn how to utilize technology, collaborative environments, and other integrated resources to foster high levels of student achievement and performance.

31

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Integrated Curriculum for Graduates of the M.Ed. in STEM Leadership Master of Education

2018 Catalog Release

22

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Literacy Master of Education

This program is designed for educators who wish to bring systematic change to schools seeking to improve or enhance reading instruction. You will learn how to develop a supportive curriculum that helps students and teachers meet important reading milestones.

31

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in STEM Education Master of Education

This program will help you empower students to think like scientists. It was designed in conjunction with The National Institute for STEM Education (NISE) and Accelerate Learning and offers a holistic overview of historical and current issues impacting integrated science education while cultivating research-based strategies to improve student learning.

25

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership Master of Education

This degree is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to help other teachers reach their full potential. You’ll learn to interpret research on leadership models, teacher evaluation, and motivation, and use it to develop professional learning opportunities that promote continuous improvement

31

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Teaching English Learners Master of Education

English language learners are the fastest growing student population and educators need specialized training to work with them effectively. This program is built to help teachers reach these students, bridge cultural gaps, and differentiate their curriculum according to individual student needs.

31

Semester Credits

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M.A. in Elementary Teaching Master of Arts

The Master of Arts in Elementary Teaching degree is designed for those who want to be elementary teachers but have bachelor’s degrees in non-education fields. By building a solid foundation in elementary education, you’ll earn a master’s degree and be prepared for a career of working with young learners.

34

Semester Credits

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M.A. in Secondary Teaching Master of Arts

The Master of Arts in Secondary Teaching is designed for students who have bachelor’s degrees in non-education fields but want to be teachers at the secondary level. By building a solid foundation in secondary education, you’ll earn a master’s degree and be prepared for a career in teaching at the secondary level.

34

Semester Credits

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Certificate in Adult Education and Corporate Training Certificate

This certificate is designed to help you utilize teaching skills in an environment that requires professional development, team building, or training to improve personal, collaborative skills in adults. Theories of interaction are taught through experiential activities that you can apply to training opportunities.

18

Semester Credits

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Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Elementary Education Certificate

This program is designed for those who want to be elementary teachers but have bachelor’s degrees in non-education fields. By building a solid foundation in elementary education, it will prepare you for a career of working with young learners.

24

Semester Credits

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Certificate Transition to Teaching in Secondary Education Certificate

This Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Secondary Education program is designed for those who want to be teachers but have a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field. By building a solid foundation in secondary education, it will prepare you for a career in teaching at the secondary level.

18

Semester Credits

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