The mission of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction is to produce effective teachers to serve culturally diverse students with a focus on urban school populations. The Department’s mission is consistent with the overall mission of the College of Education (COE). The mission of the COE is to prepare caring, committed, competent, culturally responsive professionals who are equipped to provide effective service in urban schools, agencies and other entities.

The Master’s program in Curriculum and Instruction is designed to enhance professional competence in determining what and how to teach as well as provide experience in educational research for both certified and non-certified candidates. The program equips candidates with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue rewarding and productive careers in higher education classrooms, school districts, and other public and private agencies of the education profession. The  expectation is that graduates of the program will acquire knowledge, skills, and dispositions at an advanced level enabling them to function as professionals who will manifest caring, competent, committed, and culturally responsive qualities and characteristics.

Program Objectives

Program objectives for the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction are aligned with the College of Education’s Twenty- One Proficiencies as well as National Standards.

Persons completing the advanced program in Curriculum and Instruction will demonstrate

1. Advanced knowledge of current research in Curriculum and Instruction.
2. Advanced knowledge in teaching using best practices in teaching and learning.
3. Advanced knowledge of diverse social and cultural differences that influence teaching and learning.
4. Proficiency in different research methods and use of various research tools.

Program Requirements

In addition to Graduate School Admission requirements, the Department of Curriculum and Instruction may have additional requirements. Please check with the department.

Non-certified candidates are required to take an additional 6-9 semester credit hours beyond the required 36 semester hours for the degree in order to begin enrolling in required courses on the degree plan. These hours will not count towards the 36 hours needed for the degree.

A Comprehensive Examination will be administered to all candidates within six (6) semester hours of graduation. Eligibility to take the Comprehensive Examination will be determined by the advisor and the Department Chairperson. Passing the Comprehensive Examination with a minimum score of 70 is required for graduation.

A master’s degree applicant may be allowed three attempts to pass the comprehensive examination. A student who fails the comprehensive examination the second time may petition for a third examination and the petition must show a plan of action wherein the petitioner will endeavor to improve his/her chances for satisfactorily passing the examination. The academic advisor, department chairperson, the Dean of the College of Education and the Dean of the Graduate School must approve the petition.

A student who fails to pass the master’s comprehensive examination after the third attempt will be automatically discontinued as a student in the relevant master’s program.

The choice of specialization area for secondary education students is limited to those subjects generally taught in the middle or secondary schools. An advisor is assigned when the student has been approved for admission into the graduate program.

Non-certified candidates will be expected to take 6 to 9 semester credit hours of leveling courses (EDCI 310 Field Based I Perf Focus Tchng, EDCI 339 Classrm Mngt, and/or EDCI 350 Desgng & Implg Inst/Assessment). These hours do not count towards the degree. Please see department chair for more details.

Education Curriculum & Instruction

Special Education

Reading Education