Curriculum & Instruction
MED
Why study Curriculum & Instruction?
The relationship between Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) is a very close one. Curriculum is essentially a design, or roadmap for learning, and as such focuses on knowledge and skills that are judged important to learn. Instruction is the means by which that learning will be achieved. To meet the needs of the 21st century learner and achieve successful student outcomes, the Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum & Instruction program blends thinking, innovation, content, life, and career skills with research-proven teaching strategies to provide students with a quality education. We focus on trying to find answers to questions such as "why to teach," "what to teach," "how to teach," and "how to evaluate" in the instructional process.
The mission of the graduate programs in Curriculum and Instruction is to develop educational leaders for a variety of settings. The program prepares educators to generate, use, and critically examine research in learning and teaching in order to enhance educational practices for learners in formal and informal educational settings across the age span.
There are three areas of concentration in the CI master's program: STEM & Sustainability Education, Gifted Education, and Teaching & Learning: General Studies.
STEM & Sustainability Education
The STEM specialization allows teachers to further develop their understanding of STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) education. Each course helps teachers tie together science math technology and engineering concepts and helps them better understand how to integrate these content areas. It makes our students stronger teachers for whichever STEM field they are in. Our students participate in problem based and project based learning activities, mathematics and science investigation based learning tasks, and using technology to gain and display information. Our students design a technology based learning environment and conduct an evaluation of the embedded theories in an existing environment of their choice, such as digital media, games, or other innovative technologies.
Gifted Education
The gifted education specialization is designed for licensed teachers who are interested in becoming specialized in teaching gifted students preschool through grade 12 (PK-12). Our students have the opportunity to apply constructs learned in class to their field experience. Our students also develop, use, and publish lesson plans. Our students apply theories and methods in the teaching of gifted talented or creative students in a classroom setting by engaging in teaching and action research activities. During the gifted assessment course students will develop the skills to analyze and understand a variety of assessment tools selecting the appropriate strategy for a designated purpose. Also within the assessment course our students discuss contextual elements such as cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity and disposition that influence assessment.
Teaching and Learning: General Studies
The teaching and learning: general studies concentration is designed for in-service educators who are interested in focusing on a more overall aspect of curriculum and instruction. Candidates develop their knowledge in teaching, learning, and educational research within an area agreed upon with their advisor. Candidates have a great deal of latitude to design a program that fits their goals.
Admission Requirements
The following are requirements for admission:
- Bachelors Degree - The applicant must possess a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university.
- Minimum GPA - The applicant must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the undergraduate level. An applicant who possesses a Master's degree or has undertaken any graduate level work before applying must have an average of at least 3.0 in their graduate work. All calculations are based on a 4.0 scale. If you do not meet the minimunm GPA requirement you are encouraged to contact the program and discuss your options.
- GRE Requirements - The Curriculum & Instruction Program has specific GRE guidelines that determine whether or not an applicant is required to submit GRE scores. If the applicant is applying for the first masters degree program – no GRE is required of applicants with at least a 3.0 overall in undergraduate degree program. If the applicant is applying for a second or additional master's degree program – no GRE Is required with at least a 3.2 GPA in their previous graduate degree program.
Application Deadline and Procedures
Prospective students will complete the online application for their requested program by the posted application deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials and support documents are successfully submitted. Incomplete applications will not be processed or reviewed.
The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction is designed for those who like analyzing data, developing and implementing curriculum, and researching best practices for designing and developing curriculum.
Graduates of this program will be prepared for the careers listed below. All opportunities may not be listed:
The information provided is sourced from a third party, Lightcast. Their product, called Career Coach, combines extensive labor market data from Lightcast and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It provides insights on industry, occupation, compensation, and projected growth for each profession. Economic and workforce information is available for various geographic regions. Some careers may require additional training or education.Once a decision has been made to admit a master's candidate, the candidate is assigned an advisor. The assignment of an advisor is based primarily on the personal and professional goals shared in the personal goal statement submitted with the application materials, and on the track option being pursued. The program tries to match candidates with faculty who share similar interests and have the expertise to guide candidates in their programs of study.
Candidates should initiate contact with their assigned advisor as soon as possible once the admission’s letter is received. During that meeting the advisor will answer any questions and begin working with the candidate on the process of planning the program of study.
During the course of the program, the candidate should meet, either face-to-face or in a formal online/phone session, with the advisor regularly. The advisor is a good source of information about the various opportunities that exist for the candidate to become involved in C&I and college activities. Candidates must meet with their assigned advisor at least once during each year in the program, preferably in the autumn of the year.
It is the candidate's responsibility to confer regularly with their advisor and make sure the advisor has approved the course choices throughout the graduate program.
Before a candidate can graduate, he or she must meet the following requirements:
- Be registered for at least one credit in their program in the academic year, after having met minimum degree course requirements to be considered a graduate candidate throughout the academic year.
- Have all NG, N, I, UP, SP and F grades removed for degree courses.
- Posting of satisfactory grades for the semester of graduation.
- Satisfactory completion of all applicable college and program requirements is provided by the major advisor filling out the Checklist for Completion of College/Departmental Requirements for Graduation and sending it to the Graduate College.
Acceptance of Transfer Credits
- A maximum of 50% of semester credit hours taken as a matriculated candidate in another UC college may be transferred into a candidate’s program. Candidates must have earned a grade of B or higher in these courses. In no case can the Culminating Experience requirement be fulfilled by transfer of credit from another college or university.
- A maximum of 12 semester credit hours taken as a non-matriculated candidate may be applied toward the degree. Candidates must have earned a grade of B or higher in these courses. Requests for this credit require the completion of the Recommendation for Advanced Standing Form, which is forwarded to the Graduate Division of Research and Advanced Studies. In no case can the Culminating Experience requirement be fulfilled by transfer of credit from another college or university.
Explore unique opportunities, faculty, and resources available in Curriculum & Instruction
Application Deadlines
Application Deadlines;
Fall Semester - July 1
Spring Semester - November 15
Summer Semester - April 1
Contact Information
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Program Code: 18MAS-CI-MED-.CI-DL