Degree Requirements

Dr. Jason Endacott teachingStudents pursuing an Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction must complete a minimum of 33 credit hours, including 24 hours of core coursework in Research Tools, Curriculum & Instruction, and Psycho-Sociological Foundations. Each student also consults with their faculty advisor to complete 9 credits (minimum) in an Area of Interest within Curriculum and Instruction. Students should also be aware of Graduate School requirements with regard to master's degrees.

The M.Ed. Program of Study is an interactive PDF that allows students and advisors to record progress toward the degree.

Required Coursework

Research Tools & Foundations (9 credits)               

  • CIED 5273 Research in Curriculum and Instruction
  • ESRM 5393 Statistics in Education and Health Professions
  • CIED 5313 Qualitative Research in Curriculum & Instruction

Curriculum & Instruction Foundations (9 Credits)

  • CIED 5423 Curriculum and Instruction: Models and Implementation
  • CIED 6133 Issues and Trends in Curriculum & Instruction
  • CIED 5983 Practicum in Curriculum & Instruction

Psycho-Sociological Foundations (6 credits)

  • EDFD 5373 Psychological Foundations of Teaching and Learning
  • CIED 6603 Research in Justice-Oriented & Multicultural Education

Interest Area (9 Credits)

Select a minimum of 9 credit hours of coursework as approved by the advisory committee

  • Elementary Education
  • English Education
  • Gifted Education
    • Individuals with a valid teaching certificate may take 9 additional credits in Gifted Education to earn an endorsement in Gifted and Talented Education. Please see advisor regarding this option.     
  • Science Education
  • Social Studies Education
  • STEM Education
  • TESOL
    • Individuals with a valid teaching certificate may take 3 additional credits in TESOL to earn an endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL). Please see advisor regarding this option. 

Research Requirement for the M.Ed. Degree

Students are not required to complete a formal master's thesis but will design and carry out an action research project in CIED 5983 Practicum in Curriculum & Instruction. Students defend their project as the comprehensive exam for the degree. This project is assessed by the students advisory committee, which includes the student’s primary advisor and two other graduate faculty members.

For students who have the experience and desire necessary to complete a formal thesis, this option exists.  In such cases, students propose, write, and defend a thesis project. The successful defense of the thesis will represent the comprehensive exam for the M.Ed. degree. Students who choose the thesis option are not required to complete CIED 5273 or CIED 5983 but must take six hours of master's thesis credit (CIED 600V) in place of these two courses.