Curriculum and Instruction

DEGREE: Master of Arts 30 Semester Hours

Program Objectives

The Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction is directed toward the preparation of master classroom teachers. The program also contains an ESL strand. This program will enable the teacher to

• increase mastery in the skills of teaching
• achieve a deeper penetration in subjects
• enhance understanding of the learner and the process of education
• become a resource person for curriculum development.

Degree Requirements

Completion of the 30 semester hour program, including the Master's Capstone Experience.

Note: While not a degree requirement, all candidates graduating from certification programs must show evidence of passing scores on all tests leading to Illinois Certification in order to be considered a program completer.

Areas of Study

Curriculum and Instruction – 30 hours

• EDU-6212 Studies in Literacy and Multiliteracies
• EDU-6450 Ethics and Foundations of American Education
• EDU-6500 Curriculum Construction
• EDU-6515 Contemporary Issues in Curriculum and Practice
• EDU-6525 Teacher as Practitioner
• EDU-6535 Teacher as Leader
• EDU-6540 Special Education Curriculum and Pedagogy
• EDU-6545 Action Research
• EDU-6555 Seminar in Reflective Practice
• PSY-6500 Cognitive Development: Theory and Implications
• Master’s Capstone Experience
• Throughout the program, candidates will be required to reflect on their beliefs and practices as they relate to education. At the completion of all coursework, candidates for the Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction will be required to write a capstone paper demonstrating their understanding of content and theory and their ability to apply content and theory to practice.

Curriculum and Instruction ESL Strand – 30 hours

• Required Curriculum and Instruction Courses (12 hours)
• EDU-6460 Ethics and Foundations of American Education
• EDU-6500 Curriculum Construction
• EDU-6545 Action Research
• EDU-6555 Seminar in Reflective Practice
• ESL Concentration
• EDU-6600 Theoretical Foundation for Teaching Bilingual Students
• EDU-6610 Languages & Linguistics
• EDU-6620 Teaching ESL
• EDU-6630 Methods, Materials for Teaching Limited English Proficiency
• PSY-6027 Assessment of Bilingual Students
• SOC-6620 Cross Cultural Studies
• Master’s Capstone Experience
• Throughout the program, candidates will be required to reflect on their beliefs and practices as they relate to education. At the completion of all coursework, candidates for the Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction will be required to write a capstone paper demonstrating their understanding of content and theory and their ability to apply content and theory to practice.