Curriculum & Instruction Degree Online
Degree Overview
A Master of Science in Education in Curriculum and Instruction Strategies helps K-12 educators further their professional goals, improve their classroom performance and set them on a track for degree-based incentives and promotions. This graduate degree focuses specifically on utilizing current research, technology and educational theories to enhance today’s curriculum and instructional techniques.
Typically, an MS in Education in Curriculum and Instruction Strategies consists of 30 credit hours, with 15 hours being broadly centered on education and 15 hours in the core evaluation of curriculum and current instructional strategies. This will usually take two years to complete if attending full time.
A graduate degree does not guarantee a job or a raise. Check with your school district to ensure that the degree you want to pursue will meet a need within the school system. In addition, an MS in Ed in Curriculum and Instruction will require practicum hours as well as classroom hours to graduate. This means that students will be required to display and utilize the information they have learned in a real life setting. Some students may be expected to fulfill practicum requirements before entering the program of study.
Masters in Education Programs
Below is a comprehensive listing of our Masters in Education Programs.
- Masters in Reading Education
- Masters in Math Education
- Masters in Gifted Education
- (TESOL) – Degree – Teaching English as a Secondary Language
- Masters in Special Education
- Masters in Educational Leadership
- Masters in Curriculum & Instruction
- STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
- National Board Certification
- Literacy (K-12) Degree
- Inclusion Education Degree
Benefits of Earning a Curriculum & Instruction Degree
- Why earn an MS of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction Strategies? There are numerous benefits to this popular program:
- Most public school districts offer pay incentives for teachers’ continuing education. Even 15 hours toward a graduate degree could garner a significantly higher salary.
- Some school districts require teachers to pursue a graduate degree in their field within the first 8 to 10 years of employment.
- Studying curriculum and instruction strategies will give teachers the tools to improve their teaching style, classroom leadership techniques and curriculum appropriateness for their students.
- A master’s degree predominantly concerned with instruction strategies could equip the graduate to coach teachers in education techniques and current instructional models.
- As with most graduate degrees, an MS in Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction Strategies is another step toward a doctorate degree.
Curriculum & Courses
In the typical MS in Ed degree with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction strategies, the student will take a systematic and organized look at textbooks, assessment policies and classroom leadership techniques. Though programs of study vary, the most common areas discussed are:
- Research Methodology
- Improving Curriculum and Instruction
- Standards-Based Curriculum
- Standards-Based Instruction
- Instruction and Assessment
- Classroom Management Strategies
Career Opportunities
The following is a list of opportunities available for graduates with this degree. It is not an exhaustive list and only represents the most commonly pursued educational jobs.
- Classroom Teacher (K-12)
- School Principal
- School Administrator or Superintendent
- Curriculum Advisor
- Textbook Editor/Writer
- Classroom Management Coach
- Instructor of Curriculum and Instruction (collegiate)
Admissions & Educational Requirements
As with all graduate degrees, a bachelor’s degree is necessary for acceptance. Most MS in Ed in Curriculum and Instruction programs require prospective students to submit professional, teaching-related letters of reference. In addition, the program will probably ask for transcripts verifying undergraduate completion and certification by the department of education in your current state of residency. It is always wise to check with the specific program, as some require the entrant to take the GRE test, and still others require a specific score or percentile for admissions into the graduate program.
Accreditation
Before entering a degree program, you want to make sure that the university is accredited through one of the six regional accrediting boards recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for High Education Accreditation. For example, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools is the accrediting agency for 19 of the 50 United States. Public schools are resistant to accept degrees earned apart from these oversight agencies, so it is a good idea to ask about accreditation before even applying to a master’s program for curriculum and instruction strategies. Apart from your university’s accreditation, a public school teacher is required to be certified by the state in which they teach. This is usually accomplished by your undergraduate courses, in conjunction with background checks and practicum completion.
Professional Organizations
Networking and support through professional organizations can be the keys to success. Listed below are just a few of the outstanding resources available to educators today:
NEA – The National Education Association
www.nea.org
NAEYC – The National Association for the Education of the Young Child
www.naeyc.org
Because secondary teachers are subject-specific, listed below are just a few specialized organizations:
NCTE – National Council for Teachers of English
www.ncte.org
NCTM – National Council for Teachers of Mathematics
www.nctm.org
NCSS – National Council for the Social Studies
www.socialstudies.org
There are even resources out there should you decide to focus entirely on curriculum or take a supervisory role:
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
www.ascd.org