The major in curriculum and instruction prepares knowledgeable, reflective practitioners and instructional leaders to work in both formal and nonformal educational settings. Courses help educational practitioners clarify their professional purposes and improve the pedagogical environments in which they function.
This program provides three paths: Teacher Leadership; Curriculum and Cultural Practices; or Academic Literacy, Language and Culture. Teacher leadership courses focus on building leadership capacity in classrooms, schools, and districts through courses that qualify educators for a teacher leader endorsement on their professional educator license. Curriculum and cultural practices courses focus on examining teaching and learning from a global perspective. Academic literacy, language and culture courses focus on the social and cultural dimensions of language and literacy learning.
Check departmental information for any additional requirements.
Requirements
Programs of study must include a minimum of 33 semester hours, of which a minimum of 18 semester hours must be chosen from the degree area. Students elect either the non-thesis, thesis, or teacher leader endorsement option.
Non-Thesis Option
One graduate-level course in research approved by adviser (3)
One graduate-level course in foundations of education approved by adviser (3)
Course work in the major approved by adviser (9-18)
Additional course work approved by adviser (0-9)
Successful completion of a comprehensive examination
Thesis Option
Same as the non-thesis option except that a minimum of 6 semester hours of program course work must be devoted to TLCI 699A, Master’s Thesis: Curriculum Leadership.
The Teacher Leader Endorsement Option is designed to prepare licensed educators for leadership roles as mentor teachers, department chairs, curriculum directors, deans, and other quasi-administrative positions designated by a school district.
M.S.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with Teacher Leader Endorsement Option course work
a. A 9-semester-hour Curriculum and Instruction Core comprised of:
e. 6 semester hours of electives focusing on student’s interests and professional goals.
Candidates wishing to obtain the Teacher Leader Endorsement must meet the following requirements in order to pursue and qualify for the Teacher Leader Endorsement option:
Candidates must hold a valid and current Illinois Professional Educator License, be in a current full-time teaching or school support personnel position, and have two or more years of experience as a licensed educator in a Pre-K-12 setting.
Candidates must have successfully passed the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP).
Candidates must have an undergraduate degree indicating a GPA of 2.75 or higher or a minimum 3.20 cumulative grade point average in all graduate course work.
To remain in good academic standing, students in the Teacher Leader Endorsement program must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all courses required for the Teacher Leader Endorsement. A student who fails to maintain a GPA of 3.00 in course work required for the Teacher Leader Endorsement may, upon recommendation of the program, be subject to termination of admission to the Teacher Leader Endorsement program.
Requirements for candidates choosing only Teacher Leader Endorsement
The option for pursuing only the endorsement is available to candidates who already possess an M.S.Ed. The program of study for just the Teacher Leader Endorsement is 24 semester hours. Up to 12 semester hours can be applied from the candidate’s previously earned M.S.Ed. provided the courses demonstrate equivalency and meet program standards. In addition, applicants must meet the admission criteria noted above.
Course work requirements for pursuing only the Teacher Leader Endorsement:
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