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Develop Your Expertise With a Master in Education Curriculum and Instruction Degree

At the University of Southern Indiana, our MSE programs address learning outcomes in advanced instruction, curriculum theory, human development and social foundations. Within USI’s curriculum and instruction concentration, you’ll focus on improving the educational landscape and student outcomes by improving curriculum design and developing best practices in teaching.

As a graduate with a curriculum and instruction master’s degree, you’ll work to improve learning in either a school or educational corporate setting. Students who pursue USI’s online master’s in education curriculum and instruction concentration focus on:

  • Understanding the relationship between your school and the surrounding community, to ensure the equitable and respectful treatment of students, their families, school staff and local residents
  • Critically evaluating research on educational issues, such as pedagogical practices, student learning and educational polices, and engaging in action research to advance your students’ learning and outcomes
  • Employing data literacy, data analysis and technology to improve your professional teaching, your educational organization and program effectiveness
  • Studying ethical and legal considerations and practices surrounding curricular, instructional and operational decision-making
  • Applying theories and best practices relating to curricula, instruction and assessment
  • Engaging in reflection and critical inquiry to explore educational issues related to curricula and instruction

Earning your curriculum and instruction master’s online at USI will prepare you to build the career path you desire. Note: None of the MSE programs lead to an initial teaching license.

USI’s online master’s in education curriculum and instruction coursework

At USI, our curriculum and instruction master’s online program emphasizes community, reflection, action research and continuous improvement of professional practice.

Your program of study will include 30 credit hours, culminating in an action research project implemented in your classroom or school. The online master’s in education curriculum and instruction concentration includes coursework relevant to both school and corporate settings, and includes courses like:

  • Foundations and Legal Issues Related to Exceptional Needs
  • Collaborative Partnerships
  • Equity Education
  • Ethical and Legal Issues in Education
  • Research in Education
  • Supervised Research Using Improvement Science Methodology
  • EDUC 523 - Collaborative Partnerships
  • EDUC 604 - Equity Education

The Director of Graduate Programs in the Teacher Education department will consult with each student regarding appropriate coursework to be included in an 18-credit hour individual program of study.

Example programs of study include:
  • Special Education
  • Elementary Generalist
  • Early Childhood Teaching
  • Early Childhood Leadership
  • Teacher Leadership
  • Teachers of English Learners

Other choices can be made from among graduate-level courses offered by individual academic departments and by other graduate programs, as permitted.

All MSE students must complete the research sequence requirement – 6 hours. (Note these courses must be taken at USI. Transfer courses will not be accepted for the research sequence.)

  • EDUC 601 - Research in Education (3 credit hours)
  • EDUC 699 - Supervised Research (3 credit hours)

Choose an emphasis to enhance your curriculum and instruction master’s degree

As a curriculum and instruction master’s online student at USI, selecting an emphasis can help focus your career path and increase your job offers and earning power. Furthermore, the concentration incorporates research courses utilizing improvement science. Improvement science is a systematic approach empowering educators to enact positive changes in their teaching practices, ultimately benefiting both students and schools.

Choose from the following concentrations:

  • Communications (Language Arts, Business, Marketing, or Journalism) - Designed for educators who teach within the communication discipline, this concentration focuses on broad knowledge within the field of communication. A range of coursework in communication is offered, including instructional, health, mass media and technology, strategic, organizational, and interpersonal. This allows students to study theory and practice application within their chosen areas of focus.
  • Early Childhood Leadership Concentration - Tailored for professionals in early childhood settings aspiring for leadership roles, this concentration encompasses coursework emphasizing early literacy skills, collaborative relationships, and administration. Completion of embedded modules culminates in the attainment of the AIM4Excellence National Director Credential, focusing on essential skills required by early childhood leaders for delivering high-quality programming.

  • Early Childhood Teaching Concentration - Designed for educators in early childhood settings, this concentration enhances instructional prowess. The coursework emphasizes early literacy skills, collaborative relationships, and research-based practices for young children. Graduates are equipped to expertly design, deliver, and reflect on providing high-quality educational programming tailored to young learners.

  • Elementary Generalist Concentration (Elementary Education) - Specifically tailored for educators presently instructing in elementary classrooms who aspire to enhance their expertise and abilities for students in grades K-6. The curriculum delves into evidence-based pedagogical practices, encompassing literacy, mathematics, and science. Key focal points include the science of reading, fostering collaborative relationships, and developing proficiency in digital literacy.
  • Secondary English (Dual Credit)
  • TLEN Concentration (Special Education) - Tailored for current special education teachers or those aspiring to be licensed for such roles, this concentration delves into crucial topics for P-12 students with exceptionalities. Coursework covers assessment, literacy, behavioral supports, collaborative relationships, special education law, and evidence-based learning strategies. The concentration incorporates a supervised practicum field experience within the graduate student's current school of employment. Completion of the program, coupled with the successful passage of the required Indiana content licensure test, may render graduate students eligible for license addition in Mild Interventions P-12.

  • Teacher Leadership Concentration - Tailored for educators seeking a diverse range of courses in teaching and school leadership, this concentration offers coursework encompassing collaborative relationships, equity in educational contexts, ethical and legal considerations, literacy development, curriculum theory and development, and community-based leadership.

  • TLEL Concentration (Teachers of English Learners) - Designed for those who are currently teaching English learners or who desire to be licensed to teach English learners in the future. Coursework includes teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), language assessment, cultural awareness training, second language acquisition, and a supervised practicum field experience in the teacher candidate's school of employment. Upon the completion of the program and passage of the required Indiana content licensure test, candidates may be eligible for license addition in Teacher of English Learners P-12. 

  • Elementary Mathematics Leadership Concentration - Tailored for educators presently engaged in teaching elementary mathematics, this concentration integrates a blend of pedagogical and content knowledge in mathematics. Coursework explores teaching and learning pertaining to number operations, rational numbers, proportional reasoning, algebraic reasoning, geometry, measurement, and data analysis. Additionally, the program includes courses addressing collaborative relationships in schools and promoting educational equity.

  • World Languages and Cultures - Designed for educators who are current or aspiring teachers in World Languages and Cultures, this concentration explores second language acquisition, language teaching technology, cultural awareness, language assessment, other topics on multiculturalism and multilingualism. 

What Can You Do With a Curriculum and Instruction Master’s Degree?

When you earn your curriculum and instruction master’s online at USI, you’ll be prepared to research, develop and implement curriculum changes that increase student achievement in both educational and corporate settings.

You’ll focus on how students learn and the most effective ways to educate them, while exploring new trends and innovations in teaching and learning. Earning your curriculum and instruction master’s degree will enhance your career offerings and increase your earning power. A master in education curriculum and instruction degree also provides a pathway for primary and secondary teachers to move into higher education.

As a graduate of USI’s online master’s in education curriculum and instruction concentration, you’ll open doors to numerous career paths.