Master of Science in Curriculum and Teacher Education

The master’s degree in curriculum and teacher education (CTED) is designed for licensed teachers to pursue advanced academic training and educational scholarship. The Program provides considerable flexibility for students to focus their studies based on their individual areas of specialization while teaching.

Students in this degree program are required to complete 56 graduate credits, approximately 14 courses, for the degree.

This requires six courses from a menu of core courses:

  • Foundations of Education — 3 courses
  • Teacher Professionalism — 2 courses
  • Research Methods — 1 course

As well as, four courses in an approved area of specialization. Courses used to count toward the core course requirements may not count toward this requirement.

Candidates may choose from the following graduate specializations:

  • Sociological and/or Cultural Foundations of Education
    This is a specialization for a licensed k-12 educator wishing to do advanced studies in the cultural context of schooling.
     
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages without endorsement
    This is a specialization for a licensed k-12 educator interested in advanced coursework in language, bilingual learning, and education studies.  
  • Subject area methods concentration without an endorsement
    This is a specialization for a licensed k-12 educator interested in master’s level coursework within their existing endorsement area.
     
  • Teacher Inquiry
    This is a specialization for a licensed k-12 educator interested in research projects in the field of teacher knowledge.

Master’s students work with the CTED graduate advisor to develop a study plan.  Below is a list of typical course options.  CTED candidates are encouraged to review the following as well as graduate course options (500 or higher) offered through the Department of Educational Studies (EDST), the Department of Educational Leadership (EMPL), the Department of Special Education (SPED), and the College of Education (EDUC) to begin developing a study plan proposal that meets their academic specialization, schedule, and timeframe.

CTED is a non-thesis master’s degree no thesis is required. 

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CTED MS Requirements — Total Credits: 56

Typical Term Courseload — Total Credits: 14

I. Specialization Courses — Credits: 16-20

Students must complete 4–5 courses in an approved area of specialization. Courses used to count toward the core course requirements may not count toward this requirement.

Students are required to take up to 16 credits (4 to 5 courses) reflective of their approved specialization concentration. 

*See required course list

II. CTED Core Credits: 24 

The remaining set of courses fulfill a set of CTED core requirements in Foundation of Education (3 courses), Teacher Professionalism (2 courses), and

Research Methods (1 courses)

Below are some examples of these courses as currently offered through the College of Education.

A. Foundation of Education Courses (Choose 3, equivalents):

Title CREDITS
EDST 550 Equal Opportunity: Food and Schools 4
EDST 451/551 Equal Opportunity: Climate Activism 4
EDST 552 Equal Opportunity: Poverty and Education 4
EDST 553 Equal Opportunity: Racism and Education 4
EDST 554 Equal Opportunity: Patriarchy and Education 4
EDST 555 Equal Opportunity: Heteronormativity and Education 4
EDST 556 Equal Opportunity: Decolonization and Education 4
EDST 557 Equal Opportunity: Immigration, Diaspora and Education 4
EDST 612 Foundations of Teaching and Learning 4
EDST 614 Cultural Context of Education 4
EDST 616 Language, Power and Education 4

Teaching Professionalism (2 courses)

Title CREDITS
EDST 610 Curriculum Reform for a Sustainable Future (summer Only) 4
EDLD 683 State and Local Policy Development in Education 4
EDST 620 Curricular Controversies: Literacy and Math 4
EDLD 630 Comparative Education 4
EDUC 530 Change Education and Societal Systems 4
EDST 612 may substitute for one of these 4

Research Methods (1 Course)

Title CREDITS
EDUC 611 Survey of Educational Research Methods 4
EDUC 612 Social Science and Education Research Design 3
EDST 617 Sapsikwałá Indigenous Pedagogy (for Sapsikwałá program students only)   4
EDUC 616 Philosophical Foundations of Social Sciences 4
EDST 673: Advanced Qualitative Methodology: Arts-Based Approaches 4

III. Elective Credits: 16

CTEd students need to select an additional set of elective courses (4-5 courses) to complete degree requirements.