Online Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction Overview
The Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction develops skilled professionals who inspire excellence and drive transformative change in the schools and communities they serve. We achieve this goal by fostering scholarship, achievement, and service through collaborative partnerships. Our approach involves promoting and modeling innovative, ethical, and research-based practices while embracing principles of inclusion and social justice.
Program at a Glance
Degree Program:
Master of Arts in Curriculum & Instruction
Offered By:
College of Education
Tuition:
Cost Per Credit:
$658*
*Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
Cost Per Credit:
$788*
*Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
Priority Application Deadline:
Credit Hours:
36
Program Details
The philosophical foundation of the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction is designed to provide professional educators with increased knowledge of current research on teaching and learning and its contexts and to apply that research in practice.
Students in the program have the opportunity to focus on an area of interest to develop increased skills and knowledge in that area.
Specialization Tracks
Gifted & Talented Education
The Gifted & Talented Education emphasis program prepares teachers at all levels to excel in teaching Gifted and Talented students (PK-12).
The program course sequence meets Colorado Department of Education (CDE) requirements for the Gifted Education endorsement. This program does not meet requirements for an initial teaching license. Learn more
Mathematics Education
The Mathematics Education emphasis program provides in-service teachers with the additional depth of mathematics content and pedagogical knowledge needed to engage students in meaningful mathematics learning.
The program course sequence meets Colorado Department of Education (CDE) requirements for the Middle School Mathematics (6-8) endorsement. This program does not meet requirements for an initial teaching license. Learn More
Additional Program Options
Students who start in the Alternative Licensure Program but later decide not to pursue licensure may complete the general MA in Curriculum & Instruction by counting ALP core courses toward their cognate and/or electives and completing the rest of the MA core.
Curriculum Overview
The Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction is a 36-credit-hour program designed for licensed, practicing teachers who desire to continue developing their professional expertise. Candidates complete a core of academic work requiring:
- Examination of educational issues from the perspective of social context and culturally responsive pedagogy;
- Investigation and analysis of curricular design and models of teaching;
- Examination and analysis of seminal and current research and application of research in instructional settings;
- Consideration of and for the role and uses of technology in Curriculum & Instruction and implementation in the classroom. Further, the selection of a cognate emphasis area allows students to concentrate their coursework in an area of instruction in which they wish to develop a particular expertise (Mathematics Education, Literacy Education, Science Education, or Gifted and Talented Education).
MA in Curriculum & Instruction Courses
- CURR 5000 - Foundations: History & Research in Curriculum Studies
- CURR 5002 - Issues, Strategies, & Models in Curriculum Design
- LEAD 5700 - Introduction to Research & Statistics
- CURR 5090 - Masters Research Project (Final Project)
Mathematics Education Course Options
- CURR 5301: Mathematical Connections & Concepts
- CURR 5302: Leadership & Mentoring in the Mathematics Classroom
- CURR 5305: Assessment & Technology in the Mathematics Classroom
- CURR 5311: Mathematics for Teaching: Numbers & Operations
- CURR 5312: Mathematics for Teaching: Algebraic Reasoning
- CURR 5313: Mathematics for Teaching: Rational Number & Proportional Reasoning
- CURR 5314: Mathematics for Teaching: Geometry & Measurement
- CURR 5315: Mathematics for Teaching: Data Analysis & Statistics
Gifted and Talented Education Course Options
- CURR 5201: Foundations in Gifted Education
- CURR 5202: The Assessment & Identification of Gifted & Talented Students
- CURR 5203: Psychology of the Gifted: Social, Emotional Needs, and Special Populations
- CURR 5204: Under-identified and Under-served: Giftedness in Poverty & Culturally Diverse
- CURR 5206: Creativity in Gifted Education
- CURR 5211: Curriculum Models & Aligned Programming for Gifted Students
- CURR 5214: Differentiated Instruction and Research-based Strategies for Teaching the Gifted
- CURR 5215: Gifted Program Leadership
- CURR 5230: Gifted & Talented Practicum
Alternative Licensure Program Transition Course Options
- CURR 5004: Schools, Society & Diversity
- CURR 5005: Educational Psychology
- SPED 5001: Introduction to Special Education
- CURR 5700: Introduction to ESL
- CURR 5014: Instructional & Classroom Management Strategies I
- CURR 5016: Instructional & Classroom Management Strategies II
For details on program coursework, please visit the Academic Catalog.
Program Requirements
- GPA: Maintain a 3.0 GPA in all coursework throughout the program, including coursework taken outside the College of Education.
- Cognate Emphasis Areas: Students may choose to emphasize coursework for their 15-credit cognate emphasis area in one of the following areas:
- Mathematics Education
- Science Education
- Gifted & Talented Education
- Course Delivery: Depending on the program, there are three-course delivery possibilities: in-person, online, and/or hybrid.
Admissions Information
Financial Aid Priority: March 1
For additional details on the admission process, please visit the Admission Details page.
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Connect with our Enrollment Advisors to learn more about this in-demand online program and start your admissions process.