Curriculum and Instruction (CUR) MS

Overview

McDaniel College’s highly regarded M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) program is ideal for educators in schools, colleges, and in staff development roles within business and social service organizations.

Key Features of the C&I Program include:

Dynamic programming that is responsive to changing trends and issues in education
Courses address global initiatives and their relationship to school systems
Educational theory is examined in the context of practice
Instructional technology is incorporated into the program – it is not an “add on”
Universal Design for Learning principles and techniques are fundamental to course design
Alternatives to a master’s thesis are provided through a choice of capstone experiences
Course assignments are flexible, allowing students to focus on their instructional areas and interests

Admissions Requirements

Candidates required to submit:

application for graduate study with the non-refundable application fee
official transcript conferring bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
one reference form completed by a teaching colleague or supervisor.

Courses

All candidates will complete eleven courses (34.5 credit hours) distributed over three categories: the Curriculum and Instruction Core, the Focus Area and the Capstone Experience.

Curriculum and Instruction Core:

Seven REQUIRED courses These courses provide the candidate with the foundation for curriculum design and the implementation of that design. These courses also provide for developing skills in designing and evaluating curriculum.

Recommended Sequence
CUR 501 - Curriculum Trends and Issues
RSM 550 - Introduction to Research Methodology
CUR 503 - Learning and Instruction
CUR 505 - Differentiation and Technology
CUR 509 - Monitoring and Aligning Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
CUR 512 - Curriculum Analysis and Planning
CUR 515 - Seminar in Curriculum and Instruction
Candidates will complete CUR 515 as the last course in the sequence of the Teaching and Learning Core. This courses will encompass all previous academic work in the required core.

Specializations:

Students must select either the Generalist or Administration specialization to complete the program. Each specialization consists of four courses equaling twelve credits.

Generalist:

Four courses to be selected by the student. The specialization area is intended to extend the candidate’s abilities to apply the concepts and skills in a pedagogical or content area of interest. Courses can be chosen from any number of approved foci. These areas include, but are not limited to:

Teacher Leadership (CUR)
Adaptations for Special Needs (EDU, PSY, SED)
Technological Applications in the Instructional Program (EDU, LTS, SLM, STM)
Educational Leadership (EDL)
Reading and Language Arts (RDG)
Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TSL)
Writing for Children and Young Adults (WRT)
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Equity and Excellence in Education (ETM)
Additional Curriculum and Instruction courses (CUR)

Gifted and Talented Education Specialist (GATES):

Students in the GATES specialization will complete the following courses. Those completing the GATES specialization have the option to complete an internship (GFT-552) post-degree to earn the MSDE Gifted and Talented Specialist certification.

Leadership:

Students in the Leadership specialization will complete the following courses. Those completing the Leadership specialization have the option to complete an internship (EDL-552) post-degree to earn the MSDE Administrator I certification.

Learning Technologies Specialist:

Equity and Excellence in Education:

Capstone Experience:

Three capstone experiences are available for completion of the Teaching and Learning program. Students select one of the following 1.5 credit options: