Degrees

Master of Science in Education (MSED)

The content of the master's degree program depends upon the unique intellectual and professional needs of the student. Thesis and non-thesis options are available. A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit are required. Students are required to develop a curriculum studies portfolio that represents their work throughout their graduate program or to write a thesis. The thesis option requires the student to complete at least 6 credit hours of guided research.

The M.S. Degree Program in Curriculum Studies is comprised of coursework and other experiences in four major areas:

• Curriculum Studies and C&I Core
• Curriculum Studies Elective Focus Area
• Curriculum and Instruction Department Foundations
• Educational Research
• Curriculum Expertise Project: Thesis OR Portfolio 

I. Curriculum Studies and C&I Core (12 credits)
Required 6 credits:
EDCI 580 Foundations of Curriculum
EDCI 585 Multicultural Education

An additional 3 credits Philosophy, History, or Socio-cultural Foundation:
taken outside of C&I, determined in conjunction with advisor such as:
EDFA Philosophy of American Education, EDFA 501History of American Education, SOC 570 Sociology of Education, SOC 514 Racial and Cultural Minorities, PHIL 555 Critical Theory

An additional 3 credits in Curriculum:
EDCI 590 Individual Research Problems (curriculum focus)
EDCI 684 Seminar in Curriculum Studies (may be repeated for credit)
EDCI 681 Elementary School Curriculum
EDCI 581 Curriculum for Emerging Adolescents
EDCI 584 Secondary School Curriculum
EDCI 682 Contemporary Curriculum Theory

II. Curriculum Studies Elective Focus Area (12-15 credits)
Students will choose a focus area within curriculum. A focus area is highly individualized and specific to each student's intellectual interests and career aspirations. Courses within the focus area will be arranged in consultation with the student's advisor. Suggestions include, but are not limited to:

A. Curriculum Practice Generalist
Courses in a range of subject areas. For example, "Curriculum Studies in Art Education" "Science in the Elementary School" or "Seminar in Social Studies Education."

B. Curriculum Theory Generalist
A full selection of courses focusing on curriculum studies and supporting areas.  Courses might include several 684 Seminar in Curriculum Studies courses, which vary in topic, as well as multidisciplinary courses which enrich theoretic perspectives on curriculum theories such as:

• EDFA 501 History of American Education
• EDFA 600 Seminar in Foundations of Education
• PHIL 555 Critical Theory
• WOST 680 Feminist Theory and Methodology
• COMM 527 Introduction to Cultural Studies in Communication.

C. Curriculum Theory Specialist
Courses in a single focus area within curriculum theory. Supporting course areas may include courses in Anthropology, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Studies, English, Economics, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology and Women's Studies. Examples include:

• Critical Perspectives on Curriculum
• Narrative Inquiry in Curriculum
• Multiculturalism and Curriculum
• Contemporary Curriculum Theory
• Gender Studies and Curriculum
• Philosophy and Curriculum Theory

Students may also choose a focus topic which is of broad curricular concern or which applies curriculum studies perspectives to specific educational concerns.  Examples of recent student focus areas in curriculum include:

• Culture and Gender in Technology Education
• Cross Cultural and Multicultural Education in Non-School Settings
• Identity and School Experiences in African Americans
• Curriculum and School Reform
• Curriculum and Administration
• Integrated and Constructivist Curriculum

Suggested Curriculum Studies electives:
EDCI 684 Seminar in Curriculum Studies (may be repeated for credit)
EDCI 681 Elementary School Curriculum, 3 cr.
EDCI 581 Curriculum for Emerging Adolescents, 3 cr.
EDCI 585 Secondary School Curriculum, 3 cr.
EDCI 590 Individual Research Problems, 3 cr. (curriculum focus) 

III. Curriculum and Instruction Department Foundations (9 hours)
In addition to their area of specialization, all graduate students in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction should be able to demonstrate proficiency in three of the following areas of study. Students must have taken at least one class in each of the following three foundational areas:

• Philosophy, History, and Socio-cultural Foundation
• Research, Assessment and Evaluation Foundation
• Educational/Developmental Psychology Foundation  

IV. Educational Research Courses (3-9 hours)
The candidate must complete the following research methodology courses before embarking on their thesis project.

EDPS 533 Introduction to Research in Education
Thesis Option (6 hrs)
 

V. Curriculum Expertise Project: Thesis or Portfolio
Thesis or Portfolio option
Though students are required to defend their portfolios, no credits are associated with this option, allowing 6 additional credits for electives.
 

Summary of Requirements