Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction

The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at Claflin University is designed to meet the needs of 21st century teaching and learning by offering a program that considers the experiences and needs of current teachers and professional educators.

Curriculum

A Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction benefits certified classroom teachers as well as professionals with bachelor's degrees in related fields.

The program is in an asynchronous online format. Fall and spring semesters are eight weeks long, and there are two six-week summer sessions. The program is a total of 36 credit hours.

Core Courses (CC) Required 6 courses - 18 credit hours

• EDUC 550 - Introduction to Educational Research (3 hours)
• EDUC 551 - Educational Research Methods (3 hours) 
• EDUC 559 - Working with Diverse Learners (3 hours)
• EDUC 562 - Seminar in Literacy (3 hours) 
• EDUC 567 - Teaching and Learning (3 hours)
• EDUC 569 - Reading and Writing across the Curriculum (3 hours)

Curriculum and Instruction Courses (CI) Required 4 courses - 12 credit hours

• EDUC 558 - Schools and Communities (3 hours)
• EDUC 580 - Curriculum Integration (3 hours)
• EDUC 581 - Comparative Education (3 hours) 
• EDUC 583 - Behavior Management (3 hours)
• EDUC 586 - Special Topics (3 hours)

Track 1: Content Focus - Comprehensive Examination (Required 2 courses - 6 credit hours)

• EDUC 560 - Seminar in Math Education (3 hours)
• EDUC 561 - Seminar in Science Education (3 hours)
• EDUC 564 - Seminar in Social Studies (3 hours)
• EDUC 573 - Issues in Secondary Education (3 hours)
  (Please note Comprehensive Exam Track 1 requirements: Candidates in the program will take the comprehensive exam on the two course selected in Track 1. Students in Track 1 must enroll in EDUC 595 to complete the modules for comprehensive exam.)

Track 2: Research Focus - Thesis (Required 2 courses - 6 credit hours)

• EDUC 590 - Action Research I (3 hours)
• EDUC 591 - Action Research II (3 hours)

Careers and Outcomes

Graduates are qualified for numerous positions as a professional education including instructional coordinators, curriculum specialists and education specialists. Many have launched careers with non-profit organizations, government agencies and corporations. Curriculum and instruction job requirements are likely to include:

• Following trends in teaching and learning
• Developing curriculum and instruction
• Coordinating the implementation of curriculum
• Planning and conducting teacher training
• Observing teacher instruction and analyzing data to determine curriculum and instruction effectiveness
• Reviewing and recommending textbooks
• Mentoring teachers in instruction skills

Those who fill these roles are also often expected to conduct needs assessments, develop learner assessment instructions, create lesson plans, do action research for trending, work with design teams and embrace educational technology.

Knowledge of state and federal regulations, as well as the requirements of their local governing bodies, such as a school board or board of trustees are often also required.

Admissions Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (official transcript(s) required)
  Current resume
• Professional licensure or relevant experience for non-licensed applications
• Statement of purpose explaining your personal philosophy of education
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Examination scores (within the past 5 years) OR evidence of 3 years of successful full time K-12 teaching experience
• Two letters of recommendation

For International Students

• Bachelor’s degree (official transcript(s) required)
• Official certificates and/or final secondary school records, university transcripts and mark sheets with official translations if the document is in another language should be provided. For evaluation, international applicants should send their transcripts to World Education Services (WES): World Education Services, P.O. Box 5087, Bowling Green Station, New York, NY 10274-5087 (www.wes.org)
• Current resume
• Professional licensure of relevant experience for non-licensed applicants
• Statement of purpose explaining your personal philosophy of education
• English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL 550, IBT TOEFL 79, or IELT 6.5 (within the past five years)
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Examination scores (within the past 5 years) OR evidence of 3 years of successful full time K-12 teaching experience
• Two letters of recommendation