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Master of Arts Curriculum and Instruction
The Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction is designed for students who seek to use prior education and experience as a base for developing reflective practitioner skills as a teaching professional. Two graduate degree programs are offered, one for certified teachers who wish to be master teachers and one for persons who seek teacher certification.

Students acquire an operational framework of core competencies which utilize a comprehensive knowledge and skill base to plan, monitor, and adjust teaching strategies within the complex and rapidly changing contextual situations of educational settings.

Using sound principles of curriculum development and instructional design, implementation and evaluation, students learn to create a meaningful and significant teaching-learning environment.

Students work closely with their program advisor to select a program focus and to plan a course of study which includes prior knowledge, experience, and special interests.

Designed for the experienced teacher, the course of study for the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction for Teachers provides the conceptual, technical, and decision-making skills needed to be a master teacher and leader in school renewal.

Students build their knowledge and experience base by engaging in active learning situations which bridge the gap between theory and research findings with practical action toward the achievement of clear educational goals.

Emphasis is given to classroom and school-wide strategies which enable the student to collaborate with professional colleagues, parents, and community resources within rapidly changing educational situations.

Students who pursue this degree program can use course work to prepare for application to the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) for national teaching certification. See your program advisor for current requirements.

Special interests which can be pursued within the program may include but are not limited to the following:

• Urban Education
• Teacher Mentor
• Early Childhood Development
• Collaboration for Inclusionary Education
• Department Leadership
• Interdisciplinary and Integrated Curriculum
• Multicultural and Diversity Curriculum
• Application of Cognitive Learning Principles
• Instructional Design

Applicants must qualify for graduate study, have a 3.0 GPA, a state teaching certificate, or a background in education and experience satisfactory to the department. Program applicants must give evidence of their ability to pursue this program of study as well as to apply learning principles in their chosen specialty area and submit three letters of recommendation as verification.

Eighteen of the 30 credit hours develop core competencies for ethical and skilled decision making toward effective teaching and learning. The core courses are:

Master degree level research, in consultation with your advisor, is conducted and written as a culminating project in EDU 551 Seminar in Curriculum and Instruction,3 cr. Students may elect to take EDU 698 Field Research Project, 3/6 cr. or EDU 599 Master Thesis , 6 cr. to fulfill this requirement with the permission of the Program Director. Research requirements must be successfully demonstrated with a graduate passing grade.

Core competency courses are continuously adjusted to meet the rapidly changing demands of effective education. Students in the Curriculum and Instruction Program with Teacher Certification need to work closely with their program advisor to determine current requirements and possible course offerings which fulfill this degree program.

Designed to meet the needs of students who elect to change careers and enter the teaching profession, the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with Teacher Certification develops basic teaching competencies for the application of previous education and experience in an educational setting.

It is designed for persons seeking to change career plans, to answer the call to teaching, and to be prepared for the wide range of issues and challenges of the teaching profession.

The Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with Teacher Certification combines the required courses for Michigan teacher certification with the knowledge and skill base necessary for understanding the broader context of the teaching-learning process. Course projects, activities, and action research are designed to successfully apply prior knowledge and experience within the educational setting.

Admission Requirements
Applicants must qualify for graduate study and must show evidence of both a teaching major of at least 30 hours and a teaching minor of at least 20 hours. A 3.0 GPA in the applicant's overall undergraduate record and at least a 2.7 GPA in a teaching major and minor is required for admission to the program. In addition, teacher certification candidates must pass the Michigan Basic Skills Test, submit three letters of recommendation indicating ability to pursue a career path in teaching, and be accepted by the Teacher Education Council.

Teacher certification subject area tests for major and minor must be passed.

Note: The above requirements are subject to change if state requirements for certification change. Students must be sure to consult with their advisor to remain current regarding State Department of Education requirements.

Completion of the master's research paper with a passing grade for graduate work is required during EDU 551 which is the culminating course of this program. Students need to consult with a program advisor to ensure that master's-level course work projects contribute to successful application of previous education and experience as a teaching professional. EDU 599, a master level thesis for six credit hours, or EDU 698, Field Experience Project for 3-6 credit hours may be elected in place of EDU 551 in consultation with the program director.

Core competency courses are continuously adjusted to meet the rapidly changing demands of effective education. Students in the Curriculum and Instruction Program with Teacher Certification need to work closely with their program advisor to determine current requirements and possible course offerings which fulfill this degree program.