Master of Arts: Curriculum and Instruction
Requirements for the Master of Arts
Requirements for a master's degree include a minimum of 30 credit hours but vary according to the major and emphasis area. Regardless of program length, at least 60 percent of the coursework on the degree program must be numbered 5500 or above. At least a 3.0 GPA must be maintained, with no grade lower than a C earned in any 5500-level course. Any courses on the 300 and 400 level to be included in a master of arts program must be taken for graduate credit and only by arrangement with the advisor. No grade lower than B- may be earned in any 300- or 400-level course to be used toward a graduate degree. In addition, 80 percent of the credits for the degree must be passed with a grade of B (3.0) or better.
As soon as possible after regular admission to graduate study, the student should meet with a faculty advisor to develop a program of study. This program must be filed with the School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences prior to the completion of 50% of applicable degree coursework for further approval by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and filing with the Registrar. Program revisions may be requested later but also must be approved by the student's advisor, the dean's representative, and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.
Twenty percent of resident graduate coursework may be transferred from other accredited universities' graduate programs. A maximum of 49 percent of acceptable graduate work (no grade below B) may be transferred from other campuses of the University of Missouri. Credits are transferred only with the recommendation of the advisor and the consent of the dean's representative in the School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences. Transfer credit must not be more than seven years old at the time of program completion.
Transfer credit may be allowed for correspondence courses, provided the credits meet the above criteria. A maximum of six semester hours of continuing education courses that have been taken for graduate credit (workshops, special topics) may be included on a master's program. Students must provide a letter from the transfer institution clarifying the grade equivalent for transfer work posted as "credit" or "pass."
For regular courses taken through continuing education at UMKC to apply on degree programs, the student must be admitted to graduate study and have an approved program on file, including the continuing education courses.
Credit more than seven years old at the time of degree completion must be validated. To validate a course, the student must meet with the instructor of the current equivalent course to devise a plan in which the student's current knowledge of the coursework can be assessed. Faculty may ask the student to write a paper, review current literature, or take examinations to determine whether the student's knowledge of the subject is acceptable. A maximum of 30 percent of the student's program of study may be validated under this procedure. All validation must be completed prior to the completion of the final semester of enrollment for the degree.
A thesis is not required for the master of arts degree, although the option for a thesis is available. A final integrating experience or independent or group research study may be required of those not selecting the thesis option.
Requirements for Retention
Students must:
- Meet all admission requirements.
- File a planned program of study in consultation with a faculty advisor, securing approvals from the dean's representative and the School of Graduate Studies.
- Complete all coursework listed on the approved program of study.
- Maintain an acceptable graduate GPA with no grades below B- (2.7) in 300- or 400-level courses, no grades below C (2.0) in any 5500-level course, at least 80 percent of the degree program completed with a grade of B (3.0) or above, and a 3.0 average maintained in all graduate coursework, regardless of whether the courses are on the actual degree program.
- Apply for the degree (graduation) by the posted deadline during the final term of enrollment.
- Enroll in at least one credit hour during the term they intend to graduate.
Degree Overview
The Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (MA in C&I) is a degree sought by teachers who wish to deepen their knowledge of effective pedagogical practice to improve their students’ learning. This degree has five options from which to choose:
- General
- Early Childhood
- Multicultural Education
- Subject Matter Specialty
- Teaching English as a Second Language
Requirements for Admission
Students admitted to School of Education graduate programs are governed by School of Education requirements and those of the School of Graduate Studies. Students seeking advanced degrees should consult the School of Graduate Studies section for regulations applicable to all graduate students.
Criteria for admission to a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction degree program include the following:
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
- 3.0 GPA or higher (on a 4-point scale)
- One-page statement of interest/purpose
- Two letters of recommendation
Degree Requirements
Core Courses (meet with advisor before enrolling)
The core for all options is made up of 18 credit hours of coursework from six categories: curriculum theory/ design, foundations of education, human development, research, assessment, and culture and diversity. Additionally, all MA in C&I options require a minimum of 12 credit hours devoted to a particular area of interest and a culminating experience of action research (3 credit hours).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Theory/Design | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction To Curriculum Theory | ||
| Curriculum Design | ||
| Foundations of Education | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Cultural Foundations Of Education | ||
| Philosophical Foundations Of Education | ||
| Historical Foundations Of Education | ||
| Human Development | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Educational Psychology | ||
| Child Behavior And Development | ||
| Adolescent Development and the School | ||
| Advanced Developmental Science Across the Lifespan | ||
| Research | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Statistical Methods I | ||
| Principles And Methods Of Research | ||
| Theory and Research in Second Language Teaching and Learning | ||
| Assessment | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Assessment of Diverse Learners, Engagement and Motivation | ||
| Classroom Assessment | ||
| Assessment for Special Educators | ||
| Principles Of Testing | ||
| Observation, Assessment & Screening in Early Childhood Classrooms | ||
| Culture and Diversity | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Teaching Diverse Populations In Today's Classrooms | ||
| Fundamentals of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy | ||
| Discipline Specific Pedagogy for Diverse Learners | ||
| Culturally Responsive Strategies for Teaching Diverse Learners | ||
| Culminating Experience | ||
| One required: | 3 | |
| Action Research For Practitioners | ||
| Total Credits | 21 | |
General Emphasis
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will:
- 1. Evaluate instructional programs using knowledge of curriculum theory.
- 2. Interpret and design multiple methods of assessment for the purposes of engaging students in learning, monitoring learning, and guiding decision making.
- 3. Identify and describe concepts of individual, social, and cultural identities as they relate to planning for teaching and learning in an urban setting.
- 4. Conduct research that includes collection and analysis of data that has potential to influence student achievement.
Program Requirements
The general option is the most flexible and allows students to create a program to meet their desire to become an accomplished teacher. This degree may be pursued concurrently with teacher certification. Additional coursework is required for certification. In addition to the core courses, students take coursework related to their educational role and supporting coursework in curriculum and instruction.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Core Courses (meet with adviser before enrolling) | 21 | |
| Courses Related to the Student's Educational Role | ||
| Approved coursework may be taken in any college or school of the University 1 | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
| 1 | They should form a coherent body of work related to the student's educational goals. |
Early Childhood Emphasis
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will:
- 1. Evaluate instructional programs using knowledge of curriculum theory.
- 2. Interpret and design multiple methods of assessment for the purposes of engaging students in learning, monitoring learning, and guiding decision making.
- 3. Identify and describe concepts of individual, social, and cultural identities as they relate to planning for teaching and learning in an urban setting.
- 4. Conduct research that includes collection and analysis of data on at least one variable that has potential to influence student achievement.
Program Requirements
The following courses are required in addition to the core courses listed.
The early childhood emphasis is for those who hold elementary or early childhood teacher certification, or for those who are interested in the field of early care and education. The master's degree alone does not lead to certification in early childhood. Additional courses are required to obtain certification to teach early childhood education.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Courses | ||
| Select five of the following: | 15 | |
| Mathematics Learning Difficulties: Identification and Intervention | ||
| Play In Early Childhood Education | ||
| History, Theories, And Issues In Early Childhood Education | ||
| Curriculum Design | ||
| Fundamentals of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy | ||
| Teaching Of Reading | ||
| Early Literacy and Language Development | ||
| Reading Instruction for K-12 English Language Learners | ||
Subject Matter Emphasis
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will:
- 1. Evaluate instructional programs using knowledge of curriculum theory.
- 2. Interpret and design multiple methods of assessment for the purposes of engaging students in learning, monitoring learning, and guiding decision making.
- 3. Identify and describe concepts of individual, social, and cultural identities as they relate to planning for teaching and learning in an urban setting.
- 4. Conduct research that includes collection and analysis of data that has potential to influence student achievement.
Subject Matter Specialty Options
Subject Matter Specialty option focus areas include art, foreign languages, mathematics, and social studies. In addition to the core courses, students take coursework related to their area of certification. For each of the focus areas, the student works with an advisor to establish a program of study designed for the specific subject matter specialty. For foreign languages, see http://cas.umkc.edu/foreignlanguages/ and contact Alice Reckley (reckleya@umkc.edu), advisor.
Secondary Art
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC-C&I 5513 | Effective Communication In The Classroom | 3 |
| EDUC-C&I 5515 | Integrated Arts As A Model For Classroom Instruction | 3 |
| EDUC-C&I 5523 | Advanced Literature For Children | 3 |
| EDUC-SP 5516 | Collaborating with Families and Other Professionals | 3 |
| Graduate-Level Art History or Studio Art Course | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Secondary Mathematics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC-C&I 5511 | Developing Multidisciplinary Problem Solving Skills | 3 |
| EDUC-C&I 5536 | Specialized Secondary School Curriculum Mathematics | 3 |
| Three additional courses to be determined with faculty advisor. | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Secondary Social Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC-C&I 5504 | Social Studies In the Schools | 3 |
| GEOG 5509 | Urban Geography | 3 |
| Additional credit hours | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Teaching English as a Second Language Emphasis
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will:
- 1. Evaluate instructional programs using knowledge of curriculum theory.
- 2. Interpret and design multiple methods of assessment for the purposes of engaging students in learning, monitoring learning, and guiding decision making.
- 3. Identify and describe concepts of individual, social, and cultural identities as they relate to planning for teaching and learning in an urban setting.
- 4. Conduct research that includes collection and analysis of data on at least one variable that has potential to influence student achievement.
Program Requirements
The following courses are required in addition to the core courses listed:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching English as a Second Language | ||
| EDUC-C&I 5545 | Linguistics for ESOL Teachers | 3 |
| EDUC-C&I 5546 | Intercultural communication | 3 |
| EDUC-C&I 5547 | Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| EDUC-C&I 5548 | English As A Second Language In Content Areas | 3 |
| EDUC-C&I 5549 | Practicum In English As A Second Language | 3 |
| EDUC-C&I 5542 | Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Courses must be approved by a faculty advisor.