Master of Arts: Curriculum and Instruction
Degree Overview
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will:
- Demonstrate critical thinking through interpretation, problem solving, evaluation, and analysis.
- Express their thinking clearly and professionally in written and oral communication.
- Treat students equitably and demonstrate the belief that all students can learn.
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 four emphasis areas from which to choose:
- General
- Early Childhood (this emphasis area is not currently admitting new students)
- Subject Matter Specialty
- Teaching English as a Second Language
Admission Requirements
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
• Names of two references
Core Degree Requirements
The core for all emphasis areas is made up of 15 credit hours of coursework from five categories: curriculum theory/design, foundations of education, human development, research and assessment, and culture and diversity. Courses that meet these core requirements are listed below; other courses may be used to fill core requirements with advisor approval. Additionally, all MA in C&I emphasis areas require a minimum of 12 credit hours devoted to a particular area of interest and a culminating experience of action research (3 credit hours).
Students should meet with their advisor before enrolling.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Theory/Design | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction To Curriculum Theory | ||
| Curriculum Design | ||
| Curriculum & Instruction For The 21St Century | ||
| Foundations of Education | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Cultural Foundations Of Education | ||
| Philosophical Foundations Of Education | ||
| Sociological Foundations Of Education | ||
| Human Development | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Developmental Science Across the Lifespan | ||
| Advanced Educational Psychology | ||
| Child Behavior And Development | ||
| Adolescent Development and the School | ||
| Research and Assessment | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Assessment of Diverse Learners, Engagement and Motivation | ||
| Theory and Research in Second Language Teaching and Learning | ||
| Statistical Methods I | ||
| Principles And Methods Of Research | ||
| Culture and Diversity | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy | ||
| Teaching Diverse Populations In Today's Classrooms | ||
| Culturally Responsive Strategies for Teaching Diverse Learners | ||
| Culminating Experience | ||
| EDUC-C&I 5595 | Action Research For Practitioners | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
General Emphasis
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will:
- Demonstrate critical thinking through interpretation, problem solving, evaluation, and analysis.
- Express their thinking clearly and professionally in written and oral communication.
- Treat students equitably and demonstrate the belief that all students can learn.
General Emphasis Area Program Requirements
Students should meet with their advisor before enrolling.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Courses in five core areas plus capstone | 18 | |
| Courses in Focused Emphasis Area | ||
| Approved coursework should form a coherent body of work related to the student's educational goals. It may be taken in any school of the University. | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Dual Credit Credentialing: Students pursuing a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction-General to become credentialed to teach dual-credit coursework must have 18 credit hours in their subject area. One core course may be substituted for a 3 credit-hour course that counts for subject-area credit with advisor approval; students will also need to take their 12 emphasis area credit hours and three additional credit hours in the subject area to have the required number of subject area credits (total of 33 CH in the degree). Consult with advisor for more information about approved subject-area courses.
Early Childhood Emphasis
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will:
- Demonstrate critical thinking through interpretation, problem solving, evaluation, and analysis.
- Express their thinking clearly and professionally in written and oral communication.
- Treat students equitably and demonstrate the belief that all students can learn.
Early Childhood Emphasis Area Program Requirements
The Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction-Early Childhood emphasis is not currently admitting new students. Interested applicants are encouraged to consider other emphasis areas in this Master's program.
Students should meet with their advisor before enrolling.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Courses in five core areas plus capstone | 18 | |
| Early Childhood Courses | ||
| Select four of the following: | 12 | |
| Play In Early Childhood Education | ||
| History, Theories, And Issues In Early Childhood Education | ||
| Curriculum In Early Childhood Education | ||
| Early Literacy and Language Development | ||
| Observation, Assessment & Screening in Early Childhood Classrooms | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Subject Matter Emphasis
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will:
- Demonstrate critical thinking through interpretation, problem solving, evaluation, and analysis.
- Express their thinking clearly and professionally in written and oral communication.
- Treat students equitably and demonstrate the belief that all students can learn.
Subject Matter Emphasis Area Program Requirements
Twelve hours of coursework related to the student's subject matter specialty are required and must be approved by a faculty advisor. The courses would typically be taken in a department of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences or the School of Science and Engineering, or be subject-related courses in the School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences. However, they may be taken in any school of the University with advisor approval.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Courses in five core areas plus capstone | 18 | |
| Subject Matter Specialty Courses | ||
| Approved coursework may be taken in any school of the University; recommended courses for specific subject areas listed below. | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Recommended Subject Matter Specialty Courses
For foreign languages, see http://shss.umkc.edu/areas-of-study/world-languages/and-cultures and consult with the Teacher Education 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 courses in Art History or Studio Art | ||
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 |
Secondary Social Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC-C&I 5504 | Social Studies In the Schools | 3 |
| GEOG 5509 | Urban Geography | 3 |
Teaching English as a Second Language Emphasis
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will:
- Demonstrate critical thinking through interpretation, problem solving, evaluation, and analysis.
- Express their thinking clearly and professionally in written and oral communication.
- Treat students equitably and demonstrate the belief that all students can learn.
Teaching English as a Second Language Program Requirements
Students should meet with their advisor before enrolling.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Courses in five core areas plus capstone | 18 | |
| Teaching English as a Second Language Courses | ||
| The following course is required: 1 | 3 | |
| English As A Second Language In Content Areas | ||
| Select four of the six listed courses: 2 | 12 | |
| Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language | ||
| English Grammar for ESOL Teachers | ||
| Linguistics for ESOL Teachers | ||
| Intercultural communication | ||
| Second Language Acquisition | ||
| Practicum In English As A Second Language | ||
| Total Credits | 33 | |
| 1 | With advisor approval, this course may count as the curriculum core requirement, reducing total degree CH to 30. |
| 2 | Students wishing to earn a DESE English Language Learner (K-12) endorsement are advised to consult endorsement requirements when selecting emphasis area coursework (see below). |
M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction-TESOL with DESE English Language Learner (ELL) K-12 Endorsement
Students can receive the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) English Language Learners K-12 endorsement while earning an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction- TESL Emphasis provided that the following criteria has been met:
- Must hold a bachelor’s degree;
- Must have an active Missouri teaching certificate;
- Complete the following courses as part of degree requirements:
- Curriculum Core: EDUC-C&I 5548
- Research and Assessment Core: EDUC-C&I 5518
- Teaching English as a Second Language courses: EDUC-C&I 5542, EDUC-C&I 5545, EDUC-C&I 5546, EDUC-C&I 5547
- Complete the following courses in addition to degree requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC-C&I 5549 | Practicum In English As A Second Language | 3 |
| EDRD 5439 | Language and Literacy Across the Disciplines | 3 |
| TCH-ED 404 | Education of the Exceptional Child and Youth | 3 |
| TCH-ED 5463 | Literacy Intervention across the Disciplines | 3 |
Candidates are subject to any Missouri legislative action or State Board of Education policy that may become effective during the lifetime of this catalog. Please consult with the advisor for any changes to the requirements.