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Specializations & Curriculum
Master of Education Specialization: Curriculum and Instruction
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MEd SPECIALIZATION OVERVIEW: IMPROVING INSTRUCTION, PRACTICES AND CURRICULUM DESIGN
The Curriculum and Instruction specialization is one of the most flexible online master’s degree options at the University of San Diego (USD). It allows you to choose your specialization courses from across the School Leadership, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) or Inclusive Learning: Special Education and Universal Design, Technology and Innovation offerings. With these courses, you will focus on the design, delivery and assessment of lessons, units and programs. The Master of Education (MEd) online program teaches degree candidates to systematically examine both their own practices and leading national and international exemplars and consider how the Common Core Standards play a role in curriculum development.
Get the comprehensive advantage that the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction program offers! View the curriculum below.
Course of Study
Earn this University of San Diego Masters Degree in Education by completing 10 courses (3-units each) for 30 units of coursework. Your Masters in Education online program consists of five foundation courses including a capstone action research project as well as five specialization courses. You may begin your study in any semester with any of the courses offered. The Capstone Seminar is the final course in the program and builds on knowledge gained in the research and specialization courses.
Ranked as one of the best Masters in Curriculum and Instruction programs in the U.S.
What Makes USD’s Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction different?
- The program focuses on skills that educators can apply immediately. Though it’s not a requirement to be a teacher while earning a Curriculum and Instruction master’s degree, you need to have access to a classroom in order to apply what you’ve learned.
- Flexibility is a priority, meaning that students can begin their studies with any of the research and specialization courses offered in this program.
- Students have the opportunity to choose courses from a variety of specializations: School Leadership, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), Inclusive Learning: Special Education and Universal Design or Technology and Innovation.
What Skills Will You Gain In This Program?
This list includes some of the skills you will build in the process of earning an advanced Curriculum and Instruction degree:
- Online comprehension skills and other new literacy practices critical to our tech-driven world.
- Ethical leadership by addressing the obstacles and possibilities that educators encounter today.
- Co-teaching and collaboration models that support general and special education.
- Research methodologies, specifically related to grounded theory, case study and cross-case comparisons.
Career Outlook for Someone with a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
Instructional coordinators who earn an advanced degree, such as a Curriculum and Instruction master’s degree, have a higher earning potential and may qualify for more jobs compared to their colleagues with undergraduate degrees.
Overall, employment in the field is expected to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. That translates into about 20,900 annual job openings projected over the decade. As of 2021, the median salary for instructional coordinators, one possible role for someone with this type of degree, was $63,740.
Various roles are attainable by earning a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, including:
- Elementary, middle or high school principal
- Instructional coordinator
- Librarian or library media specialist
- Postsecondary education administrator
- School and career counselor
Accreditation
Accreditation is an important quality indicator for college and university degree programs, generally regarded as a stamp of approval that ensures you will be able to apply for financial aid and transfer your credits if you decide to switch schools. Most state universities and private non-profit universities will have a regional accreditation, which is the most widely accepted and trusted in terms of transfer credit and eligibility for employer tuition assistance programs. The University of San Diego has regional accreditation.
The WASC Senior College and University Commission – WASC is a regional accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as certifying institutional eligibility for federal funding in a number of programs, including student access to federal financial aid. Learn more about the importance of selecting a regionally accredited program.
PROGRAM COURSE CURRICULUM
Core Courses
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
|
This course introduces you to the University of San Diego and provides important information about the program. Throughout the orientation, … |
0 |
|
Analysis of the American educational system with a particular focus on issues of diversity, inequity, conflict and social justice within a s… |
3 |
|
Explore key cognitive studies on human cognition and learning. You will critically discuss research and contemporary debates on cognitive pr… |
3 |
|
Introduction to the major educational research methods and paradigms with an emphasis on reflective, practitioner-directed inquiry. The cour… |
3 |
|
Applied exploration of qualitative research methodologies such as ethnography, grounded theory, case-study and cross-case comparisons, surve… |
3 |
|
The capstone seminar is the final course in the on-line M.Ed. program sequence. This course supports candidates as they engage in an action … |
3 |
Curriculum and Instruction Specialization Courses
The Curriculum and Instruction specialization gives students the flexibility to select courses from other specializations. Each term, students will choose one course from a specialization out of the available courses to take.
Please reference the degree plan to see which courses are available each term.
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
|
This course will address strategies used by effective school leaders to build and sustain reciprocal family and community partnerships and e… |
3 |
|
This course addresses the development, implementation and assessment of rigorous and coherent systems of curriculum, instruction and assessm… |
3 |
|
Rigorous exploration of how school leaders use data, including standardized and school-based assessments, to drive continuous improvement th… |
3 |
|
Examination of points of convergence and divergence in the creative processes of artists, scientists, mathematicians and engineers. Students… |
3 |
|
An exploration of educational strategies and classroom approaches that leverage the multi-dimensional connections between artistic, scientif… |
3 |
|
Investigation of the intersection between conceptual understanding and real-world application with a focus on the engineering design process… |
3 |
|
Contextualized within the evolving high stakes accountability context of public K-12 education, this course will consider the challenges and… |
3 |
|
This course will address virtual learning by using technology and digitized learning education material that is accessible for all types of … |
3 |
|
Changemaking involves taking creative action to solve a social problem. Schools and companies are incorporating emerging technologies (e.g.,… |
3 |
|
This course addresses the systematic design of learning experiences and environments. Students learn about the use of instructional design (… |
3 |
|
Investigation of classroom practices that contribute to historical and contemporary inequities in learning outcomes in STEAM subjects for st… |
3 |
|
In this course, students plan, develop, evaluate and manage the implementation of technology in various learning environments so that all st… |
3 |
|
Theoretical and practical exploration of the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Investigation of brain research into recogni… |
3 |
|
Examination of variability of ability and experience among students. Investigation and application of assessment tools and instructional des… |
3 |
|
Investigation of strategies used to build and sustain effective site-based professional learning communities. Targeted focus on how to struc… |
3 |
|
Exploration of our evolving understanding of autism in the research literature, educational practice and popular imagination. Examination an… |
3 |
|
Examination of research, policy and practice of co-teaching and collaboration models that support general education and special education st… |
3 |
|
Investigation of the historical, philosophical, legal, political and sociological constructions of disability in education. Analysis of appl… |
3 |
DEGREE PLAN
Degree candidates are admitted throughout the year to begin their program during one of three terms (spring, summer or fall). Students will take two courses during each 14-week term, focusing on one seven-week course at a time. This master’s degree program can be completed, on average, in five terms (20 months).
Download a PDF of your degree plan that corresponds with your start term.
Important dates for your starting term will be found in the degree plan. Important dates for subsequent terms can be found in your student success center after acceptance.
Success stories
This program will give you the inspiration, the spark that you need to rekindle that fire of passion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the online Master of Education program include a preliminary licensure or does it lead to a teaching credential?
It does not lead to a teaching credential. Our program requires that students have two years of teaching experience. As a result, most students already have a teaching credential or they work in roles that do not require a teaching credential.
Is the online Master of Education program open to students from outside the United States?
Yes! We have students and alumni from all over the world.
Is specific standardized testing like the GRE required for acceptance to the Master of Education program?
No, the GRE is not a requirement. The admissions committee takes a comprehensive approach when reviewing all applications.
Is it possible to be accepted into the program and work through the courses without being a teacher at the same time?
While you do not have to be a teacher simultaneously, you do have to have access to a classroom in order to apply what you’ve learned. Our program focuses on helping to provide skills that educators can apply immediately in their classrooms or places of work.
What accreditations does the online USD MEd program possess?
The USD MEd program is regionally accredited by WASC (the Western Association of Schools and Colleges). Regional accreditation is a very important consideration when deciding on a program because it is the most widely accepted in terms of transfer credit and eligibility for employer tuition assistance programs. It is typically awarded to degree-oriented, nonprofit or state-owned institutions (as opposed to for-profit schools or religious schools that offer vocational or technical training).
Does the program provide a certification for special education teachers?
If you choose the Special Education and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) specialization, you will learn a wealth of knowledge that in most cases is more in-depth than special education certification programs.
Do you need to have a science or math background to be accepted into the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) specialization?
No. At USD we are committed to helping close the STEAM gap. When reviewing applications, we look for individuals who demonstrate a commitment or passion for the field.
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