Curriculum and Instruction, M.Ed.

Ashlee Hover, Program Director
(615) 904-8187
Ashlee.Hover@mtsu.edu

The M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction offers a concentration in English as a Second Language and a specialization for the professional education coursework needed for teacher licensure (secondary education licensure path).

The Curriculum and Instruction program is designed to foster the development of teaching skills that result in increased pupil performance. By analyzing curriculum choices and strategies, along with best teaching practices, those who complete this program will be better equipped to provide an environment in which students engage in relevant and meaningful learning activities.

Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction program requires

an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college;
a satisfactory score on the Miller Analogies Test, the Graduate Record Examination, or the Praxis II (Principles of Learning and Teaching) or a valid Tennessee Teacher license;
teacher licensure—the licensure requirements may be waived in special circumstances.

Students pursuing an M.Ed. degree must be fully admitted to the program prior to the completion of their initial semester of coursework.

Application Procedures

All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Applicant must

submit an application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php);
submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
submit three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s potential for completing the Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction;
submit official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Miller Analogies Test (MAT), or Praxis II or a copy of the teaching license.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction requires completion of a minimum of 33 semester hours.

Once admitted to the program, candidate must

complete 33 semester hours with no more than 30 percent of the total degree hours dually listed as undergraduate/graduate hours (see specifics in Curriculum section below);
successfully complete a written comprehensive examination during the semester of graduation (exam may be retaken once).

Curriculum: Curriculum and Instruction

The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements.

Required Courses (9 hours)

FOED 6020 - Educational Foundations 3 credit hours
FOED 6610 - Analysis and Application of Educational Research 3 credit hours
SPSE 6430 - Introduction to Curriculum Development 3 credit hours

Specialized Core (18 hours)

YOED 6680 - Issues and Trends in Teaching and Learning 3 credit hours
SPSE 6140 - Teacher Leadership for School Improvement 3 credit hours
SPSE 6250 - Seminar in Curriculum Improvement 3 credit hours
SPSE 6450 - Elementary and Middle School Curriculum 3 credit hours OR
SPSE 6480 - Instructional Excellence in Secondary Schools 3 credit hours
SPSE 6640 - Digital Learning in the K-12 Educational Setting 3 credit hours
FOED 6630 - Educational Tests and Measurements 3 credit hours

Electives (6 hours)

To be selected with approval of advisor

Program Notes

Students taking courses for licensure renewal, add-on endorsements, or “plus 30” upgrade on teacher licensure should register as non-degree-seeking students. Students enrolling in 6000-level courses must hold a bachelor’s degree, and students enrolling in 7000-level courses must hold a master’s degree. Non-degree-seeking students cannot register for 7000-level courses without departmental permission.

Candidate must

file a degree plan in the College of Graduate Studies prior to entry into the program;
file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the semester in which the student intends to graduate.