Program: Curriculum and Instruction, Teaching and Innovation in PK-16 Concentration, M.Ed. - Middle Tennessee State University

Apr 04, 2025

2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

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

The Curriculum and Instruction program with a concentration in Teaching and Innovation in PK-16 is designed for individuals who either: a) have completed a teacher preparation program and already have an initial or professional level PreK-12, teaching license, OR b) do not need a teaching license for their current workplace situation (private school setting, state institutions, etc.) but want to learn more about curriculum and instruction.

The concentration is focused on the teaching and innovation of PK-16 educators (preschool-adult learning) as leaders, advocates for change, and digital navigators. All coursework is completed online in an asynchronous learning environment.

There are two options for completing this degree; both options require the completion of 33 hours of online courses.

Option 1: M.Ed. - Degree ONLY
Option 2: M.Ed. and Digital Teaching and Learning Certificate

Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Teaching and Innovation in PK-16 online program requires

an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college;
at least one of the following:
1. a satisfactory score on the Miller Analogies Test
2. a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination
3. a satisfactory score on a teacher licensure test (examples could include: Praxis II or edTPA)
4. a valid teacher license
5. an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or above
6. for those who have started but not completed a graduate degree, a GPA of 3.00 or above on the last 60 hours of coursework (undergraduate and graduate) completed
7. a completed graduate degree with a GPA of 3.00 or above.

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). Once this initial application has been accepted, the applicant will receive directions on how to enter the graduate portal to be able to submit other materials.
submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
submit evidence of at least one of the required admission items above.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Teaching and Innovation in PK-16 requires completion of 33 semester hours. Once admitted to the program, the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Teaching and Innovation in PK-16 requires completion of 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).

Curriculum: Curriculum and Instruction

The following illustrates the coursework requirements.

Required Courses (15 hours)

FOED 6030 - School and Community Relations 3 credit hours
FOED 6040 - Social and Emotional Learning in PK-16 Learning Environments 3 credit hours
FOED 6630 - Educational Tests and Measurements 3 credit hours
SPSE 6140 - Teacher Leadership for School Improvement 3 credit hours
SPSE 6640 - Digital Learning in the PK-16 Educational Setting 3 credit hours

Electives (18 hours)

Select six of the courses below.

NOTE: DTL 6000 , DTL 6010 , DTL 6020 , and DTL 6030 are required to earn the Digital Teaching and Learning Certificate along with the M.Ed. program.

DTL 6000 - Digital Teaching and Learning Environments 3 credit hours
DTL 6010 - Curriculum Design for Digital Teaching, Learning, and Diversity 3 credit hours
DTL 6020 - Digital Citizenship: Literacy and Content Instruction 3 credit hours
DTL 6030 - Assessment and Evaluation in Digital Teaching and Learning Environments 3 credit hours
FOED 6020 - Educational Foundations 3 credit hours
FOED 6610 - Analysis and Application of Educational Research 3 credit hours
SPSE 6250 - Seminar in Curriculum Improvement 3 credit hours
SPSE 6430 - Introduction to Curriculum Development 3 credit hours
SPSE 6450 - Elementary and Middle School Curriculum 3 credit hours
SPSE 6480 - Instructional Excellence in Secondary Schools 3 credit hours
YOED 6680 - Issues and Trends in Teaching and Learning 3 credit hours

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.