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Master of Science in Education Curriculum and Instruction courses

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Curriculum and Instruction coursework overview

Coursework tailored to your learning preferences

  • Capella sets the deadlines
  • Weekly online interactions
  • Learn on your time
  • Online
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Planning for your degree

  • total quarter credits: 46
  • Quarter length: 10 weeks
  • Course length: 10 weeks
  • Break: 3 weeks between quarters
Example sequence Core Specialization Practicum

Course requirements

  • Core 7 courses
  • Specialization 3 courses

Example program course sequence

This example course sequence takes course prerequisites into account, so it can be helpful as a general guide when you register for courses. In GuidedPath, the number of courses you take in a quarter and time it takes to complete your program can vary. Your academic coach can help answer any course registration questions.

Show all descriptions
ED5010 Core Foundations of Master's Studies in Education 4 quarter credits Students acquire and use graduate-level skills, including critically examining and applying relevant educational theory to teaching practice. Students examine their professional purpose and its alignment with their specialization and career aspirations. Should be taken alone. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning. 4 quarter credits
ED5146 Core Assessment and Evaluation in Education 4 quarter credits Students examine the background, context, and practice of assessment of student learning and evaluation of educational programs. They apply their knowledge to design appropriate assessment plans that can be implemented in the classroom; and school or organizational level to promote improvement and accountability. 4 quarter credits
Core ED5343: Multicultural and Inclusive Education - Core 4 quarter credits
RSCH7860 Core Survey of Research Methods 4 quarter credits Students read critically and evaluate research in order to gain an understanding of the scientific methods of inquiry and the ethical considerations of research. Students become educated consumers and creators of research. Additionally, students use their research design skills to analyze and apply research methodologies, validity, reliability and other components of scientific research related to their field of interest. 4 quarter credits
ED5504 Specialization Course Strategies for Differentiated Instruction 4 quarter credits Students in this course examine the origins and complexities of student achievement gaps. Students also explore current student achievement research and best practices and identify instructional strategies most likely to eliminate achievement gaps. This course requires access to a P-12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P-12 school or district. 4 quarter credits
ED5707 Core Instruction for Students with Disabilities 4 quarter credits Students identify ways to develop differentiated academic lesson plans (e.g., reading, writing, calculation, or mathematical reasoning). Students examine how research-based instruction can support students with disabilities. Students also develop methods of managing the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students with disabilities. This course requires access to a P - 12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P - 12 school or district. 4 quarter credits
ED5500 Core Standards-Based Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment 4 quarter credits In this course, students examine national and state learning standards related to their content area or grade level. Students utilize research-based curriculum to craft assessments that are aligned to standards, and implement instruction that is meaningful to students and supports their academic achievement. This course requires access to a P-12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P-12 school or district. 4 quarter credits
ED5503 Specialization Course Classroom Management Strategies 4 quarter credits Students in this course apply strategies for managing student behaviors and develop the skills needed to create classroom environments that maximize the opportunity for each student to learn. This course emphasizes the roles, rights, and responsibilities of all stakeholders under The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 legislation. This course requires access to a P-12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P-12 school or district. 4 quarter credits
ED5533 Core Curriculum Mapping: Reflection and Practice 4 quarter credits Students formulate a research-based professional vision for curriculum design and develop a curriculum for a specific content and grade-level application using computer-based curriculum mapping applications. Students who have taken ED8533 should not take ED5533. Rather, they should choose any other graduate-level education course to fulfill their specialization requirements. Prerequisite(s): ED5500. 4 quarter credits
ED5538 Specialization Course Program Evaluation of Curriculum and Instruction 4 quarter credits Students in this course examine theories, concepts, definitions, and models associated with the improvement of curriculum and instruction. Students collect and organize research, analyze and report data, and complete a program evaluation that demonstrates the integral role of program evaluation in curriculum and instruction improvement. This course requires access to a P-12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P-12 school or district. Prerequisite(s): ED5533. 4 quarter credits
ED6950 Practicum Capstone for Master of Science in Education 6 quarter credits In the capstone course, students demonstrate proficiency in the program's competencies by integrating learning from required courses to complete a final project. Must be taken during the student's final quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning. Prerequisite(s): ED5538 or ED5730 or ED5440 or ED5712 or ED5808 or ED5570 or ED5574. For students in MEd in Teaching & Learning ED5306 or RSCH7860, MS in Education innovation and Technology students EDT5142 or ED5146. 6 quarter credits

Total

At least 46 quarter credits

One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.

Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.

This specialization is not designed to lead to license, endorsement, other professional credential, or salary advancement. Contact your school district for a determination on qualifications for salary advancement.

Multiple specializations available (must be within the same degree program)

Core course requirements

Choose 16 program points with a minimum of 2 program points from each category. Choose from the courses shown below.

Show all descriptions
ED5146 Core Assessment and Evaluation in Education 4 quarter credits Students examine the background, context, and practice of assessment of student learning and evaluation of educational programs. They apply their knowledge to design appropriate assessment plans that can be implemented in the classroom; and school or organizational level to promote improvement and accountability. 4 quarter credits
ED5707 Core Instruction for Students with Disabilities 4 quarter credits Students identify ways to develop differentiated academic lesson plans (e.g., reading, writing, calculation, or mathematical reasoning). Students examine how research-based instruction can support students with disabilities. Students also develop methods of managing the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students with disabilities. This course requires access to a P - 12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P - 12 school or district. 4 quarter credits
RSCH7860 Core Survey of Research Methods 4 quarter credits Students read critically and evaluate research in order to gain an understanding of the scientific methods of inquiry and the ethical considerations of research. Students become educated consumers and creators of research. Additionally, students use their research design skills to analyze and apply research methodologies, validity, reliability and other components of scientific research related to their field of interest. 4 quarter credits
ED5010 Core Foundations of Master's Studies in Education 4 quarter credits Students acquire and use graduate-level skills, including critically examining and applying relevant educational theory to teaching practice. Students examine their professional purpose and its alignment with their specialization and career aspirations. Should be taken alone. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning. 4 quarter credits
ED5500 Core Standards-Based Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment 4 quarter credits In this course, students examine national and state learning standards related to their content area or grade level. Students utilize research-based curriculum to craft assessments that are aligned to standards, and implement instruction that is meaningful to students and supports their academic achievement. This course requires access to a P-12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P-12 school or district. 4 quarter credits
ED5533 Core Curriculum Mapping: Reflection and Practice 4 quarter credits Students formulate a research-based professional vision for curriculum design and develop a curriculum for a specific content and grade-level application using computer-based curriculum mapping applications. Students who have taken ED8533 should not take ED5533. Rather, they should choose any other graduate-level education course to fulfill their specialization requirements. Prerequisite(s): ED5500. 4 quarter credits
EDT5130 Core Understanding Competency-Based Curriculum and Instruction 4 quarter credits Learners in this course gain an understanding of the differences between standards, outcomes, and competencies and how they can be integrated into the curriculum. Learners build on this understanding, mapping competencies to outcomes and aligning standards to competencies and outcomes. Learners integrate competency- based curriculum and lesson planning with best-practice teaching approaches and develop competency-based classroom management techniques. This course requires access to an educational setting, students or learners, and/or classroom practitioners. 4 quarter credits
ED5343 Core Education in a Contemporary Society 4 quarter credits Students evaluate multicultural theories by analyzing topics, such as cultural identity, cultural awareness, cultural competence, and apply these concepts to educational settings. 4 quarter credits

Total

At least 46 quarter credits

One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.

Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.

This specialization is not designed to lead to license, endorsement, other professional credential, or salary advancement. Contact your school district for a determination on qualifications for salary advancement.

Multiple specializations available (must be within the same degree program)

Specialization course requirements

Complete at least 16 quarter credits from the specialization courses shown below.

Show all descriptions
ED5503 Specialization Course Classroom Management Strategies 4 quarter credits Students in this course apply strategies for managing student behaviors and develop the skills needed to create classroom environments that maximize the opportunity for each student to learn. This course emphasizes the roles, rights, and responsibilities of all stakeholders under The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 legislation. This course requires access to a P-12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P-12 school or district. 4 quarter credits
ED5538 Specialization Course Program Evaluation of Curriculum and Instruction 4 quarter credits Students in this course examine theories, concepts, definitions, and models associated with the improvement of curriculum and instruction. Students collect and organize research, analyze and report data, and complete a program evaluation that demonstrates the integral role of program evaluation in curriculum and instruction improvement. This course requires access to a P-12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P-12 school or district. Prerequisite(s): ED5533. 4 quarter credits
ED5504 Specialization Course Strategies for Differentiated Instruction 4 quarter credits Students in this course examine the origins and complexities of student achievement gaps. Students also explore current student achievement research and best practices and identify instructional strategies most likely to eliminate achievement gaps. This course requires access to a P-12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P-12 school or district. 4 quarter credits

Total

At least 46 quarter credits

One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.

Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.

This specialization is not designed to lead to license, endorsement, other professional credential, or salary advancement. Contact your school district for a determination on qualifications for salary advancement.

Multiple specializations available (must be within the same degree program)

Show all descriptions
ED6950 Practicum Capstone for Master of Science in Education 6 quarter credits In the capstone course, students demonstrate proficiency in the program's competencies by integrating learning from required courses to complete a final project. Must be taken during the student's final quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning. Prerequisite(s): ED5538 or ED5730 or ED5440 or ED5712 or ED5808 or ED5570 or ED5574. For students in MEd in Teaching & Learning ED5306 or RSCH7860, MS in Education innovation and Technology students EDT5142 or ED5146. 6 quarter credits

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What can I expect in the courseroom?

Each unit consists of readings, discussions and other activities you will be expected to complete throughout the week. Most deadlines for coursework occur on Thursdays and/or Sundays but may vary by program and course. In each course, you will receive a detailed scoring guide that describes expectations for every graded assignment.

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How will I be graded?

Grades are based on your participation in weekly reading discussions and completion of assignments, based on criteria outlined in the rubric. You will also be assessed on your ability to demonstrate an understanding of expected outcomes for your program or specialization. These outcomes are based on the needs and performance standards of your field or discipline.

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