Curriculum & Instruction, MA
for the degree of Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction
Through the Master of Education and the Certificate of Advanced Study, experienced teachers are prepared to become more competent and better-informed practitioners who serve as leaders for educational reform in local schools and school districts.
Also offered are master's degree programs leading to teacher licensure for individuals who have a degree in a field other than education and wish to become teachers. The four majors leading to licensure are Early Childhood Education (Birth - Grade 2), Elementary Education (Grades 1 - 6), Middle Grades Education (Grades 5-8), and Secondary Education (Grades 9 - 12). In addition to completing the courses required for an Ed.M. degree, students in these programs follow the same sequence of professional education courses as undergraduate students.
Only master’s students wishing to become licensed teachers in one of these areas should apply to the Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle Grades, or Secondary Education majors. Master’s degree candidates who do not wish to become teachers, or who are already teachers, should apply to the major in Curriculum & Instruction. The EdM is attained through satisfactory completion of coursework, while the MA and MS degrees require the completion and defense of a thesis.
Two doctoral degree programs are offered. The Ph.D. program prepares degree candidates for careers involving research and scholarship, including those in colleges and universities where research is generally combined with teacher education. The Ed.D. program prepares scholarly practitioners for leadership positions in teacher training institutions, state education agencies, and public school districts.
Length of time for a degree: an Ed.M. program can be completed by a student attending full-time in a calendar year, while the M.S. or M.A. often takes longer. The Ed.M. with licensure typically takes two years to complete. Doctoral programs usually require five years of full-time study.
Admission
Interested applicants should start at the College of Education Graduate Programs website. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to submit the following information: a statement of purpose, an updated resume, official transcripts from all colleges attended, and three letters of recommendation. A scholarly writing sample in English (e.g., a master's thesis, article, or academic paper) is required for application to a doctoral program.
International applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency for admission. Please see the English Proficiency Requirement for Admission for additional information on this requirement.
Faculty Research Interests
To learn more about our faculty’s research areas, current grants, and recent publications, please visit our department homepage and/or visit the Faculty Finder. Our faculty pursue a wide range of research interests, offering graduate students many opportunities to collaborate and participate in meaningful research projects.
Facilities and Resources
The College of Education offers a variety of resources to support graduate students throughout their academic journey. The Bureau of Educational Research assists students in securing research funding, and each student is assigned a graduate adviser to help plan their program of study, select courses, and track progress toward degree completion. Additional information about university-wide resources is available on the GradMAP website.
Financial Aid
Financial aid in the form of assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, and tuition waivers can be found throughout the college and campus. Please note: Graduate students employed as staff by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are not eligible for a College of Education Fellowship. Campus opportunities can be found at the Graduate College and the Office of Student Financial Aid.
for the degree of Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers many programs leading to the degree of Master of Arts (M.A.). A list of programs and additional requirements can be found on the program's website, the College of Education Graduate Programs Handbook, and the Graduate College Handbook.
Students may select a concentration in Bilingual-Bicultural Education or Digital Learning.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations Hours | 8 | |
Choose at least two foundation courses from the Course List tab. At least one of these two courses must be a course from outside the degree-granting department. | ||
| CI 599 | Thesis Research (min/max applied toward degree) | 2-8 |
| Elective Hours | 16-22 | |
Research/Project/Independent Study Hours (min/max applied toward degree): 0-8 | ||
| Total Hours | 32 | |
Other Requirements
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 |
| Human Subjects Approval | |
| 500-Level Hours Required in Education | 12 hours |
for the degree of Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction
Foundations Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Culture in the Classroom | ||
| Curriculum Development for the 21st Century | ||
| History of American Education | ||
| Asian American Education | ||
| Historical and Social Barriers | ||
| School and Society | ||
| Professional Ethics in Education | ||
| Critical Thinking in Education | ||
| Sociology of Education | ||
| Racial and Ethnic Families | ||
| Politics of Education | ||
| Economics of Education | ||
| Technology and Educational Reform | ||
| Educational Politics and Policies | ||
| Foundation of Higher Education | ||
Any 400 level EPSY course | ||
| Global Issues in Learning | ||
| Equity Issues in Special Education | ||
| Disability Issues in Special Education | ||
for the degree of Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction
- Students will acquire deep knowledge of content in the field of education.
- Students will display a deep understanding of psychological foundations of learning.
- Students will demonstrate a deep understanding of philosophical foundations of education.
- Students will display a deep understanding of best pedagogical practices in K-12 classrooms, with attention to 21st century skills and practices.
- Students will display deep knowledge of conducting a research study, including reviewing literature, collecting and analyzing data, and writing a thesis.
for the degree of Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction
Department of Curriculum & Instruction
Head of the Department: Joshua Danish
Director of Graduate Studies: Emma Mercier
Graduate admissions information: Mitzi Koeberlein
Curriculum & Instruction faculty
142 Education Building, 1310 South Sixth Street, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 244-3542
gradservices@education.illinois.edu
College of Education
Admissions
Graduate College Admissions & Requirements
College of Education Admissions & Requirements