Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction Advanced Program for Continuing Professional Education
Overview
Earn Your Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction
Learn to build and implement curricula at the classroom, school, district and state level with the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction degree. Licensed K-12 educators can gain the skills to become instructional leaders through a combination of coursework, research and classroom field experiences. Offered by Grand Canyon University's College of Education, this program emphasizes a scholar-practitioner approach to curriculum development, teaching and assessment.
In the masters in curriculum and instruction degree program, develop your abilities in academic planning and differentiated instruction using current theories, designs and research-based data. Opportunities for observation and practical application in real classrooms provide the experience to support your professional development into an instructional coach, leader and outstanding educator.
You must submit a copy of your current teaching license or provide evidence of a minimum of one year of teaching experience to apply for this program. In addition, it is essential to have access to a K-12 classroom to complete the program assignments.
Degree Outcomes
Study Advanced Instructional Strategies
In the masters degree in curriculum and instruction program, you examine the process for planning, composing and delivering an engaging, culturally responsive curriculum. In addition, you also learn to identify, evaluate and assess instructional strategies using data and student achievement.
What You Will Learn
Learn Coaching Techniques for School Settings
In this masters in curriculum and instruction program, teacher candidates examine:
- Curriculum planning, development, assessment and methods to engage diverse learners
- Frameworks, materials and strategies for translating the principles of culturally responsive pedagogy into effective educational practice
- Aligning objectives, instruction and assessments for differentiating curriculum and using assessment data to guide instruction
- Coaching techniques in school and community settings with emphasis on improving teacher practices, school culture and effective communication
- Effective strategies and practices in professional development
Career Outcomes
Explore Career Options in Curriculum and Instruction
The masters degree in curriculum and instruction does not lead to licensure, but may lead to career advancement. Common careers with a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction are elementary, junior high or high school curriculum specialist, curriculum designer, lead teacher, faculty and school administrator. Potential workplaces include private, charter and public schools, colleges and education welfare organizations.
Course List
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the College of Education. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
This course focuses on brain research (from neuroscience to the behavioral and cognitive sciences) that relates to teaching and learning and suggests ways that brain research can be translated into what teachers do in schools and classrooms. Teacher candidates will examine the inner workings of the brain and the effect on student learning, memory, and transfer. Specifically, the course explores the body of knowledge that represents the application of brain research to classroom practice, and how knowledge about the human brain can affect the curricular, instructional, and assessment decisions that teachers make every day. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Fingerprint clearance not required.
Course Description
This course provides teachers with an introduction to applied research in education across the major quantitative, qualitative, and action research traditions. Coursework focuses on understanding the research process and its integrated components and evaluating published research reports from the perspective of a critical consumer. Teachers explore scientific reasoning and research design.
Course Description
Candidates in this course will be introduced to current theories of learning and curriculum design. The emphasis will be on examining and identifying the concepts, principles, and models of curricular theory. Using the interrelationships of these models, candidates will develop and evaluate curriculum.
Course Description
Candidates will examine frameworks, materials, and strategies for translating the principles of culturally responsive pedagogy into effective educational practice. The emphasis will be on developing curriculum considering culturally responsive pedagogy, family and community engagement, and global education. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
Candidates will use data to differentiate curriculum, instruction, and assessments to foster learning for all students. Focus will be on principles of learning, using technology to differentiate instruction, and developing an engaging classroom environment. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
Candidates will learn and apply coaching techniques in school and community settings. Emphasis is placed on improving teacher practices, school culture, and effective communication. Candidates will use cognitive coaching and teacher leadership skills. Practicum/Field Experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
In this course, candidates apply district goals/state standards in developing year-long units of study. Curriculum mapping analysis skills will be developed to align program objectives systematically to achieve state and district learning goals. Emphasis is placed on Backwards Design and inquiry-based learning. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint Clearance required.
Course Description
Candidates in this course will develop skills in aligning objectives, instruction, and assessments. Special attention is given to differentiating curriculum for diverse students and using assessment data to guide instruction. Candidates will collaborate with peers and colleagues to achieve instructional goals through action planning. Review of current trends in instruction and assessment are presented to guide instructional decisions with a special focus on the needs of diverse students. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
This course surveys effective strategies and practices in professional development. Special focus is placed upon theories and models, including andragogy, that enhance knowledge and skill development for adult learners in educational settings. Candidates develop and implement professional learning activities aligned with the needs of learners, schools and systems that ensure learner growth and advance the profession by leading collaborative interactions. Fingerprint clearance not required.
Course Description
Candidates will deliver, evaluate, and revise a professional development presentation, and incorporate peer and faculty interaction with feedback to assure timeliness and relevance. Candidates will conduct a professional development needs assessment and create a year-long professional development plan for their school. Practicum/field experience hours: 30. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: EDU-586.
Program Locations
Online
Evening
* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program's published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution's catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who started the program in the same year and then graduated within the published program length.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.