2015-2016 Catalog

Nov 24, 2024

2015-2016 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Curriculum and Instruction, MA

The Master of Arts degree in Curriculum & Instruction is designed to provide professional educators increased knowledge of current research on teaching and learning and its contexts and to apply that research in practice. The degree provides an opportunity for teachers to focus on an area of interest and to develop increased skills and knowledge in that area.

The MA in Curriculum & Instruction is a thirty (30) semester-hour program designed for licensed, practicing teachers who desire to continue developing their professional expertise. Candidates complete a core of academic work requiring:

Examination of educational issues from the perspective of social context and culturally responsive pedagogy;
Investigation and analysis of curricular design and models of teaching;
Examination and analysis of seminal and current research and application of research in instructional settings;
Consideration of the role and uses of technology in curriculum and instruction and its implementation in the classroom.

Further, the selection of a cognate emphasis area allows students to concentrate their coursework in an area of instruction in which they wish to develop a particular expertise: TESOL, Science Education, Space Studies/Science Teaching, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, Gifted and Talented.

For information on our Teacher Education Licensure Program (TELP), go to the Teacher Education Licensure Program .

Faculty

Leslie Grant, Ph.D., Department Chair, Associate Professor
Katie Anderson-Pence, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Greg Button, Ed. D., Instructor
Linda Button, Ed. D., Instructor
Tim Callahan, M.A., Senior Instructor
Grant Clayton, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Beth Cutter, M.A., Senior Instructor
Barbara Frye, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Mary Hanson, M.A., Instructor
Sarah Kaka, M.A. Instructor / Director of Teacher Education
Mark Malone, Ph.D., Professor
Pat McGuire, Ph.D., Assistant Professor / Co-Director UCCSTeach Program
Monica Yoo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Application and Admissions Process

Visit our website for requirements.

Course Requirements

Core Content - 12 Credit Hours

All C&I Master’s degree students complete a core of work that asks them to do the following:

Examine educational issues from the perspective of their social context
Become intelligent consumers of research and apply research to their instructional settings

To this end, the degree requires these core courses:

* To be taken as the FINAL Course. (Prerequisite: LEAD 5700 - Introduction to Research and Statistics)

Elective Coursework - 9 Credit Hours

Students may choose from any graduate course selection in the College of Education including the areas of:

Curriculum and Instruction
Science Education
Reading
Gifted and Talented
Technology
Special Education
Counseling
Leadership

Cognate Area - 9 Credit Hours

Choose 9 credit hours from the following cognate areas:

Gifted & Talented:

Linguistically Diverse Education (LDE):

Science Education:

Counseling & Human Services:

Leadership, Research & Foundations:

Special Education:

Instructional Technology:

Course Rotations

For a complete listing of course rotation between campus-based and online-based, consult the list of course rotations.

MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

This degree program prepares pre-service and inservice teachers to work with students who are learning English as a second or additional language. Educators working with individuals, small groups or whole classes of English Language Learners (ELLs) will benefit from this program. Teachers who have a teaching license from the Colorado Department of Education may use this opportunity to earn an endorsement in Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Education as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The MA degree is 30 semester hours or ten courses. The first eight courses (24 semester hours) are applicable to the CLD Endorsement from the Colorado Department of Education. The last two courses are the research classes that complete the MA in TESOL. Also available is the four-course (12 credit hours) Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language Certificate (online only, TESL/TEFL).

Application and Admissions Requirement

Please visit our website for admissions information.

Course Requirements

Core Content - 6 Credit Hours

Culturally Linguistically Diverse Education Courses for CLD Endorsement - 24 Credit Hours

*TESL/TEFL courses required for the online certificate. All credits may be applied to the MA TESOL within 5 years of taking the first course.

MA in Curriculum & Instruction: Literacy - 33 Credit Hours

The Curriculum and Instruction Department recently received approval for the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction: Literacy. The program revision will encompass emphasis in both reading and writing. The program will include core foundation courses that are college-wide offerings and courses that are specific graduate-level in literacy. In addition, we plan to offer a “tiered” program in which MA students could continue, if desired, their coursework and receive Reading Teacher and Reading Specialist endorsements from the state.

Application and Admissions Process

Visit our website for requirements. A full information packet may also be viewed or downloaded here: MA Literacy Information.

Course Requirements

Core Content - 12 Credit Hours

CURR 5000 - Foundations: History and Research in Curriculum Studies
(Prerequisite for all coursework)
CURR 5002 - Issues, Strategies, and Models in Curriculum Design
(Prerequisite for CURR 5090)
LEAD 5700 - Introduction to Research and Statistics
(Prerequisite for CURR 5090)
CURR 5090 - Master’s Research Project
(Final course in program)

Literacy Content - 21 Credit Hours

Reading Teacher Endorsement

Requires 2 years of teaching experience and M.A. in Reading/Literacy.

PLACE test for Reading Teacher required upon completion of coursework to add endorsement.

MA in Curriculum & Instruction - Space Studies/Science Education

The MA program in Space Studies and Science Education is designed primarily for teachers who wish to improve their science teaching skills or become leaders in the field of science and space education. It is appropriate for teachers at all levels (K-12) who wish to learn more about applying contemporary science teaching strategies in their schools.

The program is designed to provide classroom teachers with a sound background in current space studies, science education research, theory, standards, and practice. Emphasis is placed on utilization of inquiry strategies, manipulative activities, and science process skills as a basis for science instruction. Teachers completing this program will be prepared to: teach science in a self-contained setting, serve as science teachers for schools utilizing departmentalization, serve as science resource teachers at the school or district level, or pursue an advanced degree in science education.

Note: This program is not designed to lead to teacher licensure.

Also available is a Master of Science degree in Curriculum & Instruction with a Space Studies emphasis.

Application and Admissions Requirement

Please visit our website for admissions information.

Course Requirements

The Science Education program requires a total of 30 semester hours of course work and completion of a research project as part of CURR 5090. A thesis option is available but not required.

Note: Students should consult with their program advisor to assure that courses selected are appropriate for credit in the Science Education program.

Science Education - 9 Credit Hours

Includes core courses required by the Curriculum & Instruction degree.

Science content and method courses offered through the College of Education.

Space Foundation Courses - 15 Credit Hours

Offered by the Space Foundation through Extended Studies.

Education - 9 Credit Hours

Offerings

In an attempt to serve our students and our community, the UCCS College of Education offers a specialty in Space Studies as part of its well established Science Education Program. This program is offered by the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in collaboration with the Space Foundation. Space Studies courses are offered through the UCCS Extended Education Program. All other courses are offered through the UCCS College of Education.

The program includes classes in Space Studies, Science Education, and Educational Curriculum. A total of 33 course hours are required to complete the C&I Masters, Space Studies in Science Education. Comprehensive Exams are not required; however, students will complete a science education research project as part of the Research Project course CURR 5090.

All courses are offered spring, summer and fall terms at times conveniently designed to fit into the schedule of classroom teachers. Students may work on course work throughout the year in courses offered by the UCCS College of Education.

MA in Curriculum & Instruction-Science Education

The program in Science Education is designed primarily for teachers who wish to improve their science teaching skills or become leaders in the field of science education. It is appropriate for teachers at all levels (K-12) who wish to learn more about applying contemporary science teaching strategies in their schools.

The program is designed to provide classroom teachers with a sound background in current science education research, theory, standards, and practice. Emphasis is placed on utilization of inquiry strategies, manipulative activities, and science process skills as a basis for science instruction. Teachers completing this program will be prepared to: teach science in a self-contained setting, serve as science teachers for schools utilizing departmentalization, serve as science resource teachers at the school or district level, or pursue an advanced degree in science education.

Note: This program is not designed to lead to teacher licensure.

Application and Admissions Requirements

Please visit our website for requirements.

Course Requirements

Science Education - 12-18 Credit Hours

Science Methodology courses offered through the College of Education.

Education - 12-18 Credit Hours

Includes core courses required by the Curriculum and Instruction (C&I), M.A. degree:

Letters, Arts, and Sciences or Space Studies Courses - 0-6 Credit Hours

Includes Space Studies courses, LAS graduate courses, and a limited number of 3000 and 4000 level LAS courses.

Note: Students should consult with their program advisor to assure that courses selected are appropriate for credit in the Science Education program.

Offerings

The Curriculum and Instruction Masters degree specializing in Science Education can be completed in only 30 hours. Schedules are designed to meet the needs of busy teachers.

Science Education courses are offered spring, summer, and fall terms. Students may work on course work throughout the year in courses offered by the UCCS College of Education.

During the Fall and Spring semesters, most courses are offered in the evening to accommodate the schedules of working teachers.

Gifted & Talented Specialist Endorsement

This 26 credit-hour endorsement prepares teachers at all levels to enhance their teaching methodologies in Gifted & Talented education. The Endorsement will require 3 credit hours of practicum work. Optionally, these courses may be applied to a 32 credit-hour General Master of Arts Degree in Curriculum & Instruction.

All courses are offered in a convenient online format. Students may apply for the program and enroll on a rolling basis and begin classes in the semester following acceptance.

Upon completion of the endorsement and practicum credits, students are required to pass the approved PLACE exam prior to licensing.

Application and Admissions Process

Please visit our website for requirements for admissions information.

Required Coursework - 26 Credit Hours

Open Enrollment Recertification Courses

The three open enrollment recertification courses listed below are NOT required for this endorsement and do not require application to the graduate school in order to enroll. The courses are designed to meet specific needs of some GT educators. These courses may be taken in lieu of some required GT courses based on departmental approval.

IT Online Certificate Program

This online certificate prepares teachers at all levels to use technology to enhance their teaching methodologies and reach the next generation of learners, who expect to learn using technology. The program consists of 12 credit hours, all of which are offered online. All courses are offered in a convenient online format and will transfer into our Online Master of Arts Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

For more information, please visit our website.

TESL TEFL Certificate Program

The Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language (TESL/TEFL) Certificate Program consists of four core courses that will give you the foundation and knowledge necessary to work with ELLs. These four courses can be applied toward the 24 credit hour Culturally Linguistically Diverse Education Endorsement (CLDE) endorsement and MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA TESOL) program.

For more information, please visit our website.