Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction

Concordia’s Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction is designed to provide in-service teachers with additional skills to enhance the teaching and learning processes in their own classrooms. The professional core classes not only study common issues and theories, but also spend time applying such theories to the curriculum used in the teacher’s own classroom.

A professional core, a personalized strand designed to meet the candidate’s personal and professional goals, and a capstone experience are required. Depending on the strand selected, candidates will take between 32 and 38 semester credits to earn the degree. Most candidates can complete the degree in 24-30 months.

Program Objectives

In addition to meeting the objectives for all cu M.Ed. programs, successful candidates in the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction will demonstrate:

  • Familiarity with and utilization of new methods of authentic assessment and strategies as tools to evaluate student learning progress in relation to Oregon’s Common Curriculum Goals and specific district standards
  • The ability to modify instructional plans and promote alternative goals and strategies when necessary, particularly in relation to assessment findings
  • Effective instructional skills in planning, implementing, and assessing instruction in settings that include diverse cultural populations and special needs students

M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction Requirements

Professional Core (23 Credits)

  • EDU 500 Professional Planning Seminar (1)
  • EDU 502 Developing Character throughthe Curriculum (3)
  • EDU 535 Theories of Teaching and Learning (3)
  • EDU 595 Community of Learners (3)
  • EDU 601 Educational Research (3)
  • EDU 602 Contemporary Educational Thought (3)
  • EDU 605 Instructional Leadership andClassroom Evaluation (3)

Capstone Experience (4)

The Master of Education culminates with two courses: either EDU 698, Action Research, or EDU 699 and Thesis EDU 697-Professional Assessment Seminar. Either option provides candidates with an understanding of the role of research in the field of education as a tool to solve problems and as a way to improve student learning. Projects are designed to contribute to the district’s learning community.

Personalized Strands (11 — 15)

Select at least one strand from:

Business Strand (12)

This strand, designed for high school instructors, increases educational acumen regarding current trends and pertinent information in the world of business. Choose 12 graduate semester hours from the offerings in Concordia’s School of Management’s Graduate Catalog.

Early Childhood Education (ECE) Strand (14 — 15)

For those with a strong passion for teaching young children, ages 3 through 8 (pre-kindergarten through primary grades) and who believe that children learn best through active, hands-on learning. Explore current trends and research, design developmentally-appropriate curriculum, and develop skills in advocating for young children.

  • EDU 503 Issues and Advocacy in ECE 3
  • EDU 504 Early Childhood Curriculum:A Constructivist Approach 3
  • EDU 505 Play in Early ChildhoodEducation 3
  • EDU 589 Emerging Literacy 3
  • And select one:
    • EDU 582 Diagnosis and Assessment of Reading 3
    • EDU 584 Young Adult and Children’s Literature 3
    • EDU 599 ECE Practicum (2)*
  • Select this option if adding the authorization level

Health and Physical Education (HPE) Strand (12 — 14)

Elementary PE teachers, middle, and high school teachers will consider pertinent subject matter background as well as the current trends and research relating to the teaching of health and physical education. This strand, with the addition of a practicum and the teaching of a work sample, can be added to an existing license as an additional endorsement with the passing of the Praxis II exams. (3 PE and 2 Health)

  • EDU 514 Instructional Analysis and Development of Teaching HPE (3)
  • EDU 515 Current Issues and Researchin HPE (3)
  • And select three of the following:
    • EDU 516 Authentic and Alternative Assessment in H/PE (2)
    • EDU 517 Innovative Curriculum in H/PE (2)
    • EDU 518 Management and Behavioral Issues in H/PE (2)
    • EDU 519 Diversity in H/PE (2)

Reading Specialist Strand (15)

Enhances instructional skills in the area of reading, provides the knowledge and experience base needed to serve as a reading specialist, and prepares candidates for the TSPC required reading test. Also meets the content requirements for adding a “Reading Specialist Endorsement” to an initial or continuing teaching license. Passing the Praxis II Reading exam (10300) is currently required.

  • EDU 581 Organization and Management ofSchool Reading Programs (3)
  • EDU 582 Diagnosis and Assessment of Reading (3)
  • EDU 583 Advanced Techniques for theTeaching of Reading (3)
  • EDU 584 Young Adult and Children’s Literature (3)
  • EDU 586 Current Issues in Literacy (3)

ESOL — English for Speakers ofOther Languages Strand (13)

A strand for teachers in all authorization levels who want to develop instructional strategies to better accommodate students whose native language is not English. This strand, with the addition of a practicum and the teaching of a work sample, can be added to an existing license as an additional endorsement with the passing of the Praxis II exam.

  • EDU 538 ESOL Methods (3)
  • EDU 539 Linguistics (3)
  • EDU 540 Multicultural Counseling and Education (3)
  • EDU 541 ESOL Curriculum and Technology for Language Acquisition (2)
  • EDU 543 ESOL Educational Assessment Seminar (2)

Leadership Strand (12)

This strand is designed for classroom teachers on any authorization level who desire a leadership role in their school communities and who may wish to identify state and national education priorities that will help them and their schools to move confidently into the future.

Choose one:

  • EDU 520 Curriculum Design and Assessment (3)
  • EDU 571 Web-enhanced curriculum (3)
  • EDU 622 School Law (3)
  • EDU 620 School Community Partnerships (3)
  • EDU 626 Organizational Change (3)

Methods and Curriculum Strand (12)

This is an elective program for all classroom teachers who desire strengthening instructional skills in a curricular area of their choice.

Select four of the following:

  • EDU 514 Instructional Analysis andDev. of Teaching H/PE (3)
  • EDU 515 Current Issues and Researchin H/PE (3)
  • EDU 520 Curriculum Design andAssessment (3)
  • EDU 530D Educational Technology (3)
  • EDU 571 Web-enhanced Curriculum (3)
  • EDU 577 Hands on Math/Science (3)
  • EDU 580 Teaching Language Arts andSocial Studies (3)
  • EDU 582 Diagnosis and Assessment (3)
  • EDU 584 Young Adult and Children’s Literature (3)
  • EDU 586 Current Issues in Literacy (3)
  • EDU 589 Emergent Literacy (3)