Oct 14, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Curriculum and Instruction, M.Ed.


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General Program Information


Lori Meier, Ed.D., Professor and Graduate Coordinator
406 Warf-Pickel Hall
Box 70684
(423) 439-7584
e-mail: meier@etsu.edu

Karin Keith, Ph.D., Department Chair
401A Warf-Pickel Hall
Box 70684
(423) 439-7598
e-mail: keithkj@etsu.edu

Faculty: Stacey Fisher, LaShay Jennings, Karin Keith, Lori Meier, Renee Moran, Ryan Nivens, Jamie Price, Laura Robertson, Natalia Ward, Shuling Yang

The Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction degree program provides a broad opportunity for K-12 education professionals interested in advanced graduate studies as it relates to curriculum and teaching in a variety of educational settings.

The M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction draws from multiple, interdisciplinary perspectives and is grounded in the foundational study of curriculum theory, an introduction to educational research, multicultural education, equity, inquiry, and contemporary scholarship in curriculum and instruction. The M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction seeks to engage and develop scholar-practitioners who embody the values of deep content knowledge, creative and democratic pedagogies, and culturally responsive advocacy working towards equitable and socially just classrooms.

Students are encouraged to tailor their core curriculum with advisor-guided, selected graduate coursework that compliments their professional goals in elementary, middle, and secondary teaching and learning, STEM education, English as a Second Language, and other related educational topics or qualified K-12 add-on endorsement sequences. This program offers a thesis or non-thesis option. 

At ETSU, a culminating experience is required of all master’s degree programs. For the M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, a comprehensive oral examination (pass/fail) is required of all non-thesis students to be conducted during the last semester of enrollment in the program.

This degree is designed for fully certified education professionals and intended for those who already hold a prior degree in education and relevant teacher licensure. Students can choose to complete the program in a full-time or part-time approach during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Most courses are available in an online format to accommodate the needs of beginning and veteran education professionals. The matriculation period allows for a maximum of six years to complete the degree.

This degree does not lead to an initial license to teach in K-12 settings. Those seeking an initial license to teach should pursue an approved initial license program at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Admission Policy

Individuals seeking admission to graduate programs in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction must first meet all general requirements of the School of Graduate Studies. In addition, the following specific admission criteria for the M. Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction program apply:

  1. A candidate who has an undergraduate (or prior graduate degree) GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale for all course work completed is eligible for admission. A candidate who has an undergraduate (or prior graduate degree) GPA of less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale may be considered for admission upon the recommendation of the Graduate Program Coordinator with the understanding that additional provisions may be required. This may include participating in an interview with the admissions committee; the consideration of factors such as teaching experience, standardized tests, or prior graduate coursework taken; evidence of scholarship, recommendation letters from supervisors and colleagues, and examples of oral and written communication skills; and utilization of a probationary semester.
  2. Candidates must submit a 500-1000 word statement of purpose. This essay should describe the candidate’s intentions and motivation for graduate study in curriculum and instruction, their academic and professional goals, as well as their research and scholarly interests.
  3. A candidate must submit a copy of their teaching license.

Articulation Agreement


Students who have completed the STEM K-12 Education Graduate Certificate and subsequently are admitted to the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction may apply up to twelve (12) credits from the STEM K-12 Education Certificate Program.

Curriculum and Instruction, M.Ed. Degree Requirements: 30-33 credits


Core Requirements 18 credits
Advisor-Approved Electives 9-15 credits
   Thesis Option Electives      9 credits 
   Non-Thesis Option Electives     15 credits
Thesis Option 0-6 credits
TOTAL 30-33 credits

Thesis Option: 12-15 credits


Non-Thesis Option: 15 credits


  • Advisor Approved Electives (15 credits)

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