Modality: Face-to-Face, Hybrid, Online
Concordia University Chicago’s Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with Endorsement provides graduate candidates with an innovative, world-class learning experience. Courses are taught by experienced education leaders and scholars, who assist candidates throughout a rigorous degree track by stressing the importance of integrity, competence, and servant leadership.
Faculty methods utilize the latest technology and enhance student learning through real-world applications using multiple instructional models. We establish a critical theoretical and practical approach for well-rounded learning environments, which prepare candidates for success in the field of education.
The Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with Endorsement is directed toward the preparation of master classroom teachers looking to concentrate on curriculum and instruction in conjunction with a specialized endorsement. This program enables teachers to increase mastery of curriculum methodology, pedagogy, and theoretical applications and apply these skills to their teaching and their endorsement specialization.
Candidates will:
- Reflect on the relationship between theory and pedagogical approaches in one’s practice;
- Engage in critical analysis of current educational issues and policies;
- Develop a knowledge base in curriculum theory and practice and develop a capacity to design, implement, and evaluate instructional programs;
- Become familiar with current research on and theory in the instruction of exceptional learners;
- Understand the practical facets of conducting applied classroom research including the collection and assessment of data;
- Develop an understanding of enduring ethical, philosophical, and educational issues;
- Participate in endorsement coursework to become a master teacher of an area of specialization;
- Tailor their program based on their educational goals and needs via specialization with endorsement credits.
Concordia University Chicago offers a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with Endorsement with the following Endorsement Specializations:
- Early Childhood Endorsement (36 credit hours)
- Early Childhood Special Education Approval (36 credit hours)
- Gifted Education Teacher Endorsement (36 credit hours)
- Reading Teacher Endorsement (36 credit hours)
- Teacher Leader Endorsement (39 credit hours)
General Graduate Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Concordia University Chicago graduate programs as published in the Concordia University Chicago academic catalog.
New students are accepted into most graduate degree-seeking, certificate, endorsement and/or post-graduate programs for online and on-campus study in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Students seeking to change programs may do so by submitting a Change-of-Program quick app. Applicants must be in good academic standing according to Concordia University Chicago’s satisfactory academic progress standards and meet published program admission requirements at the time of requesting a program change. Program changes will be processed and recorded for the subsequent semester.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core (12 semester hours) | ||
| EDU-6110 | Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction | 3 |
| EDU-6380 | Assessment, Evaluation and Data-Driven Decision Making | 3 |
| EDU-6500 | Curriculum Construction | 3 |
| EDU-6525 | Teacher as Practitioner | 3 |
| Choose one endorsement area below (18 -21 semester hours) | ||
| Capstone (6 semester hours) | ||
| EDU-6640 | Teacher as Researcher: Capstone I 1,2 | 3 |
| or EDU-6641 | Teacher as Researcher: Capstone I (Intermediate) | |
| or EDU-6642 | Teacher as Researcher: Capstone I (Advanced) | |
| EDU-6556 | Seminar in Reflective Practice: Capstone II 1,2 | 3 |
| or EDU-6557 | Seminar in Reflective Practice: Capstone II (Intermediate) | |
| or EDU-6558 | Seminar in Reflective Practice: Capstone II (Advanced) | |
| Total Hours | 36-39 | |
- 1
These courses are offered in a sequence and cannot be taken concurrently during the same part of term. Students will complete all other courses before the capstone sequence. Please contact your GPS, and view Degree Works and your cohort template for more information.
- 2
Students in their first Curriculum and Instruction program at CUC will take EDU-6640 and EDU-6556 as the capstone experience. Students who previously earned select MA-Curriculum and Instruction degree(s)* from CUC must take EDU-6641 and EDU-6557 (Intermediate), or EDU-6642 and EDU-6558 (Advanced), as the capstone experience to demonstrate proficiency. The credit from a capstone experience from one program cannot apply to multiple program(s).
*MA-Curriculum and Instruction, MA-Curriculum and Instruction: Trauma and Resiliency, MA-Educational Technology: Curriculum and Instruction, or Curriculum and Instruction with Endorsement.
Endorsement Areas
Early Childhood Education Endorsement
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education Endorsement | 18 semester hours | |
| ECE-6100 | Early Childhood Curriculum and Content, Ages 3-5 | 3 |
| ECE-6105 | Observation and Assessment | 3 |
| ECE-6115 | Infant and Toddler Curriculum | 3 |
| ECE-6160 | Child, Family and Multicultural Community | 3 |
| ECE-6180 | Trends and Methods in ECE in Literacy | 3 |
| ECE-6320 | Child Development and Ethics in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement | 18 semester hours | |
| SPED-6500 | Family and Community Relationships in Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| SPED-6510 | Language Development in Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| SPED-6520 | Special Education Assessment for Early Childhood Educators | 3 |
| SPED-6530 | Special Education Methods for Early Childhood Educators | 3 |
| SPED-6540 | Early Intervention Methods and Transitional Planning | 3 |
| SPED-6892 | Early Childhood Special Education Practicum | 3 |
Gifted Education Endorsement
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Gifted Education Endorsement | 18 semester hours | |
| EDU-6710 | Giftedness, Research & Policy | 3 |
| EDU-6715 | Curriculum Development for Gifted and Talented Learners | 3 |
| EDU-6720 | Identification, Assessment and Evaluation of Instructional Models for Gifted Learners | 3 |
| EDU-6725 | Differentiated Instruction for Gifted and Talented Learners | 3 |
| EDU-6735 | Assessing Gifted and Talented Students | 3 |
| EDU-6745 | Gifted and Talented Practicum (PK-12) | 3 |
Reading Teacher Endorsement
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Teacher Endorsement | 18 semester hours | |
| EDU-6212 | Studies in Literacy and Multiliteracy | 3 |
| EDU-6230 | Content Reading: Middle and Secondary Schools | 3 |
| EDU-6234 | Assessment of Reading with Remedial Materials and Resources | 6 |
| EDU-6298 | Reading Practicum Using Developmental Instruction and Support | 6 |
Teacher Leader Endorsement
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Leader Endorsement | 21 Semester Hours | |
| EDL-6120 | Supervision and Improvement of Instruction | 3 |
| EDL-6130 | School Evaluation and Change Process | 3 |
| EDL-6140 | Curriculum and Assessment: Framework for Student Learning | 3 |
| EDL-6310 | School, Families and Community Partnerships | 3 |
| EDL-6725 | Teacher Leadership: Building Collaborative Relationships | 3 |
| EDL-6775 | Leading School Based Professional Learning Communities (PLC's) | 3 |
| EDL-6988 | Teacher Leader Practicum | 3 |
Capstone Experience
As the final capstone experience for the master’s program, candidates will be required to design and implement a teacher research project around the teaching and learning within their classrooms or schools. Students will master the content and skills required to complete this action research capstone in the last two courses in the program.
Graduation Requirements
- Have on file an application for this master's degree program.
- Have on file one official transcript from EACH college/university attended of all previous coursework taken.
- Complete, for the degree being sought:
- the credit hours and levels as designated,
- within the specified time limit,
- with grades of C- or higher (grades of C or higher required for MAT programs),
- with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Students completing multiple advanced programs or degrees at CUC must have a 3.0 GPA in each academic program in addition to a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Have on file approved “Graduate Transfer Credit Approval” form(s), "Course Substitution" form(s), or evaluation(s), if applicable.
- Have on file the Intent to Graduate/Complete form with the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline.
- Have on file, if applicable, necessary copies of a project, portfolio, thesis or dissertation.
- Approval of the faculty.
- All administrative obligations to CUC must be cleared in order to prompt the release of CUC transcripts and diploma(s).
Every attempt has been made to include information to aid the student with information about his/her program, degree and graduation/completion requirements. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to complete all steps and meet all deadlines relevant to graduation requirements.
This program does not lead to initial Illinois licensure (PEL) but will, through direct university entitlement, lead to an additional credential on your existing PEL. The awarding of this credential will require the completion of this academic program and an existing and active PEL, and may require a passing score on the corresponding Illinois State Licensure Test(s), associated work experience, a previous master's degree, and completion of a state training academy. For specific requirements regarding this credential please refer to ISBE’s webpage or contact the Licensure Officer at licensure@cuchicago.edu.