Curriculum & Instruction
Become an educational leader in the classroom.
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Curriculum & Instruction, M.Ed. Overview
Gain a deeper understanding of education and prepare for an instructional or leadership role with University of West Florida’s online master’s in curriculum and instruction program. With the ability to specialize in either elementary, middle school or secondary school education, you can expand your skills to further promote lifelong learning and long-term growth. Taught by faculty who are well-versed in the field, our program is designed to provide a versatile experience while replicating scenarios educators experience in the classroom. The program allows you to earn your master’s degree to continue teaching or prepare for a doctorate in education.
The master’s in curriculum and instruction online program teaches you key topics including:
- Biological, social and psychological issues challenging child development and learning
- The needs of exceptional students and the best evidence-based practices for promoting student success
- Systematic models of classroom management and their benefits
- Various concepts of educational assessment
- Identifying, examining and interpreting empirical research and applying peer-reviewed research conclusions in practice
- Blending various content areas to maximize student learning and meet student needs
UWF’s online master’s in curriculum and instruction does not provide teacher certification.
Candidates for This Program Include:
- Working teachers who need a master’s degree to continue teaching
- Teachers seeking to gain additional experience or specialized information
- Students wanting long-term growth and lifelong learning
Learning Outcomes
- Interpret, examine and assess professional research to identify relevant evidence-based practices to enhance student outcomes
- Support student learning and continuous improvement through the communication of student achievement data to students and their parents
- Develop and provide effective instruction to satisfy student learning needs
Courses and Requirements
UWF’s online curriculum master’s degree program includes a total of 33 credit hours. Through 21 credit hours, you’ll explore key topics in curriculum and instruction and educational research. You can then choose one of three cognate areas: elementary education, middle level education or secondary education. Every cognate is not available every semester. Please keep in mind that course rotations might limit the availability of some options.
- EDF 6691 - Issues of Diversity in Education: A Bio-Psycho-Social-Cultural Perspective
3 Credit Hours
Issues of Diversity in Education: A Bio-Psycho-Social-Cultural Perspective
This course presents a holistic approach to understanding various theories of learning and development. The biological, psychological and social factors that affect human development and learning will be emphasized. Students will explore various issues in education and best practices in the classroom with an emphasis on diversity.
- EEX 6051 - Exceptionalities
3 Credit Hours
Exceptionalities
This course provides an introduction to special education including legislation, professional practices, trends and research. Students will learn about characteristics and educational needs of individuals with disabilities and explore evidence-based practices that support student success.
- EDG 6415 - Issues in Classroom Management
3 Credit Hours
Issues in Classroom Management
This course is designed for educators with existing capacity regarding classroom management and is intended to advance their understanding and develop a knowledge of systematic models of classroom management. The content will focus on shaping teacher behaviors and structuring the classroom for success. Additionally, focus will be placed on recognizing the various and competing philosophies of classroom management and the benefits of using a systematic model within a classroom or school.
- EDG 6662 - Principles of Curriculum and Instruction
3 Credit Hours
Principles of Curriculum and Instruction
This is an advanced curriculum course for graduate-level education students. This course is designed to give educators a comprehensive overview of the field of curriculum and instruction, including the influence of educational philosophies, curriculum theories, significant social forces and learning theories about how knowledge, skills and dispositions are constructed and transferred. It is a practical guide for curriculum development, instructional applications and curriculum evaluation.
- EDF 6691 - Issues of Diversity in Education: A Bio-Psycho-Social-Cultural Perspective
- EDG 6918 - Introduction to Research
3 Credit Hours
Introduction to Research
This course is designed to provide foundational knowledge about qualitative and quantitative methods for conducting meaningful inquiry and research in the social sciences. Students will gain an understanding of research intent and design, methodology and technique, data management and analysis, and format and presentation. The purpose of the course is to explore selected types of research and related techniques to provide students with the basic skills and knowledge to develop a research plan.
- EDG 6916 - Applied Research
3 Credit Hours
Applied Research
This investigative experience is designed for students to synthesize research related to a specific area of inquiry and examine the strengths and weaknesses of the research and the implication related to educational practices. Prerequisite: RED 6747 OR EDG 6918
- EDG 6918 - Introduction to Research
A cognate can be described as a secondary concentration or sub-specialization area. Students enrolled in the Middle Level or Secondary specialization may opt to incorporate the online certificate in Professional Education into the cognate. The M.Ed. in C&I with the professional education certificate is designed to provide the course work that — in conjunction with successful completion of Florida Teacher Certification Examinations, one year of successful teaching experience, and successful completion of a district-approved competence demonstration program for first year teachers — allows for converting a three-year non-renewable temporary certification to a five-year renewable professional certification. Students enrolled in the Elementary specialization are not eligible to enroll in the certificate.
Other cognates are offered from time-to-time, based on student interest and faculty availability. Students should contact their academic advisor or the department chairperson to discuss other potential cognates, which may include the following: Instructional Leadership, Professional Training Option, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission into UWF’s online M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction program, you must:
- Have or are seeking a professional teaching certification*
- Have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with an institutional GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the last 60 hours of coursework in the baccalaureate degree
*Applicants to the Professional Training Option must meet the FLDOE subject area requirements for certification in middle or secondary English, math, science or social sciences.
How to Apply
To apply for admission to this program, you first need to submit an application for graduate admission (plus a $30 application fee) and be accepted for admission into the University of West Florida. In addition, you must:
- Submit official transcripts confirming a bachelor’s degree from an institution whose accrediting agency is included on the list of UWF approved accrediting agencies
- Submit a letter of intent that includes the following information: your background, short- and long-term goals, educational issues/problems of interest, skills and experiences they bring to the program, and commitment to diversity and cultural competency
Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Connect with one of our knowledgeable enrollment counselors.
Costs & Financial Aid
| Component | Cost | Total* |
|---|---|---|
| Full Online Program Tuition | $416.50 per credit hour | $13,744.50 |
| Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 6) | $416.50 per credit hour | $11,245.50 |
Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes up to three semesters to complete, depending on transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 844.372.9390 or request information.
Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.
* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Military Students
UWF proudly serves active duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant of the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.
See How We Can Serve YouFinancial Aid
Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.
Learn More About Financial AidCareer Outcomes
Upon completion of our curriculum master’s degree, you can pursue a variety of careers within the field.
* Salary and job outlook information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Literacy and Reading Coach (Instructional Coordinator)
Instructional coordinators develop curricula and instructional material and manage teaching standards. They analyze student data, evaluate curriculum effectiveness, and train teachers and staff on new school programs. Through 2032, employment is projected to increase 2 percent, and the median annual wage is $74,620.
Elementary School Teachers
Elementary school teachers develop lesson plans and educate young students in basic areas such as reading, science, social studies and mathematics. Elementary school teachers earn a median salary of $63,670 per year, and employment is expected to grow 1 percent through 2032.
High School Teachers
High school teachers prepare their students for colleges, universities, trade schools and future employment. They develop lesson plans, teach classes, grade assignments, assess behaviors and strengths, supervise students and collaborate with other teachers. Usually, high school teachers have a specialty in one or more subject areas. These teachers made a median annual salary of $65,220 in 2023, and jobs are expected to grow 1 percent through 2032.