Mission Statement

The Curriculum and Instruction program at West College of Education is committed to faculty and student participation in scholarly discourse on all issues related to teaching and learning and to exploring the relationship between theory and practice in a variety of educational contexts. The faculty value life-long learning, community, collaboration, diversity, inquiry, and reflection.

Toward this end, we are committed to enhancing the ability of professional educators to meet the needs of a changing society by providing an innovative, logically organized program of educational experiences that are framed by a coherent core of research and foundational knowledge and that model exemplary teaching strategies grounded in inquiry and reflective practice. The faculty are also committed to active engagement in scholarship, service, and outreach while seeking opportunities to examine and integrate diverse educational perspectives through university, community, and statewide collaboration.

The Master of Education degree with a major in curriculum and instruction is designed to develop professional skills and knowledge. The graduate program requires 36 semester hours and is a non-thesis program. Candidates are required to conduct an action research project and to write a formal report of that research to be approved by their graduate committee.

Comprehensive Written Examination: All candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive written examination. Candidates become eligible to take the comprehensive written examination when they have completed all required course work successfully or during the semester in which they will complete their course work (with the approval of the student's graduate committee). Candidates must complete the examination in the manner, on the date, and at the place specified by the college. Comprehensive written examinations will be offered each April, August, and November. Candidates have two attempts to successfully complete the comprehensive written exam.

The comprehensive written examination consists of 4 (essay) questions supplied by the candidate's graduate committee. These questions are drawn from the essential content of the candidate's degree program. Candidates are allowed 4 hours to complete the examination. Exams will be reviewed by the candidate's graduate committee and marked as either pass or fail. In the event of a failed exam, the candidate will receive detailed feedback and suggestions for improvement from the graduate committee.

 

Course Requirements
  • EDUC 5053 Introduction to Educational Research
  • EDUC 5623 Mentoring
  • EDUC 5633 Curriculum Theory and Practice
  • EDUC 6013 Trends and Issues in Learning and Teaching
  • EDUC 6753 Applied Research
  • ETEC 5133 Technology Integration*
*Basic computer application skills and permission of instructor required.

Option I

Resource Area:

6 hours of electives that provide support for teaching as approved by the program coordinator.

Minor*:

12 graduate hours from: Biology, Early Childhood Education, Educational Technology, History, Mathematics, Political Science, Reading, or Teacher Leadership.

Option II

Minor*:

18 graduate hours as prescribed by the Bilingual Education program, or in a field related to the public schools: Biology, English, History, Mathematics, and Political Science.

Note:

*See section for prescribed courses.