Program Overview and Specializations

The Curriculum and Instruction Program faculty is strongly committed to the integration of theory, research, policy, and practice throughout the program. The interdisciplinary core will expose you to multiple educational perspectives on issues of design and policy.

The Specializations of the Curriculum and Instruction Program include Early Childhood, Elementary Education, and Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). There is a Program emphasis on advanced graduate study of educational assessment, literacy, curriculum change, and policy. The faculty will mentor you in your professional development and scholarship, which are critical for positions in higher education and curriculum leadership. Students within each of the three Specializations receive thorough grounding in the leadership issues in their disciplines, research methodology, and curriculum.

Culture, Language, and Literacy (TESOL)

This specialization prepares you to conduct research in second language acquisition, instructional methods, assessment and evaluation, and programmatic issues related to linguistically and culturally diverse students. You also learn effective ways of educating English language learners,preparing you for academic positions in the United States and abroad.

Curriculum Evaluation and Research

In this specialization, you learn how curriculum, evaluation, and teaching are shaped by social, cultural, political, and other forces. You develop the skills and strategies you need to evaluate curriculum and improve ongoing programs as you prepare for a career as an evaluator, scholar, or researcher in an academic, governmental, or research setting.

Early Childhood Education

This specialization prepares you to conduct research on the care, education, and welfare of children. You also learn to design and provide programs and services that are developmentally appropriate for children of varying ability, culture, and language.

Elementary Education Specialization

This specialization prepares you to work at the elementary level(kindergargen through sixth grade) in urban,multicultural environments where policy decisions,issues,and curriculum development require careful study and analysis.

Reading, Language, and Cognition

This program prepares you to conduct research relating to literacy instruction, literacy assessment, and life-long literacy acquisition. You learn to design, implement, and evaluate literacy programs, programs for training literacy educators, and policy.