Mar 28, 2024  
Graduate Record 2009-2010 
    
Graduate Record 2009-2010 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education


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The Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education provides educational programs for individuals concerned with the development and delivery of curriculum and instruction in schools and specialized educational institutions for all learners, including those with special needs. The department provides leadership within the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation in areas related to curriculum, instruction, and special education. Programs in the department that supply licensure and endorsements are considered part of Teacher Education (elementary education, secondary education, reading education, and special education). These programs offer master’s degrees (M.Ed. or M.T.).  The Department follows all policies and guidelines established by the Curry School of Education; additional information can be found on the Curry website.

Graduate education programs that are non-licensure related are organized into four units:

Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning offers the M.Ed., the Ed.D., and the Ph.D. degrees. This unit contains programs that would traditionally fall under Curriculum and Instruction or Elementary Education.

Language, Literacy, and Cultural Studies offers the M.Ed., and the Ph.D. degrees. This unit contains programs that would traditionally be considered English Education, Language Education, Reading Education, and Social Studies Education.

Science, Technology, and Mathematics offers the M.Ed. and the Ph.D. degrees. This unit contains programs that would traditionally be considered Science Education and Mathematics Education.

Special Education offers the M.Ed., the Ed.S., and the Ph.D. degrees.

Teacher Education: Programs Leading to Licensure and Endorsement


Elementary Education


The elementary education (PreK-6) program is designed to assist individuals in obtaining a degree and initial licensure (M.T.). The elementary education programs can also assist individuals in meeting re-certification requirements or in adding endorsements to existing certificates.

Secondary Education


Secondary Education programs include English Education, Mathematics Education, Science Education, and Social Studies Education in grades 6-12 and Foreign Language Education in grades K-12.

English Education


The post-baccalaureate Master of Teaching (M.T.) degree initial licensure program prepares prospective teachers of English. Building on the students’ undergraduate English studies, students investigate the social and psychological context for teaching English at the secondary level, explore concepts of curriculum and instructional models, and pursue in-depth study of effective methodologies for teaching language, literature, and writing. The program of study involves practicum experience, emphasizes an integrated conceptualization of secondary English curriculum, and stresses the importance of multicultural awareness in all aspects of planning and instruction. Opportunities exist for individual direction, both within course parameters and in independent study. Study also includes graduate courses in English. The prerequisite for admission is a B.A. in English or the equivalent.

Foreign Language Education


The Master of Teaching (M.T.) program in foreign language education (K-12) prepares prospective teachers of foreign languages by building on the students’ undergraduate foreign language major. The M.T. program follows the model of the secondary programs and includes preparation in pedagogy, as well as advanced course work in one or more languages and practical teaching experiences in schools under the supervision of University personnel. Students applying to the MT program in foreign languages are required to take speaking and writing proficiency tests in their target language, and final admission to the program is contingent upon the results of these tests. For graduation, the satisfactory proficiency score is Advanced Low (American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language Scale). Students who score below that rating on the diagnostic test will be expected to develop a plan of action to improve their language skills and retake the test as needed.

Mathematics Education


The Master of Teaching (M.T.) program in mathematics education prepares prospective teachers of mathematics by building on the students’ undergraduate mathematics studies. The M.T. program in mathematics education includes preparation in pedagogy and technology, as well as advanced course work in mathematics and practical teaching experiences in the schools under the supervision of University personnel.

Science Education


The Science Education Program provides preparation in science and science teaching methods for students in the Master of Teaching Program and results in initial licensure and endorsement in a particular area of science.

Social Studies Education


The purpose of M.T.  Social Studies Education program is to prepare social studies teachers for middle school and secondary education social studies positions.

English as a Second Language


ESL is provided as an add-on endorsement to any approved program or existing license. Students wishing to pursue ESL endorsement should speak to their Curry School advisor and contact the Teacher Education Office for approval

Graduate Units


Students who pursue advanced studies in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education generally have one of three goals. Applicants may be seeking to extend their preparation for teaching (M.Ed.), preparing for the conduct of original research, in university/college settings or at research-and-development centers, agencies, or organizations, or preparing to become a teacher educator at a university or college level. The CISE Ph.D. programs, all requiring full-time enrollment, include coursework, a research apprenticeship, and practical experiences to prepare graduates to produce original research that contributes to the knowledge base in their respective fields and/or to teacher education in general. The Ph.D. also prepares graduates to provide effective leadership in these areas.  For those who plan to work in colleges and universities, the Ph.D. program additionally prepares graduates to educate professionals with evidence-based practice as the base.

Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning


Offered for experienced teachers, the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree program is designed to provide each participant with an individually tailored set of experiences for in-depth professional study consistent with his or her professional goals. Beyond a core of required courses, there is ample flexibility for the student and advisor to plan an appropriate course of study.

Applicants for doctoral work are generally experienced educators. Ph.D. graduates typically assume positions as faculty in colleges and universities; Ed.D. graduates generally serve as supervisors and/or leaders of curriculum and instruction improvement in school divisions or as program specialists in human service agencies. The emphasis for both doctoral tracks is on analysis and evaluation of teaching, design and evaluation of educational programs, and processes of change.

The Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning Ed.D., the only doctoral program that can be pursued either full- or part-time, focuses on practical strategies for inquiry and serves to prepare individuals for positions such as supervisors and coordinators who direct programs at the local, county, or state level

Language, Literacy, and Cultural Studies


English Education



The Master of Education degree program extends the preparation of experienced teachers of English or language arts. With the teacher’s experience as the point of departure, the M.Ed. candidate deepens pedagogical inquiry and extends existing background in English studies through graduate-level English and English education courses. The program explores current methodologies and research-based practice and emphasizes the multicultural dimension of literature, composition, and language study. Opportunities exist for researching individual interests both within existing course parameters and in independent study. Prerequisites for admission are two years of teaching experience or satisfactory completion of student teaching (or an equivalent classroom internship), along with an undergraduate major in English or its equivalent.

The Ph.D. in English Education prepares candidates for a variety of leadership positions in public schools, government agencies, corporations, community colleges, and universities (e.g., university administrators, professors, and researchers; community college instructors and administrators; writers; corporate specialists in technical writing and instructional design;; and officers in state or national educational agencies). The program design is flexible, including courses in English education combined with courses in English and other supporting areas. Also required are practica in conducting college classes and/or supervising student teachers, a dissertation, and a written comprehensive examination in English education designed in consultation with the degree candidate and faculty advisor. For admission, in addition to the requisite application, recommendations, GRE scores, and transcripts, the candidate must have completed a master’s degree or its equivalent, preferably in English or English education, and must have completed at least two years of full-time successful teaching, preferably at the secondary school level.

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