Master of Arts Degree in Curriculum and Instruction (C & I)
with an Emphasis in K-12 Mathematics & Science Education
Major Code: EDCI
This program is designed to support teachers who are interested in developing greater understanding and expertise in the teaching and learning of mathematics and science. The program helps teachers develop their own content knowledge in mathematics and science, as well as greater understanding of how curriculum and instructional strategies can be tailored to foster k-12 students’ understanding of mathematics and science.
Who Enrolls in the Program?
Typical candidates in the program are practicing teachers. Some enroll in the program in conjunction with their participation in a CU-sponsored professional development opportunity offered in collaboration with local school districts: Partners in Education (PIE). The PIE program is intended for teachers who are at the early stages of their career. For more information on this program, contact Debbie Hearty, Campus Box 249, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, 303-492-8499, Debbie.Hearty@Colorado.edu.
Admission Requirements
1. Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
2. Have a minimum 2.75 undergraduate grade point average (GPA) and in all previous coursework in Education.
3. Have a minimum 3.0 GPA for all post-baccalaureate work.
4. Teaching experience is strongly recommended, and an elementary or secondary teaching license is preferred.
(Note: Admission to all graduate programs in the School of Education is competitive. Meeting minimum admission criteria does not guarantee admission.)
Master’s Degree Requirements
1. Students must successfully complete 30 semester hours of approved coursework while maintaining at least a B (3.0) average in all work attempted while enrolled.
2. During the final semester (or after completing at least 21 credits in the degree program), students enroll in the capstone course, EDUC 6964 Inquiry in the Content Areas, where they must successfully complete a teacher research project/major paper.
3. The master’s degree must be completed within four years.
Course Work Requirements
Students develop a degree plan in consultation with their faculty advisor, typically in their first semester. The frequency of individual course offerings varies; therefore, candidates should plan ahead so that the required 30 semester hours are completed within the four year limit. Approved coursework meets the following distribution requirements:
Semester Hours |
Area of Focus |
3 |
Learning and Development |
3 |
Foundations of Education, Curriculum, or Educational Research |
12 |
Curriculum and Instruction |
9 |
Electives |
3 |
Capstone Course (must have 21 credit hours completed to enroll) |
Choose at least 3 semester hours focused on learning and/or development (suggested courses):
- EDUC 6318-3 Psychological Foundations of Education
- EDUC 6328-3 Advanced Growth and Development
- EDUC 6338-3 Cognitive Processes in Education
- EDUC 5105-3 Teaching for Understanding and Equity
Choose at least 3 semester hours focused on foundations of education, curriculum, or educational research (suggested courses):
- EDUC 5065-3 Curriculum Theories
- EDUC 5075-3 Sociology of Education
- EDUC 5085-3 History of Education
- EDUC 5115-3 Issues in School Change and Reform
- EDUC 5726-3 Introduction to Disciplined Inquiry
- EDUC 6220-3 Gender Issues in Education
- EDUC 6325-3 Culture & Ethnography of Education
- EDUC 7055-3 Philosophy of Education
- EDUC 7446-3 Policy Issues in Education
Choose at least 12 semester hours focused on curriculum and instruction in teaching mathematics or science:
- EDUC 5070-3 Spirituality, Religion & Education
- EDUC 5317-3 Nature of Mathematics Education
- EDUC 5315-3 Nature of Science and Science Education
- EDUC 5580-3 Physics and Everyday Thinking
- EDUC 5706-3 Assessment in Mathematics and Science
- EDUC 5810-3 Number Sense for Teachers
- EDUC 5820-3 Algebraic Thinking for Teachers
- EDUC 5830-3 Geometry and Measurement for Teachers
- EDUC 5840-3 Probability & Statistics for Teachers
- EDUC 6804-3 Special Topics
An additional 9 semester hours of electives are required. Electives may be selected from any School of Education program area with the agreement of the advisor. Students may also wish to deepen their content knowledge in mathematics or science by taking courses in the Arts & Sciences at the 3000-or-above level if taught by graduate faculty. A maximum of 6 credit hours may be completed at the 3000 or 4000 level.
A 3 semester hour capstone course, EDUC 6964 Inquiry in the Content Areas is required. Students must have 21 credit hours completed prior to enrollment in the capstone course. The capstone course is always offered in the spring semester and some fall semesters. Students who plan to graduate in summer must enroll in spring semester. Students who plan to graduate in fall semester should check with their advisor one year prior to graduation to determine when to enroll in the capstone course.
PIE Candidates
Candidates participating in the PIE Program are required to enroll in:
- EDUC 6915-3 Practicum
- EDUC 8935-3 Internship
- EDUC 5095-3 Teachers as Researchers
- 3 semester hours in Learning and Development
- 3 semester hours in Foundations in Education and Curriculum
- 12 semester hours in Curriculum and Instruction
- 3 semester hours in Capstone Course
Comprehensive Exam
The master’s comprehensive examination requirement is satisfied by the successful completion of the teacher research project/paper completed in the Capstone Course, EDUC 6964 Inquiry in the Content Areas. The teacher research project and paper is evaluated by both the course instructor and at least one outside reader who holds a graduate appointment. Students must be registered for the comprehensive examination during the semester they complete the teacher researcher project/major paper.
Transfer of Credit
1. Students who began CU’s Teacher Education Program as Post-Baccalaureate Students may transfer two of the following courses as electives
- EDUC 5205-3 Mathematics in the Elementary Classroom
- EDUC 5215-3 Science Education in the Elementary Classroom
- EDUC 5317-3 Nature of Mathematics Education
- EDUC 5375-4 Methods in Secondary Mathematics
- EDUC 5315-3 Nature of Science and Science Education
- EDUC 5385-4 Methods in Secondary Science
[Note: Those transferring from secondary programs will transfer 7 credits; therefore, they will complete a 31-credit master’s degree.]
2. Students who began CU’s Teacher Education Program as Undergraduate Students may be eligible to transfer two of the courses listed in item one above. Contact the Teacher Education Student Advisor or the Graduate Program Assistant.
3. Students who completed initial teacher preparation at another institution may transfer credit under the following guidelines. Transfer credits from accredited institutions are accepted by CU Boulder only after approval by the department chair/program director and under the special conditions outlined in the Graduate School Rules. Transfer credit is defined as any credit earned at another accredited institution, credits earned on another campus of the CU system, or credits earned as a non-degree student within the CU system. The maximum amount of work that may be transferred from another accredited institution to CU Boulder is nine semester hours and is accepted only after approval of the program director. All courses accepted for transfer must be graduate level courses. A course in which a grade of B- or lower was received will not be accepted for transfer. Transfer course work must have been completed in the five years prior to acceptance to the program. Credit may not be transferred until the student has completed 6 credits of graduate level course work as a degree-seeking student on the CU Boulder campus with a 3.0 GPA.
Degree Plan Advisor Checklist
Master’s in C & I with an Emphasis in Mathematics/Science Education
Application:
Individuals interested in graduate programs in the School of Education must seek admission to the Graduate School of the University of Colorado at Boulder. Materials for admission to the Graduate School are available from the School of Education website:
http://www.colorado.edu/education/prospective/gradmasters.html
If you have specific questions regarding the program or application process, please contact our general information number 303-492-6555 or e-mail: Edadvise@Colorado.EDU. Please specify the program to which you wish to apply.
Deadlines:
The following are the deadlines for submitting complete application materials. Any applications completed after the deadline will be processed only if program openings still exist.
Summer Term — February 1
Fall Semester — February 1
Spring Semester — September 1
Program Advisors :
Mathematics
Jeffrey Frykholm, Associate Professor (PhD Curriculum and Instruction, University of Wisconsin).
Contact: 303-492-7749, e-mail: Jeff.Frykholm@colorado.edu
Research Interests: algebraic reasoning, mathematics education, professional development, learning to teach
Vicki Hand, Assistant Professor, (PhD Curriculum & Instruction, Stanford University)
Contact: 303-492-7738, e-mail: victoria.hand@colorado.edu
Research interests: equity in mathematics, mathematics education
David Webb, Assistant Professor (PhD Curriculum and Instruction, University of Wisconsin).
Contact: 303-492-0306, e-mail: mailto:DCWebb@colorado.edu.
Research Interests: classroom assessment, curriculum design, globalization of mathematics education, mathematics education, professional development, standards and reform
Science
Erin Furtak, Assistant Professor, (PhD Curriculum & Instruction, Stanford University)
Contact: 303.492.4242, e-mail: erin.furtak@colorado.edu
Research interests: science education.
Laura Moin,Assistant Professor (PhD Secondary Science Education, University of Pittsburgh).
Contact: 303-492-8554, e-mail: Laura.Moin@colorado.edu
Research Interests: assessment, cognitive development, cultural issues, curriculum development, teacher education, science education, science education for special education; science learning environments, science teacher recruitment and retention, professional development
Valerie Otero, Associate Professor (PhD Mathematics and Science education, University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University).
Contact: 303-492-7403, e-mail: Valerie.Otero@Colorado.edu
Research Interests: science education, science teacher recruitment and retention, technology in classrooms, socio-cultural learning theory
For a listing of all C & I faculty, please click here.
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