We are currently not accepting new students for 2024-25. We will update this page when we are open again for new students. 


The Master's in Curriculum & Instruction supports educators who are interested in developing greater understanding and expertise in the teaching and learning of three areas: Literacy Education, Math & Science, or Humanities Education. The programs prepare students to understand the complexities of classroom contexts and teaching practice in relation to education goals of equity, democracy, and justice.

The Humanities Education track supports educators who are interested in developing greater understanding and expertise in the teaching and learning of the humanities. Within this concentration, you will strengthen discipline-specific content knowledge, knowledge for teaching humanities, and a greater understanding of how curriculum and instructional approaches can be tailored to foster students’ understanding of concepts and questions about human experience and culture that invite a multidisciplinary response.

Program Requirements

Students must successfully complete 30 credit hours of approved coursework while maintaining at least a B (3.0) average in all work attempted while enrolled.

3 credit hours of learning and development courses. Eligible courses include:

  • EDUC 6318 Psychological Foundations of Education
  • EDUC 6328 Advanced Child Growth and Educational Development
  • EDUC 5105 Teaching for Understanding and Equity

3 credit hours of foundations of education curriculum courses. Eligible courses include:

  • EDUC 5065 Curriculum Theories
  • EDUC 6220 Gender Issues in Education
  • EDUC 5075 Sociology in Education
  • EDUC 6230 Ethics in Education
  • EDUC 5085 History of American Education
  • EDUC 6235 Anthropology of Education
  • EDUC 5115 Issues in School Change and Reform
  • EDUC 7055 Philosophy of Education
  • EDUC 5726 Introduction to Disciplined Inquiry
  • EDUC 7446 Seminar: Policy Issues in Education
  • EDUC 6210 Education Policy and the Law

12 credit hours of curriculum and instruction in the humanities courses. Eligible courses include:

  • EDUC 5070 Spirituality and Religion in Education
  • EDUC 5265 Processes in Writing
  • EDUC 5145 Gender, Literacy, and the K-12 Classroom
  • EDUC 5316 Nature of Social Studies and Social Studies Education
  • EDUC 5165 Children's Literature
  • EDUC 5325 Queering Literacy in Secondary Classrooms
  • EDUC 5222 Language Study for Educators
  • EDUC 5445 Curriculum for Multicultural Education
  • EDUC 5235 Language and Literacy Across the Curriculum

Required 3 credit hour capstone course:

  • EDUC 6964 Capstone: Inquiry in the Content Areas

9 credit hours of electives are also required. Electives may be selected from any School of Education program area or in other departments on campus, with the agreement of the advisor.

Admissions Requirements

  • A Personal Statement
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts (official transcripts required after admission)
  • If international, TOEFL scores
  • Application Fee ($60 domestic application/$80 international) along with the application

Admission to all our graduate programs is competitive and based on multiple criteria, including undergraduate academic record, letters of recommendation, personal statement, evidence of special accomplishments, and relevant past experience. Criteria are considered in the aggregate. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. For more information, contact edadvise@colorado.edu.

Deadlines

  • Fall & Summer Application Deadline: January 15, international
  • Fall & Summer Application Deadline: February 1, domestic
  • Spring Application Deadline: October 1, international and domestic 

For more information about courses and program requirements, visit the CU Boulder Course Catalog