Curriculum and Instruction, MS
Program Description
This master’s degree is designed for individuals who want to emphasize curriculum and instruction as they further their professional knowledge of education. They can focus on elementary and/or secondary levels in their programs. This program, which is interdisciplinary in nature, builds on the professional education and content courses taken at the undergraduate level. Within the interdisciplinary program, a focus will be developed in consultation with the advisor. This degree allows students to explore areas of interest across cognate areas.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Apply their knowledge in assessment by completing a portfolio with performance and affective assessments in their field of Curriculum & Instruction.
- Apply their knowledge in Curriculum Theory to produce a comprehensive literature review on a major issue in their field.
- Apply and complete an action-based or historically-based quantitative or qualitative study on an issue in curriculum and instruction and defend it at a public gathering with at least three faculty members present.
For Additional Information
Website:
http://gradschool.tamucc.edu/degrees/education/curriculum_and_instruction_ms.html
Campus Address:
Early Childhood Development Center, Room 2225
Phone (361) 825-2446
Kathleen.lynch-davis@tamucc.edu
Mailing Address:
Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Learning Sciences, Unit 5834
College of Education and Human Development
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
6300 Ocean Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5834
Admission Requirements
Students are eligible to pursue graduate-level course work in Curriculum and Instruction if they meet COEHD graduate admission requirements as specified in the COEHD’s Graduate Policies and Regulations section of this catalog.
On This Page
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization Area | ||
| Interdisciplinary (courses chosen with advisor's approval) | 18 | |
| Institutional Requirements | ||
| EDFN 5301 | Introduction to Research | 3 |
| ERST 5302 | Studies in Equity of Educational Opportunities *,^ | 3 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | ||
| EDCI 5340 | Instructional Techniques for Effective Teaching | 3 |
| EDCI 5361 | Educational Assessment | 3 |
| EDCI 5362 | Theoretical Bases for Curriculum | 3 |
| EDCI 5389 | Curriculum and instruction Research Seminar | 3 |
| or READ 5396 | Literacy Research Seminar | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- *
Online offering
- ^
Blended offering
Capstone Experience
All students are required to take EDCI 5389 Curriculum and instruction Research Seminar (3 sch) and complete a capstone experience within this course. Candidates for this degree must successfully present and defend a capstone project to a faculty panel.
Courses
EDCI 5308 STRATEGIES FOR TEACH SEC SCHOO
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
STRATEGIES FOR TEACHING IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL A course emphasizing practical and varied strategies for instructional planning and presentations. Instruction will build upon the following topics, which will have been introduced in previous courses: the teaching-learning process, curriculum organization, use of instructional technology, instructional planning, and instructional and student evaluation. Each student will participate in field experiences. Enrollment limited to graduate students seeking initial certification.
EDCI 5315 METHODS OF TEACHING MATHEMATIC
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
S A course emphasizing the teaching of mathematics in Grades 1-8 using manipulatives in a problem- solving format. Instruction will build upon the following topics which will have been introduced in previous courses: the teaching-learning process, curriculum organization, use of instructional technology, instructional planning, and instructional and student evaluation. Each student will participate in field experiences. Enrollment limited to graduate students seeking initial teacher certification.
EDCI 5316 METHODS OF TEACHING SOC STUDIE
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
METHODS OF TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES A course emphasizing practical applications for the teaching of social studies in Grades 1-8. Instruction will build upon the following topics, which will have been introduced in previous courses: the teaching-learning process, curriculum organization, use of instructional technology, instructional planning, and instructional and student evaluation. Each student will participate in field experiences.
EDCI 5317 METHODS OF TEACHING SCIENCE
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to provide pre-service teachers with an understanding of the teaching of science in the elementary school setting. Students¿ prior knowledge from previous courses will be essential to their performance in this course, namely: technology in the classroom, lesson planning, curriculum organization, and student assessment. Participation in field experiences is a requirement of this course.
EDCI 5320 Mathematics through Communication
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
A course for elementary and middle school teachers who are trying to improve mathematics teaching and understanding through the development of communication skills and their use in the mathematics classroom.
EDCI 5321 Mathematics through Children’s Literature
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This is a course for teachers who wish to investigate the connection between children’s literature and mathematics for the purpose of improving mathematics instruction. Teachers will work through activities based upon children’s books, and develop and share similar activities based upon children’s books of their choosing.
EDCI 5322 Science through Children’s Literature
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed for elementary and middle school teachers who wish to investigate the connections between children’s literature and science for the purpose of improving their science instruction. Teachers will participate in activities based on children’s trade books that have scientific themes, and develop and share similar experiences.
EDCI 5323 Interactive and Multimedia Approaches in Mathematics
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This is a course for K-12 teachers who wish to investigate the use of motivational and reinforcement activities as a part of the instructional program within mathematics. Emphases will be placed on the purposes for using such activities in the mathematics program, the various types of such activities that are available to the mathematics teacher, the sources for such activities in mathematics, and the need for having a variety of such activities within the mathematics program.
EDCI 5324 Diagnosis and Remediation of Mathematical Errors
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This is a course for teachers of K-12 who teach mathematics within the levels of kindergarten through algebra and wish to investigate mathematical errors for the purpose of diagnosing the cause and planning instruction for the purpose of remediation. Participating teachers will work through activities representing common mathematical errors made by students, maintain portfolios of samples of student errors, diagnose student errors, and learn teaching strategies for remediation of the problems that students are having.
EDCI 5325 Applied Connections: Mathematics, Science, and Communications
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
The emphasis in this course is on interdisciplinary connections among mathematics, science, and communication and also on the application of subject-area knowledge to the world of work. Attention goes to relevant research, particularly research addressing effective innovations in teaching and learning. Networks will be created to support continued learning.
EDCI 5327 STRAT OF SUCCESS FOR THE BEG T
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
STRATEGIES OF SUCCESS FOR THE BEGINNING TEACHER This course is a field-based course in which beginning teachers are provided with the application of learning principles, classroom management techniques, communication skills, and teaching strategies that will reinforce their existing teaching skills. Enrollment is limited to certified teachers currently in teaching positions. This course is taken concurrently with EDCI 5397. This course may not be taken for graduate credit if the student has taken EDCI 5393, EDCI 5394 or EDCI 5395.
EDCI 5330 Teaching Environmental Sciences: I
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
In this course, emphasis will be placed on issues related to air, water and waste reduction, and how these issues relate to the elementary classroom. Students will visit state agencies and industrial sites as a part of this course. This course is only offered during the summer.
EDCI 5331 Teaching Environmental Sciences: II
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
In this course, emphasis will be placed on issues related to air, water and waste reduction, and how these issues relate to the secondary classroom. Students will visit state agencies and industrial sites as a part of this course. This course is only offered during the summer.
EDCI 5335 Methods of Teaching Mathematics: Grades 1-5
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
A course designed to emphasize methods of teaching the essential elements in mathematics for Grades 1‑5. An emphasis will be placed on the use of concrete manipulatives so that learning is accomplished with understanding.
EDCI 5336 Methods of Teaching Mathematics: Grades 5-8
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Emphasis will be placed on modeling with concrete manipulatives, teaching for understanding, integrating mathematics into other areas of the curriculum, problem solving, diagnosis, and evaluation.
EDCI 5339 Programs for the Gifted and Talented
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Characteristics and methods of identification of the Gifted and Talented. Various programmatic models including campus and district will be examined. Testing instruments and the concepts of differentiated curriculum will be analyzed.
EDCI 5340 Instructional Techniques for Effective Teaching
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course will emphasize research-based strategies for increasing student achievement, models of successful instruction to help teachers/ administrators plan, and techniques for implementation of effective instructional techniques.
EDCI 5341 Learning Theory Related to the Gifted Child
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
An examination of current learning theories in relation to the gifted and talented child.
Prerequisite: EDCI 5339.
EDCI 5342 Curriculum Development for the Gifted and Talented
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Learning experiences in scope and sequence development, development of unit plans and lesson plans, and material selection and evaluation.
Prerequisite: EDCI 5339.
EDCI 5345 Visual Literacy
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course acquaints learners with a blend of instructional design, development, and production competencies that will contribute to their visual literacy. Instructional materials' design and development skills learned will be based on theoretical and research issues related to visual literacy.
EDCI 5350 Advanced School Problems
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Current issues in education; recent research bearing on teaching and organization of instructional programs in schools.
EDCI 5361 Educational Assessment
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course will help educators to understand testing and performance assessment, and to effectively use assessment to support student learning ultimately building student success. The course prepares educators to use assessment as a tool to help develop all students in their classroom across the developmental span from Kindergarten through high school. Educators will learn how to prepare valid assessment instruments that contribute to effective instruction and student learning by developing proven, sound, high-quality assessments for use in the classroom.
EDCI 5362 Theoretical Bases for Curriculum
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Reviewing and designing instructional programs; specific techniques for planning in various areas of the curriculum; concentration in area of student’s curricular specialty; specification of instructional objectives.
EDCI 5389 Curriculum and instruction Research Seminar
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This is designed as the culminating course in the interdisciplinary curriculum and instruction master’s degree. Covered in the class are: historical and current trends in research, the critical examination of selected research studies, and a self analysis of personal and professional interests and needs. This course calls for students to integrate and use information from previous graduate classes with information presented in this class to develop, implement, and defend an action-based research project.
EDCI 5390 Professional Seminar
1-3 Semester Credit Hours (1 Lecture Hour)
This course addresses contemporary issues in education. It may repeated when topics vary.
EDCI 5393 INTERNSHIP I AND SEMINAR FOR THE INTERN TEACHER
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is a supervised classroom teaching field experience and seminar designed to assist the non-certified teacher with the application of various aspects of planning for teaching. Enrollment is limited to graduate students seeking initial teacher certification.
EDCI 5394 INTERNSHIP II AND SEMINAR FOR THE INTERN TEACHER
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is a supervised classroom teaching field experience and seminar designed to assist the non-certified teacher with the application of classroom management techniques, and enhance existing teaching skills. Enrollment is limited to graduate students seeking initial teacher certification.
EDCI 5395 Strategies of Success II for the Beginning Teacher
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is provided for beginning teachers during their second year on a “Probationary Certificate.” Students are provided with the application of learning principles, communication skills, and teaching strategies that will reinforce their existing teaching skills. Enrollment is limited to teachers on a TEA “Probationary Certificate,” but currently in teaching positions This course is taken during the second semester of the second year on a “Probationary Certificate.”.
EDCI 5397 PRACT 1 FOR THE BEGINNING TEAC
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
PRACTICUM I FOR THE BEGINNING TEACHER This course is a supervised classroom teaching field experience designed to enhance the individual teacher¿s existing teaching skills. Enrollment is limited to certified teachers currently in teaching positions. This course is taken concurrently with EDCI 5327. This course may not be taken for graduate credit if the student has taken EDCI 5393, EDCI 5394 or EDCI 5395.
EDCI 5398 PRACT II AND SEMINAR FOR THE B
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
PRACTICUM II AND SEMINAR FOR THE BEGINNING TEACHER Beginning teachers are provided with additional skills to enrich their classroom teaching proficiency through seminars and supervised classroom teaching. Enrollment is limited to certified teachers currently in teaching positions.
EDCI 5696 Directed individual Study
1-6 Semester Credit Hours (1 Lecture Hour)
May be repeated when topics vary.
EDCI 5698 Practicum for Gifted Children
6 Semester Credit Hours (6 Lecture Hours)
This course involves a supervised experience with a variety of children classified as gifted. Students will plan and implement a program designed for gifted children.
Prerequisite: EDCI 5339.
EDCI 6301 Philosophy of Education
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Ontological and epistemological perspectives on leadership; historical conceptions of leadership as revealed in the works of Greek and Roman writers of the classical period and in the works of later European writers such as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Rousseau, Mill, and Weber.
EDCI 6302 Curriculum & Instruction Seminar
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course orients curriculum and instruction doctoral students to the ways in which scholars situate themselves to become influential and productive members in academia and/or their respective disciplinary environments. Class sessions focus on the use of knowledge bases; high quality professional development experiences; the critical analysis of research in education and related disciplines; and the identification of researchable questions in the field of curriculum and instruction.
EDCI 6303 Current Trends in Curriculum and Instruction
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course examines current and emerging issues and trends impacting curriculum and instruction.
EDCI 6324 Curriculum Theory
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
In this course, we will investigate what is understood by the term curriculum and the implications for educational settings and society. Through discussion, reading, and writing we will develop and expand our views of curriculum and articulate evidence for these views. Our study of curriculum will include systematic, existential, radical, and pragmatic approaches to curriculum and the central theorists whose work aligns with each approach.
EDCI 6335 Curriculum Research Design
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course focuses on the design of research studies, including experimental and quasi-experimental designs, other quantitatively-based designs, qualitatively-oriented designs, and mixed model designs.
EDCI 6336 Culture, Language, and Cognition
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
The focus is on cultural, linguistic, and pedagogical rationales for adapting curricula and materials to meet the needs of diverse students. By adopting various theoretical, methodological, and cultural frames of reference, course participants recognize capabilities in all learners.
EDCI 6356 Writing for Publication in Higher Education
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course addresses topics in writing for publication in higher education including the writing process, composition, organization, collaboration, and the identification of forums for dissemination of research and scholarship. This course provides students with an understanding of academic writing principles. Students will develop writing habits and goal setting techniques needed to become a successful academic writer. Extensive writing is required.
EDCI 6390 Special Topics in Curriculum
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course addresses contemporary issues in education. Topics vary. It may be repeated when topics vary.
EDCI 6391 Historical Perspectives On Curriculum
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Taking a historical perspective on the purposes and practices of schooling, this course covers major patterns in curriculum through the years in a national and global context. Also addressed are historiography and the history of educational research.
EDCI 6392 Critical Pedagogy
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Attention goes to a set of philosophical positions and educational practices known as “critical pedagogy” and also to critiques and inquiries associated with this line of scholarship that address issues of difference and disadvantage. The course considers historical patterns as well as current manifestations in such areas as race, gender, and politics.
EDCI 6397 Seminar On Dissertation Research
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to assist students in writing a research proposal (introduction, review of literature, methods) that may become the basis for a doctoral dissertation.
Prerequisite: (EDCI 6335).
EDCI 6398 Dissertation in Progress
1-6 Semester Credit Hours (1 Lecture Hour)
Doctoral candidates conduct an approved study under the supervision of a dissertation advisor and committee.
EDCI 6696 Directed Individual Study
1-6 Semester Credit Hours (1 Lecture Hour)
May be repeated when topics vary.