The M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (C & I) has two independent but related goals. Primarily, it is a master’s degree designed for teachers in the content areas of science, mathematics and social studies who are interested in furthering their pedagogical content knowledge through the study of curriculum inquiry and research on instructional practices. However, a second goal of this program is to provide a vehicle through which individuals with a strong content knowledge background in mathematics or science can obtain initial certification to teach these subjects at the middle school level in math and science and at the secondary school level in science. Additionally, candidates in this degree program may focus on curriculum development more broadly through a specialization in curriculum design.

B. Origin of the Program

The M.Ed. in C&I was one of the older master’s programs developed in the previously existing College of Education. It was housed in the Department of Educational Development, and originally included specializations in literacy and educational technology as well as math, science, social studies, and curriculum design. In 2003, as part of a larger self-study of its master’s programs, the School of Education revised the M.Ed. in C&I and separate masters programs were created in Reading (literacy) and Educational Technology. The current M.Ed. program in C&I is designed to reflect the standards based criteria of the professional organizations in each area of content knowledge reflected in the degree (e.g., National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Science Teachers Association). The M.Ed. in C&I was reviewed by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) in 2002-2003 as part of a University-wide accreditation renewal process.

C. Administration and Faculty

The Committee on Graduate Studies in Education (CGSE) is the School Of Education (SOE)-level committee that has general oversight of all the graduate programs, including the M.Ed. in C&I, in the School of Education. The committee is composed of five faculty members from the School of Education, a graduate student member selected by the Education Graduate Association, and the Assistant Director of the School of Education who serves as the Graduate Coordinator for the School of Education. A separate M.Ed. C&I committee administers the program in terms of admissions and making recommendations for curriculum and policy changes. In addition, committee members serve as advisors to degree candidates. Committee memberships includes SOE faculty possessing content area expertise in mathematics, science, social studies, and curriculum design.

The SOE is committed to the recruitment, support, and retention of full-time, tenure-line faculty members in Curriculum and Instruction. Faculty members who teach graduate courses and advise graduate students in the School of Education must have a doctorate or equivalent. Faculty members in C&I serve as advisors to candidates admitted to the program, teach courses, and evaluate candidates’ exhibits and exam responses.

D. Degrees Offered

The degree awarded to candidates who complete this program will be a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.

Part II. Admission

A. University Policy on Admission

Admission to the graduate program is competitive. Those who meet stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

B. University Admission Procedures

Applicants must submit all of the following items to the Office of Graduate Studies before admission can be considered:

Students are admitted to this degree program twice a year. Applications are due by November 1 for admission to the spring semester and April 1 for admission to the fall semester. Admission application forms are available from the Office of Graduate Studies, from the departments, and online (http://www.udel.edu/admissions/appinfo.html).

A $60 nonrefundable application fee must be submitted with the application. Checks must be made payable to the University of Delaware. Applications received without the application fee will not be processed. Foreign students may utilize either a check or an International Postal Money Order to remit payment in U.S. currency.

An official transcript of all previous college records must be sent directly from the institution to the Office of Graduate Studies. Students who have attended the University of Delaware need not supply a transcript from Delaware. Transcripts issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official translation into English. If the rank of the student is not displayed on the transcript or diploma, an official letter of explanation and ranking from the institution where the degree was earned is required.

Applicants must submit at least three letters of recommendation. The program faculty recommend that one letter come from a teaching supervisor (e.g., principal or curriculum specialist), and two from individuals qualified to assess the candidate’s academic potential, such as a faculty member.

International student applicants must demonstrate a satisfactory level of proficiency in the English language if English is not their first language. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is offered by the Educational Testing Service in test centers throughout the world. TOEFL scores more than two years old cannot be validated or considered official. International students must be offered admission to the University and provide evidence of adequate financial resources before a student visa will be issued. The University has been authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students. International students are required to purchase the University-sponsored insurance plan or its equivalent.

It is a Delaware State Board of Health Regulation and a University of Delaware mandate that all entering graduate students born after January 1, 1957 give proof of proper immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella. If immunization requirements are not met, the student will not be eligible to register. Specific information may be obtained from the Student Health Service (302) 831-2226.

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C. Specific Requirements for Admission into the M.Ed. in C & I

Admission decisions are made by the M.Ed. C&I faculty members in the applicant’s area of content specialization. Students will be admitted to the program based upon enrollment availability and their ability to meet the following minimum recommended entrance requirements:

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
An officially reported GRE score. Students are normally expected to have a minimum score of 1050 on math and verbal sections combined.
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
For students whose native language is not English, an officially reported minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based test) or 250 (computer-based test).

· A written statement of goals and objectives, including a statement that clearly identifies the applicant’s area of specialization interest within the program as well as their certification status and intentions.

The following additional admission requirements apply to applicants for the mathematics education concentration:

Students specializing in Elementary School Mathematics:

Applicants must have completed a minimum of 15 credit hours in undergraduate and/or graduate level mathematics approved by the math education faculty prior to admission. Approved courses will be equivalent to the University of Delaware mathematics courses at the 200-level or higher. In some cases, students may be admitted to the program with 9-14 approved credit hours in mathematics. While completing the program, these students must take the number of credit hours needed to obtain 15 mathematics credit hours in addition to the 33 credit hours of coursework required for the Master’s degree.

Students specializing in Middle School Mathematics:

Applicants must have completed a minimum of 15 credit hours in undergraduate and/or graduate level mathematics approved by the mathematics education faculty, including a course in Calculus prior to admission. Approved courses will be equivalent to the University of Delaware mathematics courses at the 200-level or higher.

Students interested in the Middle School Mathematics Certification Option:

Applicants must have passed Praxis I according to the currently required State certification requirements.

· The following additional admission requirement applies to applicants for the secondary mathematics education concentration:

Applicants must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours in undergraduate and/or graduate level

mathematics approved by the mathematics or mathematics education faculty, including a course in

Calculus prior to admission. Approved courses will be equivalent to the University of Delaware

mathematics courses at the 200-level or higher.

· The following additional admission requirement applies to applicants who are seeding certification within the secondary science education concentration:

Applicants must have completed the equivalent of an undergraduate major or a graduate degree in

biology, chemistry, physics, geology, engineering or other science related field.

D. Admission Status

Students admitted into the M.Ed. in C&I may be admitted into one of two categories:

1) Regular. Regular status is offered to students who meet all of the established entrance requirements and who have the ability, interest, and commitment necessary for successful study at the graduate level in a degree program.

2) Provisional. Provisional status is offered to students who are seeking admission to the degree program but lack one or more of the specified prerequisites. All provisional requirements must be met within the deadline given before regular

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status can be granted. Students admitted with provisional status are generally not eligible for assistantships or fellowships.

Part III. Degree Requirements for the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction

A. Degree Requirements

This M.Ed. program, including the specializations and all concentrations, requires 33 credit hours of course work. Specific requirements follow:

1. Curriculum Design Specialization:

Required Core coursework	6 credits
EDUC 640, Introduction to Curriculum
EDUC 600, Teacher as Researcher OR EDUC 607, Educational Research Procedures OR EDUC 660, Applied Educational Measurement

Elective Coursework	27 credits
This program has a Thesis and Non-Thesis Option. Students take 21 credits of electives plus 6 credits of Master’s Thesis (EDUC 869) for the Thesis Option. Students take 27 credits of elective coursework for the Non-Thesis Option.
Elective coursework may include EDUC 897, Curriculum Theory or EDUC 860 Curriculum Inquiry or other graduate credit from the student’s areas of interest such as content-area education courses, especially as they relate to curriculum design, multicultural or diversity education courses, or courses in educational policy.

TOTAL CREDITS FOR DEGREE	33 credits

2. Social Studies Education Concentration:

Required Core coursework	9 credits
EDUC 640, Introduction to Curriculum
EDUC 600, Teacher as Researcher OR EDUC 607, Educational Research Procedures OR EDUC 660, Applied Educational Measurement
EDUC 645, Topics: Social Education Issues
Elective Coursework	24 credits
This program has a Thesis and Non-Thesis Option. Students take 18 credits of electives plus 6 credits of Master’s Thesis (EDUC 869) for the Thesis Option. Students take 24 credits of elective coursework for the Non-Thesis Option.
Elective coursework may include EDUC 612, Ethnic Studies & Multicultural Education or graduate coursework from the departments of history, anthropology, economics, geography, linguistics, philosophy, psychology, sociology, or urban affairs.

TOTAL CREDITS FOR DEGREE	33 credits

3. Mathematics Education Concentration

Required Core coursework	18 credits
EDUC 640, Introduction to Curriculum
EDUC 600, Teacher as Researcher OR EDUC 607, Educational Research Procedures OR EDUC 660, Applied Educational Measurement
EDUC 672, Implementing Middle School Mathematics Using Technology OR MATH 585, Technology in Secondary Mathematics
EDUC 634, Topics in Mathematics Curricula: Grades K-8
EDUC 635, Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School OR MATH 584, Advanced Secondary Mathematics Methods