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    Mar 28, 2024  
American University Catalog 2014-2015 
    
American University Catalog 2014-2015 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Curriculum and Instruction (MEd)


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Offered by the School of Education, Teaching and Health , College of Arts and Sciences , the Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction is designed for those students with professional experience in education, as teachers, administrators, consultants, researchers, and organizers, who wish to extend their current knowledge and develop new skills and perspectives. Students develop skills in mentoring and instructing new teachers, developing assessments and evaluations for public and public charter schools and other educational organizations, and working to facilitate change and excellence in education. Program graduates are equipped to work in school systems, educational policy groups, government agencies, and research organizations, or continue on to PhD programs in education policy and research, educational leadership, literacy and reading, and related fields. Graduates in the policy and leadership track acquire in-depth knowledge of educational policy as well as practical experience in public, private, charter, and parochial schools. The literacy track prepares practicing teachers to become literary specialists by providing a thorough grounding in theory, principles, and current and emerging perspectives on literacy education. The literacy program provides critical insights about literacy across the life span, particularly in the context of emerging research and theoretical perspectives on teaching literacy, with special emphasis on the premises of multiple literacies. For classroom teachers, curriculum developers, and teachers, this program can extend the field of literacy beyond the traditional narrow focus on reading comprehension strategies to a greater understanding of navigating multiple literacy challenges in their classrooms.

Admission to the Program


In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for graduate study, applicants must earn a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE is required for applicants whose highest earned degree is a baccalaureate and may be required for students who have completed a master’s degree.

Degree Requirements


  • 36 credit hours of approved graduate work.
    • Up to 6 credit hours may be transferred from work completed at other institutions and approved by the program director at time of admission.
  • A program of study approved by the program director and the dean of the school must be submitted by the end of the first semester of enrollment in the program.
  • Comprehensive examination requirement satisfied through specified coursework: 3 credit hours of EDU-687 .

Course Requirements


Comprehensive Examination (3 credit hours)


Practicum Internship (6 credit hours)


Complete 6 credit hours from the following:

Social Science Methodology (3 credit hours)


Area of Focus (18 credit hours)


Complete one of the following areas:

Literacy


Educational Policy and Leadership


Educational Technology


Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) and Public Administration (MPA)


Admission to the Program


In addition to meeting the minimum requirements for graduate study, applicants must earn a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). The GRE is required for applicants whose highest earned degree is a baccalaureate and for students who have completed a master’s degree with less than a 3.5 GPA, and may be required for those with master’s degrees and GPAs above 3.5. Applicants should have had at least three years of full-time teaching experience at the time of enrollment, and should have a standard teaching license. Applicants whose teaching experience occurred more than 10 years ago are encouraged to apply.

Students must apply to the School of Education, Teaching and Health  (SETH) in the College of Arts and Sciences  and the School of Public Affairs  (SPA). Admission to any of the participating teaching units in no way implies admission to the other unit.

Dual Degree Requirements


  • 60 credit hours of approved coursework, with 30 credit hours from the MEd program in Educational Policy and Leadership and 30 credit hours from the MPA program, approved by the program directors at the time of admission.

Course Requirements


Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) and Public Policy (MPP)


Admission to the Program


In addition to meeting the minimum requirements for graduate study, applicants must earn a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). The GRE is required for applicants whose highest earned degree is a baccalaureate and for students who have completed a master’s degree with less than a 3.5 GPA, and may be required for those with master’s degrees and GPAs above 3.5. Applicants should have had at least three years of full-time teaching experience at the time of enrollment, and should have a standard teaching license. Applicants whose teaching experience occurred more than 10 years ago are encouraged to apply.

Students must apply to the School of Education, Teaching and Health  (SETH) in the College of Arts and Sciences  (CAS) and the School of Public Affairs  (SPA). Admission to any of the participating teaching units in no way implies admission to the other unit.

Dual Degree Requirements


  • 60 credit hours of approved coursework, with 30 credit hours from the MEd program in Educational Policy and Leadership and 30 credit hours from the MPP program, approved by the program directors at the time of admission.

Course Requirements


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