Introduction

Designed for alumni of the ASPIRE to Teach alternative licensure program, but open to all teachers, to earn an MA in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Critical Pedagogy. Graduates collaborate effectively at all levels-with other teachers and learning specialists, parents, students, administrators, counselors, and community members-to facilitate the success of all students.

As a graduate student, you will embark on a study of curriculum and instruction in P-12 contexts. This means that you will be thinking deeply about both classroom and school practices (your own and those of others’) as well as the larger theoretical frameworks that influence educational policy and pedagogical design. You will have the opportunity to continue your development as an educator under the tutelage of the ASPIRE and SEHD faculty and alongside other ASPIRE alum whom you met in your licensure work. Curriculum and Instruction faculty emphasize the importance of teachers as scholars and reflective practitioners.

A thread running through all courses of the MA program is that of Critical Pedagogy. As a stance towards teaching, learning and school systems, Critical Pedagogy recognizes the political nature of education and the systemic inequities (social, economic, gender, ethnocultural background, racial geography, etc.) that help create unequal educational opportunities for a variety of learners.

Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Core Courses
UEDU 5660	History of Schooling in the United States	3
UEDU 5070	Curriculum Theories in Urban Education	3
RSEM 5080	Research In Schools	3
UEDU 5240	Culture of Education Policy	3
Focus Area/Elective Courses 1
Elective courses are grouped in the following areas. Select three courses from any of the following:		9
Pedagogy for 21st Century Learners
Teaching for Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
Math
Science
Alternative Licensure Core 2
EDFN 5010	Social Foundations and Cultural Diversity in Urban Education	3
UEDU 5040	Planning for Learning	3
UEDU 5934	Extended Internship & Learning Community	3
Total Hours		30

¹

Focus area/Elective courses may be selected from more than one content area

²

Students who successfully complete the ASPIRE to Teach alternative licensure program are eligible to convert their ASPIRE work to the 9.0 credits of the Alternative Licensure Core by registering for the credit conversion sections.  All other students are required to take an additional 9.0 elective/focus area credits.

Cumulative Portfolio

The MA portfolio counts as the comprehensive exam for the master's degree. The portfolio is an accumulation of the performance-based assessment completed during the courses and reflects on the student's development over the degree program.

Program Requirements and Courses

To complete the Curriculum & Instruction program and earn a master's degree, students must complete the appropriate course work as outlined in the table above. All courses require a grade of B- or better to count towards the MA and a minimum 3.0 GPA is required for graduation.