Curriculum and Instruction (MA, PhD)
Graduate programs in Curriculum and Instruction lead to degrees of Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). (The Neag School of Education also confers Sixth-Year Certificates in Professional Education, which are described elsewhere.)
Students can enter the Master’s program through one of two routes. The first is through the teacher education/preparation track, which has two paths: the Integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s (IBM) degree program, which is intended for undergraduates at the University of Connecticut who continue on for a fifth year to earn an M.A. degree, and the Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates (TCPCG), which is intended for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree in a major unrelated to education. The certification programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Connecticut State Board of Education.
Alternatively, students can enter the program for reasons other than standard teacher preparation. This route is available, for example, to individuals who are already teachers and may be seeking additional certification,
Master and doctoral programs of study are offered in the following areas of concentration:
- Bilingual and Multicultural Education
- Elementary Education
- Music Education
- Literacy Specialist Program (M.A.) or Reading Education (Ph.D.)
- Secondary Education, with one of the following concentrations:
- English Education
- World Language Education
- History and Social Studies Education
- Mathematics Education
- Science Education.
The M.A. degrees in Reading and Language Arts Consultant and Remedial Reading, World Language Education, and Bilingual and Multicultural Education may provide a vehicle, as appropriate, for the fulfillment of certification requirements. The Reading and Language Arts certification programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and are approved by the Connecticut State Board of Education.
Master of Arts Requirements
Requires satisfactory completion of at least 30 credit hours maintaining at least a “B” average. Each plan of study is a non-thesis plan requiring a culminating activity or exam as indicated. There are six different sets of requirements, which depend on the specific route/path the student is in.
Integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s (IBM)
IBM Concentrations in Elementary Education or Secondary Education
Secondary Education includes:
- English Education
- World Languages Education (American Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Latin/Classics, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish)
- History and Social Studies Education
- Mathematics Education
- Science Education (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, General Science, or Physics)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EPSY 5195 | Workshop in Education | 2 |
| EDCI 5092 | Practicum | 3 |
| EDCI 5093 | Advanced Practicum | 4 |
| EDCI 5094 | Seminar | 3 |
| EDCI 5095 | Advanced Seminar | 3 |
| Select three credits from the following: | 3 | |
EDCI 5700 | ||
EDCI 5705 | ||
| Bilingualism and Second Language Acquisition | ||
EDCI 5720 | ||
| Latinos and U.S. Education | ||
| Sheltered English Instruction for English Language Learners | ||
| Language Diversity and Literacy | ||
| Multicultural Education | ||
| Introduction to Critical Pedagogy | ||
| Educational Linguistics | ||
EDCI 5895 | ||
| Teaching for Intercultural Citizenship and Human Rights I | ||
| Teaching for Intercultural Citizenship and Human Rights II | ||
| EDLR 5015 | Teacher Leadership and Organizations | 3 |
| EPSY 5221 | Wise Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning Environments | 1 |
| Total Credits | 22 | |
IBM Elective Required Courses
Nine credit hours aligned with content specialty selecting courses in EDCI, EDLR, and EPSY or Graduate Liberal Arts courses totaling nine credit hours.
Exam/Culminating Portfolio Requirement
Will be directed by the student’s advisor.
IBM Concentration in Music Education
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EPSY 5195 | Workshop in Education | 2 |
| EDCI 5092 | Practicum | 3 |
| EDCI 5093 | Advanced Practicum | 4 |
| EDCI 5094 | Seminar | 3 |
| EDCI 5095 | Advanced Seminar | 3 |
| Select three credits from the following: | 3 | |
EDCI 5700 | ||
EDCI 5705 | ||
| Bilingualism and Second Language Acquisition | ||
EDCI 5720 | ||
| Latinos and U.S. Education | ||
| Sheltered English Instruction for English Language Learners | ||
| Language Diversity and Literacy | ||
| Multicultural Education | ||
| Introduction to Critical Pedagogy | ||
| Educational Linguistics | ||
EDCI 5895 | ||
| Teaching for Intercultural Citizenship and Human Rights I | ||
| Teaching for Intercultural Citizenship and Human Rights II | ||
| EDLR 5015 | Teacher Leadership and Organizations | 3 |
| EDCI 5041 | Theoretical Foundations of Music Education | 3 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates (TCPCG)
Agricultural Education (PK-12) and Secondary Education (Grades 7-12). Secondary Education includes:
- English Education
- World Language Education (American Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish)
- History and Social Studies Education
- Mathematics Education
- Science Education (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, General Science, or Physics)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Plan B (Non-Thesis) Required Courses | ||
| EDCI 5050 | TCPCG Seminar I: Student Teaching Seminar | 3 |
| EDCI 5060 | Social and Multicultural Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDCI 5065 | Learning Theories | 3 |
| EDCI 5070 | Methods of Instruction and Evaluation | 3 |
| EDCI 5080 | Reading and Literacy in the Content Areas | 3 |
| EDCI 5085 | Subject Area Methods | 3 |
| EDCI 5092 | Practicum | 3 |
| EDCI 5830 | Curriculum Laboratory | 3 |
| EDCI 5875 | Multicultural Education | 3 |
| EDCI 5090 | TCPCG Directed Student Teaching | 9 |
| EPSY 5108 | Students with Special Needs in the Classroom Environment | 3 |
| EPSY 5221 | Wise Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning Environments | 1 |
| Required courses total 40 credits. | ||
Required Elective
A three credit Education or Graduate Liberal Arts course.
Exam/Culminating Portfolio Requirement
Will be directed by student’s advisor (not filed with the Graduate School by prior arrangement).
Master’s of Arts Concentrations Outside of Initial Teacher Certification Programs
Concentrations in Bilingual and Multicultural Education, Elementary Education, Literacy Specialist Program, Music Education, or Secondary Education Required Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDCI/HRTS (Social Justice/Human Rights)/Learners | ||
| Select three courses from the following two areas with at least one course from each area: | 9 | |
EDCI/HRTS (Social Justice/Human Rights) | ||
EDCI 5700 | ||
| Multicultural Education | ||
| Educational Inequities Research Methods | ||
Learners | ||
| Sheltered English Instruction for English Language Learners | ||
| Students with Special Needs in the Classroom Environment | ||
| Introduction to Gifted Education and Talent Development | ||
| Enhancing Creativity in the Classroom | ||
| Literacy and Language | ||
| Select three credits from the following Literacy and Language course options: | 3 | |
| Teaching Reading and Writing in the Primary Grades | ||
| Teaching Writing | ||
| Teaching Reading and Writing in Middle and Junior High School | ||
| Teaching Children's Literature in the Elementary School | ||
| Literacy in the Secondary School | ||
| Content Area Reading and Disciplinary Literacy | ||
| Classroom Assessment and Correction of Reading Difficulties | ||
| Teaching Literature to Adolescents | ||
EDCI 5255 | ||
| Bilingualism and Second Language Acquisition | ||
EDCI 5720 | ||
| Sheltered English Instruction for English Language Learners | ||
| Language Diversity and Literacy | ||
| Educational Linguistics | ||
| Assessment Literacy | ||
| Select three credits from the following Assessment Literacy course options: | 3 | |
| Classroom Assessment and Correction of Reading Difficulties | ||
EDCI 5765 | ||
| Educational Tests and Measurements | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Content Course Requirement
Students must also complete 15 credit hours in their area of concentration chosen from the categories below.
Bilingual and Multicultural Education
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDCI 5700 | 3 | |
| EDCI 5705 | 3 | |
| EDCI 5715 | Bilingualism and Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| EDCI 5720 | 3 | |
| EDCI 5740 | Latinos and U.S. Education | 3 |
| EDCI 5742 | Sheltered English Instruction for English Language Learners | 3 |
| EDCI 5750 | Language Diversity and Literacy | 3 |
| EDCI 5755 | 3 | |
| EDCI 5765 | 3 | |
| EDCI 5895 | 3 | |
| EDCI 6860 | Educational Inequities Research Methods | 3 |
Elementary Education in Math, Science, Reading, Language Arts, Social Studies, or Children’s Literature
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDCI 5100 | Teaching Reading and Writing in the Primary Grades | 3 |
| EDCI 5105 | Teaching the Language Arts | 3 |
| EDCI 5110 | Teaching Writing | 3 |
| EDCI 5130 | Teaching Children's Literature in the Elementary School | 3 |
| EDCI 5350 | 3 | |
| EDCI 5460 | The Teaching and Learning of Mathematics in the Elementary School | 3 |
Literacy Specialist Program
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDCI 5100 | Teaching Reading and Writing in the Primary Grades | 3 |
| EDCI 5105 | Teaching the Language Arts | 3 |
| EDCI 5110 | Teaching Writing | 3 |
| EDCI 5115 | 3 | |
| EDCI 5120 | Introductory Reading Clinic | 3 |
| EDCI 5125 | Teaching Reading and Writing in Middle and Junior High School | 3 |
| EDCI 5130 | Teaching Children's Literature in the Elementary School | 3 |
| EDCI 5135 | Literacy in the Secondary School | 3 |
| EDCI 5140 | Content Area Reading and Disciplinary Literacy | 3 |
| EDCI 5145 | Classroom Assessment and Correction of Reading Difficulties | 3 |
| EDCI 5150 | Clinical Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties | 3 |
| EDCI 5250 | Teaching Literature to Adolescents | 3 |
Music Education
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDCI 5040 | Popular Music and Informal Education | 3 |
| EDCI 5041 | Theoretical Foundations of Music Education | 3 |
| EDCI 5042 | Diversity, Culture, and Music Education | 3 |
| EDCI 5043 | Exceptionalities in Music Education | 3 |
| EDCI 5044 | 3 | |
| EDCI 5047 | Music Across the Curriculum | 3 |
Secondary Education English Education
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDCI 5125 | Teaching Reading and Writing in Middle and Junior High School | 3 |
| EDCI 5135 | Literacy in the Secondary School | 3 |
| EDCI 5140 | Content Area Reading and Disciplinary Literacy | 3 |
| EDCI 5250 | Teaching Literature to Adolescents | 3 |
| EDCI 5255 | 3 |
Secondary Education STEM: Math Education and/or Science Education
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDCI 5369 | 3 | |
| EDCI 5450 | The Teaching and Learning of Mathematics in the Secondary School | 3 |
| EDCI 5455 | 3 | |
| EDCI 5465 | 3 | |
| EDCI 5500 | Teaching Science in the Middle and Secondary School | 3 |
| EDCI 5550 | 3 |
Secondary Education History and Social Studies Education
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDCI 5355 | Trends in Social Studies Curricula | 3 |
| EDCI 5360 | Education and Popular Culture | 3 |
| EDCI 5830 | Curriculum Laboratory | 1-6 |
Secondary Education World Language Education
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDCI 5890 | Educational Linguistics | 3 |
Other Course Options
In addition to the EDCI courses listed in each content area above, students may elect additional courses approved by their advisor and these will most often be either Liberal Arts courses or related education courses (EDCI, EPSY, and EDLR).
Exam/Culminating Portfolio Requirement
Report of exam submitted to the Graduate School.
Concentration in Remedial Reading and Language Arts Teacher Requirements
The following areas of study are required. Choices are dependent upon discussion with the advisor.
Early/Intermediate Reading/Writing
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Early/Intermediate Reading/Writing | ||
| Reading | ||
| Select three credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Teaching Reading and Writing in the Primary Grades | ||
EDCI 5115 | ||
| Teaching Reading and Writing in Middle and Junior High School | ||
| Writing/Language Arts | ||
| EDCI 5105 | Teaching the Language Arts | 3 |
| or EDCI 5110 | Teaching Writing | |
| Secondary Reading | ||
| EDCI 5125 | Teaching Reading and Writing in Middle and Junior High School | 3 |
| or EDCI 5135 | Literacy in the Secondary School | |
| Disciplinary Literacy/Content Area Reading | ||
| EDCI 5140 | Content Area Reading and Disciplinary Literacy | 3 |
| Literature | ||
| EDCI 5130 | Teaching Children's Literature in the Elementary School | 3 |
| or EDCI 5250 | Teaching Literature to Adolescents | |
| Diagnosis and Redmediation: | ||
| Select six credits of the following: | 6 | |
| Classroom Assessment and Correction of Reading Difficulties | ||
| Clinical Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties | ||
| Introductory Reading Clinic (if approved by advisor) | ||
| Advanced Clinical Practicum | ||
| EDCI 5155 | Advanced Reading/Language Arts Clinic | 6 |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Elective Course Options
Determined in consultation with the advisor: three credits of EPSY 5108 Students with Special Needs in the Classroom Environment; general Liberal Arts courses; EDCI 5099 Independent Study in Education; other education course(s) in EDCI, EPSY, or EDLR.
Concentration in Reading and Language Arts Consultant Course Requirements
EDCI 5160 Design, Management, and Supervision of Reading Programs; six credits of EDCI 5092 Practicum.
Elective Course Options
Selections are based on the student’s transcript and prior course work. Suggested courses:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select six credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Teaching Reading and Writing in the Primary Grades | ||
| Teaching the Language Arts | ||
| Teaching Writing | ||
EDCI 5115 | ||
| Teaching Reading and Writing in Middle and Junior High School | ||
| EDCI 5135 | Literacy in the Secondary School | 3 |
| or EDCI 5125 | Teaching Reading and Writing in Middle and Junior High School | |
| EDCI 5140 | Content Area Reading and Disciplinary Literacy | 3 |
| EDCI 5130 | Teaching Children's Literature in the Elementary School | 3 |
| or EDCI 5250 | Teaching Literature to Adolescents | |
| Select six credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Introductory Reading Clinic | ||
| Classroom Assessment and Correction of Reading Difficulties | ||
| Clinical Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties | ||
| EDCI 5155 | Advanced Reading/Language Arts Clinic | 6 |
| EPSY 5108 | Students with Special Needs in the Classroom Environment | 3 |
| EDCI 5099 | Independent Study in Education | 3 |
| Related courses in language and/or literacy, curriculum, educational psychology, or educational leadership (EDCI, EPSY, EDLR). | ||
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Exam/Culminating Portfolio Requirement
Report of exam submitted to the Graduate School.
Doctor of Philosophy
The Curriculum and Instruction Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program offers nine concentrations: Bilingual and Multicultural Education, Elementary Education, English Education, Mathematics Education, Reading Education, Science Education, Secondary Education, Social Studies/History Education, World Language Education. The Plan of Study for a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction is designed to cultivate beginning expertise in five areas central to scholarly work: Disciplinary Knowledge, Curriculum and Instruction, Professional Skill, Research Methods, and Research Performance. Each area is outlined below. While minimum credit levels are set for each area, the development of emerging expertise in these areas will likely necessitate additional courses or other experiences determined by the student and advisor in consultation. A suggested list of possible courses from which to choose for each area is provided. The doctorate requires satisfactory completion of at least 24 credit hours maintaining at least a “B” average, as well as all other requirements of the Graduate School (e.g., 15 credit hours GRAD 6950 Doctoral Dissertation Research). In addition to required coursework, candidates complete a comprehensive doctoral exam, prepare and present a proposal for their dissertation study, prepare and defend their dissertation.
Disciplinary Knowledge
A minimum of six credits of the EDCI 6094 Seminar, doctoral seminar (or equivalent doctoral seminar) designed to provide in-depth exploration and discussion of current topics, issues, and research in a disciplinary area. Options include: three credit hours of EDCI 6094 Seminar for a specific topic; three credit hours of EDCI 6094 Seminar when repeated with a new topic; three credit hours of an equivalent course, seminar, or independent study; additional credit hours of EDCI courses.
Curriculum and Instruction
A minimum of six credits must be taken through a departmental Proseminar across two semesters that focuses on the history, models, theory, and issues in teacher education. These six credits are typically taken during the first year of doctoral study. Options for earning the minimum six credits include: three to six credits of EDCI 6094; three credits of an equivalent course, seminar, or independent study; additional credit hours of EDCI courses.
Professional Skill
A minimum of six credits must be taken toward initial mastery of professional skills for grant writing, writing for research and professional publication, and teaching courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Course options include: EDCI 6010 Writing for Educational Publications, EDCI 6094 Seminar; three credits of an equivalent course, seminar, or independent study.
Research Methods
A minimum of 12 credits in research methodology must be taken. The distribution of coursework is established by the Advisory Committee with the doctoral student’s professional goals in mind but is ordinarily a combination of quantitative and qualitative courses to ensure breadth of knowledge for evaluating and conducting rigorous research. Course Options include:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDCI 6000 | Qualitative Methods of Educational Research | 3 |
| EDCI 6005 | 3 | |
| EDCI 6860 | Educational Inequities Research Methods | 3 |
| EPSY 5602 | Educational Tests and Measurements | 3 |
| EPSY 5605 | Quantitative Methods in Research I | 3 |
| EPSY 5607 | Quantitative Methods in Research II | 3 |
| EPSY 5613 | Multivariate Analysis in Educational Research | 3 |
| EPSY 5621 | Construction of Evaluation Instruments | 3 |
| EPSY 6601 | Methods and Techniques of Educational Research | 3 |
| EPSY 6611 | Hierarchical Linear Modeling | 3 |
| EPSY 6621 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| EPSY 6636 | Measurement Theory and Application | 3 |
| EPSY 6637 | Item Response Theory | 3 |
Research Performance
A minimum of 15 credits of GRAD 6950 Doctoral Dissertation Research or GRAD 6960 Full-Time Doctoral Research, Doctoral Dissertation, is required while completing the dissertation research study.
Electives
Identified by the student in consultation with their advisor.
Culminating Requirements
Candidates must complete a General Examination with a written and oral component; a dissertation proposal with a written proposal and oral defense of the proposal; a final examination with an oral defense of the written dissertation.