Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.)

Location(s): Online

A teacher working with students in a classroom.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Tony Durr, Associate Professor
School of Education
Wenona Hall 114
605-201-5239

Program Information

The Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) degree is designed for individuals who work, or plan to work, in instructional roles across a variety of settings. The program strengthens students’ ability to design effective curriculum, align standards, instruction, and assessment, and use evidence and student data to improve learning. With substantial flexibility, students complete a combination of required courses and electives tailored to their professional goals and areas of interest. Courses may be taken as stand-alone professional learning (without pursuing a degree) or applied toward completion of the C&I degree.

The degree does not lead to a South Dakota teaching certificate nor does it lead to an endorsement on the South Dakota teaching certificate.

Each of the required core courses for this program are delivered online in 8-week sessions. Each semester will have two distinct 8-week sessions for courses.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Master of Education

Thesis: 30 Credit Hours
Non-Thesis: 30 Credit Hours

Core Requirements

EDER 610 - Introduction to Research Credits: 3
EDER 612 - Inquiry and Action Research Credits: 3
EDFN 600 - Educational Theory in Practice Credits: 3
EDFN 700 - Exceptional Learners Credits: 3
EDFN 725 - Education in a Pluralistic Society Credits: 3
EDFN 730 - Current Issues in Education (COM) Credits: 3
EPSY 740 - Educational Psychology: Cognition, Learning and Applications Credits: 3

Select one of the following options

Thesis

EDFN 798 - Thesis (COM) Credits: 1-6 (6 credits required)
ECE, EDER, EDFN, AGED, EDAD, EPSY, FCSE, or HDFS Electives Credits: 3

Non-Thesis

ECE, EDER, EDFN, AGED, EDAD, EPSY, FCSE, or HDFS Electives Credits: 9

Total Required Credits: 30 (Thesis & Non-Thesis)

Additional Admission Requirements

GRE: Not required
TOEFL iBT: 4
TOEFL Essentials: 8.5
IELTS: 6.5
Duolingo: 110

Applicants must provide a resume, goal statement, and two letters of professional reference to Education, Counseling and Human Development. Once all material is received, it is reviewed by the program faculty. Students are assigned an admission status of “unconditional,” “conditional” or “not admitted.”

General Requirements

Graduate students should consult with their advisor before registering for graduate coursework. For additional information, refer to the Master’s Degree Requirements .