Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction - Elementary Teacher Certification

Teaching is one of the most rewarding careers available. As a certified instructor, you not only have the chance to share your passion for your content specialty by serving others, but you also get to impact the lives of students every day. With a master’s in curriculum and instruction, you have the opportunity to become an inspirational leader in your field.

In this program, you will learn innovative ways to design and implement engaging lessons and motivate your students to achieve success. You will also understand how to bring faith and learning together to create a meaningful impact in your classroom and your community. You will focus on building mutually beneficial relationships as well as use technology and best practices to engage in effective teaching methods. Most importantly, you will become an educator dedicated to service to the Church and to the world.

Program Structure

Candidates complete a 30 credit education sequence which allows them to teach at the elementary level in their chosen grade band (PreK-3 or 3-6). Courses are offered entirely online in 8 week formats and credit can be given for previously completed education courses at the graduate level.

Candidates in this program can serve as full time teachers from the moment they enroll in their first course and can use this experience for their clinical experience requirements and student teaching hours. Courses have been structured for the working adult and all professors serve or have served as teachers themselves.

In order to graduate and earn certification, candidates must:

  • Obtain passing scores for all sections on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) for their approved certification grade band(s)
  • Successfully complete all coursework including student teaching
  • Document 600 hours of classroom observation/assistance/teaching

Outcomes

Servant Leader

  • SL1.  Faith Integration:  Candidates display the Christian principles that are central to the university’s mission.
  • SL2.  Caring Relationships:  Candidates establish caring, supportive relationships with students, families and colleagues.

Reflective Practitioner

  • RP3.  Disciplinary Knowledge: Candidates demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the skills and frameworks of their content areas appropriate to their certification.
  • RP4.  Instruction and Pedagogy: Candidates understand and implement best practices of instruction and deliver well-differentiated and well-aligned instruction that empowers students as learners.
  • RP5.  Communication: Candidates demonstrate effective communication skills to enhance teaching and learning.
  • RP6.  Assessment:  Candidates use various types of assessment to evaluate student progress and to improve their instruction.
  • RP7.  Classroom Environment: Candidates assess and respond appropriately to the cultures of diverse classrooms, schools and the community.

Life Long Learner 

  • LL 8.  Professionalism and Personal Growth: Candidates engage in continuous growth by consistently expanding their professional knowledge, skills and dispositions.

Curriculum

MSCI with Teacher Certification Elementary Lower Level (Grades Pk-3)
EDU 5000Growth and Development of School Aged Children3
EDU 5010Designing Instruction3
EDU 5020Differentiated Instruction3
EDU 5030Assessment for Educators3
EDU 5040Technology Instruction for Educators3
EDU 5050Special Education Instruction3
EDU 6010Literacy Instruction for Lower Elementary3
EDU 6015Instructional Methods for Lower Elementary3
EDU 7010Lower Elementary Student Teaching6
Total Hours30
MSCI with Teacher Certification Elementary Upper Level (Grades 3 - 6)
EDU 5000Growth and Development of School Aged Children3
EDU 5010Designing Instruction3
EDU 5020Differentiated Instruction3
EDU 5030Assessment for Educators3
EDU 5040Technology Instruction for Educators3
EDU 5050Special Education Instruction3
EDU 6020Literacy Instruction for Upper Elementary3
EDU 6025Instructional Methods for Upper Elementary3
EDU 7020Upper Elementary Student Teaching6
Total Hours30

Plan - Lower Elementary Grades PK-3

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
EDU 5000 Growth and Development of School Aged Children 3
EDU 6010 Literacy Instruction for Lower Elementary 3
 Hours6
Semester 2
EDU 6015 Instructional Methods for Lower Elementary 3
EDU 5020 Differentiated Instruction 3
 Hours6
Semester 3
EDU 5050 Special Education Instruction 3
EDU 5040 Technology Instruction for Educators 3
 Hours6
Semester 4
EDU 5030 Assessment for Educators 3
EDU 5010 Designing Instruction 3
 Hours6
Semester 5
EDU 7010 Lower Elementary Student Teaching 6
 Hours6
 Total Hours30

Course options and schedule are subject to change.

Plan - Upper Elementary Grades 3-6

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
EDU 5000 Growth and Development of School Aged Children 3
EDU 6020 Literacy Instruction for Upper Elementary 3
 Hours6
Semester 2
EDU 6025 Instructional Methods for Upper Elementary 3
EDU 5020 Differentiated Instruction 3
 Hours6
Semester 3
EDU 5050 Special Education Instruction 3
EDU 5040 Technology Instruction for Educators 3
 Hours6
Semester 4
EDU 5030 Assessment for Educators 3
EDU 5010 Designing Instruction 3
 Hours6
Semester 5
EDU 7020 Upper Elementary Student Teaching 6
 Hours6
 Total Hours30

Course options and schedule are subject to change.