Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction - Secondary 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 secondary level in their chosen grade band (5-9 or 7-12). Courses are offered entirely online in 8 week formats and credit can be given for previously completed education courses at the graduate level.

Candidates chose a grade band (5-9 or 7-12) and either English or Math as their content area of certification. Candidates in these grade bands can also add on the Special Education Learning Disabilities certification to their English or Math certification by taking additional course work.

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/content area.
  • Successfully complete all coursework including student teaching.
  • Document 600 hours of classroom observation/assistance/teaching.

Program Learning 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

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 6030Literacy Instruction for Middle Levels3
EDU 6035Instructional Methods for Middle Levels3
EDU 7030Middle Levels Student Teaching6
Total Hours30
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 6040Literacy Instruction for Upper Levels3
EDU 6045Instructional Methods for Upper Levels3
EDU 7040Upper Levels Student Teaching6

Plan - Middle Level 5-9

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
EDU 5000 Growth and Development of School Aged Children 3
EDU 6030 Literacy Instruction for Middle Levels 3
 Hours6
Semester 2
EDU 5020 Differentiated Instruction 3
EDU 6035 Instructional Methods for Middle Levels 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 7030 Middle Levels Student Teaching 6
 Hours6
 Total Hours30

Course options and schedule are subject to change.

Plan - Upper Level 7-12

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
EDU 5000 Growth and Development of School Aged Children 3
EDU 6040 Literacy Instruction for Upper Levels 3
 Hours6
Semester 2
EDU 5020 Differentiated Instruction 3
EDU 6045 Instructional Methods for Upper Levels 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 7040 Upper Levels Student Teaching 6
 Hours6
 Total Hours30

Course options and schedule are subject to change.