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) in which to become a content expert. Candidates at the Secondary level (grade bands 5-9 or 7-12) also choose a content area certification from these certification options: • English • English as a Second Language • Mathematics • Music Education • Physical Education/Health • Science • Social Studies • Spanish • Special Education Learning Disabilities

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 510Adolescent Development3
EDU 522Designing Instruction3
EDU 524Differentiated Instruction3
EDU 526Assessment for Educators3
EDU 528Technology Instruction for Educators3
EDU 532Special Education Instruction3
EDU 512Secondary Literacy Instruction3
EDU 514Secondary Instructional Methods3
EDU 516Student Teaching in the Secondary Classroom6
Total Hours30
EDU 510Adolescent Development3
EDU 522Designing Instruction3
EDU 524Differentiated Instruction3
EDU 526Assessment for Educators3
EDU 528Technology Instruction for Educators3
EDU 532Special Education Instruction3
EDU 512Secondary Literacy Instruction3
EDU 514Secondary Instructional Methods3
EDU 516Student Teaching in the Secondary Classroom6