The Curriculum and Instruction Comprehensive Master's Program is designed to develop master teachers who will be prepared for instructional and leadership roles in education, but is not an initial certification program. The courses in this program are, however, structured so that the assignments will allow students to extend their knowledge of the latest research and empirically based practices in the student's certification area. This allows students to develop a comprehensive knowledge of a specific certification area as well as educational practices across the curriculum. Although students earning the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction may complete courses in more than one specialization, only one degree will be awarded. Specializations include Elementary Education Comprehensive, Middle Level Education Comprehensive, and Secondary Education Comprehensive. The M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction offers three certificate programs: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Learning Sciences, and Professional Education. 

Students will be assigned a faculty mentor who will provide career advice and advisement concerning professional issues.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University graduate admission requirements described in the Admissions section of the catalog, the applicant must meet the following minimum departmental requirements for admission:

• Hold or be seeking professional teaching certification.*
• Have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Applicants must submit a letter of intent following the instructions and rubric.

All approvals for admission to the School of Education (SOE) are subject to reevaluation as students progress through the program. Students denied admission or removed from the program may appeal the decision to the Dean of the School of Education.

A grade of "C" or better is required for all coursework to be applied to the degree program.

*

Applicants to the Professional Training Option must meet the FLDOE subject area requirements for certification in middle or secondary English, math, science, or social sciences.

Elementary Education Comprehensive Specialization

This specialization is designed to develop master teachers who will be prepared for instructional and leadership roles in elementary education. An action research project is required as the capstone experience of the program. 

Required Core (12 credit hours)

Educational Research Sequence (6 credit hours)

Cognate Coursework

A cognate can be described as a secondary concentration or sub-specialization area. The department routinely offers cognates corresponding to the program specializations, i.e., Elementary, Middle Level, and Secondary. Other cognates are offered from time-to-time, based on student interest and faculty availability. Students should contact their academic advisor or the department chairperson to discuss other potential cognates, which may include the following: Instructional Leadership, Instructional Technology, Professional Training Option, Reading Endorsement, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). 

Middle Level Education Comprehensive Specialization

This specialization is designed to develop master teachers who will be prepared for instructional and leadership roles in middle level education. An action research project is required as the capstone experience of the program. 

Required Core (12 credit hours)

Educational Research Sequence (6 credit hours)

Cognate Coursework

A cognate can be described as a secondary concentration or sub-specialization area. The department routinely offers cognates corresponding to the program specializations, i.e., Elementary, Middle Level, and Secondary. Other cognates are offered from time-to-time, based on student interest and faculty availability. Students should contact their academic advisor or the department chairperson to discuss other potential cognates, which may include the following: Instructional Leadership, Instructional Technology, Professional Training Option, Reading Endorsement, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). 

Secondary Education Comprehensive Specialization

This specialization is designed to develop master teachers who will be prepared for instructional and leadership roles in secondary education. A capstone experience is required in which students will apply methods of scholarly inquiry and composition, synthesizing insights and findings from their practice experience in a scholarly product.

Required Core (12 credit hours)

Educational Research Sequence (6 credit hours)

Cognate Coursework

A cognate can be described as a secondary concentration or sub-specialization area. The department routinely offers cognates corresponding to the program specializations, i.e., Elementary, Middle Level, and Secondary. Other cognates are offered from time-to-time, based on student interest and faculty availability. Students should contact their academic advisor or the department chairperson to discuss other potential cognates, which may include the following: Instructional Leadership, Instructional Technology, Professional Training Option, Reading Endorsement, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Learning Sciences Certificate

The online certificate in Learning Sciences is designed to provide students with advanced coursework in both instruction and technological design of effective learning and teaching environments. 

Certificate in Professional Education

Department: School of Education

Method of Instruction: Online

Semester Hours: 15

The online certificate in Professional Education is designed to provide students with advanced coursework to enhance classroom teaching. The MEd in C&I with the professional education certificate designed to provide the course work that — in conjunction with successful completion of Florida Teacher Certification Examinations, one year of successful teaching experience, and successful completion of a district-approved competence demonstration program for first year teachers — allows for converting a three-year non-renewable temporary certification to a five-year renewable professional certification. Coursework meets the requirement of the Professional Training Option and is consistent with the program requirements of Florida Department of Education Administrative Rule 6A-5.066 (Approval of Educator Preparation Programs) and includes the state required Professional Preparation outlined in Florida Department of Education Administrative Rule 6A-4.006.

Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Department: School of Education

Method of Instruction: Online

Semester Hours: 15

The online certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is structured to prepare completers to teach English as an additional language in a variety of settings. The certificate covers the five domains of TESOL adopted by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and are based on recommendations by the International TESOL Organization. The five courses offered for this certificate align closely with the five domains and are designed to provide language teachers with the theories and practice needed for the education of culturally and linguistically diverse students. The courses provide a concentrated focus on research-based approaches and practical strategies in teaching languages with multilingual and multicultural issues in mind. Completers of the TESOL certificate would be able to add an ESOL endorsement to their teaching certificate in Florida. Requirements for teacher certification differ by state so it is recommended that completers contact their state department of education to determine how the five courses can be used in obtaining a TESOL certificate. 

Students seeking to earn this certificate and the masters degree should apply to admission to the Curriculum and Instruction degree program and must meet applicable application and degree requirements. Those seeking only the FDOE TSOL endorsement included with this certificate must have a bachelors degree and apply for admission as a non-degree seeking student. All students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in each course and have a cumulative 3.00 GPA for courses in the certificate.