Masters in Curriculum and Instruction

News: The Masters in Curriculum and Instruction program is starting a new cohort (extension) in Pekin beginning in fall 2008; for further information, contact Mary Lange at mary.lange@pekin.net

The three master's programs offered by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction do not lead toward teacher certification. Teacher certification for grades K-9 can only be obtained through a first or second bachelor's degree.

The Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction is designed primarily for those practicing teachers who want to become master teachers. They may see themselves continuing in the role of teacher, but with the added responsibility of role-model or mentor for fellow teachers. Some completing this degree are doing so in preparation for roles within their districts such as curriculum director or in preparation for further doctoral study. The program continues to grow on campus and currently has off-campus cohorts in the Dunlap and Wheeling areas.

The curriculum for the M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction has five goals which are based on the five core propositions of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The master graduates will:

be committed to students and their learning;
know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students;
be responsible for managing and monitoring student learning;
think systematically about their practice and learn from experience; and
be members of learning communities.

Admission Requirements (effective starting the Summer 2008 semester)

Applicants to the Master's Degree Program in Curriculum and Instruction may be considered for admission by:

having obtained a 3.0+ GPA in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work

possessing a current teaching certificate (this program does not lead toward teacher certification)

have at least one year teaching experience

taking the TOEFL exam (for international applicants only)

NOTE: the GRE exam is no longer required

complete a graduate application online to this program at https://www.welcome2isu.ilstu.edu/

document your teaching experience by indicating the schools and dates in the employer/work section of the online application

Program Change

Effective for applicants in the summer 2007 semester, the program is reduced from 36 semester hours to 30 hours: courses C&I 401 and 402 will not be required, but may be taken as electives. Also, the comprehensive exam will no longer be required, but will be incorporated into a more rigorous courses C&I 481/482. See the revised program's Plan of Study .

Interim Coordinator:      Adel Al-Bataineh
Advisors:            Temba Bassoppo-Moyo, Gary O'Malley, Do-Yong Park, Thomas Lucey, Cheri Toledo
Secretary:        Stephen Finley     (309) 438-5461

Important Information for Current C&I Masters Program Students

Orientation Manual for Graduate Students
Are you finishing this degree program next semester? If so, please look at the Graduate School's webpage containing important deadlines for filing your Plan of Study, degree completion application and any other requirements at http://www.grad.ilstu.edu/completion/

Note: Teachers interested in the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)
should go to this webpage: the National Board Research Center (not affiliated with C&I)

Realizing the Democratic Ideal

As with the other departments within the College of Education, the Department of Curriculum and Instruction promotes and follows "Realizing the Democratic Ideal", the conceptual framework for all teacher education programs at Illinois State University.