Program Overview

Introduction to the Curriculum and Instruction Program

The Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction is a graduate program designed to provide students with the knowledge base to design and guide course content, improving their professional expertise and elevating the academic experiences of those they teach.

Program Type and Format

• The program is a Master's degree.
• It is offered On Campus, with flexible options to accommodate working schedules, including classes held in the evenings, summers, and online.

What Sets the Program Apart

The MS in Curriculum and Instruction stands out due to its flexible scheduling, state and nationally recognized expert faculty, and opportunities for students to:

• Study current theories and practices in curriculum design and instructional methods.
• Connect with faculty to develop knowledge about teaching, collaborating with schools, and research.
• Interact with metropolitan area educators to learn from their experiences.
• Improve professional expertise and expand disciplinary and content knowledge.

Concentration Areas

The program offers three concentration areas:

Subject Focus Area

• Cultures and Communities Education
• English Education
• English Language Education
• Literacy Education
• Mathematics Education
• Mathematics Teacher Leadership
• Reading Education
• Science Education
• Urban Social Studies Education

Instructional Level Focus Area

• Early Adolescence-Adolescence
• Early Childhood
• Elementary and Middle Education, K-9

Cross-Curricular Focus Area

• Specialists within Administrative Leadership
• Cultures and Communities Education

Transcript Designations in Specific Subject Focus Areas

• Cultures and Communities Education
• English Education
  • Creative Writing
  • Literature and Cultural Theory
  • Media, Cinema and Digital Studies
  • Rhetoric and Professional Writing
• Mathematics Education
• Mathematics Teacher Leadership
• Reading Education
• Science Education
• Urban Social Studies Education

Program Requirements

The 30-credit degree includes the completion of the master's seminar in curriculum or a thesis.

Teacher Certification with Master of Science Degree

Persons interested in earning teacher certification and a master's degree can select from the following certification areas:

• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary and Middle Education, K-9
• English Education
• English as a Second Language Education
• Mathematics Education
• Reading Education
• Science Education
• Urban Social Studies Education

Doctoral Specializations

Curriculum and Instruction Specialization

Provides program emphasis in a content area, education level, general area, or special area.

Mathematics Education Specialization

Integrates mathematical knowledge for teaching, content-focused equitable pedagogy, and practice-based inquiry and research, preparing leaders and researchers for mathematics instruction, curriculum, and programs.

Admission Process

Complete the UWM Graduate School Online Application. The Master's Degree Application Checklist may be a helpful resource. For more information on international admissions, please refer to the relevant guidelines.

Faculty

The program is led by a team of experienced and recognized faculty members, including:

• Candace Doerr-Stevens, PhD, Associate Professor and Program Director, Curriculum and Instruction, MS
• Jennifer Brownson, PhD, Teaching Faculty, Teaching and Learning
• Craig Berg, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Teaching and Learning
• And others, each with their areas of expertise and research interests.