Program Overview

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Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction

The Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) is designed for students with teaching experience or those who wish to eventually pursue doctoral study. This flexible, non-licensure degree provides the opportunity to establish a foundation in contemporary theory and issues of curriculum and instruction with either fully in-person or hybrid coursework.

Who is this program for?

• U.S. students who already possess an initial license and want to enhance learning further in their area of licensure
• International students who wish to engage with foundational and leading edge thinking and thinkers on curriculum, pedagogy, and educational reform
• All candidates who want to explore new areas of interest such as policy, teacher leadership, teaching English language learners, universal design for learning, assessment, and special education
• Students interested in curriculum design and instructional design
• Private school educators, Boston College students enrolled in the fifth year program, and educators from areas such as publishing, curriculum design, and museum education
• Classroom teachers who wish to become educational leaders in their schools and districts

What You Will Learn

You'll learn to:

• Develop and clarify their philosophy of education, in particular, their beliefs regarding the purposes and processes of effective curricular organization
• Become familiar with different ways to design and conceptualize a school curriculum and with major curriculum designers, both past and present
• Assess their own experiences with educational and curricular change as a means to gain greater insight into educational and institutional change processes writ large
• Examine approaches to multicultural education, anti-racist education, and inclusion that aim to transform the curriculum
• Explore the tensions and possibilities that face teachers day-in and day-out in the current social and political context
• Analyze existing curricula in terms of various philosophical orientations
• Examine implications and applications of learning theories as drawn from teachers in elementary and secondary schools as well as from professionals working in higher education and contexts outside of formal schooling
• Consider how school curricula and pedagogical practices can be structured to promote social justice and democratic citizenship

At a Glance

• How many courses?: The program consists of 10 courses, for a total of 30 credits.
• How long will it take?: Full-time students typically finish the program in 1–1.5 years.
• When can I start?: Start dates include fall, spring, and summer semesters.
• How much does it cost?: To estimate total program cost, multiply the number of credits required by the tuition cost per credit.

Curriculum

At its core, the Master of Education in C&I familiarizes students with various ways to understand and evaluate school curricula and to consider how teaching practices linked to those curricula can be oriented toward equity and social justice. The M.Ed. offers a number of concentrations that allow students to customize their program of study.

Requirements

• Courses: 10
• Credits: 30

Curriculum & Instruction Curriculum

The M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction offers a number of concentrations that allow students to customize their program of study. Most concentrations contain online coursework.

Core Courses (6 Credits)

Students must complete the following two courses for this degree. Students must then choose an additional four Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) courses with the help of their advisor. | Course | Course Title | Credits | | --- | --- | --- | | EDUC7421 | Theories of Instruction | 3 | | EDUC7436 | Curriculum Design and Enactment | 3 |

Concentrations

The program offers several concentrations, including:

• Catholic Education
• Global Perspectives on Education
• Multilingual Literacy
• Educational Leadership
• Inclusive Practices for Students with Disabilities
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Catholic Education (9 Credits)

This concentration in Catholic education aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of its philosophical, historical, and spiritual foundations, as well as pedagogical approaches for Catholic schooling and opportunities for student formation.

Global Perspectives on Education (9 Credits)

This concentration prepares students to become effective teachers in an increasingly globalized world and explore what constitutes a valued and engaging curriculum for the community.

Multilingual Literacy (9 Credits)

The concentration in multilingual literacy is designed to deepen your understanding of curriculum and instruction as it pertains to the language and literacy development of bi- and multilingual students in Pre-K-12 classrooms and schools.

Educational Leadership (9 Credits)

This concentration focuses on how educational leaders engage in policy and practice to support education reform and instructional improvement.

Inclusive Practices for Students with Disabilities (9 Credits)

Develop your knowledge and skill for teaching students who may have disabilities. This concentration is not intended for special educators, but for general education professionals.

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (12 Credits)

Through in-depth, interdisciplinary coursework and practice, this online concentration program prepares graduates to teach English to speakers of other languages.

Learning Outcomes

As a graduate of this program, you will:

• Develop and clarify your philosophy of education, in particular, your beliefs regarding the purposes and processes of effective curricular organization
• Become familiar with different ways to conceptualize a school curriculum and with major curriculum designers, both past and present
• Assess your own experiences with educational and curricular change as a means to gain greater insight into educational and institutional change processes writ large
• Examine multifaceted approaches to education that aim to transform the curriculum
• Explore the tensions and possibilities that face teachers day-in and day-out in the current social and political context
• Learn alternative strategies for assessment that provide multiple and authentic measures of student learning
• Analyze existing curricula in terms of various philosophical orientations
• Examine implications and applications of learning theories as drawn from teachers in elementary and secondary schools as well as from professionals working in higher education and contexts outside of formal schooling
• Consider how school curricula and pedagogical practices can be structured to promote social justice and democratic citizenship

Accreditation

The Lynch School has a long history of national accreditation, which includes NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education), TEAC (Teacher Education Accreditation Council), and CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation).

Faculty

The faculty includes:

• C. Patrick Proctor, Professor and Department Chair
• Katherine McNeill, Program Director, Curriculum and Instruction, M.Ed.
• A. Lin Goodwin, Program Director, Curriculum and Instruction, Ph.D.
• Kristen Bottema-Beutel, Professor
• Deoksoon Kim, Professor and Director of Transformative Education Lab
• Faythe Beauchemin, Assistant Professor
• Eliana Castro, Assistant Professor
• Ankhi Thakurta, Assistant Professor

Careers

Graduates of the program can pursue various roles, including:

• Assistant Principal of Academics
• Fourth Grade Teacher
• Sixth Grade Teacher
• High School History Teacher
• Director of Exhibits
• Court Procedures Attorney
• First Grade Teacher
• Special Education Teacher
• Mathematics Instructor
• School Principal & ELL Coordinator

Graduates can work in organizations such as:

• St. John's Preparatory School
• Littleton Public Schools
• Papillion La Vista School District
• Concord-Carlisle Regional School District
• Museum of Science
• Goodwin Procter LLP
• Boston Public Schools
• Needham Public Schools
• Steppingstone Foundation
• North Attleborough Public Schools

Tuition & Aid

The Lynch School of Education and Human Development provides more than $11.4 million in financial aid to students each year. As a result, the quality of BC's instruction, the benefit of our alumni network, and the impact a BC degree will have on your employment options is both affordable and invaluable.

Application & Deadlines

• Spring 2026: Priority Deadline - November 1, Rolling Admission - Until December 1
• Summer 2026: Priority Deadline - January 7, Rolling Admission - Until April 1
• Fall 2026: Priority Deadline - January 7, Rolling Admission - Until July 15

Résumé

To be uploaded to your online application. In addition to your academic history and relevant volunteer and/or work experience, please include any licenses currently held, any social justice-related experience, any language skills other than English, and any research experience or publications.

Personal Statement

To be uploaded to your online application. In 1,000-1,500 words, describe your academic and professional goals, any experience relevant to this program, and your future plans, expectations, and aspirations.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required, with at least one preferably coming from an academic source.

Transcripts

Transcripts from all college/university study are required. For degrees from the United States and Canada, unofficial transcripts may be used for application review. Official transcripts will be required upon enrollment.

Standardized Tests

GRE scores are not required. If you wish to send GRE scores, the Lynch School GRE code is 3218.

International Students

Applicants who have completed a degree outside of the United States must have a course-by-course evaluation of their transcript(s) completed by an evaluation company approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Submission of falsified documents is grounds for denial of admission or dismissal from the University.