M.S. - Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction Major
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a major in Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction is designed for practicing classroom teachers seeking advanced study in these three vital areas of P-12 schools. Candidates will complete a 33-credit hour program that is aligned to the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation's advanced-level program standards and the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. Courses are designed to provide participants with an essential mix of theory and practice in order to enhance and create curriculum, assessment, and classroom instruction. Candidates will deepen their understanding in areas such as differentiation, culturally responsive teaching and social justice, ethics and faith, technology integration, current topics and research, and initiating and leading thoughtful systemic change and innovation through a spiraled scope and sequence. Limited field experiences within one's own classroom are required in some courses.
Candidates who have completed this program should be able to:
- Develop personal philosophies of curriculum, assessment, and instruction design that are ingrained with biblical and professional ethics practices.
- Integrate best global practices in differentiating instruction and culturally responsive teaching into their curriculum and pedagogy.
- Learn and apply specialized content and discipline knowledge contained in approved state and/or national discipline- specific standards, technology standards, and best understanding of faith-based core social justice, including current laws, trends, policies, and ethics regarding design of curricula, instruction, and assessment.
- Study, appraise, and implement effective assessment practices for managing and monitoring student learning.
- Articulate systematic thinking about their practice within the school, and learn from experience.
- Collaborate with peers to lead improvement in personal and school academic practices.
- Synthesize theory and practice in the areas of curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
- Apply various technologies appropriate for classroom teaching and assessment.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for the M.S. program with a major in Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction are as follows:
- A baccalaureate or graduate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (USDoE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) verified on original transcripts sent by the institution directly to Indiana Wesleyan University. Transcripts from foreign institutions may need to be sent to an outside agency for evaluation and determination of transferable credits, degrees, and GPA. If this outside review is necessary, students are responsible for the initiation of this evaluation and for any fees incurred during the process.
- An undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher from the baccalaureate degree granting institution at which at least of minimum of 30 hours was completed.
- Candidates need:
- A valid (but not necessarily current) state teacher’s license, or a valid (but not necessarily current) temporary, standard, or professional teaching license/certificate from another recognized accreditation body (e.g., Association of Christian Schools International), or an official letter from a school administrator confirming employment as a teacher of record.
- At least one year (i.e., a minimum of one semester and one day) of teaching experience from an approved and accredited public, private, or parochial P-12 school in the United States or abroad.
- Supporting documentation demonstrating access to a P-12 classroom.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate from the M.S. program, candidates must have completed the following:
- Successful completion of the M.S. curriculum.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in all graduate work and a minimum grade of "B-" in each course.
- Successful completion of admission, mid-program review, and program completion gateways.
- Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.
M.S. - Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction - Program of Study
Core Courses
Field experiences will be required in some courses.
