Who We Are:
Use the Navigation Bar for the directories for the Faculty in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Please feel free to contact faculty via telephone or email to obtain specific information on programs offered in their advising areas. You may contact the main office at (301) 405-3324 for faculty office hours, or if you have any questions.

Our Mission:

The mission of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction is to lead the research, teaching, and service efforts of the University of Maryland that support and improve educational opportunities for children and youth in Maryland and the nation as a whole.   Faculty and staff accomplish this by (1) conducting research that contributes to teaching and learning theory, curricular designs, school improvement, and student achievement; (2) creating and evaluating research-based teacher education and teacher enhancement programs; (3) preparing reflective practitioners and researchers for a multicultural society; and (4) engaging in professional service activities.

Effective educators at all levels draw on many types of knowledge in making decisions about their professional practice.   They are guided by knowledge of subject matter, curricula, learners, instructional and assessment strategies, and the social context of schooling. The research, teaching, and service programs in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction contribute to and draw upon the research basis for practice in these knowledge areas through disciplined inquiry and critical interpretation.

Researchers and practitioners in a Department of Curriculum and Instruction have a deep knowledge of subject matter -- their understanding of the concepts within a domain as well as their grasp of the structures of the subject matter.   They have knowledge of the ways in which the fundamental principles of a discipline are organized.   In addition, they know the canons of evidence and proof that guide inquiry in the field both to teach it and to practice it as a guide to effective critical thinking.

Researchers and practitioners also draw upon their knowledge of curriculum -- their understanding of the programs and materials designed for the teaching of particular topics and subjects at a given level.   They have a knowledge of learners , including knowledge of student characteristics and cognitions as well as knowledge of motivational and developmental aspects of how students learn.   Researchers and practitioners know about educational goals and the assessment of student progress which are essential to conducting and understanding research and making pedagogical decisions.   They also know of social contexts and understand how educational goals and learning are embedded in larger social issues (e.g., racism, sexism) and cultural problems (e.g., cultural diversity, economic inequalities).   Finally, researchers and practitioners have a knowledge of pedagogy - knowledge of pedagogical principles and strategies that are subject matter or topic specific and pedagogical principles and strategies that are not bound by subject matter or topic.  

All degree programs are developed and implemented by highly qualified faculty who work in specialty areas within Curriculum and Instruction.   The specialty areas are:   Art Education, Elementary Education (See Professional Development/ Teacher Education), Social Studies/Geography/History Education, English/Literacy/Speech Communication and Theatre Education, Second-Language Education (FLEd/TESOL), Mathematics Education, Minority and Urban Education, Music Education , Professional Development/ Teacher Education, Reading Education and Science Education.   Each specialty area has carefully designed graduate programs that prepare professionals in that area.

* The Department supports three master's programs for candidates who have bachelor degrees in fields other than education and who wish to become certified to teach.        

Guiding Principles for Department Programs
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction, in collaboration with other departments in the College of Education, is a leader in the University of Maryland's efforts to support and improve education in the state and across the nation.   To achieve its goals, the Department maintains strong research and teaching programs focused on education in core disciplines of schools at the elementary and secondary levels.   Decisions about program development, staffing, and resource allocation in the Department reflect a commitment to the following basic principle:

That faculty and graduate student research is crucial to understanding and improving the teaching, learning, and curricula of the schools and the education of professional staff for those schools.

This commitment implies that all Department faculty are expected to be actively engaged in conducting research, disseminating the findings of their research, and engaging graduate students in studies that will prepare them for careers emphasizing substantial research activity.   This commitment is reflected in every program and area of specialization within the Department.