Graduate Studies in The Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Mission of the Department
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.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
The Department offers a variety of programs individually designed to meet graduate students' personal and professional goals, which may include educational research, teaching (K-12 and post-secondary), supervising, providing leadership as curriculum specialists within the disciplines, and teacher education at all levels (elementary, secondary and higher education).     These programs are organized around the following set of specialization areas.

M.Ed. Programs
M.Ed with Emphasis in Teacher Leadership in the Schools
M.Ed. in Reading Education with Reading Specialist Certification
> Second Language Education M.Ed. Only
Middle School Mathematics

MA Programs
Art Education
English, Literacy, Speech Communication and Theatre Education
Mathematics Education
Minority and Urban Education
Second Language and Culture (TESOL/FLEd)
Science Education

Doctoral
English, Literacy, Speech Communication and Theatre Education (Ph.D. /Ed.D)
Mathematics Education (Ph.D. /Ed.D)
Minority and Urban Education (Ph.D. option only)
Music Education (Ph.D. Option Only)
Professional Development/Teacher Education (Ph.D. and Ed.D. Options)
Reading Education (Ph.D. option only)
Science Education (Ph.D. and Ed.D. Options)
Second Language and Culture (TESOL/FLEd) (Ph.D. and Ed.D. Options)
Social Studies, Geography, History Education (Ph.D. and Ed.D. Options)

Department Doctoral Core Requirements.

The Five-Year Integrated Master's with Certification Program
This program is intended for content majors (English, Foreign Language, Math, Science and Social Studies) entering their junior and senior year. The program is for talented students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who wish to combine undergraduate studies in the content area and professional education as a foundation for focused professional coursework at the graduate level leading to secondary-level certification in the subject field and the Master's of Education degree. As undergraduates, admitted students complete their baccalaureate degrees with a major in the relevant content area and a minimum of 12 credits in graduate - level professional studies related to teacher certification requirements. In their fifth year, they enroll in a full-year internship and complete professional studies that make them eligible for teacher certification and the master's of education degree. The Master's Program is housed at the Shady Grove Campus.


Outreach/Off-Campus
There are several outreach programs offered by the Department in a number of locations in the State. Outreach programs are usually offered as collaborative programs with local institutions. They vary in program orientation, time sequence, and location. You should contact the Department of Curriculum and Instruction to ascertain if such a program is available to fit your needs.