Oct 14, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Curriculum and Instruction, M.Ed.


College: Education 

Concentrations:

  • College Student Affairs
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Measurement & Evaluation
  • Secondary Education: Biology
  • Secondary Education: Chemistry
  • Secondary Education: Mathematics
  • Secondary Education: Physics
  • Secondary Education: Social Science
  • Secondary Education: TESOL

Note – not all concentrations are available every semester. Prior to submitting the admission application, check with the Graduate Director to confirm if the concentration of interest is available.

 


The Curriculum and Instruction degree is only offered in conjunction with a concentration area. Please see the area of concentration (listed alphabetically in the catalog) to determine whether or not the Curriculum and Instruction degree is available in your area of interest.

This degree is designed for the professional educator who wishes to pursue advanced study. The primary objective is to prepare instructional leaders through courses in curriculum, methods, supervision, learning principles, human interaction, and areas of specialization. The foundation areas (professional studies) receive greater emphasis in the M.Ed. degree programs than the M.A. degree programs. Coursework in the concentration may include courses in colleges other than the College of Education. The Curriculum and Instruction major is offered with concentration areas. General major requirements are listed below. For specific specialization requirements, contact the appropriate department.

Admission Information

Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Education or a related professional field
  • Current Resume or CV outlining education, work/teaching experience, publications, presentations, etc.
  • A personal statement and interview with the program faculty, writing samples, and letters of recommendation upon request.
  • Applicants may be asked to provide proof of two (2) years of relevant educational or professional experience as judged by major faculty

Curriculum Requirements


Total Minimum Hours - 33 hours minimum

College of Education Curriculum Requirements for the Master of Education degree (M.Ed.).

The M.Ed. degree in Curriculum and Instruction normally requires a minimum of 33 graduate level semester hours with 60 percent or more of the courses at the 6000 level. Courses at the 7000 level are advanced graduate level courses and thus are not approved to be part of the master’s degree program.

Notes:

  • More credit hours may be required for a concentration in the Foundations & Curriculum Core, which may be substituted for electives or concentration hours
  • Foundations and Curriculum core for the College Student Affairs concentration is 6 hours minimum (EDF 6481 and EDF 6165), additional hours in the concentration required.

Core Requirements


Program of Study (9 Credit Hours Minimum)


Psychological/Social Foundations


Choose from list below (See Notes)

Electives (6 Credit Hours Minimum)


5000 or 6000 level coursework subject to area advisor approval. These courses are intended to complement the specialization. (Note: Secondary Education: Social Science (CSO) requires 15 hours of electives minimum)

Comprehensive Exam


Comprehensive exam required. Refer to specific concentration for requirements

Concentration Requirements (18 Credit Hours Minimum)


Refer to specific concentration for requirements

In addition to completing the required Major Requirements, students select one of the following concentrations. Minimum hours noted are for the concentration requirements only and do not reflect the total major hours that result.

College Student Affairs


Offered from the Leadership, Policy, and Lifelong Learning Department

The CSA Concentration at the University of South Florida prepares practitioners to work in Student Affairs positions. The learning outcomes for all graduates include: specialized learning in the field, engaging diverse perspectives, strong communication skills, and understanding the complexity of the higher education system. The major is compliant with requirements of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. The curriculum includes theories of human growth and development, environmental influences, and research applied to student affairs practice. The instructional method of relating theory-to-practice is accomplished by involving students in rigorous classroom activity along with internships in specialized areas of student affairs work.

Total Major requirements with this concentration: 42 hours minimum
In addition to the nine hours or core requirements for the Major, students must complete:

Major Core – 9 hours
Concentration Requirements – 30 hours
Electives – 3 hours
Total:

Electives (3 Credit Hours Minimum)

Comprehensive Exam

Early Childhood Education


Offered from the Department of Teaching and Learning
The M.Ed. Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood Education is designed for those students who hold a degree in early childhood education or a related field and wish to improve their skills in teaching young children, and prepare to take leadership roles in the field of early childhood education. When previous academic preparation is not in the field of early childhood education, prospective students will be expected to complete undergraduate courses as determined through conference with a faculty advisor upon admission to the major. These undergraduate courses do not apply to the minimum graduate hours required for the major. This major is not a teacher certification preparation major.

Total Major requirements with this concentration: 33 hours minimum

Concentration Course Requirements (9 Credit Hours Minimum)

Electives (15 Credit Hours Minimum)

Select a focus in Reading, Teachers Leadership, Positive Behavior Support, or Interdisciplinary Studies and choose four electives:

In addition, select one other elective taken in COED at the 6000 level (3 hours)

Comprehensive Exam

Students must apply to take their comprehensive exam. Students must be enrolled at least two credit hours during the semester of their comprehensive exam.

Measurement and Evaluation


Offered from the Department of Educational and Psychological Studies

This degree program is designed to prepare mid-level testing and evaluation personnel for employment in school districts, government agencies, commercial test development companies, and program research and evaluation enterprises. The major prepares personnel with specialized skills in test construction, data analysis, major evaluation, and research design.

Total Major requirements with this concentration -37 hours minimum

Major Core (9 Credit Hours Minimum)

see Curriculum Requirements above

Students are required to take both EDF 6481  and EDF 6432  from the Major Core

Concentration Requirements (22 Credit Hours Minimum)

Note: Both EDF 6432  and EDF 6481  from the Major Core must be taken, one of which fulfills a Core requirement and the other fulfills a Concentration requirement.

Elective in Instructional Technology selected from the following:

Electives (6 Credit Hours Minimum)

see Curriculum Requirements above

Comprehensive Exam:

Students must perform satisfactorily on a written comprehensive examination taken on completion of coursework or during the last semester of enrollment in the major. Students must be enrolled for a minimum of two graduate hours during the semester in which this examination is taken.

Secondary Education: Biology


Offered from the Department of Teaching and Learning
This concentration is intended for experienced/certified educators (broadly defined to include not only teachers but all those working in educational agencies, educational publishing, supervision and administration, technology agencies, and so forth) as well as individuals, who hold an undergraduate degree in some field relevant to the area of specialization, interested in advanced study of education but who are not seeking teacher certification. The aim is to provide advanced preparation for professional educators who are willing to apply what they learn to the creation, implementation, and evaluation of effective instructional programs. Accredited by NCATE.

Total Major requirements with this concentration: 33 hours minimum

Concentration Requirements (18 Credit Hours Minimum)

18 hours in the area of emphasis, to include courses in content and/or the teaching of this content one of which must be:

Secondary Education: Chemistry


Offered from the Department of Teaching and Learning
This concentration is intended for experienced/certified educators (broadly defined to include not only teachers but all those working in educational agencies, educational publishing, supervision and administration, technology agencies, and so forth) as well as individuals, who hold an undergraduate degree in some field relevant to the area of specialization, interested in advanced study of education but who are not seeking teacher certification. The aim is to provide advanced preparation for professional educators who are willing to apply what they learn to the creation, implementation, and evaluation of effective instructional programs. Accredited by NCATE.

Total Major requirements with this concentration: 33 hours minimum

Concentration Requirements (18 Credit Hours Minimum)

18 hours in the area of emphasis, to include courses in content and/or the teaching of this content one of which must be:

Secondary Education: Mathematics


Offered from the Department of Teaching and Learning
The Concentration in Secondary Education in Mathematics Education is a flexible major intended to improve the skills of the classroom teacher. The major will be planned with the student’s advisor. At least 60 percent of the major hours must be at the 6000 level. Accredited by NCATE.

Total Major requirements with this concentration: 33 hours minimum

Concentration Requirements (18 Credit Hours Minimum)

18 hours in the area of emphasis, to include courses in content and/or the teaching of this content one of which must be:

Secondary Education: Physics


Offered from the Department of Teaching and Learning
The Concentration in Secondary Education in Physics is a flexible major intended to improve the skills of the classroom teacher. The major will be planned with the student’s advisor. At least 60 percent of the major hours must be at the 6000 level.

Total Major requirements with this concentration: 33 hours minimum

Concentration Requirements (18 Credit Hours Minimum)

18 hours in the area of emphasis, to include courses in content and/or the teaching of this content one of which must be:

Secondary Education: Social Science


Offered from the Department of Teaching and Learning
This Concentration does not include teaching certification. Individuals interested in certification should consult the Master of Arts in Teaching in Social Science Education. This concentration is designed for educators who have at least two years of relevant experience in the field, typically, teachers certified in social science education with a baccalaureate degree from a College of Education. The aim is to provide advanced preparation in the theories and practices of social studies educators. Accredited by NCATE.

Total Major requirements with this concentration: 36 hours minimum

Electives:

  • Taken in COEDU and/or CAS at the 5000 or 6000 level Credit(s): 15
Comprehensive Exam

The Comprehensive exam is taken while enrolled in SSE 6636 Trends in Secondary Social Science Education . Consult the Major website, http://www.coedu.usf.edu/main/departments/seced/SSE/SSE_HomePage.html, or the major’s coordinator for specific requirements.

Secondary Education: TESOL


Offered from the Department of Teaching and Learning
This concentration is designed to prepare graduate students who aspire to begin or advance their career in teaching English to speakers of other languages.  Program graduates have expertise in modern language pedagogies they can implement across a variety of educational contexts. Within the M.Ed. framework, the degree is an individually planned major based on the student’s background and professional goals.

Total Major requirements with this concentration: 33 hours minimum

Concentration Requirements (18 Credit Hours Minimum)

18 hours in the area of emphasis, to include courses in content and/or the teaching of this content

Comprehensive Exam

A comprehensive exam must be taken in the College of Education at the completion