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Degree Title

Master of Science

Apply by:

June 1

 

To begin:

Aug. 19, 2024

Overview

Advance your knowledge for working with students from diverse backgrounds. Our fully online Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction: Curriculum Development allows you to fuel your passion for education and learning. Through our program, you will gain experience that empowers you to make changes in your classroom and become a leader in your school. Special emphasis is placed on understanding approaches to curriculum and instruction for meeting the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse learners. 

Take the next step.

Our faculty members are leaders in education with years of classroom experience teaching culturally and linguistically diverse students. 

2019 MSCI Badge  2019 MSCI Badge

  • Why Apply?

    Our comprehensive master's program prepares teachers for the changing demands of the field, and to meet the needs of the growing minorities of students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The online Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction: Curriculum Development provides you with the foundation to become a better educator and leader in your school and/or district. You develop a keen understanding of the trends and issues in curriculum development and instruction, along with research-based methods to improve student achievement. You'll emerge from our program with an advanced degree that will enhance your job opportunities and increase your knowledge and skills to be a better teacher for your students. 

    Industry Statistics

    The value of earning a master's degree in education is recognized. Teachers with a master's degree are considered experts in the field, and often earn more than individuals with a bachelor's degree. Based on data from the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics, teachers with advanced degrees earn, on average, 10 percent more than those with a bachelor's degree. 

  • Careers

    Career Path

    School Administrator, Literary Specialist, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Curriculum Coordinator, Curriculum Specialist, Education Specialist, Instructional Designer, Instructional Systems Specialist, Instructional Technologist, Learning Development Specialist, Program Administrator.

    Non-traditional Career Paths

    Recreation Director

    Writer

    Publisher

    School Counselor

    Professional Tutor

    Adult Education/Mentoring

    Income Range

    $34,000 - $106,000

    Industry Outlook

    FL: 13% ⬆️

    US:10% ⬆️

    (Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics and onetonline.org)

  • Courses

    Program Curriculum

    The online Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction: Curriculum Development is completed in one year and consists of six accelerated eight-week terms. Students enroll in 4 courses (12 credits) each semester and complete two courses each 8-week term in the semester. A total of 36 credit hours (12 courses) is necessary to complete the program.

    The coursework includes content in curriculum and instruction, curriculum development, and research. You will be provided with the tools and opportunities to engage in an Action Research Project as part of the curriculum that helps customize the focus of the program.

    Curriculum Development  EDG 6250
    Development of basic technical constructs of curriculum. Planning of reality-based educational programs at all levels of schooling.

    Fundamentals of Learning  EDG 5417
    Designed to help educators use learning theories information to change instruction and improve student achievement.

    Seminar: Issues and Trends in Curriculum and Instruction  EDG 6627
    A review of current issues and trends in Curriculum and Instruction.

    Foundations of Educational Research  EDF 5481
    Competencies required for critical understanding, evaluation, and use of published educational research. Understanding quantitative and qualitative methods; sampling; measurement; data collection and analysis; and inference process.

    Action Research for Educators  EDF 6487
    Provides the knowledge and skills necessary for conducting research in schools and classrooms by teachers and administrators, using the results of this research to inform practice.  Prerequisite: EDF 5481

    Developing a Global Perspective  SSE 5381
    Theory, content, and practice. Introduction and utilization of learning materials and teaching strategies in global education for K-12.

    Curriculum Design for Childhood Education  EDE 6205
    A study of curriculum theory, research, construction and evaluation related to elementary schools.

    Education of the Child in Urban Society  EDE 5267
    Advanced study in the schooling of inner-city pupils.

    Secondary School Curriculum  ESE 6215
    Examination of programs, trends, and developments in curriculum and instruction in the secondary school.  Consideration and evaluation of innovations.

    Curriculum Evaluation and Improvement in Urban School Systems  EDG 6286
    Development of skills in curriculum evaluation and strategies for improvement of ongoing curriculum.

    Politics of Curriculum  EDG 7692C
    Advanced study of theories, research, and processes of curriculum decision-making.

    Colloquium in Curriculum and Instruction  EDG 6920
    Selected readings, presentations and discussions on topics related to curriculum and instruction.  

  • Requirements

    The online Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction: Curriculum Development is identical to the existing/approved face-to-face program in terms of curriculum and admissions requirements. However, courses are offered in an online format providing added flexibility for working students.

    Admissions requirements as of Fall 2020.

    • A bachelor’s degree in Education or an appropriate area from an accredited institution.

    • Applicants with a non-Education degree must demonstrate teaching experience.

    • A GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester hours of upper division undergraduate study.

    • Two (2) letters of recommendation to support the application. Letters and any other supporting documents are to be sent to Graduate Admissions Office at Florida International University, PO Box 659004, Miami, Florida, 33265 to complete the application for admissions.

    • A statement of personal philosophy/professional goals consistent with the objectives of the master’s program.

    • International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 80 on the IBT TOEFL or 6.5 overall on the IELTS is required. (Exceptions: Students who completed an undergraduate or graduate program from a U.S. institution or accredited higher education institution in other English-speaking countries).

    Admissions Documents

    The following must be submitted:

    • Online master’s programs application ($30). Be sure to select Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction: Curriculum Development Online.

    • Official transcripts from all previously attended universities. 

    • Current and detailed resume.

    • Statement of purpose describing your professional goals and reasons for pursuing this degree at FIU (at least 500 words in length). 

    • Two letters of recommendations (academic or professional). 

    International Students

    • Proof of English Language Proficiency. If you earned a bachelor's degree in a country whose official language is not English, you must demonstrate English language proficiency by earning a passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). TOEFL required minimum score: 550 (paper-based exam) or 80 (internet-based). IELTS required minimum score: 6.5. When requesting official scores, please refer to FIU Institution code 5206. TOEFL / IELTS scores are valid for two years. View list of TOEFL/IELTS-exempt countries.

      • Graduate programs can use the Duolingo English Test.

      • Please visit Duolingo English Test for more information about how to register for the exam.

      • FIU Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 110

    • Course by Course Evaluation. If your post-secondary educational history includes coursework outside the United States, you must submit a course-by-course credential translation and evaluation, with grade point average (GPA) calculation included, for all non-U.S. coursework. FIU accepts evaluations/translations from any NACES member evaluation service.

      FIU accepts evaluations/translations from any NACES member evaluation services, below are a few FIU recommends:

      Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., International Education Consultants
      7101 SW 102 Avenue
      Miami, FL 33173
      Phone: 305-273-1616 | Fax 305-273-1338
      www.jsilny.org | info@jsilny.com
      Visit the Josef Silny & Associates FIU Form for details

      World Education Services
      PO Box 745
      New York, NY 10113-0745
      212-966-6311
      www.wes.org | info@wes.org 

      Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
      PO Box 514070
      Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
      414-289-3400 | www.ece.org

    • Official Transcripts Translation. If official transcripts are not in English, a second copy of the transcript must be requested for translation. Both the official translation, as well as the original transcripts, must be submitted to FIU.

    • Certified Copy of Diploma. If you obtained your degree at a foreign institution.

    • As a fully online degree, this program is ineligible to grant/provide F-1 Student visas.

    Official transcripts/translations must be submitted directly by the respective institution(s) in a sealed university envelope to: 

    FIU Graduate Admissions 
    Modesto A. Maidique Campus, BT 201 
    11200 S.W. 8th Street 
    Miami, FL 33199

    Effective January 15, 2023 for Graduate applicants: If your post-secondary educational history includes coursework outside the United States, you must submit a course-by-course credential translation and evaluation, with grade point average (GPA) calculation included, for all non-U.S. coursework. FIU accepts evaluations/translations from any NACES member evaluation service. Please visit the NACES website here: NACES | Credentials Evaluations Provided by NACES Members

  • Tuition

    Pursuing your degree is one of the best investments you can make — one that will open doors to personal and professional opportunities. Our tuition costs represent some of the best value in higher education, and we also offer financial aid support you need to reach your goals.

    The total cost of the program is $18,300 for Florida residents, non-Florida residents, and international students. Students pay for courses at the beginning of each semester. All fees are subject to change.

    Scholarship opportunities available

    External Resources for Teachers

    • Tuition Reimbursement Programs

    Academic Works

    FIU offers   Academic Works, a website that matches students with relevant scholarships opportunities.  Find the one that’s right for you!  Academic Works is an online scholarship application tool where FIU students can browse and apply for more than 100 scholarships, made possible by the generosity of FIU alumni and friends.  Students can apply after they are matriculated into one of our programs.  For more information visit   https://give.fiu.edu/business-governance/scholarships/.


    Other Resources

    There are other third party resources that prospective students can access while researching on how to pay for school.  Below are various links that provide more information on financial aid and scholarship opportunities:


    Federal Financial Aid

    For information on Federal Financial Aid and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), please visit our   financial aid page.

     

    Under the revised Florida Board of Governors' (BOG) Regulation 8.002, all institutions of the State University System (SUS) of Florida are required to provide students with a side-by-side Tuition and Fees comparison for continuing education programs. The tuition comparisons are made between a traditional program vs. its counterpart Market Rate/Self-Supporting program. This approach provides students an opportunity to become aware of options that are available upon selecting a degree program of study.

    Please click on the following link which will take you to a searchable database that provides the side-by-side tuition and fees comparisons for the Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction - Curriculum Development: https://continue.fiu.edu/programs/side-by-side-tuition-comparison/embed.html

  • Top Faculty

    Dr. Maria L. Fernandez
    Dr. Fernandez, chairperson of the Department of Teaching and Learning, joined the faculty of FIU in 2007. Her research and scholarly work is primarily within the areas of creating and investigating approaches for the professional development of prospective and practicing teachers of mathematics, working with diverse learners, and developing and exploring approaches for improving the mathematics teaching and learning of diverse learners. She earned her Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from the University of Georgia. As of Spring 2011, she has been awarded over $2.5 million in external funding. Dr. Fernandez is also an associate professor and program leader.

    Dr. Daniela Foerch
    Dr. Foerch received her Ph.D. at Barry University with a major in curriculum and instruction and concentration in early childhood education. Dr. Foerch's research interests are in the areas of emotional intelligence, language and literacy development, teacher's discourse in the classroom, and the use of visible thinking routines to cultivate thinking dispositions in young children.

    Dr. Flavia Iuspa
    Dr. Iuspa is the program director of the MSCI Jamaica Program, as well as an instructor in the Department of Teaching and Learning. Before joining the COE, she was the program manager at the COB directing the COB’s off-shore programs. Her primary research interests include the internationalization process of higher education institutions, developing global perspectives in teachers and students, and most recent incorporating habits on mind in online course. Her research has been presented at AERA and CIES national conferences. 

    Dr. Sarah Mathews
    Dr. Mathews is an assistant professor of social studies education. Prior to teaching at FIU, Dr. Matthews headed the Secondary Social Studies program at Clemson University. Her research interests include global and multicultural citizenship education, studying pedagogies that promote intercultural competence and perspective consciousness within social studies education. She is also interested in photomethodologies that promote participatory research and social action.

    Dr. Angela Salmon
    Dr. Salmon's long-standing partnership with Project Zero at Harvard Graduate School of Education has evolved into numerous research initiatives and professional development opportunities. Her research interests include children’s theory of mind, metacognition, language and literacy development, teacher’s discourse in the classroom, music and thinking and the development of communities of practice.

  • View our Information Session

    Learn more about the details of our program by listening in to our information session.

fiuonline.fiu.edu

36 Credits Required

fiuonline.fiu.edu

$18,300.00 Tuition Cost

* Total tuition and fees are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Now accepting applications for Fall 2024
  • Priority Deadline: June 1, 2024
  • For more information, please contact us at jdipp@fiu.edu
  • No GRE required
  • Limited scholarships available for new incoming students
  • 12-month fully online program
  • Program culminates in an Action Research Project (ARP), to identify and solve issues
  • Teachers in the US with advanced degrees earn 10 percent more, on average, than those with bachelor's degrees
  • #8 Best 1 Year Online Masters in Education Programs, bestvalueschools.org, 2020
  • #6 Best Online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction, TheBestSchools.org 2020
  • Top 25 Best Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Programs (OnlineMasters.com), 2019
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