Online Master of Science Curriculum and Instruction: Elementary Education

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 in urban settings. The online Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction: Elementary Education provides you with the foundation to create compelling and effective curricula that fits the needs for the elementary school setting. You will 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.

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)

Program Curriculum

The online Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction: Elementary Education 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.

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

Seminar in Elementary Education EDE 6930
Advanced study of critical issues and problems in elementary education.

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.

Instructional Practice in Exceptional Student Education I EEX 5068
Theoretical basis and principles of appropriate instructional practices and techniques for students with mild disabilities, IEP planning, and curriculum development.

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.

Instruction in Elementary Mathematics MAE 6318
Refines skills related to program development, methods of teaching, selection of materials, and review of research, in elementary mathematics education.

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

Theory and Instruction in Literacy RED 6314
Process of reading program development, methods of teaching, selection of materials, and review of research in elementary reading education.

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

Curriculum Development in English as a Second Language TSL 5142
Description, analysis, planning, design, and evaluation of curriculum in English as a second language.

Teaching and Learning in Elementary Science Education SCE 5314
Course orientation is directed to understanding and examining "science for all" with employment of the Learning Cycle Model and numerous differentiated strategies for benchmark lessons in K-5 science.

Instruction in Elementary Social Studies SSE 6355
Refines skills related to program development, methods of teaching, selection of materials, and review of research in elementary social studies education.

The online Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction: Elementary Education 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: Elementary Education 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

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 the 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:

• FinAid
• FastWeb
• BigFuture

Federal Financial Aid

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: Elementary Education: https://continue.fiu.edu/programs/side-by-side-tuition-comparison/embed.html

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