Program goal
The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction program is designed to provide professional and cognate experiences for students who have been admitted to the Master of Teaching program but choose not to complete licensure. Enrollment in the teaching and learning concentration requires recommendation from the student’s adviser and approval by the department chair. Content courses within the program are selected in consultation with an adviser.
Student learning outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of research designs and an ability to read research studies critically
- Demonstrate an understanding of the historical, philosophical, sociological and ethical foundations of education and the impact that these have on public education
- Demonstrate an understanding of the use of technology in support of student learning and the instructional process
VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs
The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.
It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.
Degree candidacy requirements
A graduate student admitted to a program or concentration requiring a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation, must qualify for continuing master’s or doctoral status according to the degree candidacy requirements of the student’s graduate program. Admission to degree candidacy, if applicable, is a formal statement by the graduate student’s faculty regarding the student’s academic achievements and the student’s readiness to proceed to the final research phase of the degree program.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following degree candidacy policy as published in the VCU Graduate Bulletin for complete information and instructions.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on degree candidacy requirements.
Graduation requirements
As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.
Admission requirements
This concentration is intended for students who initially pursue a licensure program, but for whom that is no longer appropriate. Admission is by special action approved by the dean. Students may not apply directly to this concentration.
Degree requirements
In addition to the VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students are required to complete course work in core and elective courses.
- Credit hour requirements: Students are required to complete a minimum of 33 credit hours.
- Grade requirements: Receipt of a grade of C or below in two courses constitutes automatic dismissal from the program. Courses with a grade below C cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements.
Curriculum requirements
Course | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Foundations | ||
EDUS 660 | Research Methods in Education | 3 |
EDUS 673 | Seminar on Educational Issues, Ethics and Policy | 3 |
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Advanced Educational Psychology for Elementary Teachers | ||
Introduction to Social Statistics | ||
Curriculum Development | ||
Instructional Models and the Curriculum | ||
Other course as approved by adviser | ||
Core courses | ||
18 hours of graduate course work with TEDU, EDUS or SEDP prefix as approved by adviser | 18 | |
Approved electives | ||
Any graduate courses with TEDU, EDUS or SEDP prefix | 6 | |
Other courses as approved by adviser | ||
Total Hours | 33 |
Total graduate credit hours required (minimum) 33
Graduate program coordinator
Julie Gorlewski, Ph.D.
Associate professor and chair, Department of Teaching and Learning
Email: jagorlewski@vcu.edu
Phone: (804) 828-1305
Additional contact
Colleen Thoma, Ph.D.
Professor and associate dean for academic affairs and graduate studies
Email: cathoma@vcu.edu
Phone: (804) 828-3382
Program website: soe.vcu.edu