Curriculum and Instruction, M.A.
The Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction is an advanced academic degree that builds upon an appropriate undergraduate foundation. A total of 36 semester units are required to complete this program.
The program is designed as advanced study for educators who desire to gain more knowledge in the areas of Innovative and Lifelong Learning, Multilingual Education, Reading and Literacy, or Special Education. Candidates without a preliminary teaching credential from the state of California will not be eligible to apply for the Reading and Literacy Added Authorization and are only eligible for the Innovative and Lifelong Learning concentration.
Program Learning Outcomes
Candidates who complete the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction program will be able to:
Equip
-
Promote the success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.
Transform
-
Promote the success of all students by modeling a personal code of ethics and developing professional leadership capacity.
Empower
-
Promote the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.
Program Eligibility for the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction
- Proof of completion of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or equivalent accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). (Not required for entrance into the PPS program.) Candidates seeking a Master’s degree that does not include an approved CTC credential are not required to take the CBEST or equivalent exam;
- A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.000 is required to be admitted in the M.A. in Education or a stand-alone credential or added authorization housed within the M.A. in Education degree program. Candidates with a cumulative grade point average less than 3.000 may apply for “Admission under Exception” which is reviewed by the program director and dean;
- Two or more letters of recommendation from appropriate persons who have knowledge of the applicant’s character and ability to work with children or youth. (References from friends or relatives are not appropriate);
- A writing sample that indicates graduate-level ability; and
- An interview with the appropriate program director or Admissions chair.
Applicants who do not meet the above standards but can demonstrate that they have an exceptionally rich experiential background and/or have demonstrated dramatic change in academic performance may petition the School of Education to review their status.
Transfer of Credits
Up to six (6) units of approved post-baccalaureate coursework aligned with the course of study below, and unused for a previous Master’s degree, may be transferred from other institutions toward this degree. Candidates desiring to transfer coursework must petition this through their advisor during the first semester of enrollment.
Prior coursework taken toward a preliminary teaching credential cannot be used as credit toward a PLNU Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction degree.
Concentrations
Innovative and Lifelong Learning Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| GED 6016 | Curriculum Development, Innovation, and Evaluation | 3 |
| GED 6029 | Using Technology to Enhance Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| GED 6041 | Culturally Inclusive Environments: Instruction and Advocacy | 3 |
| GED 6072 | Philosophy in Education | 3 |
| GED 6075 | Family Systems | 3 |
| GED 6081 | Educational Measurement and Evaluation | 3 |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| GED 6050 | Universal Access: Equity for All Students | 3 |
| GHE 6069 | Research and Evaluation of College Student Success | 3 |
| GHE 6070 | Applied Psychology of Learning | 3 |
| GHE 6074 | Emergent Adult Development Theory | 3 |
| Finishing Courses | ||
| GED 6094 | Action Research and Capstone | 3 |
| GED 6095 | Capstone Project and Presentation | 3 |
| Total Units | 36 | |
Multilingual Education Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| GED 6016 | Curriculum Development, Innovation, and Evaluation | 3 |
| GED 6029 | Using Technology to Enhance Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| GED 6041 | Culturally Inclusive Environments: Instruction and Advocacy | 3 |
| GED 6072 | Philosophy in Education | 3 |
| GED 6075 | Family Systems | 3 |
| GED 6081 | Educational Measurement and Evaluation | 3 |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| EDU 6001 | Language Acquisition and Diverse Populations | 3 |
| GED 6068 | Advanced Practice for English Learners | 3 |
| GED 6096 | Advanced Research-Based Literacy Instruction for All Students | 3 |
| GEL 6004 | Equitable and Socially Just School Communities | 3 |
| Finishing Courses | ||
| GED 6094 | Action Research and Capstone | 3 |
| GED 6095 | Capstone Project and Presentation | 3 |
| Total Units | 36 | |
Reading and Literacy Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| GED 6016 | Curriculum Development, Innovation, and Evaluation | 3 |
| GED 6029 | Using Technology to Enhance Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| GED 6041 | Culturally Inclusive Environments: Instruction and Advocacy | 3 |
| GED 6072 | Philosophy in Education | 3 |
| GED 6075 | Family Systems | 3 |
| GED 6081 | Educational Measurement and Evaluation | 3 |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| GED 6068 | Advanced Practice for English Learners | 3 |
| GED 6096 | Advanced Research-Based Literacy Instruction for All Students | 3 |
| GED 6097 | Advanced Literacy Assessment, Instruction, and Intervention for All Students | 3 |
| GEL 6004 | Equitable and Socially Just School Communities | 3 |
| Finishing Courses | ||
| GED 6094 | Action Research and Capstone | 3 |
| GED 6095 | Capstone Project and Presentation | 3 |
| Total Units | 36 | |
Special Education Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| GED 6016 | Curriculum Development, Innovation, and Evaluation | 3 |
| GED 6029 | Using Technology to Enhance Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| GED 6041 | Culturally Inclusive Environments: Instruction and Advocacy | 3 |
| GED 6072 | Philosophy in Education | 3 |
| GED 6075 | Family Systems | 3 |
| GED 6081 | Educational Measurement and Evaluation | 3 |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| GED 6022 | Advanced Special Education Assessment and Analysis of Behavior | 3 |
| GED 6050 | Universal Access: Equity for All Students | 3 |
| GED 6056 | Shared Leadership, Legislation, and Due Process | 2 |
| GEL 6004 | Equitable and Socially Just School Communities | 3 |
| Finishing Courses | ||
| GED 6094 | Action Research and Capstone | 3 |
| GED 6095 | Capstone Project and Presentation | 3 |
| Total Units | 35 | |
Certification Options
Graduation Requirements
In order to earn and receive a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction degree, a student must satisfy all of the following:
- A completed Application for Program Completion (online or in the Office of the Registrar, Point Loma campus);
- Satisfactory completion of the prescribed course of study with a cumulative grade point average of 3.000 or higher;
- Completion of the approved graduate program consisting of a minimum of 36 units;
- A recommendation from the credential analyst and director of the branch campus;
- All accounts paid in full; and
- All requirements for graduate degrees must be completed within an eight (8)-year period from the time of initial enrollment in the program.