When you pursue an MS in Curriculum and Instruction, choosing the right specialization is important. This choice can determine your future career path.
Some online master’s in education programs offer multiple areas of specialization. They can range from focusing on specific age groups or learning styles to curriculum design and technology to educational leadership.
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Special Education
Special education is a field of study that deals with students with disabilities (mental, physical, emotional, and behavioral). This includes children who have an intellectual disability or other learning problems.
Special education students receive individualized instruction designed to meet their specific needs. This can include modifying the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction.
The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, is the primary law governing special education in the United States.
It ensures that students with disabilities receive free, appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment.
To achieve this, special education services must be tailored to each child’s unique needs. This may require changes in the content and methodology of the education program, as well as supplementary aids or equipment.
Curriculum and Instruction
Whether you are a classroom teacher, a district curriculum specialist, or a school or district administrator, a master’s degree can elevate your skills and make you a more sought-after educator. If you want to teach students in an engaging, interesting, and memorable way, a degree in curriculum and instruction may be for you.
Many programs offer concentrations for a specific subject area, such as math, literacy, early childhood education, bilingual and multicultural education, and education technology. You can find an MS in Curriculum and Instruction that will allow you to complete a thesis or class project focused on your area of interest.
As you pursue an MS in curriculum and instruction, you will learn best practices in personal assessment of learning, intercultural viewpoints, globalised learning, involvement of family and community, and how to create courses that promote diversity, improve student performance, and enhance educational opportunities for all students. You’ll also explore the current research on educational assessment, differentiated instruction, and instructional theory and design.
Instructional Design and Technology
Master’s degrees in education and curriculum can be a great option to grow your career in teaching, whether you’re already a teacher or planning to become one. It will give you the skills to develop effective learning programs and materials that help students learn and grow.
The Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction offers different specializations that allow students to choose courses relevant to their interests and goals. Most concentrations include specialized courses in English language development, educational technology, instructional design, and evaluation, or student learning assessment.
The program also emphasizes critical thinking, problem-based learning, collaboration, creativity, and personal expression in real-world contexts. It teaches teachers how to differentiate instruction for all students and best practices for personal and professional growth. Coursework and clinical experiences are geared to the needs of students and teachers in elementary, secondary, and higher education settings, as well as for nontraditional learners.
Educational Leadership
Educational leadership is a broad field that includes principal and principal assistant positions at the school level and superintendent roles at the district level. These leaders are change-makers who work to improve educational policy and curriculum in their schools and the communities they serve.
Typically, these leaders are optimistic in their visions of the future and can envision new solutions to current challenges and policies where they work. They often collaborate with their colleagues to enact their responsibilities and can communicate effectively with stakeholders, including students, parents, and administrators.
A graduate degree in educational leadership can help you get that next step in your career and increase your professional credibility in your chosen field. It can also be beneficial to your community and the world at large.