Curriculum & Instruction
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum & Instruction
The Curriculum and Instruction master’s degree program is designed for teachers and other education professionals interested in improving their instruction, preparing for positions of leadership, or enhancing their abilities to support learning in K-12 schools and other educational settings. This degree offers specializations in Curriculum Studies, Language and Literacy, Mathematics Education or Science Education.
Our program offers graduate students two kinds of preparation: (1) knowledge related to content and (2) knowledge that helps them contribute to scholarship. The degree is constructed so that students choose a content specialization and either a research emphasis, or a teaching and learning emphasis.
The Curriculum and Instruction master’s degree is offered in two options, with specializations in Curriculum Studies, Language and Literacy, Mathematics Education or Science Education.
The objective of this program is to provide a rigorous master’s degree program that prepares graduate students to work with children, adolescents, and families in a variety of educational settings.
The traditional Master of Education (M.Ed.) is a 30-credit hour program that provides a solid knowledge base and background in the theoretical and practical aspects of the selected specializations.
Content Specializations for the Traditional Master’s Option
Students complete 12 hours of coursework within their specialization selected from the following within this master’s degree program. View the course catalog to learn more about each specialization.
- Curriculum Studies
- Language and Literacy
- Mathematics Education
- Science Education
The objective of this program is to provide graduate students with the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance their teaching and research abilities.
Available only to TCU undergraduates, the Accelerated Master’s Option allows outstanding students to combine a Bachelor’s degree with the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in only five years. Students are eligible to apply for admission to the graduate program if they will have completed 90 hours of undergraduate coursework by the end of their junior year.
Contact COEgraduate@tcu.edu for more information.
Specializations
The M.Ed. with a specialization in Curriculum Studies is a 30-credit-hour program (10 courses) designed for pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, and other educational professionals and advocates interested in enhancing their abilities to support education within and beyond K-12 schooling.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- In-Person: Experience rigorous but supportive classroom environments to increase your knowledge and skills.
- Unique Coursework: interdisciplinary courses draw from multiple perspectives including social foundations, cultural studies, and critical theories to study curriculum (defined broadly), such as subject area curriculum and pedagogy, school policies and procedures, educational issues, and public pedagogies beyond the classroom.
- Full-time or Part-time Option: Personalized and diverse programming to fit your needs and broaden your understanding of education within and beyond schools.
- Substantial Tuition Support for Local Educators: To learn more, call 817-257-7661 or visit Scholarships & Aid.
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Analyze how social and political factors impact curriculum in order to serve and support our communities as they advocate for change
- Critically reflect on educational issues and their ethical implications
- Delineate differing positions around the question “What is curriculum?” including multiple cultural perspectives
- Synthesize scholarly works from a critical perspective
- Demonstrate clarity, precision of thought, and a working knowledge of the rhetorical conventions of one or more fields within curriculum studies.
FROM OUR GRADUATES
“The program is built upon core principles that facilitate a deep exploration of critical
issues in education. It's commitment to delving into the historical roots of American
curriculum, influenced by global perspectives, historical events, and influential
figures, has helped to provide me with a comprehensive understanding.” – Grace Hood
“This program moves beyond classroom and pedagogy preparation into personal growth. We must think through, digest, and react to the realities of the world and consider where we fit into future change.” – Cassidy Booe
The Language and Literacy specialization focuses on research and pedagogy related to language and literacy, while preparing graduate students with an in-depth understanding of teaching reading and writing to children and adolescents. With this knowledge, students will be able to establish themselves as teacher-leaders in their respective schools and districts. Prerequisite: Certification to teach EC-6, or English Language Arts/Reading as respective grade levels. Note: This program does not meet the requirements for Reading, English Language Arts teacher certification.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Our students attend the TCU Summer Literacy Institute alongside local teachers
- Many of our students participate in the Warren Fellowship Program with the Holocaust Museum of Houston
- Our faculty are internationally recognized leaders and teachers who mentor our graduate students
FROM OUR GRADUATES
“TCU’s Masters in Curriculum and Instruction in Language and Literacy gave me an opportunity to grow professionally as an educator and foster my understanding of literacy development. Through a thorough study of foundational literacy skills and collaboration with my cohort and professors, I took away an incredible amount of teaching strategies and deep understanding that I am able to apply in my own classroom. The learning that takes place during the Language and Literacy Master’s Program has carried me through my first couple of years as a teacher especially because literacy is so closely intertwined and present in all subject areas – having the content and pedagogical knowledge of teaching students to read and has made me a better teacher all around.”
-Tiffany Nakamura, M.Ed.
Fifth Grade Math Teacher, Aledo ISD, Aledo TX
“In the master's program, I had so many incredible experiences and opportunities that have helped me so much as a first-year teacher. During the program, I had the opportunity to go to Florida and attend and present at the American Reading Forum conference. Later, I worked with a professor, and we were able to publish an article in Literacy Today based on our research. We were also able to start a book club at Starpoint and read picture books and chapter books with students before school twice a week. This experience was so rewarding and prepared me so much for my current teaching placement as a reading interventionist in California. The classes I took during the master's program also greatly prepared me as a teacher, because I learned so much about the specifics of teaching reading and how to meet students' needs as readers. By researching specific reading strategies and the components of a strong reading program, it has helped me meet the needs of my students.”
Maddie Baldikoski, M.Ed.
Reading Interventionist and STEM Teacher, Newport Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD),
Newport Beach CA
The M.Ed. with a specialization in Mathematics Education is a 30-credit-hour program (10 courses) designed for pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, math interventionists, math instructional coaches, and other education professionals interested in enhancing their abilities to support mathematics learning in K-12 schools and other educational settings.
PROGAM HIGHLIGHTS
▪ In-Person: Build your professional network by learning face-to-face within a community of
mathematics education professionals.
▪ Intimate Class Sizes: Professors aim to enhance your practice through supportive, personal,
and rigorous engagement.
▪ Full-time or Part-time Option: Personalized and diverse programming to fit your needs and
broaden your understanding of teaching and learning mathematics.
▪ Evening Classes: Earn a degree to further your career while maintaining your current job.
▪ Substantial Tuition Support for Local Educators: To learn more, email COEgraduate@tcu.edu or visit Scholarships & Aid.
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
▪ Hone mathematical knowledge for teaching and pedagogical content knowledge.
▪ Understand vertical alignment of mathematics content areas in the Pre-K – 12 curriculum.
▪ Link research and practice by using and conducting research to enhance teacher practice.
▪ Build knowledge and skills to become a leader in mathematics education.
FROM OUR GRADUATES
“As a graduate student obtaining my M.Ed. in Mathematics Education, I learned so much
from the magnificent professors at TCU. They encapsulate everything a teacher should
be. Thanks to their great leadership and example, I learned how to advocate for my
students, as well as create an environment that is welcoming to who they are and is
conducive to growth. The graduate program allowed me to put everything I learned from
my professors into practice. All of this combined has made me into the educator I
am today. I hope more educators get to experience this at TCU’s College of Education.”
Ilse Espino, M.Ed.
6-8th grade Math Teacher, Stripling Middle School, Fort Worth, TX
“Attending TCU for the Mathematic Education program was a decision I do not regret.
I was able to form personal and professional relationships with like-minded students
and professors. The program was dedicated to the development of a deeper level of
knowledge focused on teaching and learning in the field of mathematics education.
The partnerships created with the professors allowed for the facilitation of our growth
as future teacher leaders.”
Matthew Troyanowski, M.Ed.
Assistant Principal, Davis Elementary School, Irving TX
“TCU’s Curriculum and Instruction Master’s program more than prepared me to enter
the field of education. I have always known that I wanted to be a math teacher. Naturally,
an undergraduate degree in education was my next step. I never thought there could
be another step, which would take my macro understanding of education to an entirely
new level. I think about, consider, and use almost everything I learned (including
my own research!) through the M.Ed. program in my everyday practices! I would not
be the teacher I am today without my master’s degree through TCU’s College of Education.”
Chelsey Hayward, M.Ed.
Middle School Mathematics Teacher, Great Hearts Online
The M.Ed. with a specialization in Science Education is a 30-credit-hour program (10 courses) designed for pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, science instructional coaches, science curriculum coordinator, and other education professionals interested in enhancing their abilities to support science learning in K-12 schools and other educational settings.
PROGAM HIGHLIGHTS
▪ In-Person: Build your professional network by learning face-to-face within a community of science
education professionals.
▪ Intimate Class Sizes: Professors aim to enhance your practice through supportive, personal, and rigorous
engagement.
▪ Full-time or Part-time Option: Personalized and diverse programming to fit your needs and broaden your understanding
of teaching and learning science.
▪ Evening Classes: Earn a degree to further your career while maintaining your current job.
▪ Substantial Tuition Support for Local Educators: To learn more, email COEgraduate@tcu.edu or visit Scholarships & Aid.
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
▪ Develop culturally and linguistically response science pedagogy that recognizes,
honors, and advocates for all learners.
▪ Engage in personal and professional reflection to develop strategies for life-long
learning.
▪ Link research and practice by using and conducting research to enhance teacher practice.
▪ Build knowledge and skills to become a leader in science education.