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Academic Areas & Divisions
Curriculum & Instruction
Master of Education
Graduate work in the area of Curriculum & Instruction is an invitation to grapple with essential questions of curriculum and instruction. For example:
- What problems and questions are unique to the field of curriculum and instruction?
- What is the value of action research, in combination with the existing research base, for grappling with such problems and questions?
- Are some problems and questions theoretical while others are practical? How are these linked?
- What does it mean to know something. Consequently, what does it mean to teach?
- In what ways and to what extents does social context matter in education? For example, in what ways does education need to be conducted in a society that is trying to be both multicultural and democratic?
It is an invitation to reconsider and revise these questions continually, to confront one's inevitable ignorance, and 
to build new understandings and new questions. In short, the mission of the M. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction is to cultivate knowledgeable and reflective practitioners.
Goals
Students completing the M. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction will leave the program with (1) higher standards for their profession; (2) a sense of connectedness with a community of educators who are grappling with similar questions and issues; (3) the disposition to suspend belief and disbelief as needed; (4) a commitment to practical work guided by knowledge and understanding; and (5) a passion for greater understanding.
Study Options
Curriculum and Instruction offers 7 study options in Master of Education Study. The candidate for the Master of Education Degree in Curriculum & Instruction must fulfill Core Requirements and the additional requirements related to individual Study Options as described below:
Master of Education: Educational Communication & Technology
Study of the theory and practice of technological applications to education and training. The design and development of effective instruction using computer, video and other technologies. Emphasis is placed on understanding and applying sound instructional principles. Emphasis is also placed on critical analysis of learning contexts to determine when the use of technology is appropriate. Details.
Master of Education: Language, Literacy & Culture
Studies in developmental reading, language arts, and English as a second language have been combined to create a single and powerful study in Language, Literacy, and Culture. All teachers must be prepared to develop citizens who can fully participate in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This study option strengthens the pedagogical,theoretical, and curricular competence of teachers and educators who will assume leadership roles (e.g. reading and second language specialist, team leader, staff developer). Students may also pursue specialized state endorsements in reading and ESL. Details.
Master of Education: Mathematics Education
Emphasizes continuing education and advanced, specialized training at the graduate level in mathematics education. Provides for either elementary or secondary emphasis. Intended to strengthen teaching competence of mathematics teachers and to prepare them for other leadership roles in mathematics education. Details.
Master of Education: Multicultural Education
This study option is designed to prepare teachers and other professionals to assume leadership roles in school districts, colleges, universities and other institutions that have projects, courses and programs related to multicultural education, race relations, and to improving the academic achievement of students of color. The study option is also designed to help classroom teachers acquire the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to integrate their curricula with ethnic content and for educators involved in helping school districts move from desegregated to effectively integrated educational environments. Details.
Master of Education: Science Education
Emphasizes continuing education in the sciences at the graduate level and graduate level education courses for the science specialist. Goals are to provide candidates with the opportunity and guidance to improve their science teaching skills and prepare for leadership roles in science education. Details.
Master of Education: Social Studies Education
Provides an opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge of social studies education by combining graduate work in education and in history/social sciences. Intended to strengthen the curricular and instructional competence of social studies teachers and to prepare them for professional roles in education (e.g., social studies curriculum specialist). Teaching experience and prior college work in social studies education required. Details.
Master of Education: Teaching & Curriculum
This option is designed for those who wish more comprehensive study of pedagogy, general curriculum, elementary curriculum, or secondary curriculum. It includes not only courses in C&I and other Education area, but also 3-12 credits of courses to be determined by the student and faculty advisor from courses presented by Arts & Sciences and/or other professional schools. Details.
The candidate for the Master of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction must fulfill all of the requirements specified by the Graduate School and the College of Education. In addition, the candidate must fulfill both core requirements and additional requirements related to the Study Option selected by the student. Click on the study options listed above for additional details.
IslandWood Program
The first year of either the Science or Teaching & Curriculum masters program can be completed through University of Washington’s partnership with IslandWood, an outdoor learning center. The Graduate Residency in Education, Environment and Community at IslandWood focuses on the integration of educational theory from environmental, experiential and multicutural education with practice teaching 4th, 5th and 6th graders in our School Overnight Program. Graduate students live on IslandWood’s award winning sustainable 255 acre campus which includes a marsh, bog, pond, ravine, and forests with a nearby estuary.
Website: http://islandwood.org/graduate_program
Email: eec@islandwood.org
Curriculum & Instruction
