Getting an affordable online master’s in curriculum and instruction can be a great way to take your teaching career to the next level. But it’s important to explore the options before choosing a degree program. What to look for with an online C&I Masters?
A C&I degree can help you enhance your curriculum skills and teaching strategies to meet diverse student groups’ needs. It can also help you become a more effective leader.
Coursework
The curriculum options available in a C&I Master’s degree program online are numerous and often quite flexible. Many are designed to allow busy educators to continue to juggle their careers while working toward their degrees.
These programs also offer accelerated courses and convenient start dates, which can reduce the overall time it takes to complete your degree. In addition, many are entirely online and do not require students to travel to campus.
With this in mind, you should carefully review the curriculum before enrolling in a master’s degree program. Ask the enrolment advisor how long it will take to complete the degree and whether the course schedule is flexible enough to accommodate your current lifestyle.
You may also want to examine the certification options for the program you’re considering. For example, if you’re seeking a reading specialist certification, make sure that the program’s coursework meets the requirements.
Electives
Choosing the right electives in a C&I Master’s degree program online can help students determine their career goals. For example, a student can focus on an area of specialization such as English language arts.
The individual can customize the curriculum for a C&I master’s online degree. A student and a faculty advisor can work together to identify the courses that best address their personal goals.
In addition to coursework, students must complete a comprehensive examination to complete their degree program. This exam will require them to assemble their portfolio of course assignments and explain how they align with the program’s outcomes.
Many programs offer a flexible scheduling plan so students can take courses anytime, from a single semester to multiple years. However, some may require a specific schedule to receive financial aid. If this is the case, it is important to contact the university to ensure that all courses are offered during a given term.
Concentrations
A C&I Master’s degree online offers a wide range of concentration options, depending on your interests and career goals. If you want to teach special education, a curriculum and instruction master’s degree program with a special education concentration may be right for you.
Another option is to focus on instructional technology, a growing education research and practice area that helps educators design learning environments that leverage the benefits of digital technologies. This program will give you the skills to design, implement and evaluate technology-rich learning experiences in various culturally and linguistically diverse contexts, improving student engagement, motivation, and active learning.
A C&I Masters program online will also provide you with the tools to identify student needs and develop strategies that meet them. This will help you improve how your students learn and grow, resulting in better test scores and improved student achievement. These skills will prepare you to lead your school or district with higher excellence.
Capstone
With a curriculum that blends K-12 STEM education with social justice issues and strength-based approaches, this online master’s in curriculum and instruction helps future teachers meet new demands and help every student develop and thrive. It also gives them the critical knowledge and skills to evaluate and implement new educational theories, methodologies, and technological innovations in their classrooms.
You will take eight courses (plus the capstone) to earn your degree in this curriculum and instruction online program for a total of 36 credit hours. You can choose from four concentrations or consult your advisor to create a track that fits your personal and professional goals.
You will also complete a capstone project, an original research study that can be practice- or policy-focused. You can earn your degree in this program in as few as five semesters, depending on the pace you set for yourself. This program is accelerated and flexible, so you can complete it while continuing to work full-time.
