Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Programs with a Specialization in Elementary Education
Curriculum and instruction is an area of professional and academic specialization within the broader field of education that focuses on researching and evaluating learning processes in order to improve teaching strategies across subjects throughout grade levels and ages. Elementary education delineates the early years of post-kindergarten schooling, typically grades 1-6, although kindergarten and/or seventh and eighth grades are sometimes grouped under the elementary school umbrella. Thus, curriculum and instruction professionals who specialize in elementary education study how children learn and how subjects are taught in those early years of schooling in order to improve educational outcomes for elementary school students.
Elementary school curriculum and instruction specialists may find employment in a variety of roles, including teaching and administrative positions at public and private schools, or school districts. Professionals in the field also conduct research and craft policy for government agencies, nonprofit foundations, and private companies, and may work throughout the educational system as specialists in curriculum development and instructional design at the elementary school level. Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction programs with an Elementary Education specialization provide teachers, administrators, and other education professionals with the knowledge base and tools needed for this kind of work.
What is a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Elementary Education Degree?
Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction programs with a focus in Elementary Education are academic programs that provide graduate training in using the theories and methods of curriculum development and instructional design to improve teaching and learning in grades K-6. These programs culminate in the conferral of a master’s degree and prepare graduates to work as curriculum and instruction specialists in public and private schools, engage in research and policy work focused on improving elementary school education, and, for those qualified and licensed to be teachers, bring curriculum and instruction practices directly to students in elementary school classrooms.
Students in these programs also typically study educational research findings and contemporary issues in elementary education, including diversity, equity, and inclusion, and they explore ways in which educational technologies can be used to improve outcomes and create more fruitful learning environments for young students. In addition, many programs require practical experiences through internships and practicums that provide master’s degree students with an opportunity to put the knowledge and skills they have learned into practice in school and classroom settings.
Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary Education Programs
Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction programs use distance learning technologies to deliver all or most of their coursework online. These programs use learning management systems (LMSs) to host live and/or pre-recorded lectures and virtual class meetings, group discussion boards, and other online learning activities. Students in an online program view lectures and complete assignments via the program’s LMS and can also use the web-based instructional platform to message instructors and collaborate with classmates.
Programs that include practical experiences generally allow online students to complete internships and practicums at local sites within commuting distance to their residence and students maybe able to complete student teaching hours at their current place of employment if approved by the program. Thus, through a combination of online instruction, traditional readings and assignments, and site-based practical experiences, online programs offer the same training as campus-based programs without the need to travel to campus for in-person classes.
How OnlineEducation.com Identifies and Classifies Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Programs in Elementary Education
OnlineEducation.com researches master’s programs and identifies programs that offer a curriculum and instruction curriculum with a focus in elementary education and deliver all or most of their coursework via online instruction. Programs on the site must be offered by accredited, non-profit colleges or universities and require no more than two campus visits per year. Programs that meet these criteria are typically housed within schools of education or teaching colleges at universities, although they may also be offered by smaller colleges and through other academic divisions at larger schools, like departments of professional studies.
While there is no formal naming convention for these programs, most are designated as Master of Education (MEd), Master of Arts (MA), or Master of Science (MS) in Curriculum and Instruction degree programs with a specialization or concentration in Elementary or Primary School Education. It is important to note that there are also Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs with specializations in Elementary Education. MAT programs focus primarily on teaching proficiencies, while Master of Education programs often emphasize curriculum development, instructional design, and leadership in the field.
Note: States require public school teachers to be licensed or certified, which entails completing specific coursework and a minimum number of student-teaching hours. Each state administers its own credentialing protocols. Thus, requirements for general and specialized teaching credentials vary by state. Students considering an online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Elementary Education should research the criteria for licensing in their state of residence to determine the specific requirements they must fulfill prior to applying for a teaching credential.
What Students Learn in Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction – Elementary Education Programs
While course names, descriptions, and requirements vary by school and by program, there are core curriculum and instruction proficiencies that can be applied to elementary education and that are typically central to an online master’s program curriculum. These include curriculum design, instructional strategies, educational theories, educational research methods, leadership and program administration, educational technologies, and cultural competencies for elementary education. In addition, many programs require students to complete a final capstone or thesis project and/or engage in a specified number of supervised internship hours prior to earning their degree.
Beyond core coursework, there are typically electives and/or designated concentration tracks that give master’s students options for specializing in one or more subject areas, such as reading and literacy, math and science, special education, teaching English as a second language, or the arts. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), TESOL International Association, and the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) are several professional organizations that provide curricular guidance for elementary school program design. Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction programs may also align some of their coursework with Instructional Designer Competencies developed by the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction (IBSTPI), as well as with standards recommended by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), and/or the National Education Association (NEA), which publishes Teacher Leadership Competencies.
Common Courses in Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary Education Programs
The table below provides a representative overview of the types of courses that are commonly offered as part of an online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction program with a specialization in Elementary Education. The names and descriptions are aggregated from research of online programs currently offered by accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities.
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Educational Research | Explores qualitative and quantitative educational research methods, experimental design, and the use of research findings in the development of curricula and instructional strategies. |
| Problem-Solving in Early and Middle Childhood Mathematics | An examination of the knowledge, skills, and approaches teachers can implement to improve learning outcomes for elementary school students in mathematics, including a critical evaluation of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards and other accepted methods for teaching mathematics to early and middle childhood students. |
| Studies in Curriculum and Instruction | Provides an overview of curriculum and instruction, including critical readings and research in the field, with a focus on reflective strategies improving curriculum and instruction development. |
| Creating an Equitable Learning Environment: Decision-Making and Action | Strategies teachers and curriculum designers can use to create positive learning environments for diverse learners, including students with behavioral issues and disabilities. |
| Teaching Social Studies to Early and Middle Elementary Grades | The knowledge and instructional methods needed to teach social studies to elementary school students, including appropriate social studies curriculum, theoretical approaches to curriculum development, and the skills, strategies, and reasoning methods used in the social sciences. |
| Science Methods and Assessment for Elementary Teachers | Examines inquiry-based processes, lesson planning and design, teaching methods, and a content overview to prepare teachers for science instruction in elementary grades. |
| Theories of Childhood | Examines childhood from historical, cultural, philosophical, and psychological perspectives. |
| Foundations of Language in Second Language Teaching | Students gain a critical understanding of the concepts and principles of second-language acquisition in elementary grades in order to create curricula and instructional strategies more effectively for teaching English as a second language. |
| Issues in Comprehension, Cognition, and Content Reading | An advanced study of reading instruction that explores reading as a process of constructing; and covers approaches, materials, and methods for integrating reading and writing into elementary school content areas to improve learning. |
| Nonfiction Literature for Children and Adolescents | Explores nonfiction literature for children and adolescents, focusing on books that inspire curiosity, values, and goals, and promote student engagement. |
Admissions to Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Programs with a Specialization in Elementary Education
Applicants to master’s programs in the field of education must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, and many program prefer candidates with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75, 3.0 or higher on a four-point scale. Other requirements vary by school and by program. For example, some online master’s in curriculum and instruction programs are designed for teachers who have already attained state licensure or certification and may prefer applicants who have one or more years of classroom experience.
In addition to official transcripts, applicants may be asked to submit a professional resume or CV, two or three letters of recommendation, and/or answers to one or more essay questions. While some programs still require the submission of scores from a graduate level standardized test like the GRE or MAT, many programs no longer require standardized test scores or make the submission of scores optional for applicants. Prospective applicants should review admissions requirements carefully before submitting their application to ensure they meet program requirements and have included all of the requested materials.
Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction – Elementary Education Format Options
Online master’s programs have several key structural variations that can impact the learning experience. These include two distinct modes of online instruction (synchronous and asynchronous instruction), full-time and part-time enrollment options, and campus visits, which some programs include as part of their required curriculum. Each of these subjects and their impact on the relatively convenience and flexibility of online programs are covered in detail below.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Instruction: Synchronous online instruction is the technical term for didactic instruction that takes place in real-time, such as live virtual classes and lectures that must be attended at set, scheduled times. Online master’s programs that utilize synchronous instruction commonly schedule lectures and class meetings in the evenings, early mornings, or on weekends to accommodate students who work full-time. Most programs will have one to three synchronous sessions per week and these sessions are typically recorded for students who need to miss a class session due to work or other personal obligations.
In contrast, asynchronous instruction does not include live streamed lectures or any other real-time components. This mode of instruction encompasses a broad range of instructional elements, including pre-recorded lectures and class sessions that can be viewed at each students’ convenience, as well as readings, papers, and other types of assignments. While all online programs use forms of asynchronous instruction, only some utilize synchronous instruction. It is important to note that synchronous instruction is the mode that most resembles traditional campus-based classroom learning; however, asynchronous instruction provides greater flexibility for students as they are not required to be online at specific times each week. All online master’s programs require self-motivation, self-dedication, and time-management skills; therefore, prospective students should consider their learning preferences when researching programs in order to determine which mode of online instruction will be best for their own personal goals, needs, and preferred learning style.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time Enrollment: Master’s programs generally consist of four semesters of coursework that can be completed in two years or less by students enrolled on a full-time basis. Full-time enrollment typically means devoting roughly 40 hours per week to school when classes are in session and provides the fastest route to competing an online master’s degree. However, many online programs are designed for working professionals and offer part-time enrollment options. Part-time students carry a reduced course load each term and are expected to spend 15 to 20 hours per week on coursework when classes are in session. The time to completion for a part-time student is thereby extended by one or more semesters, typically to two to three years.
It is important to note that some programs offer courses year-round and/or use alternative academic calendars that allow part-time students to take one or two courses per term while still earning their degree in two years. Full-time students enrolled in a program with this type of structure may be able to earn their degree in as few as 12 to 16 months.
Campus Visits: While most online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction programs do not require students to attend any campus visits, some programs integrate a limited number of campus-based sessions into their curriculum. These required sessions, which may be referred to as residencies, immersion sessions, or intensives, can be a valuable component of online learning. Programs may use campus visits for orientations, seminars, networking opportunities and other activities that benefit from being on site. However, travel and lodging can add to the overall cost of a program and may not be convenient for some students, particularly those who do not live near the school offering the program.
OnlineEducation.com only includes online programs that require two or fewer campus visits per year. Programs that require three or more campus visits per year are classified as hybrid programs and are not included on the site. However, internships and/or field experiences that are required as part of a program’s curriculum are not considered campus-visits, as they are typically completed at a site near a student’s place of work or residence.