Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Programs with a Specialization in English Education
Reading, writing, and the acquisition and development of general language skills fall under the broad umbrella of English education, or English language arts education. Teaching English is an incremental process that begins soon after birth and continues, formally, through elementary, middle, and secondary school. Early childhood language arts teachers focus on helping students build foundation skills, from mastering the alphabet and phonics to reading expressively, writing simply sentences, and inferring meaning from context. As students progress through their elementary school years, English teachers provide instruction in grammar, reading comprehension, oral presentation, and writing. The focus broadens to encompass advanced literacy skills, literary history, and topics including literary analysis, persuasion and rhetoric, and creative writing skills in middle and secondary school classes, which encompass the high school years.
Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction programs provide teachers and other education professionals with advanced training in pedagogy, academic program assessment and development, and educational research and technology, as well as with specialized instruction in specific subject areas. Programs with a focus on English Education offer general training in curriculum and instruction along with a concentration in English language education or teaching language arts. Depending on the school, master’s programs in the field may cover teaching students across grades levels from PK to 12 educational settings or focus on a subset of those student populations, such as early childhood, elementary, middle, or secondary school students. Graduates from these programs may take on leadership roles in teaching, developing, assessing, and managing English language instruction in public and private schools.
Note: English Education is distinct from teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), which requires its own type of specialized training. For information regarding online master’s programs in ESL instruction, please refer to our Online Master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) page.
What is a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in English Education Degree?
Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction in English Education programs are graduate degree programs that prepare students to teach English, develop language arts curricula, and administer English language and literature programming at the K-12 level. These programs are typically offered through schools or divisions of education or professional development at accredited colleges and universities. Some English education programs are designed for licensed teachers and educators who have prior professional experience in the field, while other programs provide training and instruction for bachelor’s program graduates who are interested in becoming English language educators in elementary or secondary schools.
Earning a graduate degree in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in English education is meant to equip educators with the pedagogical tools, theoretical knowledge, and practical skills needed to teach reading, grammar, literature, and other language arts proficiencies. Many programs are also designed to prepare graduates to apply for a state license or certification in elementary or secondary school teaching with an endorsement or specialization in English language arts. It is, however, important to note that licensing and certification requirements and processes vary by state. Thus, a program that provides adequate training for licensure eligibility in one state may not provide the specific coursework needed to licensure in other states.
Note: Students looking to earn their initial teaching license after completing a master’s program in curriculum and instruction should review licensing requirements for their state of residence and confirm the online program they choose will provide the training and student teaching hours needed to meet those requirements.
Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction in English Education
Many accredited, non-profit colleges and universities now offer fully or partially online master’s programs in English education. These programs deliver all or most of their required didactic instruction via web-based learning management systems (LMSs), eliminating or greatly reducing the amount of time students spend commuting to a school’s campus to attend a campus-based master’s program. Students in online master’s programs receive the same level of training and complete the same courses as students who attend a traditional on-campus program.
Students who enroll in an online program view live and/or pre-recorded lectures, submit assignments, complete exams, and participate in discussion groups through a program’s LMS. While many online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction in English Education programs are fully online and do not require any campus visits, some programs may include a limited number of short, campus-based sessions that students are required to attend in-person. These campus visits are distinct from any practical experiences a program might require, such as internships or student teaching placements, which are typically completed at a local site within commuting distance to an online student’s place of residence.
How OnlineEducation.com Identifies and Classifies Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Programs in English Education
There are three primary designations for Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction programs: Master of Arts (MA), Master of Education (MEd), and Master of Science (MS) degree programs. OnlineEducation.com researches curriculum and instruction programs and identifies programs that offer a specialization or concentration in English education. This includes MA, MEd, and MS in Curriculum and Instruction programs with specializations in English education, language arts, literature education, and reading instruction.
To be classified as online, a program must offer all or most of its didactic instruction using distance learning technologies. Programs that require up to two campus visits per year are classified as online programs on the site. Programs that require three or more campus visits per year are classified as hybrid programs and are not listed on this site. It is important to note that campus visits are separate from practical experiences that online students must complete in-person within their community and that a single campus visit may be multiple days in length (typically three to five days). Finally, to be listed a program must be offered by a regionally accredited, non-profit college or university.
What Students Learn in Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction – English Education Programs
There are two or three major components in a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction program with a specialization in English education. Core curriculum and instruction courses, which cover pedagogy, curricular assessment, program development, and contemporary issues in K-12 teaching and educational leadership, comprise one component. Focused training in teaching reading, writing, and other language arts, comprise the other major component, which may also include required or elective courses in teaching literature and advanced writing skills. The third component is practical experiences, such as internships and/or student teaching placements, which are required by some but not all master’s programs in the field.
While there is no specific accreditation required for English education programs outside of regional accreditation, Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction programs commonly align their curricula with the standards for Instructional Designer Competencies developed by the International Board of Standards for Training, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), and/or the National Education Association (NEA) Teacher Leadership Competencies. In addition, some programs may be accredited by one or two organizations: the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) or the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
Common Courses in Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction in English Education Programs
The table below provides an overview of required and elective coursework typically offered as part of a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction program with a specialization in English Education. The course names and descriptions are drawn from actual master’s programs offered online by accredited colleges and universities.
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Technology Practices for Instructional Improvement | An overview of research and developments in the use of technology in the classroom and an examination of the application of new technologies to enhance the K-12 learning experience, improve student outcomes, and provide teachers with productivity gains. |
| Research Methods in Education | Explores quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methods in education, how educators should assess various studies, current literature in the field, and best practices for applying findings in schools and classrooms. |
| Curriculum Design: Theory and Practice | Explores the history and foundations of curriculum design theories and practices for K-12 education. |
| Current State of Practice: English Language Arts | Examines the latest research and developments in the broader field of elementary and secondary education and in English language arts, including reading and writing instruction, and explores contemporary issues in English education, including the focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. |
| Theories of Childhood and Adolescent Development | An overview of how K-12 students develop emotionally, behaviorally, socially, and cognitively from a behavioral science perspective, with a focus on how these factors influence best practices in teaching and program design. |
| Studies in Composition Techniques | An in-depth study of composition theory, techniques, and methods, specifically in teaching English composition in a high school setting. |
| Introduction to Descriptive Linguistics for Teachers | An overview of the study of language acquisition and development, the structural elements of language, and how these factors inform English language teaching and program design for elementary and secondary school students. |
| Leadership and Communication Skills in Education | Explores teacher leadership and communication in schools, skills development for enhanced communication and collaboration with families, students, and colleagues. |
| Teaching Literacy Through Literature | A philosophical and practical approach to using literature to teach language arts skills at various levels and for various ages. |
| Literature for Secondary School Teachers | Analyzes theories of learning, teaching philosophy, and best practices for teaching secondary English Language arts, including the incorporation of writing assignments into lesson planning. |
| Teaching Multilingual Students in Secondary English and Middle Grades Language Arts Classrooms | Explores the design and application of effective instructional methods and program components for teaching English literacy skills to second language learners; and addresses problems and issues, and how to include second language learners in the English classroom. |
Admissions to Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Programs with a Focus on English Education
There are two primary eligibility requirements potential applicants should look for when researching online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction programs to ensure they are choosing the right type of program. While both types of programs require a bachelor’s degree for admission, some programs require applicants to hold a valid state-issued teaching license or certification prior to enrollment. The other type of program is designed to prepare students for their initial teaching license and, therefore, does not require applicants to have already earned a teaching license or certification. There are additional admissions criteria that are important as well, such as minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA, standardized graduate admissions test scores, and prior work experience.
Programs may require or prefer applicants with a minimum GPA of 2.75, 3.0 or 3.2 on a four-point scale, students with GRE or MAT test scores within a certain range, and/or students who have spent a year or more working in a professional education setting. However, many programs no longer require the GRE or make the submission of standardized test scores optional for applicants and some programs are designed for students what want to begin their graduate studies directly after completing their undergraduate degree. Finally, candidates are commonly asked to include two or three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and/or written responses to one or more essay questions along with their application.
Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction – English Education Format Options
Online graduate programs have several differentiating factors that can impact the overall learning experience. These include most prominently: online instructional methods (synchronous vs. asynchronous instruction); variable enrollment options (part-time vs. full-time enrollment); and whether or not a program requires campus visits. Each of these factors are discussed in the sections below.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Instruction: The difference between the two modes of online instruction concerns the utilization of real-time instruction. Synchronous instruction is the mode that integrates live online lectures and class sessions that take place in real-time and thus require students to be logged on to a program’s LMS at set times each week. While it varies by program, live classes are often scheduled in the evening, early morning, or on the weekend to accommodate working professionals. Asynchronous instruction does not have a real-time component. It encompasses pre-recorded class meetings and lectures that students can access on their own time (24 hours a day, seven days a week), as well as papers, readings, discussion forums, and other assignments that students must complete by dates set by their instructors and course syllabi.
Synchronous instruction provides a structure that is similar to attending traditional campus-based classes, which may be ideal for students who need a more structured learning environment. However, having to attend live online classes may cause scheduling conflicts for some students, especially those who do not have a routine, set work schedule. Eliminating the real-time component of class attendance with asynchronous instruction creates greater scheduling flexibility for online students. However, asynchronous instruction requires students to be self-discipline and to have strong time management skills in order to ensure assignments are completed in accordance with course syllabi. While all programs incorporate asynchronous instruction, only some programs utilize synchronous instruction.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time Enrollment: Many online master’s programs are designed for students who have begun their professional careers and intend to continue working while earning their degree. Thus, it is common for programs to have part-time and/or flexible enrollment options that allow students to align the time they spend on schoolwork with other commitments. However, for students who would like to earn their degree quicker, some programs do offer full-time enrollment options. Enrolling full-time generally means spending 40 or more hours per week on coursework when school is in session.
Most master’s programs are designed to be completed in three or four traditional 15-week academic semesters and can take up to two years for full-time students to complete. However, many programs offer courses year-round or utilize academic calendars with shorter terms that give students the option of finishing their degree is as few as 12 months of full-time enrollment. While enrolling part-time reduces the amount of time a student typically spends on schoolwork each week (often 15 to 20 hours compared to 40 or more hours), it also extends the time to completions. Students who pursue their degree part-time typically graduate in two to four years, depending on their program’s structure and how many courses they take per term.
Campus Visits: Most online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction programs do not require students to attend any campus visits. However, some programs incorporate a limited number of campus-based sessions into their curricular requirements. These campus visits, often called intensives, immersion sessions, or residencies, are in addition to any site-based internships or practicums that may be part of an online Master’s in English Education curricula. These on-campus sessions are typically used to provide online students with in-person orientations, intensive learning seminars, networking opportunities, and other supplemental instruction that can enhance the online learning experience.
However, potential applicants should be aware that these visits can add additional travel expenses to a program’s tuition costs and fees, and may not be ideal for all students, especially those who do not live within commuting distance to their college’s campus or for students with personal or professional obligations that make traveling difficult. While most online programs clearly state if the program requires any in-persons sessions, it is always good to confirm with an admissions advisor before applying. OnlineEducation.com only includes online programs that require two or fewer campus visits per year.