Program Overview

The program in Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) offers a Master of Education and a Doctor of Education. The Master of Education (MEd) degree is designed to meet the needs of elementary and secondary classroom teachers, subject matter specialists, and educational scholars and researchers. The MEd degree has two options: the Professional Educator and Educational Researcher.

The Doctor of Education (EdD) degree is designed to prepare graduates to assume positions in college and university teacher education programs.  Graduates will develop the rich knowledge base in educational theory and practice needed to conduct research and engage in service to the greater education community.  The program offers multiple opportunities to engage in college teaching, research grounded in cutting-edge educational issues, and collaborative activities in diverse educational settings including faculty from other disciplines.  

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD), Curriculum and Instruction degree is designed for graduate students seeking faculty or research positions in higher education or positions within research organizations that require educational research in highly specialized disciplines. Progress through the degree provides students with opportunities to develop specialized disciplinary content and research knowledge along with scholarly experiences that will provide the foundational knowledge and skills required for success as faculty in higher education and in research organizations.

The PhD in Education, with emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction, will prepare students to develop knowledge and conduct research related to six major areas of strength among our existing faculty including: (1) Leadership and Policy Analysis, (2) STEM Education, (3) the K-20 Trajectory, (4) Online and Distance Education Delivery, (5) Pedagogy and Teacher Preparation, and (6) Education Evaluation, Assessment, Research Design and Analysis. Special emphasis in these major research areas will address topics specific to Montana including working with rural communities and Native Americans on state and other educational issues. Graduates of this PhD program in education will be well-positioned to directly and positively affect the data driven culture related to improving the educational systems of Montana and beyond.

The Department also offers the Library Media Certificate (LMC) program. This totally online program and consists of 21 semester credits (7 courses). The program is for teachers who want to add an endorsement in K-12 Library Media to an existing teaching license or take courses for certification in Library Media.


 


Select Graduate programs in Curriculum and Instruction are approved Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP)  and Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) programs. To learn more, see the WRGP/WICHI page