The Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction is designed primarily for certified classroom teachers who want to enrich their professional knowledge and skills. The program draws from the National Board for Professional Teacher Standards (NBPTS) and the Maryland Teacher Technology Standards (MTTS) in advancing candidates’ knowledge and skills. The curriculum includes a core of professional education courses, with concentrations in four areas of education: elementary education, elementary school science and mathematics, secondary education and special education. In addition, candidates may earn a certificate from Hood College in Elementary-Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics (STEM) Education. This 36-credit program does not lead to initial teacher certification.
Submit the online application including one official transcript reflecting the highest degree conferred, a copy of the applicant's teaching certificate, and a writing sample. Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview with the program director of Curriculum and Instruction or the advisor in the Concentration area. Program expectations and requirements are explained to the applicant at this time. In addition, applicants must produce an acceptable writing sample during the application process.
All Curriculum and Instruction graduate students are required to have regular access to a U.S. P-12 classroom throughout the program in order to successfully complete assignments, including various course assessments and the capstone action research project. Applicants to the program who are not current classroom teachers must submit evidence that they will have regular access to observe and volunteer in a classroom in the form of an approval letter from the school principal. Such approval letters must be submitted annually to the student’s advisor. Applicants are responsible for meeting all requirements for school volunteers, as determined by the individual school and/or district. Applicants also are responsible for meeting any school and/or district requirements for conducting research in the school setting.
All Curriculum and Instruction candidates will need to complete the course requirements for the selected concentration. Candidates will work with an academic advisor to ensure completion of degree requirements at an acceptable level.
Curriculum and Instruction: Elementary Education Concentration
This 36-credit hour program is designed primarily for classroom teachers in early childhood or elementary education who want to gain additional knowledge and skills. Content focuses upon the areas of curriculum and advanced methodology, as well as theory and support courses. This program does not lead to initial teaching certification.
Professional Education Core Courses
| EDUC 502 | Technology for Teaching, Learning & Leadership | 3.0 |
| EDUC 577 | Introduction to Educational Research | 3.0 |
| EDUC 581 | Research-Based Teaching,Learning & Assessment | 3.0 |
| EDUC 582 | Educational Philosophy in a Diverse Society | 3.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12.0 |
Foundation Courses (12 credits):
In addition to the four professional education core courses for the M.S. degree, students must complete four elementary education foundation courses (12 credits):
| EDUC 533 | Effective Home-School Interaction: Research & Practice | 3.0 |
| EDUC 534 | Current Issues in Early Childhood & Elementary Education | 3.0 |
| EDUC 561 | Teaching Diverse Learners in an Inclusive Setting | 3.0 |
| EDUC 583 | Principles of Curriculum Development & Appraisal | 3.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12.0 |
Content Electives (9 credits)
In addition to the professional education core and foundation courses, the candidate must select three elective courses from different curriculum areas. One must be taken in reading. Substitutions are permitted with approval by the program director or academic advisor. (9 credits)
Reading
| EDUC 500 | Methods for Teaching English Language Learners | 3.0 |
| EDUC 511 | Children's Literature | 3.0 |
| EDUC 517 | Materials for Teaching Reading: Instruction & Methods | 3.0 |
| EDUC 518 | Reading Instruction:Elementary | 3.0 |
| EDUC 520 | Reading Diagnosis | 3.0 |
| EDUC 521 | Contemporary Issues in the Teaching of Reading | 3.0 |
| EDUC 535 | Integrating the Elementary Curriculum through Language Arts | 3.0 |
Mathematics/STEM
| EDUC 530 | K-12 Blended Learning | 3.0 |
| EDUC 545 | Modern Mathematics Methods | 3.0 |
| EDUC 546 | The Teaching of Numbers,Operations & Algebraic Thinking in Elementary & Middle School | 3.0 |
| EDUC 547 | The Teaching of Geometry & Measurement in Elementary & Middle School | 3.0 |
| EDUC 553 | Foundations of Elementary STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) Education | 3.0 |
Special Education
| EDUC 574 | Curriculum & Methods in Inclusive Classrooms: English Language Arts & Social Studies | 3.0 |
| EDUC 576 | Curriculum & Methods in Inclusive Classrooms: Math and Science | 3.0 |
Other
| EDUC 500 | Methods for Teaching English Language Learners | 3.0 |
| EDMA 530 | Mathematics Education Leadership I | 3.0 |
Capstone Course (3 credits):
Program Follow Up
Curriculum and Instruction: Elementary School Science and Mathematics Concentration
The purpose of this 36-credit hour program is to provide teachers with cutting-edge, innovative and research- supported elementary science and mathematics methods and topics. Emphasis is placed upon the understanding, development and application of constructivist, elementary Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics (STEM) curricula, materials, methods and activities that are applicable within the elementary classroom. This program does not lead to initial teaching certification. Program completion may include STEM certification.
Professional Education Core Courses
| EDUC 502 | Technology for Teaching, Learning & Leadership | 3.0 |
| EDUC 577 | Introduction to Educational Research | 3.0 |
| EDUC 581 | Research-Based Teaching,Learning & Assessment | 3.0 |
| EDUC 582 | Educational Philosophy in a Diverse Society | 3.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12.0 |
Foundation Courses (12 credits):
In addition to the four professional education core courses for the M.S. degree, the candidate must complete four elementary school science and mathematics foundation courses (12 credits):
| EDUC 540 | Modern Science Methods | 3.0 |
| EDUC 545 | Modern Mathematics Methods | 3.0 |
| EDUC 576 | Curriculum & Methods in Inclusive Classrooms: Math and Science | 3.0 |
| EDUC 583 | Principles of Curriculum Development & Appraisal | 3.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12.0 |
Content Electives (9 credits):
In addition to the professional education and foundation courses, the candidate must select three courses from different content and topic areas, either from the science or mathematics disciplines with the approval of the adviser, or from the following education courses (9 credits).
| EDUC 500 | Methods for Teaching English Language Learners | 3.0 |
| EDUC 530 | K-12 Blended Learning | 3.0 |
| EDUC 539 | National Board Certification Support | 3.0 |
| EDUC 542 | Topics in Elementary Physical & Earth Science | 3.0 |
| EDUC 544 | Topics in Elementary Life Science | 3.0 |
| EDUC 546 | The Teaching of Numbers,Operations & Algebraic Thinking in Elementary & Middle School | 3.0 |
| EDUC 547 | The Teaching of Geometry & Measurement in Elementary & Middle School | 3.0 |
| EDUC 553 | Foundations of Elementary STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) Education | 3.0 |
Capstone Course (3 credits):
Program Follow Up
Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary Education Concentration
This 36-credit program is intended for students who currently hold certification within a secondary teaching area. It is also intended as a master’s degree option for individuals in the post-baccalaureate secondary education certification program. This program may provide courses toward the advanced professional certificate but does not lead to certification in other areas. This program does not lead to initial teaching certification.
Professional Education Core Courses
| EDUC 502 | Technology for Teaching, Learning & Leadership | 3.0 |
| EDUC 577 | Introduction to Educational Research | 3.0 |
| EDUC 581 | Research-Based Teaching,Learning & Assessment | 3.0 |
| EDUC 582 | Educational Philosophy in a Diverse Society | 3.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12.0 |
Foundation Courses (9 credits):
In addition to the four professional education core courses for the M.S. degree, students must select three secondary foundation courses (9 credits):
| EDUC 561 | Teaching Diverse Learners in an Inclusive Setting | 3.0 |
| EDUC 565 | Classroom Organization & Management in Special Education | 3.0 |
| EDUC 583 | Principles of Curriculum Development & Appraisal | 3.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9.0 |
Content Electives (12 credits):
In addition to the professional education and foundation courses, candidates must select four courses from professional and content areas that form a coherent unit of study within the secondary teaching areas. These 500-level courses may be selected from offerings by the various departments at Hood, including the Education Department, and must be approved by the adviser. Students may select from the following listing of content areas, provided that they have met course prerequisites and any subject matter departmental requirements. Students should check with their academic adviser each semester for course availability and additional courses that may become available (12 credits):
Art
Biomedical Science
Chemistry
Computer Science
Economics
Education
English
Environmental Biology
French
German
History
Mathematics
Mathematics Education
| EDUC 551 | The Teaching of Geometry | 3.0 |
| EDUC 552 | The Teaching of Algebra | 3.0 |
| EDUC 595 | The Teaching of Statistics & Probability: Decision Making with Mathematics | 3.0 |
| EDUC 596 | The Teaching of Mathematical Modeling: Strategies for Contemporary Problems | 3.0 |
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Spanish
Capstone Course (3 credits)
Program Follow Up
Curriculum and Instruction: Special Education Concentration
This program is designed primarily for special education, early childhood, elementary or secondary education classroom teachers. It seeks to prepare them to work with students with disabilities in general or special education classrooms. Emphasis is placed on providing a balance of theoretical background and methodology appropriate for the needs of exceptional children and youth. This program does not lead to initial teaching certification.
The special education program reflects state of Maryland education certification areas: generic (mild and moderate disabilities), noncategorical education for students with disabilities at a designated age-grade level. Students without any teacher certification who are seeking initial certification in Special Education (Grades 1-8) are referred to Initial Teaching Certification. Hood does not offer an approved program for currently-certified teachers who wish to obtain additional certification in special education.
Degree Requirements
Professional Education Core Courses (12 credits)
| EDUC 502 | Technology for Teaching, Learning & Leadership | 3.0 |
| EDUC 577 | Introduction to Educational Research | 3.0 |
| EDUC 581 | Research-Based Teaching,Learning & Assessment | 3.0 |
| EDUC 582 | Educational Philosophy in a Diverse Society | 3.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12.0 |
Foundation Courses (9 credits):
In addition to the four professional education core courses for the M.S. degree, all candidates in the Special Education Concentration must complete three courses in special education content coursework for 9 credits:
| EDUC 565 | Classroom Organization & Management in Special Education | 3.0 |
| EDUC 571 | Historical,Philosophical & Legal Foundations of Special Education | 3.0 |
| EDUC 583 | Principles of Curriculum Development & Appraisal | 3.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9.0 |
EDUC 571: Waived if student has taken special education survey or mainstreaming course at the undergraduate or graduate level within five years and obtained a grade of “B.” An elective may then be selected by the student.
Content Electives (12 credits):
In addition to the professional education core and foundation courses, the candidate must select four elective courses. One must be taken in reading. Substitutions are permitted with approval by the program director. (12 credits)
| EDUC 500 | Methods for Teaching English Language Learners | 3.0 |
| EDUC 530 | K-12 Blended Learning | 3.0 |
| EDUC 539 | National Board Certification Support | 3.0 |
| EDUC 553 | Foundations of Elementary STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) Education | 3.0 |
| EDUC 573 | Assessment,Diagnosis & Prescription in Special Education | 3.0 |
| EDUC 574 | Curriculum & Methods in Inclusive Classrooms: English Language Arts & Social Studies | 3.0 |
| EDUC 576 | Curriculum & Methods in Inclusive Classrooms: Math and Science | 3.0 |
Reading
| EDUC 511 | Children's Literature | 3.0 |
| EDUC 517 | Materials for Teaching Reading: Instruction & Methods | 3.0 |
| EDUC 518 | Reading Instruction:Elementary | 3.0 |
| EDUC 520 | Reading Diagnosis | 3.0 |
| EDUC 521 | Contemporary Issues in the Teaching of Reading | 3.0 |
| EDUC 535 | Integrating the Elementary Curriculum through Language Arts | 3.0 |
Other
| EDUC 500 | Methods for Teaching English Language Learners | 3.0 |
Capstone Course (3 credits):
Program Follow Up