Curriculum and Instruction (MACI), Master of Arts (M.A.)

P: 800-368-3227    E: academic_affairs@vuu.edu

The Evelyn Reid Syphax School of Education, Psychology, and Interdisciplinary Studies offers a Master of Arts (M.A) in Curriculum and Instruction. The degree program is 36 hours and is designed for teachers and other educators who aspire to serve in leadership and support roles in schools and other agencies that serve school clientele.

The Master of Arts in Curriculum & Instruction requires a minimum of 36 credit hours, including a Capstone Project or Thesis based on Action Research and Case Studies.  

The Online Curriculum and Instruction master's degree program curriculum will be comprised of: 1) core courses, 2) research courses, 3) professional courses, 4) specialized track courses, and 5) Capstone/Thesis Project. The uniqueness of the Master of Arts in C&I offered at the Syphax School resides in its specialized track model, in which students select one for the following areas of specialty:  

A) C&I : Elementary Education  
B) C&I : Special Education  
C) C&I : Urban Education

The specialized track rationale is value-added in nature and is also geared to produce highly marketable graduates and practitioners committed to excellence in education professional careers. The combinational tracks are summarized in the figure below.  

Track #1: Elementary Education

This specialized track is designed to provide graduate students with knowledge and skills to serve in leadership roles in curriculum development supervision and research in the field of elementary education. Graduate students will focus on applying current theory, research and technology to the design of curriculum and instructional models. The specialized courses will endorse competencies required by the Virginia Department of Education for Elementary Education licensure. This option prepares students to work as educators, curriculum specialists, researchers and teacher educators.  

Track #2: Special Education General Curriculum (K-12)

This specialized track is designed to provide graduate students with professional knowledge and skills needed to work in a variety of settings: General Education Classroom (where students with special needs are being collaboratively taught), Resource, modified resource rooms, self-contained settings or classrooms in varied urban, suburban or rural areas, Residential programs, and various community environments. Graduate students learn assessment and diagnosis of students, effective instructional procedures, collaborative techniques, and behavior management strategies. The specialized courses will endorse competencies required by the Virginia Department of Education for K-12 Special Education licensure. Graduates will be prepared to teach, counsel, consult, and serve as a resource to general educators, agencies, families of special needs learners, curriculum specialists, researchers, teacher educators, and school leaders.  

Track #3: Urban Education  

The Urban Education specialized track is specifically designed: 1) to provide graduate students with a broad base of knowledge about the education of minorities and of students in urban areas and 2) to enhance graduate students’ understanding of topics, such as social theory, national educational policy, urban education reform, the social and political context of urban schools, the practices and policies that govern urban teaching, and the education of ethnic, racial, cultural and language minorities in diverse settings. This option focuses on the scope of issues confronting minority students in urban contexts. The field of Urban Education incorporates perspectives from other appropriate fields such as educational policy, sociology, social work, political science, math and literacy. This option prepares students to work as educators, curriculum specialists, researchers and teacher educators in schools and universities in urban school districts and districts with large minority populations. Finally, this option addresses the needs of professionals involved in community-based education, adult literacy, community development, after school programs and family support organizations.