Curriculum & Instruction - master of arts (M.A.) programs

The department offers one master of arts (M.A.) degree with several tracks, all conferred through the Graduate School.

Education, curriculum, and instruction

• Art education
• Elementary education
• Family, youth, and community
• Learning technologies
• Literacy education:
  • Children’s literature
  • English education
  • Language arts education
  • Reading education
  • Writing education
• Mathematics education
• Science education
• Second languages and cultures education
• Social studies education

The M.A. programs are intended for experienced individuals who want to gain advanced knowledge, leadership skills, and research skills in their chosen field. They emphasize research and theory in the context of classroom application. The M.A. requires a minimum of 30 semester credits. Courses are taken in the major, a minor or supporting program, and research. The programs culminate in an extensive research (Plan B) project and final oral exam.

• More about the master's degree (from the Graduate School Catalog)
• C&I graduate handbook
• Graduate School graduate handbook
• Forms
• M.A. Plan B research course list

M.A. or M.Ed./professional studies?
The M.A. degree is more flexible than the M.Ed. degree in terms of professional planning for the future. It allows students a broader range of choices throughout their careers and is often preferred in higher education institutions and international contexts. Typically M.Ed. degree programs offer coursework that can be applied directly to work settings, while M.A. degree programs will have more of a theoretical research focus.

Revised June 2005