Curriculum & Instruction
Master of Arts
About this program
The M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction equips teachers with knowledge of current education research and culturally responsive pedagogical practices to support their work in diverse school settings. Students may complete this program concurrently with or immediately following their Multiple Subject Credential Program and apply 15 credential units toward the M.A. Educators who completed their credential at another institution may apply for the full 30 unit degree.
Program Curriculum and Requirements
Program Scope
The MA in Curriculum and Instruction equips teachers with knowledge of current education research and culturally responsive pedagogical practices to support their work in diverse school settings. The program includes:
- A focus on integrating core content areas across the curriculum
- Engagement in action research and self study as tools to improve educational outcomes
- Opportunities to engage in analysis and receive feedback on your teaching as it develops
Program Learning Outcomes
- Analyze key issues in k-12 students’ understanding of core content knowledge in area of specialization and articulate area of concern under investigation in students’ original research.
- Critically examine pedagogical approaches intended to increase k-12 students’ access to and mastery of core content knowledge in area of specialization
- Analyze issues of equity, access, and social justice related to children’s learning and teaching and leadership practices in k-12 contexts.
- Construct coherent and sound inquiry and reflection goals and practices with support from multiple sources, including online and library resources as well as other existing resources in the field of early childhood education.
- Design and carry out a teacher research study to examine and improve an educational dilemma in the students’ professional setting.
- Critically examine current curricula and pedagogical techniques through an equity lens and propose new approaches to increase impact.
- Develop research-informed professional learning plan to support improvement of k-12 educational outcomes in an area of identified need in the students’ professional setting.
- Draw upon cross-disciplinary approaches to educational research in design and implementation of original research study to improve educational practice.
Additional Information
- The M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction is a 30 unit graduate program.
- Students in the M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction complete a 12 unit (4 course) core focused on educational research methodology and equitable curriculum design. They also complete a 15 unit (5 course) Area of Specialization that meets their professional goals. Students complete the program by designing and carrying out a classroom based field-study (3 units).
- Students who are completing the concurrent M.A. in C&I + Multiple Subject Credential will have an Area of Specialization in Elementary Teaching and Learning, allowing them to count 12 credential units toward fulfillment of the Area of Specialization.
- Please refer to the current requirements in the SFSU Bulletin for the full description of program requirements.
- This M.A. program is designed for elementary-grade classroom teachers. To apply to the program, you need to hold a current California Multiple Subject Credential or equivalent credential from another state. Exceptions may be granted for applicants who have at least three years prior experience in a relevant educational settings (such as museum or informal education) that do not require a credential.
- If you do not yet have a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, please apply to the “Multiple Subject + M.A.” program. This program allows you to pursue your teaching credential and M.A. degree concurrently.
- 12 credits from your credential coursework will be applied toward the M.A. degree. You will also complete 18 units of M.A.-specific coursework focused on educational research and curriculum design. The 18 M.A. units include a classroom-based field study in your final semester.
- All credential candidates focus on core credential classes in their first semester. Beginning in the second semester, students admitted to the joint program may begin M.A. courses concurrent with their credential coursework, which reduces time to degree.
- Students admitted to the joint program may also choose to complete credential requirements first and then complete the 18 M.A. units while employed full-time as a credentialed teacher.
- Students completing a bilingual authorization or working as a teacher of record should complete credential coursework prior to taking M.A.-specific courses. Your advisor will help you map out a completion plan based on your needs.
- Because our students are working teachers, the program is designed to be completed in part-time enrollment status (6 units per semester, billed at the part time graduate tuition rate). Students who are completing the full 30-unit M.A. can expect to complete the degree in 2 years, including one summer session.
- Students enrolled in the concurrent M.A. in C&I + Multiple Subject Credential can complete both the credential and the M.A. degree in two years: 3 semesters of full-time enrollment to complete the credential/ begin the M.A., and 2 part-time semesters (including one summer term) of M.A.-only enrollment.
- Whenever possible, we offer a summer session, which reduces time to degree. Availability of summer session is subject to university guidelines.
- If you would like to apply to the combined Multiple Subject Credential + M.A. pathway, we highly recommend that you attend a departmental information session prior to applying.
- If you are a current student in the Multiple Subject Credential Program, please attend our department’s M.A. information session during your final credential semester. We will guide you through the process of transferring into the M.A. program without needing to reapply to SFSU.
- If you already hold a Multiple Subject Credential, please apply to the M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction (Elementary Education) through CalState Apply.
- If you are a current MSC student, please set up an appointment with your advisor.
- If you already hold a Multiple Subject Credential and are interested in completing the M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction, please contact: Dr. Stephanie Sisk-Hilton at stephsh@sfsu.edu