Curriculum and Instruction, M.A.

Requirements for the Major

This 36 - 42 credit program prepares leaders for 21st century education. Students will gain a thorough understanding of the past and present inequities in education, as well as, its future visionary possibilities in our globalized society. Graduates will understand why current reforms are designed as they are and how they can be implemented in the technology-rich environments that are being embraced by school systems nationwide and with children from diverse background and experience. They will be prepared to lead these reforms in their schools and school systems. They will also have specialized knowledge and skills in one of three areas of concentration: Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age, Leadership, or Teaching English Language Learners. Grounded in social justice and informed by current understandings of learning, graduates will appreciate the rich assets often hidden within marginalized communities that can be harnessed to enhance the lives of students and empower their communities.

Curriculum and Instruction Core (21 credits)

Concentrations:

Students must select a concentration from the following to provide a focus for their general studies.

Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age (15 credits)

Teaching English Language Learners (15 credits)

Students choosing the TELL concentration will become more proficient in working with the growing student population for whom English is a second or third language, as well as those professionals who work with children and young adults who are English language learners. The program assists teachers and other school professionals to develop practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary for effective expertise in bilingual teaching, learning, and assessment within K-12 education. It will also benefit reading specialists and special educators.

Leadership (21 credits)

Students who choose the Leadership concentration will experience a unique blend of theory and practical application geared toward individuals with a passion for leading and facilitating student achievement and teacher performance. Focused on the National Standards for Educational Leadership and the Maryland Instructional Leadership Framework, Loyola's leadership concentration is ideal for aspiring educational leaders who want to make a difference on a large scale and serve the mission of improving the education of all students, including those who have been traditionally underserved. Participants are eligible for certification as an Administration I (Assistant in Administration, Supervisor in Instruction, or Supervisor in Central Administration). Students seeking Administrator II (Principal certifications are required to successfully complete the School Leaders Assessment exam.