Curriculum and Instruction for Social Justice, MA

Requirements for the Major

The Curriculum and Instruction for Social Justice program encompasses courses from a variety of education specialties to examine the field of K-12 education, teaching, and the impact on society. This Master of Arts degree is comprised of 33-36 credits, dependent on the area of concentration or track selected. The Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age and Teaching English Language Learners concentrations are comprised of 33 credits. The Educational Leadership concentration is comprised of 36 credits. The Thematic track is 33 credits.

The program is designed to help students understand the broader field of education, critically analyze it, and consider it as an instrument of positive change by studying social, cultural, philosophical, and historical issues in and about education within a rapidly changing global society. Grounded in social justice theories and informed by current understandings of learning, graduates will appreciate the rich assets within marginalized communities that can be harnessed to enhance the lives of students and empower communities, while understanding how dominant structures and institutions have been created resulting in adverse purposes. Coursework will challenge students' assumptions about the field of education, teaching, learning, and curriculum. It will encourage students to think creatively and critically about education's past and present inequities, its current place in society, and provide visionary possibilities for greater equity in our globalized society.

Curriculum and Instruction Core (18 credits)

Thematic Track (15 Credits)

Thematic Core (6 credits)

Offering flexibility, the student will work with an advisor to choose one course from each of the groups below.

Thematic Electives (9 credits)

Students who choose the Thematic track must also complete three electives to meet program requirements. Electives are chosen from a Curriculum and Instruction concentration listed above (Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age, Teaching English Language Learners, or Educational Leadership) to create a thematic focus track that is complementary to the Curriculum and Instruction core courses.

Concentrations:

Students may select an area of special interest and five courses from the following suggested choices to provide a focus in an area of study. Alternatively, students may work with their advisors to choose a specialized, thematic collection of courses.

Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age (15 credits)

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (15 credits)

Students choosing the ESOL 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. The CISJ/ESOL concentration will NOT lead to state ESOL certification. Graduate candidates interested in obtaining MSDE ESOL certification must take and pass both the ESOL and TRE Praxis tests.

Note:

To obtain ESOL endorsement, candidates must take and earn a score of 163 or higher on the Praxis II: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and #5362 and receive a passing score of 159 or higher on the Teaching Reading: Elementary Educate praxis exam #5205. For students hoping to earn this certification, it is recommended to take RE 520 for as the elective course.

Educational Leadership (18 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. The Educational Leadership concentration does not result in Administrator I or Administrator II certification.