Master's Degree Programs
The Department of Curriculum & Instruction offers two pathways for the master’s degree. A master of science with initial teacher certification is offered as an MS in Curriculum and Instruction with named options in English, social studies, mathematics, science, and world language. Additionally, the department offers a Research Master’s program, with a focus on advanced work in education research. In both programs, master's degree students should expect both an atmosphere of intellectual inquiry and the serious academic standards befitting a graduate research program in curriculum and instruction.
Students wishing to apply to a master’s program should select an option below for more information on admissions, financial aid, policies, and requirements.
MS in Curriculum and Instruction – Research MS
The MS in Curriculum and Instruction prepares students for advanced work in education. In some cases, work leading to the degree prepares students to enter a new career as an educational specialist (e.g., curriculum developer, content-area specialist, school department head, curriculum supervisor, early childhood specialist, bilingual teacher, or reading teacher). In other cases, it prepares students to perform at a higher level in their existing job. In yet other cases, it prepares students for PhD study. Motivations for master's degree work include professional updating, maintenance of accreditation, acquisition of new perspectives and skills, development of specialized knowledge, preparation to work with student teachers, preparation for leadership among teachers, and preparation for advanced graduate study.
Students can read about the admissions deadlines, policies, and requirements for this program on the Curriculum & Instruction Research MS page in the Graduate Guide.
MS in Curriculum and Instruction—Named Options (Teacher Certification)
This pathway to an MS in Curriculum and Instruction prepares students for a career in education as a licensed teacher. Students come to the program with a depth of knowledge in their content area and work to build the skills and evidence needed to enter a classroom as a newly licensed teacher. Motivations for master's degree work in this program include an interest in working with adolescents in middle and high schools, a heightened focus on engaging in socially just teaching practices, a goal of building on content knowledge to connect with a wide array of students, and foster growth and development.
Students can read about the admissions deadlines, policies, and requirements for the various content master’s programs within the following links.
Admissions
Students apply to the Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction through one of the named options:
Funding
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Program Resources
Funding—Fellowships and Financial Support
For funding opportunities, please visit the page links for each named option.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 30 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | See Named Options for requirements information. |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | See Named Options for requirements information. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | See Named Options for requirements information. |
| Other Grade Requirements | See Named Options for requirements information. |
| Assessments and Examinations | See Named Options for requirements information. |
| Language Requirements | See Named Options for requirements information. |
Required Courses
Select a Named Option for courses required.
Named Options
A named option is a formally documented sub-major within an academic major program. Named options appear on the transcript with degree conferral. Students pursuing the Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction must select one of the following named options:
Curriculum and Instruction: Research, MS
Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary English Education, MS
Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary Mathematics Education, MS
Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary Science Education, MS
Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary Social Studies Education, MS
Curriculum and Instruction: World Language Education, MS
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Learning Outcomes
- (Breadth of Knowledge) Examples of competence may include demonstrating awareness of historical and intellectual context, educational practices, critical research paradigms within the broader field of Curriculum and Instruction, and theories and approaches from other fields as appropriate for their research.
- (Depth of Knowledge) Examples of competence may include demonstrating mastery of concepts, theories, and research, and understanding of relevant educational practices and contexts, sufficient to pose questions that extend the current boundaries of knowledge within their chosen subfield of Curriculum and Instruction.
People
Faculty: Professors Agarwal, Baker, L. Berland, M. Berland, Bullock, Feinstein, Ghousseini, Grant, E. Halverson, Hassett, Hawkins, Hess, Ho, YJ Kim, C. Kirchgasler, K. Kirchgasler, Louie, Machado, McDonald, McKinney de Royston, Pacheco, Popkewitz, LJ Randolph Jr., Roman, Rudolph, Russ, Stoddard, Vieira, Wardrip.
For more information about respective members of the faculty, see People on the department website.
Certification/Licensure
Professional Certification/Licensure Disclosure (NC-SARA)
The United States Department of Education (via 34 CFR Part 668) requires institutions that provide distance education to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure. The expectation is that institutions will determine whether each applicable academic program meets state professional licensure requirements and provide a general disclosure of such on an official university website.
Professional licensure requirements vary from state-to-state and can change year-to-year; they are established in a variety of state statutes, regulations, rules, and policies; and they center on a range of educational requirements, including degree type, specialized accreditation, total credits, specific courses, and examinations.
UW-Madison has taken reasonable efforts to determine whether this program satisfies the educational requirements for certification/licensure in states where prospective and enrolled students are located and is disclosing that information as follows.
Disclaimer: This information is based on the most recent annual review of state agency certification/licensure data and is subject to change. All students are strongly encouraged to consult with the individual/office listed in the Contact Information box on this page and with the applicable state agency for specific information.
The requirements of this program meet certification/licensure in the following states:
Wisconsin
The requirements of this program do not meet certification/licensure in the following states:
Not applicable
Updated: 1 June 2024