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Curriculum and Instruction
Master of Science in Education
You chose a career in education for the opportunity to inspire students—because when they succeed, you succeed. Our online MS in Education, Curriculum and Instruction program helps you build advanced expertise in the design and implementation of modern curricula and teaching methods. You’ll develop research-based knowledge to improve the way students learn today, and position yourself for leadership roles across a wide range of educational settings—including classrooms, buildings, or districts.
Classes start July 8
Apply today with no application fee.
At a glance
- Online
- 4 Core courses
- 4 Specialization courses
- 2 Elective
- 1 Capstone
- 46 Total quarter credits (12 Max transfer)
With Capella Tuition Cap, you won’t pay more than $12,000* in tuition costs for your degree.
*Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.
Explore curriculum and instruction courses
- This degree requires a total of 46 quarter credits
- You’ll need to complete four core courses, four specialization courses, two elective courses and one capstone
| Course number & name | Course description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ED5343 Multicultural and Inclusive Education | Learners evaluate multicultural theories by analyzing topics, such as cultural identity, cultural awareness, cultural competence, and apply these concepts to educational settings. | 4 quarter credits |
| ED5503 Classroom Management Strategies | Learners in this course apply strategies for managing diverse and challenging student behaviors and develop the skills needed to create classroom environments that maximize the opportunity for each student to learn. This course emphasizes the roles, rights, and responsibilities of all stakeholders under The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 legislation. This course requires access to a P-12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P-12 school or district. | 4 quarter credits |
| ED5533 Curriculum Mapping: Reflection and Practice | Learners formulate a research-based professional vision for curriculum design and develop a curriculum for a specific content and grade-level application using computer-based curriculum mapping applications. Learners who have taken ED8533 should not take ED5533. Rather, they should choose any other graduate-level education course to fulfill their specialization requirements. Prerequisite: ED5500 | 4 quarter credits |
| ED5538 Program Evaluation of Curriculum and Instruction | Learners in this course examine theories, concepts, definitions, and models associated with the improvement of curriculum and instruction. Learners collect and organize research, analyze and report data, and complete a program evaluation that demonstrates the integral role of program evaluation in curriculum and instruction improvement. This course requires access to a P-12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P-12 school or district. | 4 quarter credits |
| ED5500 Standards-Based Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment | In this course, learners examine national and state learning standards related to their content area or grade level. Learners utilize research-based curriculum to craft assessments that are aligned to standards, and implement instruction that is meaningful to students and supports their academic achievement. This course requires access to a P-12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P-12 school or district. | 4 quarter credits |
What you’ll learn
The Master of Science in Education, Curriculum and Instruction provides students with the research-based knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for effective classroom, building and district-level leadership in curriculum and instruction.
The specialization is designed for teachers interested in teaching improvement initiatives supported by current theory and research in curriculum design, instructional models and assessment strategies focused on increasing student achievement. These specialization requirements are not designed or intended to meet professional licensure requirements for the education profession.
This specialization was designed to help you gain the following skills related to this field:
- Use theories, models, knowledge and best practices effectively in curriculum development and evaluation
- Develop assessments that are aligned to standards
- Develop curriculum that addresses specific content and grade-level requirements
- Implement instruction that is meaningful to students and supports academic achievement
- Model behaviors reflecting the highest ideals of the profession
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.
How much does the MS in Education cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.
A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or quarter
$15,980
MAX TRANSFER CREDITS
$21,620
AVERAGE TRANSFER CREDITS
$470 per credit, $150 resource kit fee, 46 total quarter credits, 12 max transfer credits
*This is only an estimate, effective July 8, 2024, and is subject to change. Your price will vary depending on your specialization, transfer credits and tuition discounts. Books, supplies and other fees are not included in this estimate. GuidedPath prices show the tuition you would pay if you brought in an average number of transfer credits or the maximum allowed transfer credits. New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs.
Capella is committed to transparency in its tuition and pricing. In addition to tuition, you will be responsible for additional costs, which may include travel expenses and practicum costs. A resource kit fee of $50–$200, charged quarterly or per billing session, covers the cost of required books, software, and other course materials. Click here to review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid is also available to help manage the costs of higher education. Learn more about financing your education.
Questions about cost?
Contact an enrollment counselor.
Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2022–2023
“The field of education is constantly changing, so as a teacher, I need to constantly be learning as much as I can to stay on the top of my game, and then give my students the best education that I can.”
Michelle Emerson* – Master of Education graduate
*Actual FlexPath graduate compensated for appearing in Capella promotional materials.
Are there scholarships available for master's degrees?
Your education is an investment in your future. There are more ways to save than you might think.
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
What are the MS in Education admission requirements?
Admission requirements
Applicants to the MSEd in Curriculum & Instruction program must provide the following information for admission:
- Bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency or an internationally recognized institution
- Your official bachelor’s transcripts, minimum grade point average of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
- Admission application – no application fee required
- An Experience and Access Acknowledgement Form that verifies understanding of requirements needed to successfully complete coursework
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International student requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Attended an internationally recognized institution
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a master’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.
Articles and resources
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What can you do with an MS in Education, Curriculum and Instruction degree?
Your education can help you pursue your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with an MS Ed in Curriculum and Instruction.
Job titles to explore*
- Curriculum coordinator
- Curriculum developer
- Curriculum specialist
- Instructional coach
- Instructional designer
- Learning support specialist
Employment settings to explore*
- Colleges, universities and professional schools
- Community colleges
- Educational support services
- Elementary and secondary schools
- General government support
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications and/or other designations along with a degree. This specialization is not intended to lead to professional license or certification. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.