M.Ed. in Secondary Education - Curriculum & Instruction

Program Overview

The M.Ed. in Secondary Education with a specialization in Curriculum & Instruction at Kutztown University is structured to provide advanced study for K-12 school teachers across all academic disciplines. The program's core objectives include increasing awareness of educational problems in their broader context, expanding knowledge and understanding of curriculum development and instructional processes, augmenting professional awareness through research, and enhancing scholarly growth and personal competency in specialized areas. It offers in-depth training in curriculum and instruction, allowing graduate students to pursue advanced study in various academic disciplines. The program is flexible, with courses selected from four major areas: Curriculum, Educational Environment, Instruction, and Professionalism. While it's largely geared towards current teachers, there is also an M.Ed. in Secondary Education: Teaching Initial Certification for those entering the profession.

Curriculum: The 30-credit curriculum for the M.Ed. in Secondary Education: Curriculum & Instruction is divided into specific areas to ensure comprehensive coverage. Area I, Curriculum, focuses on scholarly growth in respective disciplines, with required courses like "Curriculum in a Standards Aligned System" and electives such as "Language Acquisition and English Linguistics" or "Assessment: Issues and Concerns for Teachers in a Standards Aligned System." Area II, Educational Environment, explores the fundamentals of the education process and their relation to current practice, including courses like "Student Diversity and Critical Pedagogy" and options like "Multicultural Education" or "Foundations in Urban Education." Area III, Instruction, investigates decision-making criteria and the structure of curriculum and instruction, featuring "Action Research for Teacher Leaders" and electives on topics like "Middle School Curriculum and Instruction" or "Reading, Writing & Critical Thinking for the Middle & High School Levels." Area IV, Professionalism, delves into how knowledge is gained, verified, and valued, with "Methods of Research" as a required course and an optional thesis (3-6 credits), along with electives like "Supervision and Finance" or "School Law." The curriculum emphasizes practical application and includes courses designed to enhance teaching strategies and promote effective, creative, and scholarly instruction.

Research Focus: The M.Ed. in Secondary Education: Curriculum & Instruction at Kutztown University explicitly incorporates a strong research component, aiming to "augment professional awareness through research" and to pursue "an understanding of how knowledge is gained, how to verify knowledge, and how to judge its value." A required course, "Methods of Research," is central to this focus, preparing students for systematic inquiry. Furthermore, the program offers an optional thesis (3-6 credits) as part of the Professionalism area, providing students with the opportunity to conduct in-depth scholarly research on a chosen educational problem or issue. This strong emphasis on research prepares educators to engage in systematic analysis of their practice, contribute to the knowledge base of curriculum and instruction, and make data-driven decisions. The program's commitment to "critical practice and reflection" further underscores its research-oriented approach to transforming teaching and learning.

Industry Engagement: Kutztown University's M.Ed. in Secondary Education program, particularly in Curriculum & Instruction, is deeply rooted in practical application and industry relevance. Designed for current teachers and other education professionals, the program aims to strengthen their practice and prepare them for leadership roles within school districts. The curriculum integrates course-work with an internship option, especially for those pursuing the Supervisory Certificate in Curriculum and Instruction, exposing students to major task areas like policy determination, program development, curriculum design, and instructional supervision under the guidance of school administrators and faculty. The emphasis on "data-driven decision making" and "action research for teacher leaders" directly translates to real-world impact in educational settings. Graduates are prepared to apply their knowledge to various career paths, including teaching, administration, or corporate training, demonstrating the program's strong connection to the needs of the education industry.

Global Perspective: While the M.Ed. in Secondary Education: Curriculum & Instruction at Kutztown University primarily focuses on the American education system, it integrates a global perspective through specific course offerings and the broader learning outcomes of the College of Education. For instance, an elective course like "Comparative Education: An Analysis of International Education Systems" allows students to explore diverse educational models and practices worldwide. The program's commitment to "Student Diversity and Critical Pedagogy" and "Multicultural Education" further encourages an understanding of varied cultural backgrounds and their impact on learning, which inherently broadens a teacher's global awareness. Additionally, the broader outcomes for graduate programs in the College of Education, such as "Cultural Competency," emphasize the ability to critically reflect on diverse student populations and employ transformative practices when responding to social justice initiatives, preparing educators to navigate an increasingly interconnected world and serve a diverse student body.