Curriculum and Teaching
- Course Information
The field of curriculum and teaching is a growth industry in K-12, corporate and higher education settings. If you have a passion for teaching others through quality curricula and desire to advance your skills and increase teacher effectiveness inside and outside the classroom, then NCU’s master’s degree in Curriculum and Teaching specialization is for you. With NCU’s unique one-to-one mentoring approach, you will enhance your skills in curriculum review, analysis, development, design, implementation and evaluation in diverse contexts. Under the guidance of your doctoral professors, you will also learn to analyze and implement best practices to ensure excellence in instructional delivery.
Certification and Licensing
The School of Education serves educational leaders by providing online graduate studies in education to reach worldwide populations. The MEd program is designed to reach national and international markets and does not purport to provide licensure or certification in any particular state or country. Certification requirements vary by state. Students are advised to contact their state department of education or local school district for guidance in obtaining certification or licensure, or for approval in fulfilling district level incentive programs.
There are several reasons why an educator would want to pursue a graduate degree in education that does not lead to state licensing or certification.
Reasons may include:
- "Move up" steps on the salary schedule.
- Improve skills and professionalism in general or to pursue a ”leadership” position outside the classroom (school-based or district level).
- Advance as a ”teacher leader” through a graduate degree (already has a bachelor's degree and certification).
- Meet the needs of increasingly diverse students.
- Work in a traditional K-12 classroom environment (trainer, educational consultant, etc).
Completion Period for Master's Degrees
Northcentral University allows 5 years to complete all 30 credit hour master's programs. Normal time to complete varies depending upon the rate courses are taken and credits transferred.
Curriculum and Instructional Strategies
The purpose of this Master's level course is to provide an overview of theories, principles, practices, design, implementation, evaluation, and issues in curriculum and instruction. Students will learn to integrate theory and practice. Students will study accountability and high stakes testing, historical precedents, local and federal accountability rules. Students will be encouraged to distinguish between testing and accountability. Reflection and discussion will enhance deep understanding.
Principles of Teaching & Learning
The foundations of teaching and learning can be viewed from several perspectives. One such perspective includes the principles supporting the theories and models used today by educational practitioners; this course will focus on such principles. Students will contrast and evaluate the development, motivation, and transfer of learning processes and models. Students will also evaluate learning styles and metacognition for possible changes that can improve teaching practices. Finally, students will analyze the influence of emotional, social, and cultural contexts in order to make effective decisions that support school structures that enable student learning.
Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Strategies and Principles
In this course, students will be provided an overview of theories, principles, practices, design, implementation, evaluation, and issues in curriculum and instruction. Topics include: curriculum design and development, curriculum standards, high stakes testing, historical precedents, reflection, the information processing model, and models of teaching and learning.
Learning and Teaching Styles, Multiple Intelligences, and Ways of Learning
Teaching involves more than delivery of knowledge – it involves transfer of knowledge. In Th, graduate students will learn how to plan instruction to maximize this transfer for all students. They will learn the appropriate and beneficial applications of learning and teaching styles, multiple intelligences, and other ways of learning. They will analyze the options for evaluating and revising student assessment methods and discover what works best within diverse learning contexts. The student will integrate insights for maximizing styles, multiple intelligences, and assessments within a plan for developing best practices and continuing professional development.
Teaching Foundations for Language and Literacy
In this course, students will learn about the foundations and principles of language and literacy development in a child’s early years. Theory, strategies, activities as well as a summative assessment are presented throughout this course to assist teachers in gaining a thorough perspective on promoting language and literacy fluency. Student will be asked to reflect on their own understanding of language development and reflect on their teaching of language.
The Classroom: Management and Organization for Student Achievement
In this course, students investigate, synthesize, and apply research-based best practices in classroom management and organization to maximize student achievement. Students will analyze major philosophical positions and theoretical models and their influences on classroom management practices. Students will integrate principles of curriculum development and models of instruction, management, and discipline to effect optimum student learning.
At Northcentral University, we pride ourselves in being completely transparent when it comes to tuition and fees. If a cost is not included in our Cost Per Course Tuition Rate, we let you know up front. Currently, the only additional cost above your program rate* is books. Learn more about the NCU’s MEd costs below:
- Per credit cost: $628
- Per 3 credit course cost: $1,884
- Program cost: $19,190
- Average book cost per course: $110
- Application Fee: $0
- Learning Management Fee (one-time per program): $350
- Registration Fee: $0
Click here to learn more about payment and financing options.
*Program rates are subject to change and generally increase at the start of each calendar year.
Total program costs reflected are calculated based on standard degree program credits exclusive of the program’s potential evaluation track. The actual cost of a program is determined based upon the program and track the student enters, transfer credits if any, and other unique student factors. For more information: please contact Admissions or refer to the catalog.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about our students, it’s that they are motivated and ambitious—but they are also busy! At Northcentral University, we’ve designed our education experience to work with you, not against you, so you can achieve your academic goals without sacrificing the quality, flexibility and support you need to be successful.
- Regionally Accredited
- No Physical Residency Requirements
- One-to-One Teaching
- 100% Doctoral Faculty
- Flexibility of Online Learning
- University Resources
To learn more, request information or call 1-866-776-0331 to speak with an enrollment advisor today. We offer new courses every Monday of the year so you can get started when it’s best for you.
Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC)
The Northcentral University Master of Education Program, which is designed to prepare professional educators to become effective leaders, reflective practitioners and successful communicators within the diverse field of education, centering on improving teaching, learning, research and leadership contributions throughout PK-12 Education, is granted Initial Accreditation by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) for a period of five years, from June 24, 2013 – June 24, 2018.This accreditation certifies that the forenamed professional education program has provided evidence that the program adheres to TEAC’s quality principles. To view the Summary of the Case that has been posted on the TEAC website (www.teac.org/membership/teac-members).