Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (MACI)

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The Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (MACI) at Colorado Christian University provides a graduate degree for preK-12 educators, as well as those who wish to be curriculum specialists and writers, education program supervisors, department chairpersons and college instructors. It is also a program for those who want to apply their skills and knowledge as online course developers, online instructors, or trainers. Courses may be completed in a classroom setting or online.

Objectives of the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction Degree Program

The MACI program provides students with the tools to enhance their professional careers in teaching, training, administration, and curriculum development. MACI is further designed to enhance a student’s cognitive abilities, relational skills, commitment to values, and worldview informed by biblical scholarship, science, experience, and history. As a result of their studies at Colorado Christian University, MACI graduates experience enhanced abilities to understand and integrate complex data from educational theory and practice, applied skills in research, as well as augmented critical thinking abilities. MACI graduates demonstrate interpersonal, relational, communication and leadership skills as applied through the philosophy of servant leadership. Using a unique model of education, the program integrates the best of scholarship with the richness of the Christian heritage.

The MACI program is distinctive for the following reasons:

Tailored to the working professional, coursework can be completed in 24 months by taking courses in the evenings, on weekends, or in the online program.
Applies relevant research and innovative instructional design.
Proven approaches to accelerated adult learning by providing interactive and experiential learning in the classroom and online.
Addresses individual learner needs in the development and implementation of curriculum.

Admission to the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction Degree Program

Admission to the MACI program is selective. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of previous academic performance, personal and professional accomplishments and goals, and strength of character. Each applicant is carefully evaluated for his or her ability to contribute to the program. A strong desire to complete graduate-level work in a Christ-centered, biblically based community is important.

Admission Requirements

A completed Application Form
An official transcript that reflects a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
Personal interview
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
One professional recommendation
Program specific essay
A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with an undergraduate grade point average between 2.0 and 2.49 will be admitted on a conditional admit (CAD) basis for the first semester. CAD students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in their first nine (9) credits to remain in the program.

Transfer of Courses

Students may transfer up to six (6) semester hours of graduate credit from a regionally accredited college or university. The coursework must be comparable to that offered at CCU and fulfill the CCU MACI degree requirements.

Coursework applied to the MACI program must have been earned with a grade of “B-” or better.

Academic Requirements

Students who earn a C- or lower in a graduate education course are required to repeat the course. EDU 651-Capstone must be completed with a B- or higher.

Time Limitation

All work applied toward the MACI degree must be completed within a four-year period from the date of enrollment. After the four-year period, a MACI student who has not completed the requirements to graduate will be withdrawn from the program. Students who step out of the program for more than 365 days, or go beyond the four-year period and wish to complete their MACI degree will be required to apply for readmission. Students will be required to adhere to current academic policies, tuition, and fees. If readmission is granted, additional coursework may be required.

Required Courses for the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instructions Degree

The Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction degree is comprised of two primary paths:

Students who have completed a CCU (CAGS) teacher education program.
Students who have an accredited bachelor’s degree but have not completed a CCU (CAGS) teacher education program.

Most MACI degree programs require a total of 36 hours of professional courses.

MACI Degree Paths - Students who have completed a CCU (CAGS) teacher education program

The following degree paths are for students who have completed a CCU (CAGS) teacher education program and choose to earn a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction by transferring in graduate coursework that has been completed in their undergraduate degree program to apply toward a MACI degree:

Early Childhood Education path
Elementary Education path
Special Education Generalist path
Alternative Licensing Education path
Alternative Licensing Special Education Generalist path

Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction - Early Childhood Education path (36 credit hours)

Students who have completed the CCU (CAGS) Early Childhood Education program can earn a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction by completing eleven additional MACI courses.

This course is taken in the CCU Early Childhood Education Program (3 credit hours):
EDU 505 - Psychological Foundations of Education (3)
Additional eleven courses required (33 credit hours):
EDU 500 - Curriculum and Instructional Design (3)
EDU 520 - Studies in Education (3)
EDU 548 - Needs Assessment and Evaluation (3)
EDU 550 - Research and Analysis Seminar (3)
EDU 560 - Instructional Methodologies (3)
EDU 582 - Communications and Visual Literacy (3)
EDU 651 - Capstone (3)
PHL 526 - Professional Ethics (3)
Three addictional elective/transfer courses required to complete the MACI degree-See below (9 credit hours)

Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction - Elementary Education path (36 credit hours)

Students who have completed the CCU (CAGS) Elementary Education program can earn a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction by completing ten additional MACI courses.

These two courses are taken in the CCU Elementary Education Program (6 credit hours):
EDU 505 - Psychological Foundations of Education (3)
EDU 580 - Integrating Technology into Education (3)
Additional 10 courses required (30 credit hours):
EDU 500 - Curriculum and Instructional Design (3)
EDU 520 - Studies in Education (3)
EDU 548 - Needs Assessment and Evaluation (3)
EDU 550 - Research and Analysis Seminar (3)
EDU 560 - Instructional Methodologies (3)
EDU 582 - Communications and Visual Literacy (3)
EDU 651 - Capstone (3)
PHL 526 - Professional Ethics (3)
Two additional elective/transfer courses are required to complete the MACI degree-see below (6 credit hours)

Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction - Special Education Generalist path (36 credit hours)

Students who have completed one of the CCU (CAGS) Undergraduate Special Education Generalist programs can earn a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction by completing ten additional MACI courses.

These two courses are taken in the CCU Special Education Generalist Program (6 credit hours):
EDU 505 - Psychological Foundations of Education (3)
SED 548 - Diagnostic Assessment/Evaluation of Students with Mild/Moderate Needs (3)
Additional ten courses required (30 credit hours):
EDU 500 - Curriculum and Instructional Design (3)
EDU 520 - Studies in Education (3)
EDU 548 - Needs Assessment and Evaluation (3)
EDU 550 - Research and Analysis Seminar (3)
EDU 560 - Instructional Methodologies (3)
EDU 582 - Communications and Visual Literacy (3)
EDU 651 - Capstone (3)
PHL 526 - Professional Ethics (3)
Two additional elective/transfer courses are required to complete the MACI degree-see below (6 credit hours)

Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction - Alternative Licensing Education path (36 credit hours)

Students who have completed the CCU (CAGS) Alternative Licensing Program in Education can earn a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction by completing seven additional MACI courses.

These five courses are taken in the Alternative Licensing Education Program (15 credit hours):
EDU 521 - Internship in Teaching I (3)
EDU 522 - Internship in Teaching II (3)
EDU 603 - Advanced Special Needs Strategies (3)
EDU 606 - Advanced Techniques in Classroom Management (3)
RDG 546 - Reading Instruction K-12 (3)
Additional seven courses required (21 credit hours):
EDU 500 - Curriculum and Instructional Design (3)
EDU 520 - Studies in Education (3)
EDU 548 - Needs Assessment and Evaluation (3)
EDU 550 - Research and Analysis Seminar (3)
EDU 560 - Instructional Methodologies (3)
EDU 651 - Capstone (3)
One additional elective/transfer course required to complete the MACI degree-see below (3 credit hours)

Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction - Alternative Licensing: Special Education Generalist path (39 credit hours)

Students who have completed the CCU (CAGS) Alternative Licensing Program in Special Education or the Special Education Generalist Endorsement can earn a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction by completing six additional MACI courses.

These seven courses are taken in the Alternative Licensing Special Education and in the Special Education Generalist Endorsement (21 credit hours):
SED 502 - Collaboration, Partnerships, and Secondary Transition in Special Education (3)
SED 503 - Classroom Management for Special Needs Students (3)
SED 517 - Advanced Math Strategies for Intervention (3)
SED 548 - Diagnostic Assessment/Evaluation of Students with Mild/Moderate Needs (3)
SED 560 - Curriculum & Instruction for Students with Mild/Moderate Needs (3)
SED 580 - Assistive and Technological Devices (3)
SED 609 - Language Development: Disorders of Individuals with Special Needs (3)
Additional six courses required (18 credit hours):
EDU 500 - Curriculum and Instructional Design (3)
EDU 520 - Studies in Education (3)
EDU 548 - Needs Assessment and Evaluation (3)
EDU 550 - Research and Analysis Seminar (3)
EDU 560 - Instructional Methodologies (3)
EDU 651 - Capstone (3)

MACI Degree Path - Students who have not completed a CCU (CAGS) teacher education program

Students who have not completed a CCU (CAGS) teacher education program may earn a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction by completing the Professional Core Requirements (27 credits) and select 9 elective credits. All students complete a final, semester long capstone course after all other MACI coursework has been completed, for a total of 36 credits in the MACI degree.

Professional Core (27 credit hours)

EDU 500 - Curriculum and Instructional Design (3)
EDU 505 - Psychological Foundations of Education (3)
EDU 520 - Studies in Education (3)
EDU 548 - Needs Assessment and Evaluation (3)
EDU 550 - Research and Analysis Seminar (3)
EDU 560 - Instructional Methodologies (3)
EDU 582 - Communications and Visual Literacy (3)
EDU 651 - Capstone (3)
PHL 526 - Professional Ethics (3)
Three additional elective/transfer courses required to complete MACI degree-see below (9 credit hours)

MACI Electives Core (9 credit hours)

MACI students may choose from a wide range of elective courses. Elective coursework encourages multiple opportunities for practical application, especially in the final capstone course project. Elective courses are only scheduled for online delivery.

Graduation Requirements for the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction Degree

The faculty recommends students in the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction to the Board of Trustees as candidates for graduation when they have completed the following requirements:

Completion of 36 credit hours (39 credit hours for Alternative Licensing Special Education Generalist path) through a combination of CCU MACI required coursework and up to six hours of acceptable transfer credit from accredited institutions.
A letter grade of C or better in each graduate education course and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on the university’s 4.0 grade scale in all CCU coursework.
Satisfactory completion of the specific courses required for the full degree within four years of MACI program admission and enrollment.
Completion of
EDU 651 - Capstone
with a grade of B- or better.
Formal and timely application for graduation by the date specified by the University Registrar.
No outstanding financial obligations to the university.

Additional Information

For additional information about the MACI program and graduate courses in education, contact the College of Adult and Graduate Studies, or visit the MACI website at www.ccu.edu/maci.

Graduate Courses for Teachers and Other Professionals

Through the MACI certificate courses and other continuing education courses, CCU (CAGS) offers graduate-level continuing education offerings, acceptable for licensure renewal for teachers in elementary, middle school, secondary schools, and other education and training professionals. Courses are typically scheduled online to meet the needs of working professionals.