Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction

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The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Curriculum and Instruction at Colorado Christian University provides a graduate degree for pre-K - 12 educators and corporate trainers 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 or online instructors. Courses in the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction are completed online and include the options of emphases in:

Alternative Teacher Licensing Program (Authorized by the Colorado Department of Education)
Biblical Studies
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education

The M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction program is distinctive for the following reasons:

Tailored to the working professional, coursework can be completed in 24 months by taking courses online
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

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

The Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction program provides students with the tools to enhance their professional careers in teaching, training, administration, and curriculum development. The M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction is designed to further a student’s cognitive abilities, relational skills, commitment to values, and a worldview informed by biblical scholarship, science, experience, and history. As a result of their studies at Colorado Christian University, M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction 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. M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction graduates demonstrate interpersonal, relational, communication and leadership skills as applied through the philosophy of servant leadership. The program integrates the best of scholarship with the richness of the Christian heritage.

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

Admission to the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction 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 (including essay, transcripts, and fees)
Valid state-issued driver’s license or state-issued ID card or passport
An official transcript that reflects a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
One professional recommendation from an individual who is not a family member
Personal interview
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
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.

Additional requirements for those pursuing the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Emphasis

Completed background check (Required for program admission in order to complete field requirements. This is for non-alternative licensing candidates only.)

Additional requirements for those seeking licensure under the Alternative Licensing Emphasis

Candidates must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
Candidates must pass the Colorado State Board of Education approved elementary content exam (Praxis-5901) to teach at the elementary level. Candidates for K-12 or secondary (7-12) endorsements must take and pass the state-approved content exam in the area(s) designated or by transcript verification indicating completion of 24 semester hours of college-level coursework meeting the minimum requirements as outlined in the content evaluation worksheets
Candidates must obtain a teaching position in a Colorado private or public school
Click here for CDE’s Alternative licensing application requirements

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 Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction degree requirements.

Only three (3) of the 15 Alternative Licensing Emphasis credits may be transferred in.

Coursework applied to the M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction 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 Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction degree must be completed within a four-year period from the date of enrollment. After the four-year period, a M.A. Curriculum and Instruction 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 M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction 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.

In addition, students wishing to pursue licensure must complete the 15 credits specific to the Alternative Licensing Emphasis within a twelve (12) month period.

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

A total of 36 credit hours are required for The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Curriculum and Instruction Degree. A student may choose to pursue a traditional M.A. Curriculum and Instruction degree or may choose an emphasis. All students will complete 18 credits from the M.A. Curriculum and Instruction Curriculum core, the remaining 18 credits will reflect whether or not they pursue an emphasis.

Curriculum Core (18 credit hours)

Non-emphasis Core (18 credit hours)

Students not pursuing Alternative Licensing, Biblical Studies, or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Emphases will complete 18 credit hours in the Curriculum Core (above) and the following 18 credit hours:

Alternative Licensing Emphasis (15 credit hours)

Colorado Christian University is authorized by the Colorado Department of Education to offer an Alternative Teacher Licensing Program. This is a one academic year (two semester) program designed for non-licensed teachers who are teaching in a Colorado public or private school. Candidates in the program receive supervised coaching in the classroom. The combination of classroom teaching and graduate coursework may lead to an institutional recommendation from the University for an initial teaching license, the standard entry-level license in Colorado.

The Colorado Department of Education requires that students pursuing teaching licensure in Colorado earn a degree from a regionally accredited college or university and complete an approved educator preparation program. Students who successfully complete the 15 Alternative Licensing Emphasis Credits listed below may be eligible to receive a recommendation to the Colorado Department of Education for initial teacher licensure but will not receive a full master’s degree. Those students who wish to obtain a master’s degree may complete the 18 credits in the Curriculum Core as well as one additional graduate-level education (EDU) or culturally and linguistically diverse education (CLD) class to complete their degree.

EDU-521 Fall Internship (3)
EDU-522 Spring Internship (3)
EDU-603 Advanced Special Needs Strategies (3)
EDU-606 Advanced Techniques in Classroom Management (3)
RDG-546 Reading Instruction K-12 (3)
Those wishing to convert their alternative license into an M.A. Curriculum and Instruction degree will need to complete the Curriculum Core and one (1) additional graduate-level education (EDU) or culturally and linguistically diverse education (CLD) course (3 credit hours).

Biblical Studies Emphasis (18 credit hours)

This emphasis does not lead to initial teacher licensure. The Biblical Studies Emphasis has been designed for those who sense God’s calling to become or who are currently serving in Bible secondary education roles in private schools or church programs.

Students will take the 18 credit hours listed below for the Biblical Studies Emphasis and the Curriculum Core requirements listed above (18 credit hours).

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Emphasis (18 credit hours)

This emphasis is intended for those who work with K-12 students and wish to add coursework in cultural and linguistic diversity education (CLD) to their teaching license. This emphasis provides content and application to foster the skills needed for activities such as international missions work and teaching English as a second or foreign language, whether in the US or overseas. Through this emphasis, students will develop a sensitivity to other cultures encountered both domestically and internationally. Embedded in the degree are the requirements for certification for Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Students will take the 18 credit hours listed below for the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Emphasis and the Curriculum Core requirements listed above (18 credit hours).

Graduate Certificate in TESOL

Requirements for a TESOL certification are embedded within the coursework of the M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education emphasis. Students who have completed the following five courses in the degree will receive a TESOL certificate.

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 program to the Board of Trustees as candidates for graduation when they have completed the following requirements:

Completion of 36 credit hours through a combination of CCU M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction 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 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 requirements for those students pursuing a teaching license through the Alternative Licensure Emphasis:

Completion of a License Completion Form
Recommendation by the College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS) School of Education Professions Dean or Program Director for an Initial Teaching License by the Colorado Department of Education

Additional Information

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

Graduate Courses for Teachers and Other Professionals

Through the M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction 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.