The master’s degree program in Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) is designed to provide educators with hybrid (blended) courses that are structured to ensure that future candidates will study the philosophical and theoretical foundations of curriculum development while gaining an understanding of instructional strategies that best address the needs of a diverse student population. The program includes three areas of concentration: specialization in Elementary Education; Instruction, Learning and Assessment; or Minority and Urban Education.

The program is uniquely designed to meet the needs of individuals with a variety of career goals that range from those who wish to serve as curriculum generalists or specialists, district curriculum coordinators, school administrators, and classroom teachers to those interested in serving as non-school based curriculum designers or curriculum evaluators.

The program will employ a cohort model. Candidates seeking admission into the master’s degree program in C&I must meet the School of Graduate Studies and Research admission requirements.

The degree does not lead to initial state certification.

Admissions Requirements

Students seeking admission to the Curriculum and Instruction program must meet the following minimum criteria prior to admission. This program does not lead to initial certification.

An applicant:

1. Must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

2. Must meet all of the requirements of both the University and the College of Education.

3. Must have earned a 3.0 GPA during the last 60 semester credit hours in the undergraduate program.

4. Must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and submit the official records of the score.

5. Must submit three professional letters of reference (i.e. from former professors or employers) addressing the applicant’s ability to succeed in a graduate program ALL LETTERS MUST BE ON COMPANY/ORGANIZATION LETTERHEAD.

6. Must provide a personal statement describing the applicant’s desire to pursue a degree in curriculum and instruction.

In order to graduate from the program, a candidate must:

• Complete the course of study
• Have a cumulative 3.0 GPA
• Develop an Action Research Poster Presentation as part of the capstone experience

How to Apply

You must obtain an application from FAMU Graduate Studies and Research or you may obtain it online from the Web site. You must submit the completed application form to Graduate Studies and Research along with an official copy of your GRE scores and an official transcript from all previous colleges/universities attended. All other supporting documentation should also be sent to Graduate Studies AND send copies to the Department of Secondary Education, Technology Education and Foundations (DSETEF) at Florida A&M University. These items should include the following:

1. Three professional letters of reference on company/ organization letterhead addressing the applicant’s ability to succeed in a graduate program.

2. A personal statement describing the applicant’s desire to pursue a degree in Curriculum and Instruction and career goal(s).

3. An unofficial copy of the applicant’s GRE scores (fax, photo copy, or scan a copy of the scores you receive in the mail).

PLEASE SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH BEFORE SENDING ANY MATERIALS TO THE DSETEF DEPARTMENT.

PLEASE NOTE: ONLY COMPLETE APPLICATION FILES WILL BE CONSIDERED. It is your responsibility to confirm that all your materials have been received. You should check with the Graduate Studies and Research at 850-599-3505 and the Department of Secondary Education, Technology Education, and Foundations at 850-599-3123 to confirm receipt of materials.

Application Deadlines

See School of Graduate Studies and Research http://www.famu.edu/index.cfm?graduatestudies&AdmissionsDeadlines

Funding

While graduate assistantships (GA) are the ideal source of funding in graduate school, financial resources are limited. Applicants may apply for funding through the College of Education. Applications may be picked up in person from the College of Education Office of the Dean. You must be a fully, regularly admitted student to receive this funding. Visit the Graduate Studies and Research Web site to search for other funding options. Applicants are also encouraged to search for GA positions in administrative offices around the university such as residence halls, Student Recreation Center/Campus Recreation, athletics, and other service offices.