Curriculum & Instruction Specializations
At MCE, our programs are flexible, affordable, and designed to help you advance your career. Whether you want to learn more about diversity in the classroom, become a teacher, or earn an endorsement from the Colorado Department of Education, we are here to help you succeed.
Do you want to teach STEM courses? Or become a gifted education teacher? Our Curriculum and Instruction program offers master’s, EdD, PhD, and graduate certificate options. At each degree level, you can choose a specialization to help you pursue your passions. You can also learn with your peers. Cohorts are available for individual school districts, rural educators, and more.
Design Your Own Program
We believe in helping you reach your unique goals. Our expert faculty can help create a personalized coursework plan. To discuss your custom degree options, reach out to MCE.admission@du.edu or call 1-800-835-1607.
On This Page
- K-12 Special Education
- STEM Education
- Gifted Education
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE)
- Curriculum Studies
Funding Your Education
We offer guaranteed scholarships to 100% of our students. Discounts vary by specialization and degree but can cover up to 70% of tuition. Stipends, grants, awards, and loan forgiveness programs are also available. To learn more, reach out to us or explore Tools for Tomorrow’s Teachers.
Specializations
K-12 Special Education
Faculty Lead: Dr. Rashida Banerjee
In the Special Education specialization, students complete courses that prepare them to become evidence-based practitioners and researchers who optimize social-emotional, cognitive, academic, and behavioral outcomes for children with special needs. Through their coursework, they collaborate with families, community partners, and school personnel to enhance learning opportunities for children with special needs. Successful candidates apply theory to practice and research; they may qualify for district, school, or university leadership positions.
Course Recommendations
-
Special Education Generalist (K-12) Certificate and Endorsement
Students may choose to follow a specific certificate coursework plan that allows them to qualify for a Colorado Department of Education endorsement if they have a Colorado teaching license. Students interested in seeking this credential should consult their advisor.
* Course for TEP program. Students will need advisor and instructor approval to enroll.
^ CFSP 4306 will require a course substitution form. Any additional changes to the above coursework plan will require a course substitution form approved by faculty lead.
-
Special Education Specialization
C&I MA, EdD and PhD degrees allow for 24 credits of specialization courses. Students interested in special education can choose from the following menu of courses.
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
TEP 4010* OR CFSP 4306
Foundations of Special Education OR
Exceptionalities in Special Ed
3
CFSP 4315
Professional, Leadership & Ethical Issues in SpEd: Birth to 21
3
CFSP 4302
Special Education & Gifted Education Legal Issues
3
CFSP 4305
Exceptionalities in Education: High incidence Disabilities
3
CFSP 4312
Learning Theories and Behavior Analysis
3
CFSP 4330
Family-School Partnership & Consultation
3
Choose additional courses (6 credits) in consultation with advisor and/or Specialization lead
6
TOTAL CREDITS
24
STEM Education
Faculty Lead: Dr. Brette Garner
In the STEM Education specialization, students complete courses aimed at developing leaders and researchers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education with strong theoretical and historical backgrounds. The STEM Education specialization focuses on ambitious instructional practices that support meaningful learning experiences for all students, particularly those in historically marginalized groups. Students become familiar with a wide variety of research designs and methods of inquiry so that they can apply various theories to address problems of practice within STEM education. In this way, students are prepared to address matters of practice in diverse educational settings with a strong background in STEM content, pedagogy, and assessment.
Course Recommendations
-
STEM Education Specialization
C&I degrees allow for 24 credits of specialization courses. Students interested in STEM Education may choose from the following menu of courses.
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
CUI 4610
Learning and Teaching in STEM
3
CUI 4640
Improving STEM Instruction
3
CUI 4620
Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice in STEM
3
CUI 4600
History of STEM Education
3
CUI 4730
Technology in STEM
3
CUI 4740
Policy and STEM Education
3
Choose additional courses (6 credits) in consultation with advisor and/or Specialization lead
6
TOTAL
24
Gifted Education
Faculty Lead: Dr. Norma Hafenstein
C&I graduate students can specialize in gifted education. Students can complete coursework to earn a certificate in gifted education core, which allows licensed Colorado educators to earn a gifted education core endorsement from the Colorado Department of Education, upon completion of the Praxis. Students may complete additional coursework to allow licensed Colorado educators to earn either a gifted education specialist endorsement or gifted education director endorsement, upon completion of the Praxis.
Endorsements
|
|
Gifted Ed Core Endorsement from CDE |
Gifted Ed Specialist Endorsement from CDE |
Gifted Ed Director Endorsement from CDE |
|
Certificate |
X |
|
|
|
MA C&I Students |
X |
X |
|
|
EdD, PhD C&I Students |
X |
X |
X |
Course Recommendations
-
Gifted Education Certificate Or Specialization
Students may choose to follow a specific certificate coursework plan that allows them to qualify for a Colorado Department of Education endorsement if they have a prior Colorado teaching license. Students interested in seeking this credential should consult their advisor.
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
CUI 4401
Psychological Aspects of the Gifted
3
CUI 4402
Curriculum for Gifted Learners
3
CUI 4403
Instructional Strategies for Gifted Learners
3
CUI 4404
Twice-Exceptional Students
3
CUI 4407
Special Topics in Identification of the Gifted
3
CUI 4408
Creativity: Theory and Practice
3
CUI 4410
Program Development, Leadership, and Communication
3
CUI 4412
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners in Gifted Education
3
TOTAL CREDITS
24
* Course for TEP program. Students will need advisor and instructor approval to enroll.
-
Gifted Education Core Endorsement
Students may choose to follow a specific certificate coursework plan that allows them to qualify for a Colorado Department of Education endorsement if they have a prior Colorado teaching license. Students interested in seeking this credential should consult their advisor.
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
CUI 4401
Psychological Aspects of the Gifted
3
CUI 4402
Curriculum for Gifted Learners
3
CUI 4403
Instructional Strategies for Gifted Learners
3
CUI 4404
Twice-Exceptional Students
3
CUI 4407
Special Topics in Identification of the Gifted
3
CUI 4408
Creativity: Theory and Practice
3
CUI 4410
Program Development, Leadership, and Communication
3
CUI 4412
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners in Gifted Education
3
TOTAL CREDITS
24
* Course for TEP program. Students will need advisor and instructor approval to enroll.
-
Gifted Education Specialist Endorsement
Students may choose to follow a specific certificate coursework plan that allows them to qualify for a Colorado Department of Education endorsement if they have a Colorado teaching license. Students interested in seeking this credential should consult their advisor.
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
CUI 4401
Psychological Aspects of the Gifted
3
CUI 4402
Curriculum for Gifted Learners
3
CUI 4403
Instructional Strategies for Gifted Learners
3
CUI 4404
Twice-Exceptional Students
3
CUI 4407
Special Topics in Identification of the Gifted
3
CUI 4408
Creativity: Theory and Practice
3
CUI 4410
Program Development, Leadership, and Communication
3
CUI 4412
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners in Gifted Education
3
CUI 4405
Gifted Education Practicum
1-3
CFSP 4302
Special Education and Gifted Education Law
3
TOTAL CREDITS
28-30
* Course for TEP program. Students will need advisor and instructor approval to enroll.
-
Gifted Education Director Endorsement
Students may choose to follow a specific certificate coursework plan that allows them to qualify for a Colorado Department of Education endorsement if they have a Colorado teaching license. Students interested in seeking this credential should consult their advisor.
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
CUI 4400
Nature and Needs of Gifted Learners
3
CUI 4401
Psychological Aspects of the Gifted
3
CUI 4402
Curriculum for Gifted Learners
3
CUI 4403
Instructional Strategies for Gifted Learners
3
CUI 4404
Twice-Exceptional Students
3
CUI 4407
Special Topics in Identification of the Gifted
3
CUI 4408
Creativity: Theory and Practice
3
CUI 4410
Program Development, Leadership, and Communication
3
CUI 4412
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners in Gifted Education
3
CUI 4405
Gifted Education Practicum
1-3
CFSP 4302
Special Education and Gifted Education Law
3
Perspectives in District Leadership
4
ADMN 4835
Leading Teaching and Learning
4
ADMN4817
Administrative Internship: District
6
TOTAL CREDITS
46-47
* Course for TEP program. Students will need advisor and instructor approval to enroll.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE)
Faculty Lead: Dr. Kim Schmidt
In the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) specialization, students complete courses to prepare them to be evidence-based practitioners and researchers who can foreground culturally responsive pedagogy and the cultural, linguistic, cognitive, and academic needs of culturally and linguistically diverse learners in communities and classroom practices. Throughout their coursework, candidates learn and apply knowledge about first and second language acquisition, the selection and utilization of culturally relevant literature, essential literacy components and curriculum and assessment practices for CLD learners with an emphasis on language and funds of knowledge to bridge communities, classrooms, and schools.
Course Recommendations
-
CLDE Certificate
Students may choose to follow a specific certificate coursework plan that allows them to qualify for a Colorado Department of Education endorsement if they have a Colorado teaching license. Students interested in seeking this credential should consult their advisor.
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
CUI 4529*
Foundations of Education for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners.
3
CUI 4536
Language and Cultural Issues in Assessment and Instruction
3
CUI 4538
Literacy and Language Development for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners
3
CUI 4531
Language Development and Strategies for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners
3
CUI 4035
Critical Perspectives in Education
3
CUI 4022
Curriculum Theory into Practice
3
CFSP 4330
Family- School Partnering and Consultation
3
CUI 4047
Humanizing Pedagogies
3
TOTAL CREDITS
24
* Course for TEP program. Students will need advisor and instructor approval to enroll.
Please note: Any course changes to the a above coursework plan require a course substitution form approved by the faculty lead.
-
CLDE Specialization
C&I degrees allow for 24 credits of specialization courses. Students interested in CLDE may choose from the following menu of courses.
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
CUI 4412
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners in Gifted Education
3
CUI 4531
Language Development and Strategies for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners
3
CUI 4538
Literacy and Language Development for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners
3
CUI 4536
Language and Cultural Issues in Assessment and Instruction
3
CUI 4047
Humanizing Pedagogies
3
*CUI 4529
Foundations of Education for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners
3
Choose additional courses (6 credits) in consultation with advisor and/or Specialization lead
6
TOTAL
24
Curriculum Studies
Faculty Lead: Dr. Paul Michalec
In the Curriculum Studies specialization, students complete courses intended to add to their breadth and depth of knowledge of equity and social justice in education so that they will be well-equipped to meet the learning needs of all students in a variety of educational settings. The Curriculum Studies specialization focuses on curriculum design, models of curriculum, instructional strategies, assessment, and student engagement. Students can select courses around various themes in curriculum and instruction, including (but not limited to) diversity, teacher education, spirituality, aesthetics, urban education, family studies, social work, library and information science, zoo and museum education, and international education. Additionally, coursework in this specialization encourages candidates to think critically and imaginatively about diversity, equity, and inclusion and the role of curriculum and instruction in creating a more open and inviting learning experience for all students.
Course Recommendations
-
Curriculum Studies Specialization
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
CUI 4700
Foundations in Education: Cognitive Theory
3
CUI 4021
Models of Curriculum
3
CUI 4047
Humanizing Pedagogy
3
CUI 4033
The Practice of Teaching
3
CUI 4032
Analysis of Teaching
3
CUI 4041
School and Curriculum Reform
3
CUI 4039
Transformational Teaching and Learning
3
CUI 4131
Spirituality in Education
3`
TOTAL CREDITS
24