Curriculum & Instruction Specializations

Academic Programs

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

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 Number

    Course Title

    Credits

    TEP 4010* OR CFSP 4306^

    Foundations of Special Education OR

    Exceptionalities in Special Ed

    3

    TEP 4590*

    Elementary Literacy Instruction I

    3

    CFSP 4315

    Professional, Leadership & Ethical Issues in SpEd: Birth to 21

    3

    TEP 4591*

    Elementary Literacy Instruction II

    3

    CUI 4542*

    Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment III

    3

    CFSP 4305

    Exceptionalities in Education: High incidence Disabilities

    3

    CFSP 4312

    Learning Theories and Behavior Analysis

    3

    CUI 4505* OR

    CUI 4503

    Mathematics Across the Content Areas OR

    Elementary Math Methods for Cultural Linguistic Diversity

    3

     

    TOTAL CREDITS

    24

     

    * 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, which allows licensed Colorado educators to earn a gifted education endorsement from the Colorado Department of Education, upon completion of the Praxis. Students may complete additional coursework to allow licensed Colorado educators to earn a gifted director endorsement, upon completion of the Praxis.

Endorsements

 Gifted Education Endorsement from CDEGifted Director Endorsement from CDE
CertificateX 
MA C&I StudentsX 
EdD, PhD C&I StudentsXX

 

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 NumberCourse Title & DescriptionCredits
    CUI 4700Cognitive, Creative, and Learning Theories and Applications (also a required course)4
    CUI 4401Nature, Needs, and Psychological Aspects of Giftedness4
    CUI 4403Curriculum and Instructional Strategies and Fieldwork for Gifted Learners4
    CUI 4407Current Topics in Gifted Education: Identification and Twice-Exceptionality Applications4
    CUI 4410Program Development, Leadership, and Communication in Gifted Education4
    CUI 4412Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners in Gifted Education4
     TOTAL CREDITS24

    *Course for TEP program. Students will need advisor and instructor approval to enroll” with “Course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Bulletin

  • Gifted Education 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 NumberCourse TitleCredits
    CUI 4401Psychological Aspects of the Gifted3
    CUI 4402Curriculum for Gifted Learners3
    CUI 4403Instructional Strategies for Gifted Learners3
    CUI 4404Twice-Exceptional Students3
    CUI 4407Special Topics in Identification of the Gifted3
    CUI 4408Creativity: Theory and Practice3
    CUI 4410Program Development, Leadership, and Communication3
    CUI 4412Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners in Gifted Education3
     TOTAL CREDITS24

    *Course for TEP program. Students will need advisor and instructor approval to enroll” with “Course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Bulletin

     

  • Gifted 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 NumberCourse TitleCredits
    CUI 4700Cognitive, Creative, and Learning Theories and Applications (also a required course)4
    CUI 4401Nature, Needs, and Psychological Aspects of Giftedness4
    CUI 4403Curriculum and Instructional Strategies and Fieldwork for Gifted Learners4
    CUI 4407Current Topics in Gifted Education: Identification and Twice-Exceptionality Applications4
    CUI 4410Program Development, Leadership, and Communication in Gifted Education4
    CUI 4412Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners in Gifted Education4
    CUI 4405Gifted Education Practicum1-3
    CFSP 4302Special Education and Gifted Education Law3
    ADMN 4812Perspectives in District Leadership4
    ADMN 4835Leading Teaching and Learning4
    ADMN 4817Administrative Internship: District6
     TOTAL CREDITS42-44

    *Course for TEP program. Students will need advisor and instructor approval to enroll” with “Course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Bulletin

  • TEP Pathway to Gifted Endorsement

    If you are a TEP student, you can complete the requirements to pursue a gifted endorsement with CDE by completing all the TEP courses and the following three courses:

     

    Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
    CUI 4700Cognitive, Creative, and Learning Theories and Applications4
    CUI 4401Nature, Needs, and Psychological Aspects of Giftedness4
    CUI 4403Curriculum and Instructional Strategies and Fieldwork for Gifted Learners4

     

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