Curriculum and Instruction
D. Antonio Cantu,
Chair, Department of Teacher Education
The professional education unit is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
The curriculum and instruction master’s program builds upon the foundation laid at the undergraduate level and continues the emphasis on pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade teachers as educational leaders, advocates, and life-long learners. Teachers who wish to assume leadership roles within their school systems need to remain current, increase their skill levels, add to their knowledge bases, and increase their repertoire. As effective leaders who take responsibility for their own continuing education, they also need to participate in the creation of their own professional development plans.
The curriculum and instruction master’s program is designed to provide for these needs. While making allowances for individual tailoring, the program includes a common core of courses intended to increase graduate students’ skill levels and knowledge base in: technology applications (ETE 665), research applications (ELH 604), legal and social issues (ELH 605), curriculum theory (ETE 651), cultural diversity and schooling (ETE 663), instructional theory (ETE 655), instructional design (ETE 653), and assessment strategies (ETE 665, ETE 654, ETE 643). In addition, the program offers practica, original research, and creative contributions options. Working with a faculty advisor, graduate students plan a program of study which addresses their needs, interests, and professional development goals. These plans may include assessment, early childhood education, educational technology, gifted education, literacy education, middle school education, multidisciplinary education, reading teacher, science education, and special education.
The goal of the curriculum and instruction master’s program is to prepare pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade teachers to accept greater responsibility in their roles as educational leaders, advocates, and life-long learners by increasing their skill levels, adding to their knowledge bases, and informing their attitudes.
The objectives of the curriculum and instruction master’s program are to:
- Integrate theory with reflective practice.
- Draw connections between the knowledge base and the professional skills necessary for the success of effective leaders, advocates, and life-long learners.
- Assist teachers in remaining current with regard to educational issues, individualized instruction, and the elements of best practice.
- Engage teachers in collaborative learning with colleagues who offer similar, as well as diverse, backgrounds, experiences, and views.
- Individualize programs of study to meet the particular needs of graduate students.
- Facilitate the development of teachers as life-long learners, who are capable of informing their instructional practices through appropriate application of research results.
Master of Arts
The Master of Arts degree is conferred upon students who have completed a minimum of 33 graduate semester hours in curriculum and instruction or curriculum and instruction special education.
Before any application can be approved, the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) must be a part of the candidate’s record. The GRE testing program changed significantly in 2002, and this change affected the graduate admissions requirements for the departments in the College of Education and Health Sciences. Questions about these requirements for admission should be directed to the respective department.
The candidate is urged to make necessary testing arrangements with the EHS secretary, 677-3181, for the MAT. The GRE is administered by the Educational Testing Service. Candidates can get more information on the GRE by visiting www.ets.org on the Internet. This will expedite the application process.
All applicants must complete the prescribed application forms of the College of Education and Health Sciences and Graduate School.
The applicant seeking admission to the curriculum and instruction or curriculum and instruction special education programs must obtain two letters of reference.
ELH 604 is strongly recommended as the first course taken by all degree candidates. The other core course that is mandated in all professional education programs within the College of Education and Health Sciences is ELH 605. It is recommended that the two required core courses be completed during the first 12 semester hours of the student’s program in ELH.
Students should consult with their advisor for departmental program requirements.
The Education Reform Act requires that after July 1, 1988, all persons seeking early childhood, elementary, special, high school, school service personnel, or administrative certificates in Illinois must pass both a test of basic skills and a test of subject-matter knowledge. Those persons covered include new graduates from teacher preparation programs, educators moving to Illinois from other states, and Illinois educators applying for additional certification.
College/Department Admissions Requirements
For unconditional admission, the candidate should have an undergraduate last-60-hour grade point average of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale.
For conditional admission into a graduate program, the candidate should have a minimum undergraduate last-60-hour grade point average of 2.5. The conditional student must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in the first 9 to 18 hours of graduate work in order to gain unconditional status.
All applicants must complete the prescribed application forms of the College of Education and Health Sciences and Graduate School. All applicants must submit official scores from the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
Two letters of reference must be obtained by the applicant from educational field employers or college/university professors who can recommend the applicant as having strong potential for success in graduate studies and in potential continued service to the education profession.
Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements for the thesis and non-thesis options have in common the following components: an eighteen-hour core which includes ELH 604 and ELH 605 (three hours each), a three-hour educational technology course (ETE 665) and nine hours of Curriculum and Instruction (ETE 663, ETE 651 and ETE 653). The student must also select an area of concentration consisting of nine semester hours from areas in assessment, early childhood education, educational technology, gifted education, literacy education, middle school education, multidisciplinary education, reading teacher, science education, or special education.
Graduate students must also select a capstone experience from among three options. Option A is 30 hours of coursework plus ETE 655 and a Comprehensive Examination which is tailored to the student’s program of study. Option B is 27 hours of coursework plus six hours of ETE 699 (Thesis). Option C is 27 hours of coursework plus ETE 655 and ETE 698. Graduate students may also select up to six hours of approved graduate-level elective courses which may be taken within or outside the department. The total minimum course requirement for the curriculum and instruction program is thirty-three semester hours. Graduate students electing the thesis option (capstone Option B) will design and conduct an original research study under the guidance of their advisors. For thesis option students, a comprehensive examination will be administered orally at the time of the thesis defense.
Curriculum and Instruction Master’s Degree Program
Graduate Core: 18 hours
Foundations and Research: 6 hrs.
- ELH 604 Research Methodology & Applications 3 hrs.
- ELH 605 Legal and Social Change 3 hrs.
- ETE 665 Technology Infusion 3 hrs.
Curriculum and Instruction: 9 hours
- ETE 651 Curriculum Theory and Development 3 hrs.
- ETE 653 Instructional Strategies and Designs 3 hrs.
- ETE 663 Schooling in a Diverse World 3 hrs.
Directed Elective: 3 hours
Students must choose at least one of the following options for a minimum of 3 hours:
- ETE 643 Assessment and Evaluation Practicum for Learners With Exceptionalities 3 hrs.
- ETE 654 Program Evaluation 3 hrs.
- ETE 664 Classroom Assessment 3 hrs.
Capstone Experience Option
Option A: 30 hours of coursework; ETE 655 Instructional Theory; Comprehensive Examination
Option B: 27 hours of coursework; ETE 699 Thesis (6 hours)
Option C: 27 hours of coursework; ETE 655 Instructional Theory; ETE 698 Creative Research Contribution (3 hours)
Areas of Concentration: 9 hours minimum
Note: ETE 698 may not be used for both a Capstone Experience course and an Area of Concentration course.
Students must select one 9-hour area of concentration from among the following choices:
- Assessment
(Cannot include any course selected from among the Assessment choices under Directed Electives)- ETE 636 Assessment in Reading 3 hrs.
- ETE 643 Assessment and Evaluation Practicum for Learners With Exceptionalities 3 hrs.
- ETE 654 Program Evaluation 3 hrs.
- ETE 664 Classroom Assessment 3 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative/Research Contribution 0-6 hrs.
- Early Childhood Education
- ETE 650 Topics in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology 1-3 hrs.
- ETE 661 Child Growth and Development 3 hrs.
- ETE 662 Family Intervention 3 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative/Research Contribution 0-6 hrs.
- Educational Technology
(Cannot include ETE 665 from Core Courses)
(Students may select either ETE 650 or ETE 698, but may not take both for this concentration)- ETE 513 Educational Software Design 3 hrs.
- ETE 650 Topics in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology 1-3 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative/Research Contribution 0-6 hrs.
- ART 500 Advanced Studio 3 hrs. *
- ENG 508 Composing Hypertext 3 hrs.
- Gifted Education
- ETE 650 Topics in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology 3 hrs.
- ETE 667 Characteristics and Methods for Students who are Gifted 3 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative/Research Contribution 0-6 hrs.
- Literacy Education
- ETE 616 Analysis & Evaluation of Children’s Literature 3 hrs.
- ETE 620 Writing Across the Curriculum 3 hrs.
- ETE 632 Reading in the Content Areas 3 hrs.
- ETE 636 Assessment in Reading 3 hrs.
- ETE 637 Remedial Reading Method 3 hrs.
- ETE 640 Reading Practicum 3 hrs.
- ETE 650 Topics in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology 1-3 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative Research Contribution 0-6 hrs.
- Middle School Education
- ETE 515 Mathematics Methods for the Middle School (3)
- ETE 610 Young Adolescent Development 3 hrs. *
- ETE 611 Middle School Instructional Strategies 3 hrs. *
- ETE 618 Science: An inquiry Approach 3 hrs.
- ETE 620 Writing Across the Curriculum 3 hrs.
- ETE 632 Reading in the Content Areas 3 hrs.
- ETE 650 Topics in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology 3 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative Research Contribution 3 hrs.
- * Needed for the State of Illinois Middle School Endorsement
- Reading Teacher
- ETE 630 Critical Foundations of Literacy Instruction 3 hrs.
- ETE 631 Resources and Strategies for the Reading Teacher 3 hrs.
- ETE 632 Reading in the Content Area 3 hrs.
- ETE 636 Assessment in Reading 3 hrs.
- ETE 637 Remediation of Reading Difficulties 3 hrs.
- ETE 639 Roles and Responsibilities of the Literacy Professional 3 hrs.
- ETE 640 Reading Practicum 3 hrs.
- ETE 641 Remedial Reading Practicum 3 hrs.
- All of these courses are required to obtain the Reading Teacher Endorsement from the state of Illinois. Additionally, the candidate must complete or have completed one undergraduate or graduate course in Children's Literature or Young Adult Literature (e.g. ETE 260, ETE 616, or ENG 320).
- Science Education
- Students may select up to 6 hours of science content from graduate-level courses offered in the departments of biology, chemistry, geological science, or physics. Students electing to do so must also select ETE 618.
- ETE 618 Science: An Inquiry Approach 3 hrs.
- SCI 501 Topics in Investigative Science for Educators 3 hrs. *
- ETE 650 Topics in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology 1-3 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative/Research Contribution 0-6 hrs.
- * Requires corequisite of ETE 550 (independent study) for 1 hour.
- Special Education
For the three-hour Directed Electives requirement listed above, students must choose the following course:- ETE 643, Assessment and Evaluation Practicum for Learners with Exceptionalities 3 hrs.
- Prerequisites:
- ETE 425 Life Planning for Learners with Exceptionalities 3 hrs.
- ETE 426 Assessment and Evaluation for Learners with Exceptionalities 3 hrs.
- Required nine hours:
- ETE 673 Self Determination for Individuals with Disabilities 3 hrs.
- ETE 674 Issues, Trends, and Research in Special Education 3 hrs.
- ETE 650 Topics in Special Education 1-3 hrs.
- Electives required for endorsement to teach in Special Education or for the capstone (three-hour minimum) experience:
- ETE 697 Advanced Practicum for Students with Exceptionalities 1-5 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative/Research Contribution 0-6 hrs.
- ETE 699 Thesis 0-3 hrs.
- Multidisciplinary Education
- Students must choose two courses from one area of concentration and one course from a second area of concentration.
- Notices:
- The Department recommends students selecting areas of concentration in Literacy and Reading or Science Education enter the program having some content background in the respective content area prior to enrolling in those area of concentration courses.
- Courses which students wish to transfer into the program from other institutions must be approved by the Department of Teacher Education graduate program coordinator or department chair in advance.
Total Program: Minimum of 33 hours
Curriculum and Instruction Special Education Master’s Degree Program
Teacher certification is necessary prior to entering the C & I Special Education Master’s Degree Program. Further, an endorsement or certification in special education is required prior to entering the C & I Special Education Master's Degree Program.
Graduate Core: 6 hours
- ELH 604 Research Methodology and Applications (3)
- ELH 605 Legal and Social Change (3)
Educational Technology Component: 3 hours
- ETE 672 Technology Applications for Students with Exceptionalities 3 hrs.
Curriculum and Instruction: 9 hours
- ETE 651 Curriculum Theory and Development 3 hrs.
- ETE 653 Instructional Strategies and Designs 3 hrs.
- ETE 663 Schooling in a Diverse World 3 hrs.
Assessment: 3 hours
- ETE 643 Assessment & Evaluation Practicum for Learners with Exceptionalities (3)
Program Core for Curriculum and Instruction Special Education: 12-21 hours
- ETE 671 Instructional Strategies & Designs in Special Education 4 hrs.
- ETE 674 Issues, Trends, & Research in Special Education 3 hrs.
- ETE 678 Leadership & Collaboration in Special Education 3 hrs.
- ETE 697 Advanced Practicum for Students with Exceptionalities 1-5 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative/Research Contribution 0-6 hrs. or
ETE 699 Thesis 0-3 hrs.
Electives: 3 hours
- ETE 550 Independent Study (Special Education Focus) 1-3 hrs.
- ETE 650 Topics in Education (Special Education Topic) 1-3 hrs.
- ETE 655 Instructional Theory 3 hrs. *
- ETE 673 Self-Determination for Individuals with Disabilities 3 hrs.
- ELH 669 Special Education Law 1 hr.
Total Program: Minimum of 33 hours
Capstone Options
Option A: 30 hours plus ETE 655 and Comprehensives
Option B: 27 hours plus 6 hours of ETE 699 (Thesis)
Option C: 27 hours plus ETE 655 and ETE 698
*ETE 655 may not be taking as an elective if doing option A or C for the graduation requirement.
Teacher Certification and Teaching Endorsements
The teacher certification program is separate and distinct from the teacher education graduate C & I program. Students wishing to pursue routes to certification are directed to the appropriate undergraduate courses and/or to the endorsements in Reading Teacher. Graduate-level courses listed in the endorsement areas and not in the C & I graduate program areas of concentration cannot be used for a master’s degree.
Initial to Standard Teacher Certification
Students seeking graduate work to move from initial to standard certification for teaching must take the following courses:
- ETE 653 Instructional Strategies and Designs (3)
- ETE 659 Curriculum and Instruction Practicum (1-5) for one semester hour
Endorsements
Reading Teacher
- ETE 630 Critical Foundations of Literacy Instruction 3 hrs.
- ETE 631 Resources and Strategies for the Reading Teacher 3 hrs.
- ETE 632 Reading in the Content Area 3 hrs.
- ETE 636 Assessment in Reading 3 hrs.
- ETE 637 Remediation of Reading Difficulties 3 hrs.
- ETE 639 Roles and Responsibilities of the Literacy Professional 3 hrs.
- ETE 640 Reading Practicum 3 hrs.
- ETE 641 Remedial Reading Practicum 3 hrs.
All of these courses are required to obtain the Reading Teacher Endorsement from the state of Illinois. Additionally, the candidate must complete or have completed one undergraduate or graduate course in Children's Literature or Young Adult Literature (e.g. ETE 260, ETE 616, or ENG 320).
Middle-Level Education
- ETE 610 Young Adolescent Development
- ETE 611 Middle School Instructional Strategies
Certificate Program in Curriculum and Instruction
The Curriculum and Instruction Graduate Certificate is a declaration indicating an individual has completed a prescribed set of graduate courses in teacher education. It is not a master’s degree, nor is it the same as state teacher certification. The Graduate Certificate is awarded by the university, whereas, teacher certification is licensure awarded by the state. One does not necessarily lead to the other. The objectives of the Graduate Certificate program in Curriculum and Instruction are to provide (1) opportunities for educators to expand their learning beyond that of their bachelors or other master’s degree, (2) a basic core of learning focusing on cultural diversity and instructional strategies and designs, and (3) an area of concentration of coursework that will strengthen one’s pedagogical and/or pedagogical content knowledge.
College/Department Admissions Requirements
- Applicants for admission to the C & I Graduate Certificate Program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an institution that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency or that is recognized by the board of education of the state in which the institution is located. Students must apply for acceptance to the Graduate School, and take either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
- For unconditional admission, the applicant must have a minimum undergraduate last-60-hour grade point average of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale.
- For conditional admission, the applicant must have a minimum undergraduate last-60-hour grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. The conditional student must maintain a 3.0 GPA during the first nine semester hours of Bradley University graduate work in order to gain unconditional status.
- All students must earn a mean GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) throughout the program in order to successfully complete the certificate program. As with graduate program requirements, the student may receive a maximum of one “C” in one course and continue in the program.
- All applicants must complete the prescribed application forms of the College of Education and Health Sciences and Graduate School.
Certificate Program Completion Requirements
The courses included in the certificate program are the same as some of those offered in the master’s degree program, allowing students to apply their certificate program courses toward a full master’s degree upon completion of the certificate program, if they desire to do so. The total number of certificate program courses equals 15 semester hours (compared to the master’s degree minimum of 33). All students pursuing the certificate program will be required to take two core courses (for a total of six semester hours) and those courses identified as an area of concentration within the C & I Graduate Program (nine semester hours). All students must take the following courses:
Core Courses:
- ETE 653 Instructional Strategies and Designs 3 hrs.
- ETE 663 Schooling in a Diverse World 3 hrs.
One Area of Concentration (three courses) totaling 9 semester hours:
- Assessment
- ETE 636 Assessment in Reading 3 hrs.
- ETE 643 Assessment and Evaluation Practicum for Learners With Exceptionalities 3 hrs.
- ETE 650 Topics in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology 3 hrs.
- ETE 654 Program Evaluation 3 hrs.
- ETE 664 Classroom Assessment 3 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative Research Contribution 0-6 hrs.
- Early Childhood Education
- ETE 650 Topics in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology 3 hrs.
- ETE 661 Child Growth and Development 3 hrs.
- ETE 662 Family Intervention 3 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative Research Contribution 3 hrs.
- Educational Technology
- ETE 513 Educational Software Design 3 hrs.
- ETE 650 Topics in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology 3 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative Research Contribution 3 hrs.
- ART 500 Advanced Studio 3 hrs. *
- ENG 508 Composing Hypertext 3 hrs.
- * Students may select either ETE 650 or ETE 698, but not both. Students selecting ART 500 must interview with the Department of Art for approval (including portfolio) and placement.
- Gifted Education
- ETE 650 Topics in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology 3 hrs.
- ETE 667 Characteristics of and Methods for Students who are Gifted 3 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative Research Contribution 0-6 hrs.
- Literacy Education
- ETE 616 Analysis & Evaluation of Children’s Literature 3 hrs.
- ETE 620 Writing Across the Curriculum 3 hrs.
- ETE 632 Reading in the Content Areas 3 hrs.
- ETE 636 Assessment in Reading 3 hrs.
- ETE 637 Remedial Reading Methods 3 hrs.
- ETE 640 Reading Practicum 3 hrs.
- ETE 650 Topics in Curriculum, Instruction, & Technology 3 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative Research Contribution 0-6 hrs.
- Middle School Education
- ETE 515 Mathematics Methods for the Middle School 3 hrs.
- ETE 610 Young Adolescent Development 3 hrs. *
- ETE 611 Middle School Instructional Strategies 3 hrs. *
- ETE 618 Science: An inquiry Approach 3 hrs.
- ETE 620 Writing Across the Curriculum 3 hrs.
- ETE 632 Reading in the Content Areas 3 hrs.
- ETE 650 Topics in Curriculum, Instruction, & Technology 3 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative Research Contribution 3 hrs.
- * Needed for the State of Illinois Middle School Endorsement
- Reading Teacher
- ETE 630 Critical Foundations of Literacy Instruction 3 hrs.
- ETE 631 Resources and Strategies for the Reading Teacher 3 hrs.
- ETE 632 Reading in the Content Areas 3 hrs.
- ETE 636 Assessment in Reading 3 hrs.
- ETE 637 Remediation of Reading Difficulties 3 hrs.
- ETE 639 Roles and Responsibilities of the Literacy Professional 3 hrs.
- ETE 640 Reading Practicum 3 hrs.
- ETE 641 Remedial Reading Practicum 3 hrs.
- All of these courses are required to obtain the Reading Teacher Endorsement from the state of Illinois. Additionally, the candidate must complete or have completed one undergraduate or graduate course in children's literature or young adult literature (e.g. ETE 260, ETE 616, or ENG 320)
- Science Education
- ETE 618 Science: An inquiry Approach 3 hrs.
- ETE 650 Topics in Curriculum, Instruction, & Technology 3 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative Research Contribution 3 hrs.
- SCI 501 Interdisciplinary Science 3 hrs. *
- * Requires corequisite of ETE 550 (Independent Study) for 1 hour
- Special Education*
- ETE 643 Assessment and Evaluation Practicum for Learners With Exceptionalities 3 hrs. REQUIRED
- ETE 650 Topics in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology 3 hrs.
- ETE 673 Self-Determination for Individuals With Disabilities 3 hrs.
- ETE 674 Issues, Trends, and Research in Special Education 3 hrs.
- ETE 698 Creative Research Contribution 3 hrs.
- * If needed, students must also take prerequisite courses.
- Multidisciplinary
- Two courses from one area of concentration and one course from a second area of concentration