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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), curriculum theory (ETE 651), cultural diversity and schooling (ETE 663), instructional theory (ETE 655), instructional design (ETE 653), and assessment strategies (ETE 643, ETE 654, ETE 664). In addition, the program offers practica, original research, and creative contributions options. Working with a faculty advisor, graduate students plan a program of study that addresses their needs, interests, and professional development goals.

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:

  1. Integrate theory with reflective practice.
  2. Draw connections between the knowledge base and the professional skills necessary for the success of educational leaders, advocates, and life-long learners.
  3. Assist teachers in remaining current with regard to educational issues, individualized instruction, and the elements of best practice.
  4. Engage teachers in collaborative learning with colleagues who offer similar, as well as diverse, backgrounds, experiences, and views.
  5. Individualize programs of study to meet the particular needs of graduate students.
  6. 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, (309) 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 programs must obtain two letters of reference.

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

An applicant must earn a Miller Analogies raw score of 37 (50th percentile) or GRE new scale scores of 152 in Verbal Reasoning (480 on old scale), 143 in Quantitative Reasoning (480 on old scale), and 3.5 in Analytical Writing to be accepted unconditionally. For unconditional admission, the candidate should have an undergraduate last-60-hour grade point average of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale. In addition to the MAT requirements, for unconditional admission the candidate must have a bachelor's degree overall grade point average of 2.5 and a 2.75 grade point average in the major field of concentration. 

For conditional admission, a candidate must earn a minimal MAT score of 27 (25th percentile) or GRE new scale scores of 146 in Verbal Reasoning (400 on old scale), 140 Quantitative Reasoning (400 on old scale), and 2.5 to 3.4 in Analytical Writing. The MAT may be retaken one time.  In addition, 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: a 15-hour core that includes ELH 604 educational research (three hours), a three-hour educational technology course (ETE 665 or ETE 672), 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 12  semester hours from literacy and reading, multidisciplinary, 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 plus a Comprehensive Examination that 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 plus ETE 698. Graduate students may also select up to six hours of approved graduate level elective courses that may be taken within or outside the department. The total minimum course requirement for the Curriculum and Instruction program is 33 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: 15 hours

A. Educational Research: 3 hours

  • ELH 604 Research Methodology and Applications - 3 hrs.

B. Educational Technology: 3 hours

Students must choose one of the following options for 3 hours:

  • ETE 665 Technology Infusion - 3 hrs.
  • ETE 672 Technology Applications for Student With Exceptionalities - 3 hrs.

C. 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 one of the following options for 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
    plus ETE 655 - 3 hrs.
    plus Comprehensive Examination
  • Option B: 27 hours of coursework
    plus ETE 699 Thesis - 6 hrs.
  • Option C: 27 hours of coursework
    plus ETE 655 - 3 hrs.
    and ETE 698 - 3 hrs.

Areas of Concentration: 12 hours minimum

Notes:

  1. ETE 698 may not be used for both a Capstone Experience course and as an Area of Concentration Course.
  2. ETE 655 may not be used for both a Capstone Experience course and as an Area of Concentration Course.
  3. Students may select either ETE 650 or ETE 698, but may not take both for the concentration.
  4. The course students select for their Educational Technology course requirement cannot also be used as an Area of Concentration course.
  5. The course students select for their Directed Elective assessment course cannot also be used as an Area of Concentration course.
  6. For the Multidisciplinary Area of concentration, students must choose either two courses from one area of similar focus and two courses from a second area of focus, or three courses from one area of focus and one course from a second area of focus.  Total minimum requirement for this Area of Concentration is 12 semester hours. 

Students select courses from among the following course lists for the Literacy and Reading Concentration, Multidisciplinary Concentration, or Special Education Concentration:

Literacy and Reading

  • ETE 616 Analysis and Evaluation of Children's Literature - 3 hrs.
  • ETE 620 Writing Across the Curriculum - 3 hrs.
  • 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 Remedial Reading Methods - 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.
  • ETE 650 Topics in Curriculum, Instruction and Technology - 1-3 hrs.
  • ETE 698 Creative Research Contribution - 1-6 hrs.

Multidisciplinary Education

  • ETE 513 Educational Software Design - 3 hrs.
  • ETE 515 Mathematics Methods for the Middle School - 3 hrs.
  • ETE 550 Independent Study - 1-3 hrs.
  • ETE 610 Young Adolescent Development - 3 hrs.*
  • ETE 611 Middle School Instructional Strategies - 3 hrs.*
  • ETE 616 Analysis & Evaluation of Children’s Literature - 3 hrs.
  • ETE 618 Science: An inquiry Approach - 3 hrs.
  • ETE 620 Writing Across the Curriculum - 3 hrs.
  • 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 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 655 Instructional Theory - 3 hrs.
  • ETE 661 Child Growth and Development - 3 hrs.
  • ETE 662 Family Intervention - 3 hrs.
  • ETE 664 Classroom Assessment - 3 hrs.
  • ETE 667 Characteristics & Methods for Students who are Gifted - 3-6 hrs.
  • ETE 672 Technology Applications for Students With Exceptionalities - 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 - 0-6 hrs.
  • ART 500 Advanced Studio - 3 hrs.
    (requires interview by Art Department)
  • ENG 508 Composing Hypertext - 3 hrs.
    (requires approval by English Department)
  • SCI 501 Topics in Investigative Science for Educators - 3 hrs.
  • Students may select up to 6 hours of science content from graduate-level courses offered in the departments of biology, chemistry, or physics, and must also select ETE 618, which requires corequisite of ETE 550 for 1 hour.

* Needed for the State of Illinois Middle School Endorsement

Special Education

Required for the Concentration:

  • ETE 671 Instructional Strategies & Designs in Special Education - 3 hrs.
  • ETE 678 Leadership & Collaboration in Special Education - 3 hrs.

Electives for the Concentration:

  • 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 Remedial Reading Methods - 3 hrs.
  • ETE 673 Self-Determination for Individuals With Disabilities - 3 hrs.
  • ETE 674 Issues, Trends, & Research in Special Education - 3 hrs.
  • ETE 697 Advanced Practicum for Students With Exceptionalities - 1-5 hrs.
  • ELH 669 Special Education Law - 2 hrs.

NOTE: students seeking the special education area of concentration must enter with either an endorsement or certification in special education.


Notices:

  1. The Department recommends students selecting areas of concentration in Literacy and Reading or in Special Education have some content background in the respective content area prior to enrolling in those areas of concentration courses.
  2. 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

 

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. Students wishing to pursue Teaching Endorsements should discuss information with their graduate advisor regarding Reading Teacher or Special Education. 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 hours)
ETE 659  Curriculum and Instruction Practicum (1-3 hours) for one semester hour

Endorsements

Endorsement for Reading Teacher (Optional)

  • 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).

Endorsement in Middle Level Education (Optional)

  • ETE 610 Young Adolescent Development - 3 hrs.
  • ETE 611 Middle School Instructional Strategies - 3 hrs.

This is the official catalog for the 2011-2012 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.