Teaching and Curriculum

The Master of Education in Teaching and Curriculum is designed to enhance the skills of teachers for public and private schools. 

The program focuses on four components essential to effective teaching — learning, curriculum, instruction, and assessment. 

The Teaching and Curriculum program is unified by its vision of critical thinking, democracy, diversity, lifelong learning, nurturance, and scholarship. Courses are designed to reflect the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The program is offered at Penn State Harrisburg and available to other campuses.

Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) certification and certificates and other specialization programs can be pursued in conjunction with the Teaching and Curriculum Master's degree program in:

• special education,
• English as a second language,
• instructional coaching,
• math coaching,
• principalship,
• secondary education, 
• Capital Area National Writing Project, and
• early childhood director's credential.

Admission Requirements

Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies.

The M.Ed. Program in Teaching and Curriculum has four important admission requirements.

First, applicants must have achieved an overall junior/senior grade point average of 3.00 or higher. For applicants applying for admission who have completed credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, we will evaluate the last (approximately) 60 credits completed.

Second, applicants must submit two letters of recommendation. These letters must be from former professors or professionals who can attest to the academic ability and potential of the applicant.

Third, applicants must submit a 200-300 word personal statement that addresses their career goals and reasons for pursuing a graduate degree.

The language of instruction at Penn State is English. English proficiency test scores (TOEFL/IELTS) may be required for international applicants. See GCAC-305 Admission Requirements for International Students for more information.

Degree Requirements

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-700 Professional Degree Policies.

Students must maintain a minimum 3.00 grade point average in courses approved by the program, satisfactorily complete all required key assessments, attain a grade "C" or better in all required core courses. Students who do not make satisfactory progress will be notified in writing noting the specific deficiencies and requesting that they meet with the program coordinator to develop a remediation plan. Failure to meet or to satisfactorily complete the remediation plan will result in termination from the program.

In compliance with the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) requirements, all persons enrolled in Teacher Education Programs at Penn State Harrisburg are expected to demonstrate the professional dispositions that are aligned with the unit's vision statement. The faculty shall evaluate the approved dispositions demonstrated by the students in class and during field experiences. Students may be rated as exemplary, acceptable, or unacceptable. Students are expected to attain acceptable or exemplary ratings in order to graduate.

The Master of Education degree in Teaching and Curriculum provides students with two alternatives to meet the required culminating or capstone experience:

1. course work with a master's project (EDUC 587) or
2. course work that includes a capstone course (EDUC 591).

Students may complete the degree requirements for either of the two alternatives with the approval of their adviser.

A total of 30 credits must be completed: 18 credits in core courses and 12 credits in electives. At least 18 credits must be at the 500 or 800 level. A minimum grade-point average of 3.00 for work done at the University and acceptable or higher ratings on the professional dispositions are required for graduation.

Credits earned at other institutions but not used to earn a degree and credits earned as a non-degree student prior to admission to the graduate program may be applied toward the requirements for a graduate degree, subject to restrictions outlined in GCAC-309 Transfer Credit.

Language Arts Option

The goal of the language arts option is to provide students an in depth understanding of:

• how research in theory in the language arts are related to language acquisition and growth;
• the knowledge and skills necessary for conducting informal assessments in the language arts and required to implement a variety of instructional procedures for the language arts;
• and an awareness of the role that literature can have in an effective language arts program at any level. 

Mathematics Education Option

The objective of the mathematics education option is to provide courses that will emphasize current research and curriculum shifts related to the teaching of mathematics in K - 12 classrooms. This option requires completion of four EDMTH courses (a total of 12 credits) in addition to the other program requirements:

Minor

A graduate minor is available in any approved graduate major or dual-title program. The default requirements for a graduate minor are stated in Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-600 Research Degree Policies and GCAC-700 Professional Degree Policies, depending on the type of degree the student is pursuing:

• GCAC-611 Minor - Research Doctorate
• GCAC-641 Minor - Research Master's
• GCAC-709 Minor - Professional Doctorate
• GCAC-741 Minor - Professional Master's

Student Aid

Graduate assistantships available to students in this program and other forms of student aid are described in the Tuition & Funding section of The Graduate School’s website. Students on graduate assistantships must adhere to the course load limits set by The Graduate School.

Courses

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.

Education (EDUC) Course List

Learning Outcomes

1. Employ effective communication skills with school-aged students, parents, co-workers, and administrators.
2. Apply their enhanced ability to provide instruction and utilize materials and content in intellectual and emotional climates for learning.
3. Select and use a variety of educational assessment techniques.
4. Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate educational literature and research and demonstrate competency as a teacher-researcher.
5. Evaluate major issues and current trends in instructional curriculum practice and development.
6. Adopt a critical thinking approach to instructional practices to provide meaningful and relevant learning experiences for all students.
7. Engage in scholarship that informs and guides their professional knowledge and practice.
8. Advocate for equity and social justice in the school and community.
9. Endeavor to undertake continual learning opportunities and growth in their educational community.

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