What you will study
UCM’s MSE in Elementary Education Curriculum and Instruction takes a progressive approach
to educational best practices. Our program coursework addresses the National Board’s
Five Core Propositions for teaching, with a focus on engaged and future-focused learning.
Our master’s degree curriculum will guide you to think systematically about your practice
and learn from your teaching experiences.
Core courses for our advanced, online Elementary Curriculum and Instruction degree
program include:
- Instructional Leadership and Analysis: Explore current leadership theory and analyze teaching practices to build your instructional
leadership skills. In this course, you’ll also develop and implement curriculum and
instruction utilizing an instructional leadership pedagogical analysis case study.
- Exemplary Instructional Practices: Examine, explore, practice and document current exemplary strategies, processes and
instructional leadership techniques that increase the effectiveness of learning opportunities
in your school and district. This course enables accomplished teachers to grow their
impact.
- Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction: Master the art of applying theory to your teaching practice. This course addresses
research-based curriculum, assessment and instruction to promote documented growth
and development of children.
- MSE Capstone Project for Childhood Educators: Combine what you’ve learned through our online master's program in Education coursework
and classroom experiences into a summative capstone course.
Excellence in Elementary Education Curriculum and Instruction
- Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Missouri
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
- #1 Master’s in the Nation (Intelligent, 2021)
- Best Online Master’s in Elementary Education (Best Accredited Colleges, 2023)
Unique learning opportunities in the Elementary Education master’s program
As you earn your master’s in Elementary Education degree at the University of Central
Missouri, you’ll grow your teaching skills and continue to build on your purpose of
helping students develop academically, socially and emotionally.
- Capstone project: The summative capstone course is a life-changing experience for many graduate students.
It’s the opportunity to demonstrate the new approaches you’ve learned and also think
critically prior to earning your Elementary Education master's degree.
- Online coursework: You are able to complete many of your master’s degree in advanced Elementary Education
Curriculum and Instruction coursework from any location. Your Elementary Education
master’s class assignments and project work can be finished at a pace and schedule that meets your
professional needs.
What can you do with a graduate degree in Elementary Education Curriculum and Instruction
from UCM?
Educators with advanced education master’s degrees earn 26% more per year compared to those with just bachelor’s in Elementary Teaching degrees, according
to the National Center for Education Statistics. By pursuing your graduate degree
in Elementary Education Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Central
Missouri, you’re investing in your future for both your professional career and your
earning potential.
Career pathways and opportunities for the advanced online master’s program in Elementary
Education Curriculum and Instruction
- Career advancement: Our master’s program in Education can open the door to leadership opportunities.
Instructional coach, principal and superintendent positions require at least a master’s
degree.
- Skills development: A graduate degree in education will help you gain more insight into specific instructional
teaching content areas or provide you the opportunity to focus on exemplary and developmentally
appropriate strategies to promote student success.
- Increased earning potential: Approximately 88% of the largest U.S. school districts offer additional pay to teachers who hold an advanced degree, according to the National Council on Teacher
Quality. This could be in the form of a stipend or annual teaching salary increases.
Take a moment to explore options for future Elementary Education MSE teaching jobs
using the interactive tool below. You can gain insights on teacher salaries, job outlooks
and more.
Financial assistance options for your Early Childhood Education degree
UCM offers competitive tuition rates and a variety of resources to help you reach
your academic and career goals. Look for ways to finance your pursuit of an advanced Elementary Education degree.
For graduate students seeking an Elementary Education MSE in Curriculum and Instruction,
you may qualify to apply for the Dorothy Stockton Sims Scholarship for Non-Traditional
Graduate Students in Elementary Education, among others.
You can learn more about program-specific scholarships at the UCM Scholarship Finder.
Kappa Delta Pi
Student life experience opportunity
Graduate students are eligible to participate in Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) Education Honor
Society. Founded in 1911, KDP supports and advances those dedicated to teaching. KDP
has more than 1.2 million initiated memberships. In addition, you may qualify to apply
for the Kappa Delta Pi Educational Scholarship.
Join KDP
Meet Our Faculty
Experts in elementary education
All faculty members who teach UCM’s master’s program courses in Elementary Education
Curriculum and Instruction have earned doctoral degrees and have real-world classroom
experience in the K–12 setting. All program faculty members have a minimum of 10 years
of experience teaching in public education, making them ideal professional mentors
for graduate students.
Our Faculty
Governor’s Excellence in Education Award
Julie Hentges, Ed.D., recognized for excellence in the profession
“I feel very honored and blessed to be the award recipient. I also want to acknowledge
there are so many other amazing university professors who are focused on the needs
of our students. Collectively, here at UCM, we are very concerned about making sure
the needs of students are met. I believe that is what this award recognizes.”
Meet Dr. Hentges
Student Reacts to UCM Professor Honored With Award
Michaela Whitmore, Graduate Student, Kindergarten Teacher Raytown C-2 Schools
“She is deserving of this award because she puts her students first. No matter what
is going on, her first thing is to let me know what you need and let me know how I
can help you. She wants the best for her students.”
View Video
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Admission Requirements
To be admitted to this program, you must:
- have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.5
- submit proof of teacher certification or professional endorsement from any of the
50 states or territories and have graduated from an NCATE or regionally accredited
university
- submit a copy of your last summative teaching evaluation (i.e., a PBTE or similar
evaluation form), or a letter from a school superintendent, principal or professor
attesting to teaching skills and/or graduate studies potential
