Curriculum & Instruction (M. Ed.)

Institutional Accreditation

Information on FGCU institutional accreditation is available at http://www.fgcu.edu/Provost/accreditation.html

Getting Started

Applicants must submit an application online at apply.fgcu.edu. Please contact Graduate Admissions at 239-745-GRAD or graduate@fgcu.edu for additional information about the application process. Satisfaction of minimum University and program requirements does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. Applicants should check with the program for the most up to date admission requirements prior to commencing the application process.

See program website at URL listed above.

Program Specific Requirements 

The department bases decisions for regular admissions on a holistic review of credentials in which the criteria listed below are used to assess the potential success of each applicant.

• Transcripts verifying a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
• A professional teacher certificate that is documented and verified by one of the following:

1. A transcript depicting a bachelor’s degree in Education from an accredited initial teacher certification program  and a copy of a Professional Educator Certificate,
   
      or
2. Verification that professional certification requirements have been met via alternative means via:

• a Florida Statement of Eligibility,
• an FTCE score report indicating passing scores on the GKT, Professional Educator Exam, and the Subject Area Exam that matches the certification area on the Statement of Eligibility.
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework.
• Three letters of recommendation from professionals familiar with the applicant’s teaching and/or academic potential for successfully completing graduate coursework. (Fillable Reference PDF forms for this purpose available on request).
• A minimum score of 550 on TOEFL or 6.5 on IELTS for international students who speak English as a second language.

Program Requirements for the 2020-2021 Catalog Year

Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements

• Students must satisfactorily complete the minimum number of credit hours specified by the graduate degree program.
• A grade of B or higher must be earned in all College of Education graduate courses used as prerequisites and each core course.
• Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all coursework in program.
• The College of Education limits the transfer of coursework into its graduate programs to a maximum of 12 credits or three courses. Transfer courses must be applicable toward the graduate degree being sought at FGCU, should be current with respect to the specific field of study, and must be approved by the college dean (or designee). Up to 100% of the credit hours earned from courses taken at FGCU for a teaching certificate can be applied to the master's degree if those courses are required or electives in the master's degree. Course applications require approval of the college dean or designee in conjunction with the Office of Academic and Curriculum Support, and the Office of Graduate Studies.

Program Requirements

1. Required Courses (21 credits)
   EDF 6215 Learning Principles (3)
   EDF 6432 Foundation of Measurement (3)
   EDF 6481 Foundations of Ed Research (3)
   EDG 6329 Reflective Practitioner (3)
   EDG 6356 Inst Models and Strategies (3)
   EDG 6363 Capstone Seminar (3)*
   EDG 6627 Found. of Curriculum & Instr. (3)
   
   *Candidates will design and complete a scholarly project approved by their faculty advisor that integrates the principles, theories, and concepts of the C & I program. Students should complete the capstone project in the final semester.
   
   
2. Concentration Requirements (15 credits)
   
   Elementary Education Concentration
   Required Courses (9 credits)
   RED 6544 Compreh.,Cogn., Cont Area Rdg (3)
   RED 6656 Instruc for Struggling Readers (3)
   
   Select one of the following trends in education courses:
   LAE 6616 Trends in Lang Arts Instruct (3)
   MAE 6115 Trends in Math Instruction (3)
   SCE 6455 Trends in Science Instruction (3)
   SSE 6617 Trends in Soc Science Instruc (3)
   
   Electives (6 credits) select two from:
   Other graduate courses within the College of Education, with advisor approval.
   Other content specific courses from outside the College of Education, with advisor approval.
   
   English Education Concentration
   Required Courses (9 credits)
   LAE 6325 Lang Arts Meth: 6-12 (3)
   LAE 6616 Trends in Lang Arts Instruct (3)
   RED 6544 Compreh.,Cogn.,Cont Area Rdg (3)
   
   Electives (6 credits) select two from:
   Graduate courses in written composition or literature from outside of the College of Education, with advisor approval.
   Other graduate LAE and/or RED courses within the College of Education, with advisor approval.
   
   Mathematics Education Concentration
   Required Courses (9 credits)
   MAE 6115 Trends in Math Instruction (3)
   MAE 6336 Math Med: 6-12 (3)
   RED 6544 Compreh.,Cogn.,Cont Area Rdg (3)
   
   Electives (6 credits) select two from:
   Graduate courses in Mathematics content from outside of the College of Education, with advisor approval.
   Other graduate MAE courses within the College of Education, with advisor approval.
   
   Reading Education Concentration
   Required Courses (15 credits)
   RED 6540 Assessment in Literacy (3)
   RED 6544 Compreh.,Cogn.,Cont Area Rdg (3)
   RED 6545 Vocabulary & Word Study (3)
   RED 6656 Instruc Struggling Readers (3)
   RED 6846 Practicum (3)
   
   Science Education Concentration
   Required Courses (9 credits)
   SCE 6366 Science Methods: 6-12 (3)
   SCE 6455 Trends in Science Instruction (3)
   RED 6544 Compreh.,Cogn.,Cont. Area Rdg (3)
   
   Electives (6 credits) select two from:
   Graduate courses in Science content from outside of the College of Education, with advisor approval.
   Other graduate SCE courses from within the College of Education, with advisor approval.
   
   Middle School Education Concentration
   Required Courses (9 credits)
   RED 6544 Compreh.,Cogn.,Cont Area Rdg (3)
   
   Select one of the following secondary methods courses:
   LAE 6325 Lang Arts Meth: 6-12 (3)
   MAE 6336 Math Med: 6-12 (3)
   SCE 6366 Science Methods: 6-12 (3)
   SSE 6326 Soc Studies Meth: 6-12 (3)
   
   Select one of the following trends in education courses:
   LAE 6616 Trends in Lang Arts Instruct (3)
   MAE 6115 Trends in Math Instruction (3)
   SCE 6455 Trends in Science Instruction (3)
   SSE 6617 Trends in Soc Science Instruc (3)
   
   Electives (6 credits) select two from:
   Other graduate courses within the College of Education, with advisor approval.
   Other content specific courses from outside the College of Education, with advisor approval.
   
   Social Science Education Concentration
   Required Courses (9 credits)
   RED 6544 Compreh.,Cogn.,Cont Area Rdg (3)
   SSE 6326 Soc Studies Meth: 6-12 (3)
   SSE 6617 Trends in Soc Science Instruc (3)
   
   Electives (6 credits) select two from:
   Graduate courses in Social Science content from outside the College of Education, with advisor approval.
   Other graduate SSE courses within the College of Education, with advisor approval.
   
   Special Education Concentration
   Required Courses (9 credits)
   EEX 6025 Foundations of Spec Educ (3)
   EEX 6248 Instr Approaches for Excp Pops (3)
   EEX 6612 Mgmt & Motiv Excep &at-RiskStud (3)
   
   Electives (6 credits)
   Select one from the following:
   EED 6215 AdvTheories&Prac in BehavDisor(3)
   ELD 6015 AdvTheo/Prac-Spec LearnDisab (3)
   EMR 6052 AdvTheories&Prac-Intel Dis (3)
   
   Select one from the following:
   EEX 5752 Work w/Fam: Pluralistic Persp (3)
   EEX 6732 Consult & Collab in Spec Ed (3)
   
   Gifted Education Concentration
   Required Courses (15 Credits)
   EGI 5051 Nature in Needs of the Gifted (3)
   EGI 5307 Creative Prob Solving forChild (3)
   EGI 6232 Adv Educ Strat for the Gifted (3)
   EGI 6415 ConsultCouns&Guid-GiftedStud (3)
   EGI 6936 Sem & Educ of Gifted:Spec Popu (3)
   
   ESOL Endorsement Concentration
   Required Courses (15 credits)
   LIN 5010 Applied Linguistics & 2nd Lang (3)
   TSL 5085 Methods of Teaching ESOL (3)
   TSL 5142 Curriculum & Material Develop (3)
   TSL 5440 Testing and Eval for ESOL Teach (3)
   TSL 5525 Cross Cult Comm Issues in ESL (3)

Total Credits Required: 36 HRS

Official Course Descriptions

Search for official course descriptions by using the Course Description Search utility.

Go to the Course Descriptions Search Web page, then follow these steps:

1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select a course prefix from one of the SUBJECT dropdowns (required)
3. Enter search words in the TEXT field (optional, but will narrow the search results)
4. Press Search

Getting started with the Course Schedule Search

Search for program courses by using the Course Schedule Search utility.

Go to the Course Schedule Search Web page, then follow these steps:

1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select one or more of the search options to narrow your results (for example, CAMPUS, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, LEVEL, PREFIX*, COURSE ATTRIBUTE**). For virtual or web courses, select VIRTUAL in the CAMPUS field.
3. Press Search.

*A course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division of an academic discipline (for example, ACG for Accounting , BSC for Biological Science, ENC for English Composition). See the Degree Requirements page for a list of courses (with prefix and number) that can be used to fulfill degree requirements.

**A course attribute identifies specific characteristics of courses that can be used in a Degree Evaluation to satisfy a degree requirement. (Course attribute examples are Humanities courses - GEHM and Social Science courses - GESO.)

Our program is to prepare teachers for leadership roles through their development of advanced knowledge and skills in the application of theory, research, and practices in curriculum and instruction.

Content/Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate ability to use subject matter knowledge, principles of inquiry, and diverse backgrounds of students to plan, facilitate, and assess student learning in a positive, engaging, and safe environment for all learners. C & I Program Outcome 7 (C1.7).
2. Demonstrate the ability to accommodate the needs of diverse learners. C & I Program Outcome 6 (CI.6).
3. Use current research and professional literature to advocate for the use of best instructional practices, equal access to quality learning, and the well-being of learners. Program Outcome 2 (CI.2).

Communication Skills

Graduates will be able to

1. Demonstrate ability to use professional communication skills to collaborate with stakeholders in professional settings. C & I Program Outcome 3 (CI.3).
2. Demonstrate the ability to use technology to enhance learning and communication. C & I Program Outcome 5 (CI.5). 

Critical Thinking Skills

Graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate ability to critically analyze current theory, research, and practices in the field and assess applications to the learner-centered curriculum and instruction.  C& I Program Outcome 1 (CI.1).
2. Demonstrate ability to identify a curricular need and develop a research-based plan to address the need.  C& I Program Outcome 4 (CI.4) 

Get details on:

• Elementary Education Concentration Online

Get details on:

• Reading Education Concentration Online