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Curriculum and Instruction: Middle/Secondary Concentrations, M.Ed. – Online

Program Overview

Are you a licensed middle grades or secondary educator seeking to refine your craft and become a leader in your field?

UNC Charlotte’s Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with concentrations in Middle Grades and Secondary Tracks is designed for experienced, licensed, practicing teachers, educators, and leaders. You’ll have the opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills as a curriculum specialist and instructional leader through an accessible and flexible online education program. The program is also a pathway for professional development for those who want to work in administration. Our 30-credit-hour Master of Education program leads to the Advanced (M) teaching license for students who already have an A licensure.

Program Contact

M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction: Middle Grades & Secondary at a Glance

delivery
Online
Credits
30 Credit Hours
admits
Spring, Summer & Fall

Transition from Classroom to Leadership

Emily McEntire, Instructional Technology Facilitator – Cabarrus County

“Earning my M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction has had a transformative impact on my career as an educator. The program strengthened my ability to analyze instructional needs and design curriculum that intentionally responds to those needs, allowing me to better support both teachers and students.

Most importantly, this degree enabled me to transition from the classroom into an instructional leadership role, expanding my impact beyond a single group of students to influence teaching and learning across the school community.”

Program Details and Requirements

Our program contains unique components and and provides flexibility to potential applicants, but this does create an added layer of complexity to keep in mind. We urge all prospective students to contact an Enrollment Specialist to get your questions answered immediately.

The program is offered 100% online and is designed to be flexible for working professionals. Many courses are asynchronous, meaning there are no set class times: you can study around your busy schedule.

UNC Charlotte’s M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction is accredited by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and CAEP.

Courses

The Middle Grades and Secondary course requirements are nearly identical.

Suggested Course of Study:

Semester 1 CoursesSemester 2 Courses Semester 3 (or Summer) CoursesSemester 4 CoursesSemester 5 Courses
Core Courses: 
MDSK 6156: Curriculum, Teaching and Contemporary Issues in Education -3 hours

MDSK 6220: Adolescence and Learning – 3 hours
Core Courses:
TESL 6206: Globalization, Communities, and Schools -3 hours

RSCH 6101:
Research Methods – 3 hours
Core Courses:
MDSK 6260: Teacher Leadership – 3 hours

MDLG 6225: Issues in Middle Grades Education (Middle Grades Concentration Only) – 3 hours
Advanced Specialization Pedagogy: 
3 hours

Advanced Content Specialization Course(s):
3 hours for Middle Grades, 6 hours for Secondary
Advanced Content Methods:
3 hours

MDSK 6691: Seminar in Professional Development – 3 hours

You will delve into areas like educational research, curriculum theory and advanced methodology as you sharpen your understanding of curriculum and pedagogy and learn to apply technology to enhance learning. In the last semester, candidates engage in advanced methods in their content areas as well as create a capstone portfolio.

See our Catalog at the bottom of this page for a full list of courses, which vary depending on your concentration area.

Instructional Coaching Add-On

The Graduate Certificate in Instructional Coaching prioritizes real-world application, expert instruction and professional networking, making it a valuable option for those seeking to advance their careers in education. You will develop the instructional coaching skills needed to help teachers improve instruction, design quality curriculum, effectively use data to guide instruction and determine areas for development. It can be taken as part of the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction and only requires four courses:

Work with your program advisor or Luke Reinke, Instructional Coaching Program Director, to determine how this fits into your desired plan of study.

Admissions & Requirements
Application Deadlines
What Can You Do With Your M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction?

Upon graduating from our M.Ed. program, you’ll be highly qualified to apply for a doctoral program, which prepares you for leadership positions within your school or district. Some students who complete a doctorate pursue careers as instructors at community colleges or four-year institutions.

UNC Charlotte alumni who completed the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction can be found working in educational organizations such as:

Our graduates hold job titles such as:

Why UNC Charlotte?

By choosing UNC Charlotte’s online M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, you’ll enjoy a number of advantages, including:

Tuition

NC Resident: $309.59 per credit hour
Non-Resident: $1,186.59 per credit hour

Please note: Rates are subject to change.

Meet Our Faculty

  • heather coffey

    Heather Coffey

    Professor & Program Director

  • Daniel Maxwell

    Daniel Maxwell

    University Supervisor and Lecturer

  • Nick Triplett

    Nick Triplett

    Clinical Assistant Professor

  • Premkumar Pugalenthi

    Premkumar Pugalenthi

    Clinical Assistant Professor

Explore Official University Catalog

Check out the official catalog for information on specific degree requirements, course progressions, curriculum and more.