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Elementary Education / Curriculum and Instruction, MSE

Advanced Education Master’s Degree Program

You’ve dedicated yourself to inspiring a love of learning in young minds. Now it’s time to take the next step in your career with a Master of Science in Education from the University of Central Missouri. Our nationally ranked Elementary Education Curriculum and Instruction degree is also fully accredited. 

Designed specifically for working teachers, this program will help you become an expert and grow professionally while earning your master’s degree in a supportive community of learning. To customize your degree, you can choose from the following two areas of emphasis that will address your commitment to promoting student success.

Area 1: Accomplished Teacher – Designed to engage teachers in their implementation of effective classroom teaching, this area will provide you with support, feedback and intensive, individualized professional learning to improve your instructional practice.

Area 2: Instructional Coaching – Designed to meet the practical needs of instructional teacher leaders who are responsible for coaching, leading, mentoring and supporting teachers, this area provides focused attention to help you identify and advocate for effective teacher development.

You’ll also benefit from taking graduate courses that are relevant to elementary or early childhood educators. With specific training, you’ll be empowered to develop as a teacher, build instructional leadership skills and cultivate more approaches to impact the success of your own students. Our approach to curriculum and instruction will guide you to think critically about teaching techniques for future classrooms.

Flexible graduate Elementary Education Curriculum and Instruction degrees to meet the needs of busy educators

UCM’s MSE in Elementary Education Curriculum and Instruction is offered with flexible course options — enabling you to learn from any location and work at your own schedule. Through our master's program in Education, you’ll get flexibility, affordability and opportunities. Our graduate courses and project work can be completed in the timeframe that suits you, making this experience a good fit for educators looking to earn graduate Elementary Teaching degrees.

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Contact

Julie Hentges, Ed.D.
Professor, Program Coordinator
Lovinger 3185
Warrensburg, MO
Tel: 660-543-8659
hentges@ucmo.edu

College of Education

Department of Early, Elementary, Middle and Physical Education

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#1 Elementary Education Master’s online

CAEP Accreditation

CAEP-accredited program since 1954

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    Flexible master’s program          in Education

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  100% online master's        degree program

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           Addresses 5 core            teaching areas

 

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.

 

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Take your degree further.

 

We offer a variety of graduate programs in the College of Education to help you advance your career or further specialize in a field of study after you’ve earned your master’s degree.

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Explore programs related to elementary education.

 

Additional programs you may be interested in if you’re looking for Elementary Teaching degrees or other teaching areas of study include:

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

 

Request Info   Visit   Apply Today!

 

 

 

 

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