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GRADUATE PROGRAM

Master of Curriculum and Instruction

This program is no longer accepting new students as of Fall 2024. Please check out our other education offerings as well as non-credit offerings.

30 total credits | average 2 years to complete

The World of Education has changed. Lead the Future Generation. 

*We are no longer accepting new students into the Curriculum and Instruction program, please check out our other education offerings as well as non-credit offerings.

With the rise of both digital and societal disruption, the education field has changed dramatically in recent years. Educators need to be innovative to break through the noise and reach students. Equip yourself with the multicultural, digital, and leadership skills to meet the evolving needs of today’s schools and organizations. Be ready to create an educational culture that drives high-impact teaching and learning experiences in increasingly diverse classrooms.

With a graduate degree from Wake Forest University, your courses will include a focus on culturally relevant teaching and equitable instruction, digital literacies and emerging educational technologies, and innovative leadership that will prepare you to lead diverse teams. You will learn by doing from some of the nation’s top online practitioner-scholar educators, providing you the opportunity to engage intellectually and creatively in the skills and competencies that can be used immediately in your professional context.

NC educators may be endorsed for Curriculum Instructional Specialist, Level M. Effective August 1, 2022. Click here for more information.

Career Opportunities

Educators with Curriculum and Instruction master’s degrees are finding many growth opportunities both in their school districts and in outside industries. Possible roles for our graduates include:

  • Curriculum and Instruction Specialist
  • Curriculum Design Manager
  • Instructional Coordinator
  • Learning Experience Designer
  • Public, Private, Parochial, Magnet and Charter School Educators
  • Textbook and Curriculum Publishers
  • Assistant Superintendent 
  • Area Superintendent
  • Curriculum Director 
  • Learning and Development Coordinator/Manager 
  • Instructional Designer/Coordinator
  • Chief Learning Officer
  • Employee Trainer/Training Manager
  • Instructional Technology Specialist
10%

growth

in employment of Instructional Coordinators during the next 10 years.
8%

faster

growth in C&I related areas in the next 2-5 years than other areas.
45%+

of Instructional Coordinators

hold a Master’s degree.

Meet the Curriculum and Instruction Faculty

The People Behind the Program

To accelerate your career growth, reach your professional goals, and expand your network, we created the Curriculum and Instruction Programmatic Advisory Board (PAB) to bring knowledge from experts in the field into the classroom. These board members are committed to your academic excellence and keeping Wake Forest University School of Professional Studies graduates industry–competitive and globally impactful. 

Core Courses

The Curriculum and Instruction program comprises of 9 core courses. You make take the courses at anytime your selection is available.

  • Curriculum and Instruction Fundamentals

    Examines the fundamentals of Curriculum and Instruction including theories, design principles, and evaluation models. The course will investigate the interaction of curriculum implementation and models of instruction in respect to student learning as well as how that curriculum is shaped, including curriculum literacy – the major input variables to curriculum decision-making, implementations, and curriculum evaluation.

  • Instructional Leadership

    Study and implement strategies to be an effective instructional leader and analyze how these approaches yield positive teaching and learning outcomes. The course emphasizes the skills to build productive relationships and effective mentoring among educators, and consensus-building among a course design team.

  • Assessment and Evaluation

    This course is designed to introduce students to the variety of assessment and evaluation techniques and their purpose, including how these techniques are used in instructional planning, decision-making, and curriculum development.

  • Social Foundations of Education

    A critical examination of the political, social, and economic goals of schooling and their intersection with educational equality and student diversity through the lens of educational philosophy and positionality with a view to developing a culturally responsive multicultural pedagogical praxis that enhances student success.

  • Differentiated Instruction

    This course will focus on the practice of differentiating instruction as a way for educators to meet diverse learning needs and preferences without having to individualize instruction for every student. In this course, students learn how to differentiate five instructional elements—content, product, process, affect, and learning environment—according to students’ interests, readiness, and learning profile.

  • Instructional Design and Digital Learning Technologies

    This course will provide an overview of the digital tools, techniques, opportunities and challenges associated with learning technologies and leading teams. The course will also introduce learning technology applications, provide tools to evaluate learning technology solutions and related multimedia learning design models, address digital accessibility, and engage in best instructional technology practices.

  • Curriculum Mapping for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    This course will focus on curriculum mapping, the practice of ensuring that teaching is structured in a meaningful and logical sequence to build knowledge and achieve desired curricular outcomes. This process includes charting and tracking academic program priorities and redundancies, and identifying educational gaps

  • Using Research and Data to Lead School Improvement

    Focus on how data can be used to enhance equitable decision-making processes for comprehensive school improvement, including instruction, school culture, and community involvement. The course uses assessment and research data to identify school improvement needs and to design projects that respond to those needs.

  • Capstone in Education

    Thread together what you have learned throughout the program in a culminating capstone experience. This course allows students to demonstrate knowledge and competencies of educational leadership.

    • Elective Course Options

    Students may choose 1 elective course. You may take the course at any time your selection is available.

  • Foundations of Educational Leadership

    Begin your program with an introduction to foundational concepts and challenges of educational leadership. The course focuses on school-level leadership and accountability, roles and responsibilities, and the principles of educational leadership.

  • Administration, Supervision, and Community

    Learn more about organizational theories, the politics of education, and building safe, supportive, and inclusive environments in schools and communities. The course allows students to reflect on various theories and how these concepts inform their practice as school leaders. Additionally, students will focus on distributive leadership, developing skills for team management, and collaborative analysis of community building.

  • Project Management Essentials

    This course introduces the foundational concepts of project management. It provides an overview of the PM lifecycle as defined in the Project Management Body of Knowledge. Several PM knowledge areas such as risk, scope, schedule, quality, monitoring, and communication, among others, will be introduced. Distinctions between project, program, and portfolio management are explored.

  • Leadership & Change Management

    Explore the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to successfully undertake change. This course delves into the leadership principles, styles, frameworks, and skills required to guide, motivate, and direct teams. Learners will develop the ability to prepare, support, and assist individuals, teams, and organizations in organizational change.

    • Read More on C&I

  • Doors Open for One Master of Curriculum and Instruction Student

    Wake Forest SPS student Mary Jo Juran Ambrose writes about why she chose the Curriculum and Instruction online program and what her experience has been…
  • Top 5 Instructional Design Methods for Effective Teaching

    Check out popular and trusted instructional design methods for teachers and educators that help students acquire new knowledge and learning skills.
  • The Connection Between Curriculum Design and Student Learning

    Effective curriculum design strategies help establish a learning environment tailored to your students’ needs and goals.
  • 3 Reasons Ethical Leadership Matters in Schools

    Learn about the skills an ethical leader must have and how they can improve the school environment for students and teachers alike.
  • Appreciation Starts with Our Words: Celebrating Educators for Teacher Appreciation Week with Adam Dovico

    May 8th marks the start of Teacher Appreciation Week! Academic Director of Wake Forest SPS Education programs, Adam Dovico shares how to best celebrate teachers.

    • Equitable Instruction

    Equitable instruction that addresses racism, classism, and other forms of bias (e.g., gender, religion, sexuality, ethnicity, ability, bilingual/ESL, etc.) in instruction and learning using evidence-based strategies and practices. Wake Forest has strong pedagogical expertise in the area of multicultural education and a Department of Education committed to equitable and socially-just educational opportunities for all students.

    Digital Literacy

    Digital literacies needed for effective learning experience design for a wide range of students. Wake Forest has a growing number of instructional design experts who work in online and hybrid classrooms, offering the best with designing and delivering courses in digital learning environments.

    Innovative Leadership

    Innovative leadership development focused on building skills in collaborating, building consensus, and assisting diverse teams with learning design and curriculum literacy. Wake Forest is uniquely positioned to help students grow and to become leaders in their field by providing experiential- and project-based learning.

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