Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction

Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction

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Further your career.

The Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction program at Worcester State University offers advanced study to educators interested in curriculum leadership—all of whom have a master’s degree in education, a cognate area, or a field related to their teaching license.

This program grants you the flexibility to create your own personalized course of study that meets your unique interests and goals. What’s more, you will be able to advance your career at your own pace: You can complete the program either full- or part-time, and courses are offered in a range of formats, including in person, online, and hybrid (a mixture of both). You will also work closely with faculty, conducting original research on a topic of your choosing.

Graduates of our program go on to rewarding careers as leaders in education. You may use your Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction credentials to further your career advancement—and as a possible pathway to professional educator licensure through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

View the Catalog

Explore sample courses in this program.
ED-929 Mathematics Assessment and Instruction for Diverse Learners
This course presents mathematical concepts, methods, and materials to facilitate learning. Emphasis is also placed on supporting students with mild to moderate disabilities learn and understand mathematic contents.
3 credits
ED-955 Assessing English Language Learners
The course focuses on second language acquisition, and linguistic principles guide the review of standardized instruments, dynamic assessment strategies, standards-referenced assessment, and teacher design approaches.
3 credits
ED-958 Middle School Curriculum and Instruction: Strategies and Modification
The course is designed to give students the ability to design and present instruction in ways that are commensurate with the developmental needs and readiness of early adolescent learners. The issues of inclusion, cooperative learning, block scheduling, thematic and integrated curriculum, and interdisciplinary curriculum are examined.
3 credits
ED-959 Assessment, Differentiation, and Data Analysis in Middle School
Designed to give students the ability to plan and implement overall assessment strategies appropriate for middle school grades including formative, summative, differentiated, performance based, and self assessment strategies. Analysis of assessment data informs adjustments to practice.
3 credits
ED-963 The Understanding and Teaching of Culture
The course focuses on approaches to cultural analysis and survey of techniques used to teach culture in the classroom.
3 credits
ED-965 Principles of Curriculum Development
The course focuses on aspects of curriculum development, society, culture, learning theories, taxonomies of educational objectives, structure, hierarchy, balance, politics, strategy for change.
3 credits
ED-968 Seminar in Curriculum and Instruction
The course emphasizes discussion and evaluation of curriculum and instruction as applied to a real or theoretical construct.
3 credits
ED-974 Curriculum Development and Innovations (Secondary School)
The course draws upon extensive review of the literature on curriculum theory and models of instruction to examine relevant innovations in curriculum development and instructional delivery, noting their practical applications in secondary schools.
3 credits
ED-975 Assessment, Differentiation, and Data Analysis in Secondary Schools
This course is designed to give high school teachers the ability to plan and implement overall assessment strategies appropriate for secondary school grades including formative, summative, performance-based, differentiated, and self-assessment strategies. Analysis of assessment data inform adjustments to practice.
3 credits
ED-979 Technology and Literacy in the Classroom
The course examines the key components of balanced literacy in K-8 school classrooms with a focus on the integration of educational technology as a tool for instruction, student-centered learning, assessment, and family-school engagement.
3 credits
ED-988 Brain-Based Learning
This course has been designed to strengthen teachers’ own knowledge of the latest findings in neuroscience as they relate to the field of education. Topics span a wide range of neuroscience research including biological basis of learning and memory, brain mechanisms underlying language acquisition, gender differences, and disorders of thought. Special emphasis is given to the limitations and misuse of research by some, and the need for skepticism and replication when evaluating “brain-based” claims of service providers. Participants in this course will be active learners, analyzing current research articles and reflecting on their own experiences as both learners and educators in the context of neuro-education.
3 credits
EE-912 Young Children and Integrated Early Childhood Education Practices
The course adapts programs, material, practices, and environments for individuals. Implements theories integrating special needs children into regular classrooms and early intervention strategies.
3 credits

Admissions Requirements

Candidates for the EdS in Curriculum and Instruction program will be required to meet the competencies established by the graduate program for all candidates seeking an education specialist certificate through Worcester State University. In addition, students will be required to demonstrate evidence of an earned master of education or master’s degree in a related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

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