MA in Education: Curriculum & Instruction
This component of EMU’s MA in education program provides a course of study for elementary, middle or high school practitioners to enhance existing skills and meet the challenges found in today’s schools. Emphasis is placed upon adapting and designing curriculum for diverse populations, designing integrated interdisciplinary instruction, upgrading professional knowledge in recent research in current issues, teaming with school and community professionals and enhancing specific professional and concentration area competencies.
Participants may choose one of three routes toward completion of this concentration area:
- elementary school emphasis
- middle school emphasis
- high school emphasis
Curriculum & Instruction Curriculum and Course Plan
NOTE: Course requirements may change as the program evolves. Candidates are accountable for completing the program of study listed in the catalog for the year in which they entered the program.
Learn more about the core curriculum of EMU’s master of arts in education at http://emu.edu/maed/ curriculum/.
Program Core (12 SH)
[Early in program]
- EDCC 501 Creating Cultures of Change: Constructivist Environments (3 SH)
- EDCC 521 Peacebuilding & Conflict Transformation (3 SH)
- EDCC 531 Social & Ethical Issues in Education (3 SH)
[Later in program]
- EDCC 551 Action Research in Educational Settings (3 SH) (Prerequisite: Admission to Candidacy)
Concentration Area (15 SH required + 6 SH electives = 21 SH)
- EDCI 501 Curriculum and Instructional Strategies (3 SH)
- EDCI 511 Teaming and Collaboration (3 SH)
- EDCI 561 Neuro-education: Application of Research on the Brain and Learning (3 SH)
- EDDA 511 Teaching Diverse Learners (3 SH)
- A Literacy course: The following courses are recommended:
Elementary: EDLA 501 Foundations of Literacy (3 SH)
Middle and High: EDLA 521 Integrated Literacy Instruction (3 SH)
- Electives- (6 SH) chosen from other MA in Education concentrations
Reflective Practice (3 SH)
- EDPC 611 Action Research Project: Elementary, Middle or High School (3 SH)
MA in Education: Literacy/Reading Specialist
Practitioners concentrate on the study of literacy in a broader sense than traditionally encountered in schools of the past. Literacy is approached beyond reading and writing into integrated approaches for the development of communication, thought and interpersonal interaction. Emphasis is placed upon literacy programs from emergent to adult, integrated literacy instruction, literacy in community and family arenas and classroom assessment of literacy.
Literacy concentration has six hours of elective options.
Reading Specialist: Endorsement/Licensure as a reading specialist may be obtained with additional course work and a clinical practicum.
Literacy Curriculum and Course Plan
NOTE: Course requirements may change as the program evolves. Candidates are accountable for completing the program of study listed in the catalog for the year in which they entered the program.
Program Core (12 SH)
[Early in program]
- EDCC 501 Creating Cultures of Change (3 SH)
- EDCC 521 Peacebuilding & Conflict Transformation (3 SH)
- EDCC 531 Social & Ethical Issues in Education (3 SH)
[Later in program]
- EDCC 551 Action Research in Educational Settings (3 SH) (Prerequisite: Admission to Candidacy)
Concentration Area (21 SH)
- EDLA 501 Foundations of Literacy (3 SH)
- EDLA 511 Literacy Assessment (3 SH)
- EDLA 521 Integrated Literacy Instruction (3 SH)
- EDLA 531 Literacy in Community and Family Arenas (3 SH)
- EDSL 581 Language and Culture (3 SH)
- Electives chosen from other MA in Education concentrations (6 SH)
Reflective Practice (3 SH)
- EDPC 611 Action Research Project: Literacy (3 SH)
Reading Specialist Curriculum and Course Plan
Program Core (12 SH)
[Early in program]
- EDCC 501 Creating Cultures of Change (3 SH)
- EDCC 521 Peacebuilding & Conflict Transformation (3 SH)
- EDCC 531 Social & Ethical Issues in Education (3 SH)
[Later in program]
- EDCC 551 Action Research in Educational Settings (3 SH) (Prerequisite: Admission to Candidacy)
Concentration Area (24-25 SH required)
- EDLA 501 Foundations of Literacy (3 SH)
- EDLA 521 Integrated Literacy Instruction (3 SH)
- EDLA 531 Literacy in Community and Family Arenas (3 SH)
- EDLA 601 Multicultural Children’s Literature or EDLA 611 Adolescent/Young Adult Literature (3 SH)
- EDSL 581 Language and Culture (3 SH)
- (in VA) EDLA 511 Literacy Assessment (3 SH)
- (in VA) EDPC 601 Literacy Practicum (3 SH)
- (in VA) EDLA 581 Word Study (1 SH.)
- (in PA) EDPC 602 Clinic I: Diagnosis of Reading & Writing Difficulties (3 SH)
- (in PA) EDPC 603 Clinic II: Integrative Approach to Assessment & Instruction (3 SH)
Reflective Practice (3 SH)
- EDPC 611 Action Research Project: Literacy (3 SH)
MA in Education: Diverse Needs—At- Risk Populations, Special Education, or Teaching English as a Second Language
Practitioners concentrate on special needs of diverse populations, with further focus in one of four areas of emphasis:
- Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) for MA degree and initial teaching license
- Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) for MA degree and add-on endorsement
- At-Risk Populations
- Special Education
This component contains a common core of courses that address language/literacy competence with diverse populations, intervention strategies for diverse learners, and developing leadership skills in teaming, collaboration and consultation with parents, school and community social agencies. In Virginia, initial teaching licensure is available in TESL with additional course work, a supervised practicum, and an internship. A foundations course in Curriculum & Instruction is required of candidates without a teaching license as an elective prior to taking EDDA 511 Teaching Diverse Learners and EDCC 501 Creating Cultures of Change.
Diverse Needs: Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
NOTE: Course requirements may change as the program evolves. Candidates are accountable for completing the program of study listed in the catalog for the year in which they entered the program.
Program Core (12 SH)
[Early in program]
- EDCC 501 Creating Cultures of Change (3 SH)
- EDCC 521 Peacebuilding & Conflict Transformation (3 SH)
- EDCC 531 Social & Ethical Issues in Education (3 SH)
[Later in program]
- EDCC 551 Action Research in Educational Settings (3 SH) (Prerequisite: Admission to Candidacy)
Concentration Area (24 SH)
- EDSL 551 Methods of Teaching ESL/FL (3 SH)
- EDSL 571 Language Acquisition and Grammar (3 SH)
- EDSL 581 Language and Culture (3 SH)
- EDDA 511 Teaching Diverse Learners (3 SH)
- EDCI 511 Teaming and Collaboration (3 SH)
- (in VA) EDLA 501 Foundations of Literacy (3 SH)
- (in VA) EDLA 511 Literacy Assessment (3 SH)
- EDPC 601 Practicum: TESL (3 SH)
- **EDSL 591 ESL Assessment and Support (3 SH) (substitutes for EDLA 511)
Reflective Practice (3 SH)
- EDPC 611 Action Research Project: TESL (3 SH)
NOTE: In addition, candidates who have not reached a level of proficiency in a foreign language at Intermediate Level II must take additional hours of foreign language to achieve that level. Candidates who have had equivalent course work may substitute elective replacements.
*For TESL licensure, students must take an English linguistics course and a specialized practicum to meet licensure requirements. A 14-week internship (7 semester hours) is required for candidates seeking TESL as an initial license.
**Required in Pennsylvania
Diverse Needs: At-Risk Populations
Program Core (12 SH)
[Early in program]
- EDCC 501 Creating Cultures of Change (3 SH)
- EDCC 521 Peacebuilding & Conflict Transformation (3 SH)
- EDCC 531 Social & Ethical Issues in Education (3 SH)
[Later in program]
- EDCC 551 Action Research in Educational Settings (3 SH) (Prerequisite: Admission to Candidacy)
Concentration Area (21 SH)
- EDCI 511 Teaming and Collaboration (3 SH)
- EDDA 631 Research in Risk and Resiliency (3 SH)
- EDDA 501 At-Risk Issues in School and Community (3 SH)
- EDDA 511 Teaching Diverse Learners (3 SH)
- One course in literacy (3 SH)
- Electives chosen from other MA in Education concentrations (6 SH)
Reflective Practice (3 SH)
- EDPC 611 Action Research Project: At-Risk Populations (3 SH)
Diverse Needs: Special Education
Program Core (12 SH)
[Early in program]
- EDCC 501 Creating Cultures of Change (3 SH)
- EDCC 521 Peacebuilding & Conflict Transformation (3 SH)
- EDCC 531 Social & Ethical Issues in Education (3 SH)
[Later in program]
- EDCC 551 Action Research in Educational Settings (3 SH) (Prerequisite: Admission to Candidacy)
Concentration Area (21 SH)
- EDDS 611 Curriculum and Instructional Support for Special Education Students (3 SH)
- EDCI 511 Teaming and Collaboration (3 SH)
- EDDA 511 Teaching Diverse Learners (3 SH)
- EDDS 511 Foundations and Procedural Issues in Special Education (3 SH)
- Electives chosen from other MA in Education concentrations (9 SH)
Reflective Practice (3 SH)
- EDPC 611 Action Research Project: Special Education (3 SH)
Restorative Justice in Education (RJE)
Long a pioneer in the field of restorative justice, Eastern Mennonite University is now the first in the country to offer restorative justice programs within a graduate teacher education program. EMU programs and offerings that are related to this interdisciplinary study track include:
- Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (http://emu. edu/cjp/)
- Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice (http://emu. edu/cjp/restorative-justice/)
- Restorative Justice blog (https://emu.edu/now/ restorative-justice/)
Making a Difference in Our Schools
We offer different focus options for K-12 educators, administrators or other school leaders, community leaders, and social workers or school counselors. A variety of electives allows for focused study for each of these groups. You’ll learn to:
- Promote positive student behavior and increase student achievement and attendance
- Replace suspensions and expulsions with strategies that work
- Improve relationships and school climate while increasing instructional time
Program core (15 SH)
- EDCC 501 Creating Cultures of Change (3 SH)
- EDCC 521 Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation (3 SH) +
- EDCC 531 Social and Ethical Issues in Education (3 SH)
- EDCC 551 Action Research in Educational Settings (3 SH)
- EDPC 611 Action Research Project in some area of RJE (3 SH)
Concentration Area Courses (12 SH)
- EDRJ 551 Foundations of Restorative Justice in Education (3 SH) +
- EDI 621 Restorative Discipline: Accountability and Restoration in Schools (3 SH) +
- PAX 533 Analysis: Understanding Conflict (3 SH)
- EDRJ 601 Facilitating Circle Processes (3 SH) +
Electives (9 SH)
9 Credit Hours to be selected from the following or other approved courses by adviser.
Ed (MA in Education) Courses
- EDCI 501 Curriculum and Instructional Strategies (3 SH)
- EDCI 511 Teaming and Collaboration (3 SH)
- EDCI 541 Supporting Positive Classroom Behaviors (SPED focus) (3 SH)
- EDDA 501 At-Risk Issues in School and Community (3 SH)
- EDDA 511 Teaching Diverse Learners (3 SH)
- EDDA 631 Research in Risk and Resiliency (3 SH)
- EDLA 531 Literacy in Community and Family Arenas (3 SH)
- EDLA 601 Multicultural Children’s Literature (3 SH)
- EDSL 581 Language and Culture (3 SH)
CJP (Center for Justice & Peacebuilding) Courses
- PAX 532 Formation for Peacebuilding Practice (3 SH) (SPI Only)
- PAX 540 STAR: Strategies for Trauma Awareness & Resilience (3 SH)
- PAX 571 Restorative Justice (3 SH)
- PAX 615 Leading Organizational Change (3 SH) (has pre-reqs)
- PAX 654 Conflict Coaching (3 SH)
- PAX 676 Restorative Justice Practices (3 SH)
MOL (MA in Organizational Leadership) Courses
- MOL 600 Developing Healthy Organizations: Team Building & Collaboration (3 SH)
*decisions made in collaboration with academic adviser
+ required as part of the certificate program