Program Objectives

The Curriculum and Instruction M.Ed. program offers the following two options:

Professional Educator

The Professional Educator option is an online program in which students will share strengths, develop new instructional strategies, study theory and best practice, as well as examine current issues in education and consider implications for teaching practice. All courses in this option are offered in a 100% online format. Students who complete the Professional Educator option of the Curriculum & Instruction Master’s degree are expected to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of a master teacher.  Please note that this program does not lead to educator licensure/teacher certification.

All courses in this option are offered in a 100% online only format.

Educational Researcher

The Educational Research option is an on-campus program in which students are expected to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of a professional researcher. Many courses in this option are offered and taken online.  A thesis, written by the student seeking the degree and based on original research, is a requirement.Please note that this program does not lead to educator licensure/teacher certification.

Even though the Educational Researcher option is an on-campus program, all EDCI core content courses are offered as online only. 

*If you are seeking educator licensure/teacher certification please visit our Master of Arts in Teaching program. 

Program Flow

The graduate faculty are committed to offering multiple avenues for students to fulfill their goals and expectations for advanced study in teaching, learning, and curriculum design. The program provides academic preparation for educators who seek higher education in order to become master teachers, scholars, researchers, or curriculum coordinators in schools, districts, and other educational agencies. The program is structured to allow full-time working professionals to continue their jobs while working toward an advanced degree.

Committees

Students in the Professional Educator Education option of the Curriculum and Instruction Master's program will be assigned an advisor. The advisor will guide the student's course selection and progress toward degree completion including the submission of the student's Graduate Program of Study form.

Students in the Educational Researcher option will be guided by a graduate committee. A minimum of three committee members will be included on the student's Program of Study. The majority of the committee should be made up of faculty from the degree-granting department.

The M.Ed. Capstone and Thesis

Capstone for the Professional Educator and Library Media Certificate Core Options

As MEd students in the Professional Educator Option approach the end of their coursework (approximately 21 credits completed), they will contact their advisor/chair to discuss the content, format, and time frame for their Master’s Capstone.

The Master’s Capstone for the Professional Educator and Library Media Certificate Core Options is composed of two elements:

  1. The Written Capstone Paper entails the completion of EDCI 575 Professional Paper and Project.  The content and design of the Professional Paper/Project will be determined by consultation between the advisor/chair and the student. The Professional Paper/Project will be designed to most appropriately meet the professional growth and learning needs of the individual student. Students are required to use APA format. The completed Professional Paper/Project will be evaluated for written competency (quality, thoroughness, depth, and professionalism) as well as the student’s mastery of: pertinent literature, academic and theoretical underpinnings, development of professional skills, and the ability to conduct effective educational research.
  2. The Oral Presentation entails formal presentation of the findings from the Professional Paper/Project.  The student will give a one (1) hour oral presentation of the Professional Paper/Project. Students can be queried about their research as well as all areas of program content during the oral presentation. The presentation will be evaluated for oral competency and mastery of: knowledge of pertinent literature, academic and theoretical grounding, development of professional skills, and the ability to conduct effective educational research.

Thesis for the Educational Researcher Option

The Educational Researcher Option is composed of a Written Comprehensive Exam, an Oral Comprehensive Exam and culminates with an original Research Thesis. The Comprehensive Exams are the major final academic examinations during a Master’s degree study that assure the student has attained sufficient mastery of a program of study. Through the Thesis experience, students will demonstrate mastery in: knowledge of pertinent literature, academic and theoretical grounding, development of professional skills, and the ability to conduct effective educational research.

  1. Written Comprehensive Exam
    As MEd students in the Educational Research Option approach the end of their first year of study, they will contact their Committee Chair to discuss the format, content, and time frame of their Master’s Thesis. The content of the Master’s Thesis will be an original research project determined by consultation between the chair and the student and must be approved by the student's Master’s Committee. Students are required to complete the Master’s Thesis using APA format. The completed Master’s Thesis will be submitted to the student’s Committee for evaluation. Committee members will have approximately two weeks to read and evaluate the content and written competency (quality, thoroughness, and completeness of the research) of the Thesis.
  2. Oral Comprehensive Exam
    Following the Written Comprehensive Exam, the student will give an oral presentation and defense of the thesis. Students can be queried about all areas of program content during the oral presentation and Thesis defense. The presentation will be evaluated for research content and oral competency.
Grad Request Info

Contact Information

Dr. Nick Lux, Program Leader
Curriculum and Instruction
Phone: 406-994-6581 nicholas.lux@montana.edu

Micki MacGregor, Graduate Coordinator
Phone: 406-994-6786 edgrad@montana.edu