Are you seeking to build on your current skills, or explore a new career path? With flexible evening and online courses, a variety of specializations, and some of the most knowledgeable faculty in the field, our Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction may be the perfect fit for you!

Ranked #6 in Best Online Master’s in Social Studies degree programs of 2023 by Intelligent.com

What Makes Our Programs Special?

• Flexibility! Classes are held during evenings, summers and online to accommodate working schedules.
• Interaction with Curriculum and Instruction graduate faculty members, who have years of experience as teachers, collaborators with schools, researchers, and are state and nationally recognized experts in their fields.
• The opportunity to study the most current theories and practices in curriculum design and instructional methods.
• Interaction with metropolitan area educators, and the chance to learn from their ideas and experiences.
• The opportunity to improve your professional expertise; elevate the academic experiences of those you teach within the educational contexts in which you work; and expand your disciplinary and content knowledge.

Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction

The Department of Teaching & Learning offers a graduate program of study in curriculum and instruction. Successful completion of the program of study leads to a Master of Science (MS) degree that includes:

• Three concentration areas:
  • Subject Focus Area (i.e. Cultures & Communities Education, English Education, Literacy Education, Mathematics Education, Mathematics Teacher Leadership, Reading Education, Science Education, and Urban Social Studies Education).
  • Instructional Level Focus Area (i.e. Early Adolescence/Adolescence, Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle Education, K-9).
  • Cross-Curricular Focus Area (i.e. Specialists within Administrative Leadership, Cultures and Communities Education).
• A 30 credit degree, including completion of the Master’s Seminar in Curriculum or Thesis.
• Transcript designations in specific Subject Focus Areas.
  • Cultures & Communities Education
  • English Education:
    • Creative Writing
    • Literature and Cultural Theory
    • Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies
    • Rhetoric and Professional Writing
  • Mathematics Education
  • Mathematics Teacher Leadership
  • Reading Education
  • Science Education
  • Urban Social Studies Education

MS Program of Study Sheet (DOC)

Additional information available on the Curriculum and Instruction MS Academic Catalog Requirements webpage.

Academic Catalog Requirements Sheet

• Visit the Academic Catalog webpage linked above, then click on the Print Options link in the lower right hand column
• Click the Download Page (PDF) link
• Print or save the condensed program requirements document

Teacher Certification with Master of Science Degree

Persons interested in earning teacher certification and a Masters degree should select their certification area of interest from the following:

• Teaching & Learning: Urban Social Studies Education
• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary and Middle Education, K-9
• English Education
• Mathematics Education
• Reading Education
• Science Education
• Second Language Education: Early Childhood – Adolescence

Doctoral Specializations

Curriculum and Instruction Specialization

The specialization in Curriculum and Instruction provides program emphasis in a content area (e.g., reading), education level (e.g., early childhood), a general area (e.g., curriculum theory), or special area (e.g., guiding instructional improvement).

Curriculum & Instruction PhD Academic Catalog Requirements

Mathematics Education Specialization

The specialization in Mathematics Education integrates mathematical knowledge for teaching, content-focused equitable pedagogy, and practice-based inquiry and research. The program prepares leaders and researchers for mathematics instruction, curriculum, and programs.

Mathematics Education PhD Academic Catalog Requirements

How to Apply

Complete the UWM Graduate School Online Application.

The Master’s Degree Application Checklist (PDF) may be a helpful resource. For more information on international admissions, please visit the Center for International Education.

Program Information

For general information or questions about the program, contact:

Office of Student Services
(414) 229-4721
soeinfo@uwm.edu