The online Master of Science in Education (MSEd.) in Curriculum and Instruction – General program from Northwest Missouri State University helps educators who want to advance their curriculum development skills. Earning an MSEd. makes it possible for these educators to move into leadership or advanced roles inside or outside of the classroom.
What Are the Benefits of Earning a Master of Science in Education?
Earning a master’s degree in education typically helps educators who wish to make a career change, qualify for a higher salary and gain knowledge and skills to be a better educator. Northwest’s MSEd. in Curriculum and Instruction – General online program helps educators accomplish these goals while benefiting from the added flexibility and convenience of the online education model.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists the 2023 median pay for high school teachers at $65,220 per year. For kindergarten and elementary teachers, the 2023 median pay was $63,670 per year. According to BLS, the typical entry-level education for both these occupational groups is a bachelor’s degree. However, some states do require that teachers earn a master’s degree after obtaining a job and certain certifications.
Higher-level education administrators — such as curriculum and instruction leaders — typically have higher levels of education, responsibilities and pay. BLS reports the 2023 median salary of K-12 education administrators to be $103,460, representing a substantial pay bump over the typical earnings of K-12 teachers.
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that 17% of all U.S. master’s degrees conferred between 2021 and 2022 were in education, making it the second largest field of graduate study. In fact, education was the second most popular graduate degree field from 2011 to 2022, with 2022 the most recent year of data reported by NCES.
Graduates of the MSEd. in Curriculum and Instruction – General online program from Northwest may pursue numerous career paths, including the following:
- curriculum specialist
- instructional coordinator
- curriculum and assessment director
- instructional systems specialist
- program administrator
- corporate trainer
What Courses Are Required for the MSEd. In Curriculum and Instruction?
The required courses for an MSEd. in Curriculum and Instruction degree depend on the specific program and potentially the school’s location. Essentially, MSEd. coursework builds on bachelor’s-level teaching courses with advanced theory and practice studies as well as focused coursework delving further into subjects pertaining to the MSEd. specialization.
A bachelor’s degree in education provides teachers with the basics concerning the subject they teach, educational theories and practices, and various methods to improve student outcomes. These programs often focus on evidence-based, traditional teaching pedagogy and methods, yet they may also explore more current approaches like differentiated instruction and meaningful learning.
Expanding on this educational foundation, students in Northwest’s online MSEd. in Curriculum and Instruction – General program learn about advanced subjects such as:
- Improving student learning through data literacy
- Bringing about change with visionary school leadership
- Increasing student engagement and motivation
- Encouraging diversity, equity and inclusion in multicultural education
- Setting goals and providing feedback to improve achievement and performance
- Creating a constructive digital culture in schools
- Understanding organizational frameworks to manage change
What Are the MSEd. Admission Requirements?
Admission requirements vary by university. Northwest, for example, has the following admission requirements for its online program:
- Cumulative GPA of 2.75 during undergraduate study
- Or a 3.0 GPA in the first six semester hours of graduate program coursework at Northwest along with a cumulative GPA between 2.5 and 2.74 in undergraduate study
Students also need to provide documentation of one item of the following:
- GRE analytical writing measure of 3.5 or higher
- Master’s degree from regionally accredited institution with a GPA of 2.75 or higher
- National Board Certification
- Completed nationally normed educational performance assessment such as MoPTA and edTPA
- Departmental analytical writing assessment with a score of 4.0 or higher using a writing scoring guide based on modified CUNY scales
- Valid teaching certificate or two years of prior teaching with a valid teaching certificate
When seeking an online MSEd. program, it is important to check for accreditation status and find out whether the program meets state board of education standards. Northwest is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and is recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education.
An online master’s degree program provides educators with the flexibility to complete coursework on their own time, allowing educators to continue working and earning an income. They will not need to commute or attend on-campus classes at set times. Plus, a student could potentially earn the MSEd. degree from Northwest in as few as 12 months and move into leadership or administration roles upon completing the program.
Learn more about Northwest’s online MSEd. in Curriculum and Instruction – General program.
