CURRICULUM STUDIES (EDS)
Develop curriculum to benefit all learners
The Curriculum Studies (EdS) program gives you the chance to analyze and develop successful and impactful instructional options for your students. With a thorough understanding of the sociocultural and political context of your environment and knowledge of a variety of approaches, you will be positioned to create learning opportunities for students from preschool to the university level.
The Curriculum Studies Education Specialist program provides advanced study beyond a master’s but does not require a dissertation.
All classes meet in the evenings at the Lincoln Park Campus. The degree program can be completed in two and a half years.
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Study curriculum development in a dynamic city
Pursuing your degree in Chicago gives you the chance to work and learn in urban, suburban and rural schools. You’ll impact wealthy and impoverished communities made up of students from all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Application Deadlines
- Fall: August 15
- Winter: December 1
- Spring: March 1
- Summer: May 1
Admission Requirements
Submit an online application, official transcripts, résumé, letters of recommendation, a personal statement and a writing sample.
Required Courses
You’ll take six core courses, three research courses, one elective and five concentration courses.
100%
of Curriculum Studies graduates were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.
Passionate faculty driven to make a difference
Joby Gardner, an associate professor and director of the Curriculum Studies master’s and doctoral programs, has long specialized in the education of non-traditional students. In his teaching experience, research and work with the Peace and Education Project, he focuses on helping students who are returning to school after a prolonged absence. Gardner also has an interest in teacher education and retention, which he works on with the Teachers’ Inquiry Project (TIP) in association with Francis W. Parker School in Chicago.
Alumni Network
Your degree connects you to nearly 17,500 fellow educators, most of whom live in the Chicago area. The College of Education has a variety of alumni resources, like networking, workshops and continuing professional development unit (CPDU) opportunities.
Scholarships
Graduate school is an investment in your future. Learn more about the financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to you.
EdS Program Admission Requirements
Admission Eligibility
To be eligible for the Education Specialist program, students must hold a both a bachelor's and master's degree from an accredited college or university and have a previous GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
Application Requirements
A complete application to the EdS program will include the following materials:
- Graduate admission application
- $40 application fee
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
- Résumé or curriulum vitae
- Three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should be from faculty in your master's program
- A personal statement in which you discuss your interest in further study and articulating an issue or problem of interest or concern (approximately 3 pages)
- Writing sample from a master's-level class; alternatively, you can write a 3-5 page response to readings provided by the Curriculum Studies program - Alternative Writing Prompt
Applicants may be invited to attend an interview with EdS program faculty as part of the application process. Interviews are held either at the Lincoln Park campus or by phone, depending on an applicant's availability. The Office of Graduate Admission contacts applicants to schedule the interview if one will be required.
Applicants who have earned a degree outside of the U.S. or who will be considered international students must submit additional materials. Visit our International Students page for more information.
Applicants can upload supplemental application materials, send requests for letters of recommendation, and pay the application fee through our online application system.
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to program and admission requirements for the educational specialist program, students choosing to apply to one of the additional endorsement options are required to fulfill the following requirements.
Teacher Leader Endorsement
- A copy of a valid Illinois teaching license
- Proof of at least two years of full-time teaching experience
- Evidence of a passing score on the Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency (formerly the Illinois Test of Basic Skills) or ACT/SAT equivalent as established by ISBE
- Two letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors
- Statement of purpose indicating professional development goals and related experience (750 words)
Principal Endorsement
- A copy of a valid Illinois teaching license
- Proof of at least two years of full-time teaching experience within the last five
- Evidence of a passing score on the Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency (formerly the Illinois Test of Basic Skills) or ACT/SAT equivalent as established by ISBE
- One letter from district office recommending entrance into the principal preparation program
- Two letters of recommendation (one from your supervisor and one from a colleague) - These take the place of the three letters of recommendation required for admission to the EdS program
- Statement of purpose indicating why you want to be a principal
- Upon initial review, the process will include a required interview. Candidates will be expected to complete on on-site writing sample during the interview and submit a teaching portfolio.
Superintendent Endorsement
- Students must already have the general administrative (K-12) or principal (preK-12) endorsement added to their professional educator license
- Proof of at least two years of full-time administrative experience on a valid administrative license with the general administrative endorsement
- Evidence of a passing score on the Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency (formerly the Illinois Test of Basic Skills) or ACT/SAT equivalent as established by ISBE
Application Deadlines
The EdS program admits new students every quarter: fall, winter, spring and summer. It offers rolling admission, but regular deadlines are set for each term to assure students full consideration for admission and financial aid. The program will continue to accept and process applications after the regular deadline if space is available.
Term | Deadline |
---|---|
Fall | August 15 |
Winter | December 1 |
Spring | March 1 |
Summer* | May 1 |
*The EdS program admits students all year on a rolling basis; however, most students admitted for the summer term will begin classes the following fall quarter.
Applicants typically receive an admission decision 4-6 weeks after submitting a complete application.
Information Sessions
Learn more about the Education Specialist program and meet with program faculty at an upcoming information session.
Degree Requirements
Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 prior to the completion of 36 credit hours and 3.3 after the completion of 36 credit hours. Students are allowed no more than two grades of “C.” Upon receiving a third grade of “C,” students must retake the class in which the grade was received. Grades of “D” and “F” require that the course be retaken.
Course Requirements
Core Courses: 24 quarter hours required
Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
---|---|---|
A&S 801 | LEADERSHIP: THEORY AND PRACTICE | 4 |
CS 704 | CURRICULUM DISCOURSES/PERSPECTIVES OVER TIME | 4 |
CS 751 | CURRICULUM FOR HUMAN AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
SCG 701 | SEMINAR: PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION | 4 |
SCG 711 | CULTURE, POWER AND EDUCATION | 4 |
SCG 721 | HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS | 4 |
Research Courses: 12 quarter hours required
These courses are sequenced and must be taken in the following order:
Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
---|---|---|
SCG 775 | FOUNDATIONS OF INQUIRY AND EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH | 4 |
Select two subsequent research courses from the following: | 8 | |
SCG 735 |
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS I | |
SCG 745 |
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS I | |
SCG 755 |
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS II | |
SCG 765 |
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS II |
Elective Requirement: 4 quarter hours required
One elective (4 quarter hours) from the following list:
Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
---|---|---|
Any doctoral course (700 or above) for which the student qualifies |
||
SCG 527 |
GLOBAL STUDIES IN EDUCATION SEMINAR | |
SCG 611 |
PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES IN EDUCATION, CULTURE AND ETHICS SEMINAR | |
CS 470 |
TEACHERS AS LEADERS | |
CS 472 |
ETHICS, CURRICULUM AND SOCIAL CHANGE | |
CS 473 |
ASSESSMENT | |
CS 481 |
THE STUDY OF TEACHERS AND TEACHING | |
CS 482 |
THE HISTORY OF CURRICULUM PRACTICE | |
CS 485 |
CURRICULUM/PROGRAM EVALUATION | |
CS 488 |
CURRICULUM DESIGN | |
CS 591 |
CURRICULUM THEORIZING: MULTIPLE LENSES | |
CS 489 |
CREATIVITY AND CRITICAL THINKING - VYGOTSKY, BAKHTIN, MAKIGUCHI, IKEDA | |
CS 588 |
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN CURRICULUM STUDIES | |
A&S 598 |
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP | |
BBE 404 |
LANGUAGE, LITERACY AND CULTURE | |
BBE 466 |
FIRST AND SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION | |
BBE 406 |
SOCIOCULTURAL AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES IN BILINGUAL EDUCATION | |
BBE 510 |
SPECIAL TOPICS IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION AND CULTURE | |
BBE 526 |
THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF TEACHING ESL AND WLE | |
BBE 530 |
LATINOS AND EDUCATION | |
Other options need to be approved by the EdS Program |
Concentration Courses: 20 quarter hours required
Choose five courses from the following list:
Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
---|---|---|
CS 754 |
CURRICULUM THEORIZING: MULTIPLE LENSES | |
CS 761 |
ASSESSING SCHOOL CURRICULUM | |
CS 764 |
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT,IDEOLOGY, CULTURE, AND SOCIETY | |
CS 774 |
ENGAGING IN CURRICULUM DELIBERATION | |
CS 784 |
CURRICULUM AND PROGRAM DESIGN | |
CS 794 |
SPECIAL TOPICS IN CURRICULUM (since topics vary, this course may be taken more than once) |
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