Become a leader in developing curriculum and educational programs

The Curriculum Studies (MA/MEd) program prepares you to develop, evaluate, and modify curricula and educational programs to serve the needs of all learners. You’ll be prepared to design well-developed learning environments in a variety of educational settings to meet the needs of all students, especially those poorly served by existing programs. If you are already a licensed teacher, you also have the opportunity to pursue a Teacher Leader or a Computer Science endorsement to add to your Illinois Teaching License (PEL).

The MEd enhances a current teacher or practitioner’s professional knowledge base and teaching with three concentration options:

• Curriculum Specialist
• Curriculum Studies with Teacher Leader Endorsement
• Curriculum Studies with Computer Science Endorsement

The MA degree option further develops students’ skills in research and scholarly writing to prepare them for a future doctoral program.

Classes are offered online or in person on the Lincoln Park Campus. The degree can be completed in two and a half years.

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Online Degree Option

The online Curriculum Studies (MA/MEd) from DePaul’s College of Education offers small class sizes and is taught by the same award-winning faculty you'll find on campus. Tailored to meet the needs of your busy schedule, you'll achieve the same learning outcomes as in-person classes through collaborative and engaged learning.

Connected to diverse educational settings

Chicago is home to a wide variety of educational environments for all types of learners. You’ll find opportunities to hone your craft with the students you most want to help: urban, suburban, traditional, non-traditional, pre-K to post-graduate.

Application Deadlines

• Fall: August 15
• Winter: December 1
• Spring: March 1
• Summer: May 1

Admission Requirements

Submit an online application, official transcripts, a résumé, letters of recommendation and a personal statement.

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Required Courses

You’ll take eight core courses, two social and cultural studies courses, and two electives. In the teacher leader concentration, you’ll take 10 core courses, a capstone course and two electives.

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100%

of Curriculum Studies graduates were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.

 

$58k

The average reported salary for Curriculum Studies graduates was $58,000.

A global perspective on education practice

Instructional Assistant Professor Gonzalo Obellerio, a native of Argentina, brings an international focus to education theory and an interest in the way different cultural contexts might impact curriculum. His courses are designed around an open exchange of ideas, a challenging and respectful discourse among professionals, where “students feel safe and welcome to speak their minds and argue openly.” He also serves as a member of the executive committee of the Philosophy of Education Society of North America.

“DePaul provided me with a strong understanding of different cultural approaches to education, which is crucial when building student-centered, innovative opportunities with existing curriculum.”

Jordan (MEd ’14)

iDirector, Berwyn South School District 100 

Alumni Network

Your degree connects you with DePaul’s community of more than 195,500 alumni, most of whom live in the Chicago area. College of Education alumni can be found in schools and districts throughout the state of Illinois supporting each other and inspiring the next generation of educators. The College of Education has a variety of alumni resources, like professional development workshops, networking events 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.

Curriculum Studies Program Admission Requirements

Admission Eligibility

To be eligible to enroll in the Curriculum Studies master's degree program, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Applicants to the program's Teacher Leader concentration must hold a valid Illinois teaching license in addition to a bachelor's degree.

Application Requirements

A complete application to the Curriculum Studies program will include the following materials:

• Graduate admission application
• Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
• Résumé
• Two letters of recommendation from professors or work supervisors
• Personal statement indicating professional goals and related experience, as well as why DePaul's program in Curriculum Studies is of particular interest
• $40 application fee

Applicants to the Teacher Leader concentration will also need to submit a copy of a valid Illinois teaching license.

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.

Application Deadlines

The Curriculum Studies program admits new students every quarter: fall, winter, spring and summer. It offers rolling admission, but the regular deadlines are set 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	Regular Deadline
Fall	August 15
Winter	December 1
Spring	March 1
Summer	May 1

Applicants typically receive an admission decision 3-4 weeks after submitting a complete application.

Information Sessions

Learn more about the Curriculum Studies graduate program and meet with program faculty at an upcoming information session.

Degree Requirements

We offer the Curriculum Studies MA or MEd in two modalities: on-campus and fully online.

Degree requirements for each modality are unique. On-campus degree requirements are listed below, and online degree requirements are listed? in the Academic Catalog.

View online requirements in the Catalog

On-Campus Degree Requirements

MA Degree Requirements

Specific degree requirements are determined according to the concentration chosen by the student. Master of Arts (MA) concentration is available in Curriculum Specialist.

Please review the concentration requirements pages for more information.

Please note: a Master’s Thesis is completed for the MA concentration in conjunction with faculty advisement. Preparation for the writing of the Thesis should begin well in advance of the completion of coursework. Oral examination on Thesis required. Consult the MA Thesis Handbook for additional information. 

MEd Degree Requirements

Specific degree requirements are determined according to the concentration chosen by the student. Master of Education (MEd) concentrations are available in Curriculum Specialist (degree only), Teacher Leader (degree with endorsement), Computer Science (degree with endorsement).

Please review the concentration requirements pages for more information.

Please note: A Capstone project is completed for only (Curriculum Specialist and Teachers Leader) MEd Concentrations in conjunction with faculty advisement, and students are required to take CS 608 to complete the Capstone project.

Academic Standards

Students must maintain a 3.0 average or higher to continue in the program. Any grade below a C will not count for credit toward completion of the program.

Content displayed from this DePaul University catalog page.