Program Description
Mission
As companions in learning, faculty and students are committed to global Christian service through excellence in teaching, learning, and research.
Program Description
The Curriculum & Instruction program is concerned with creating superior learning environments within learning organizations such as schools, colleges, universities, and corporations. Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) degrees at Andrews University are offered in traditional classrooms, completely online, or in a combination of the two. However, you must select one program and apply for admission to it. The programs are interdisciplinary, involving a broad spectrum of content areas and educational levels. Graduates of the Andrews University Curriculum & Instruction program serve as classroom teachers, department heads, principals, superintendents, curriculum specialists, teacher educators, department chairs, researchers, academic vice presidents, and university presidents. [Note: Persons seeking master’s level initial teacher certification for K–12 schools should pursue the MAT degree for elementary or secondary education.
Specialized study in the form of concentrations is offered in several areas. Students in all graduate C&I programs may choose to include a concentration to help reach their personal goals for advanced study. The chart below lists currently approved concentrations for MA, EdS, EdD, and PhD degrees in Curriculum & Instruction. Please note that all concentrations are available on-campus and several of the concentrations also are available online. If you are interested in one of the online concentrations, please check the chart below carefully to be sure that concentration is currently available online. While graduate degrees in Curriculum and Instruction are designed for experienced educators, provision is made for individuals desiring a career change. Such persons may be required to earn more than the minimum number of credits.
Two Program Delivery Options – You Choose Which Meets Your Needs
We offer both a synchronous, online degree pathway and a traditional, face-to-face (f2f) residential path to degree completion. Some students combine the two options, taking some courses f2f and others online. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and NCATE have accredited both program delivery options. We have a rolling admissions policy and it is possible to begin your program during any semester. Courses are offered year-round in three semesters: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Courses offered during the Summer Semester may be subdivided into shorter more intensive sessions of 2, 3, 4, or 8 weeks.
Traditional Face-to-Face, Residential Program
We have students from all over the United States and the world who come to southwestern Michigan to complete their graduate degrees in a classroom setting. The residential program is appropriate for international students who want a degree from a United States university, but whose national governments do not recognize online degrees. Some countries such as Brazil, for example, require their citizens to complete degrees on a residential campus. Additionally, international students living in the United States are limited in the number of online courses they can take each semester.
Synchronous, Interactive Online Program.
For those learners pursuing their degree online, we offer every EDCI class and many others online. From your program orientation to presentation of your capstone project and portfolio, you will be immersed in a richly interactive online environment. The interactive online C&I program allows participants to meet program competencies within the context of their current career positions. This immediate application of learning strengthens authenticity, provides relevancy, and benefits the place of employment. Our interactive online program is offered through synchronous online or blended learning courses. All online courses are delivered via the Internet. Online learners interact with their peers in the traditional classroom during synchronous class sessions. This allows the ongoing construction of a learning community and supports learners as they advance their understanding and develop expertise in their selected area. Please note: Not all concentrations are available via online delivery. Online doctoral students are required to travel to the Berrien Springs campus for their dissertation defense.
Potential students interested in one of our online degree programs should first check with the School of Distance Education’s Compliance Officer to see if Andrews University is approved to deliver online education in your state or area. As this list changes from time to time, it is important to check when you are first considering Andrews University as an option for your graduate work and then check again before you submit your application. Some states allow delivery of online courses but not completion of practicums, internships, and field placements. These regulations are important to review with your advisor when a degree candidate is working on their project class – EDCI 696, 799, or 899
Master of Arts
The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree is designed for individuals seeking to further develop and deepen their skills as educators, as well as for those future leaders in education who plan to go on to do further work and research in education. The M.A. is the starting point for those who may wish to later pursue an Educational Specialist (EdS) degree, a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree, or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. This program requires 32 semester hours of post-Bachelor’s work, preparation of a Master’s Portfolio, a project or thesis, and a written comprehensive examination. Students who are choosing one of the four special Master’s concentrations must focus their project or thesis on a topic in the concentration area.
Program Delivery
This program is offered on campus and as a synchronous, interactive online program (see School of Distance Education and International Partnerships definitions). The online courses are not self-paced, but have regular semester start and end dates. Participants interact with each other, their traditional classroom peers, and the instructor throughout all courses. Online students are encouraged to come to campus for graduation.
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