Curriculum and Instruction Programs

The graduate program in Curriculum and Instruction offers a variety of graduate-level courses in all curricular areas with specific emphasis upon trends and recent developments in practice, theory, and research. Our graduate faculty members serve Curriculum and Instruction in four areas of professional commitment:

Delivery of exemplary instruction to graduate students.
Production, interpretation, and dissemination of sound and useful research and scholarship.
Provision of leadership, collaboration, and service within the profession.
Promotion, understanding, and celebration of diversity.

Course Delivery: Manhattan Campus; some programs and courses available Online

(Online program links below will take you to K-State Online website.)

Master's Degrees

Master of Arts in Teaching (Online)

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) offers an innovative pathway to teaching for those who have previously earned a Bachelor’s degree and meet other admission criteria. Rigorous online coursework is combined with field experiences in an accredited school near the student. Qualified students earn a MAT and recommendation for a Kansas initial teacher license in 12 months. MAT pathways are available for elementary (P-6); modern languages (P-12); English (6-12); social studies (6-12); and agricultural education (6-12).

See the MAT program website for information about the academic content and design of the program.

Curriculum and Instruction Master's Degree

The M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction requires a minimum of 31 hours of graduate credits. Three hours in each of these core areas is required: curriculum, teaching and learning, diversity, educational technology, and research and scholarship. In addition, at least 15 hours in an area of specialization are required.

Specialization areas, also available online:

Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction program booklet (PDF)

Doctoral Degrees

Curriculum and Instruction Ph.D. (Online)

The Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction is designed for advanced students who seek a focus on educational research and scholarship in local, national, or international settings. Through their research specialization, graduates contribute their expertise as faculty in careers in higher education, positions in research organizations, or other settings that require educational research.

Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction program booklet (PDF)

Curriculum and Instruction Ed.D. (Online)

The Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction is designed for advanced students teaching in a national or international P-12 educational context who want to develop a superior level of pedagogical competency and expertise in their professional field with an emphasis on practice and leadership. The program provides an understanding of the contextual application of research to practice. This program is available online.

Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction program booklet (PDF)

Graduate Certificate Programs

Computer Science Education Graduate Certificate (100% Online)

This 16 credit hour interdisciplinary graduate certificate in computer science education introduces current and future educators to the content and expertise necessary for effectively teaching computer science across K-12 grades. With an emphasis on computational thinking, the curriculum underscores the integrative role of computer science across all fundamental subjects within K-12 education.

Courses completed as part of this program can be applied toward the M.S., Ed.D., or Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction.

Educational Technology Graduate Certificate (Online)

This 12-credit graduate certificate focuses on the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological processes and resources (following guidelines prescribed by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology).

Teaching and Learning Graduate Certificate

This program is a 19-20-credit hour curriculum that provides graduate level professional course work in education leading to teacher licensure in the following subject areas: Agriculture (6-12), Art (P-12), Biology (6-12), Business (6-12), Chemistry (6-12), Earth & Space Science (6-12), English (6-12), Family & Consumer Sciences (6-12), Journalism (6-12), Mathematics (6-12), Modern Language (P-12), Music (P-12), Physical Education and Health (P-12, Physics (6-12), Social Studies (6-12) and Speech and Theatre (6-12).

Teaching and Learning Graduate Certificate program booklet (PDF)

Advanced Programs for Licensure

English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement (Online)
Kansas State University offers Kansas elementary and secondary teachers and administrators the opportunity to complete requirements for an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement via distance education. This endorsement is offered to educators who are certified to teach in Kansas.
Reading Specialist Endorsement (Online)
Special licensure requirements exist for P-12 school teachers of special reading classes in Kansas. In addition to degree certification and 2 years of verified teaching experience, a planned sequence of graduate reading courses are required for licensure endorsement. Students seeking this endorsement must hold a valid Kansas Professional teaching license.