Educators with an interest in pursuing an advanced degree in Curriculum and Instruction are typically working professionals who would find it very difficult to attend an on-campus master's degree program. Louisiana State University Shreveport offers a fully online program that provides the "anytime, anywhere" online access working professionals need.
The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (MEDCI): General Emphasis online program at LSU Shreveport features the same core content and distinguished faculty as our on-campus programs. Students in this program have a personal advisor who will work with them from enrollment to graduation. The tuition is affordable, and there are payment options and financial aid available.
The Job Outlook
According to U.S. News & World Report, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for instructional coordinators will grow by 10 percent between 2016 and 2026. This translates to about 16,500 new positions. "This demand is fueled in part by an emphasis on student test scores and achievement data, since instructional coordinators are responsible for developing effective curricula and training teachers in their use."
Educators with a MEDCI have a variety of career options available to them. This degree prepares teachers to develop school curricula and oversee curriculum implementation as a teacher or an administrator. More than 40 percent of instructional coordinators are employed at elementary or secondary schools, while others are employed at colleges and universities, educational services and government agencies.
Choosing the MEDCI General Emphasis Program
Candidates pursuing the MEDCI General Emphasis program are able to work with their personal advisor to tailor the program to their aspirations and areas of interest. Students may focus on developing expertise that would be of particular value to the institution they work for or their geographic area. The program also offers the alignment of student goals to the theories, strategies and best practices to achieve them.
How Long Does It Take?
The program can be completed in as few as 24 months and consists of 36 credit hours. Eight of the courses are required, and four elective courses may be selected based on area of interest. Engaging course content and required hands-on field experience in schools and classrooms equips candidates with professional skills and best practices in educational research, testing, curriculum development, and the principles of theory and learning.
Foundation Courses
The eight required foundation courses in the LSUS MEDCI online program include:
- Foundations of Educational Research.
- Curriculum.
- Learning and Education.
- Educational Technology Applied to the Classroom.
- Creating a Professional Learning Community.
- Leading Instruction and Assessment.
- Utilizing Data for School Improvement.
- Final Project.
Additional Courses
LSUS MEDCI candidates are required to select four courses (12 credit hours) from the following:
- Introduction to Learning and Culture.
- Linguistics for the ESL Educator.
- Methods for Teaching English as a Second Language.
- Curriculum and the Multicultural Classroom.
- Foundations in Reading.
- Reading Assessment.
- Practicum in Reading.
- Reading in the Content Area.
Accreditation
The Teacher Education programs at LSUS are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), which was previously known as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Learn more about the LSUS online MEDCI program.
Sources:
U.S. News & World Report: Online Curriculum and Instruction Master's Degree
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