Curriculum and Instruction (EdS)
The Curriculum and Instruction (EdS) equips educators to become instructional leaders and specialists in areas such as Mathematics, Literacy/Reading or Diversity Literacy. Through advanced coursework, you’ll gain expertise in curriculum development, instructional coaching, and data-driven decision making. Tailor your degree to your career goals with concentrations in specific teaching specializations, such as Science Education, Elementary Math, Reading or Special Education. Eligible students benefit from UofL’s Tuition Reduction initiative, saving approximately 25% on graduate tuition.
Course Catalog
Specialist in Education in Curriculum and Instruction
Unit: College of Education and Human Development (GE)
Department: Elementary, Middle & Secondary Teacher Education
Program website
Academic Plan Code(s): C&I_EDS
Program Information
The EdS (Education Specialist) degree in Curriculum and Instruction is a 30 credit hour, post-master's degree program. The program prepares classroom teachers to become curriculum and instruction specialists so that they are well-prepared to lead within their schools, districts, or region, specific to a particular area of teaching.
Potential candidates for this degree are teachers who have completed a master's degree in education or a Master of Arts in Teaching, or related field, and are interested in continuing their educational pursuits but are not interested in pursuing a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction.
The program will provide graduates with expertise needed for strong instructional leadership in schools, including extensive knowledge of:
- Curriculum
- Leadership and coaching
- Data analysis and research methods to support data-driven decision making
- One are of expertise within teaching (e.g., science teaching, elementary mathematics specialist, reading specialist, special education)
Admission Requirements
- Submit Graduate Application
- Master's degree in Education (or related area) with a minimum 3.3. GPA
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts
- A written rationale for pursuing the degree, including philosophy of education (limit of one page)
- A current resume or vita
- Three years of full-time K-12 teaching experience
- Two written letters of recommendation attesting to the candidate's skills and understanding of (a) ability to improve student achievement, (b) leadership, (c) advanced knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. One must be from the current site supervisor.
- Completion of six (6) credit hours of advanced teaching coursework (beyond initial teacher preparation program)
Degree Requirements
The student will meet with their advisor to develop an area of focus/emphasis*.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative and Qualitative Coursework (choose 6 - 9 credit hours from the courses below): | 6-9 | |
LEAD 601 | Applied Statistics | |
LEAD 701 | Intermediate Applied Statistics | |
LEAD 702 | Applied Multiple Regression | |
LEAD 704 | Qualitative Field Research Methods | |
LEAD 705 | Qualitative Data Analysis and Representation | |
| Leadership (choose 3 - 6 credit hours from the courses below): 1 | 3-6 | |
EDAP 624 | Curriculum Theory | |
EDAP 677 | Developing Collaborative Groups: Facilitating, Coaching and Mentoring | |
LEAD 633 | Systems and Structures for School Improvement | |
LEAD 634 | Fundamentals of School Leadership | |
LEAD 636 | Instructional Leadership 2 | |
| Midpoint Assessment 2 | ||
| Specialization (see options below) | 12-15 | |
| EDAP 770 | Education Specialist Research Design (Specialization or Concentration) | 3 |
| EDAP 771 | Education Specialist Research Implementation (Specialization or Concentration) | 3 |
| Exit Requirements 3 | ||
| Minimum Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Or equivalent course approved by faculty advisor.
- 2
Successful completion of 15 credit hours; scored exemplary or target on advanced program rubrics (by instructor); acceptable dispositions rubric (scored by advisor). Minimum 3.0 GPA.
- 3
Successful completion of all required coursework and research project. Minimum 3.3 GPA with no grade lower than "C".
Areas of specialization include but are not limited to the list below*:
-
Elementary Math Specialist**
-
English as a Second Language**
-
Classroom Reading**
-
Instructional Technology**
-
Diversity Literacy
-
Special Education
-
Social Justice Education
-
Content Area Teaching (courses required vary based upon the content area)
-
Other
*Please meet with advisor to develop a plan that meets your goals.
**These specializations lead to Kentucky teaching endorsement for Kentucky certified teachers.
More about Curriculum and Instruction (EDS)
This is a 30-hour program leading to an Education Specialist degree. Teachers who have completed this program are well positioned for leadership positions such as a district science specialist or a school instructional coach. In addition, Education Specialists are strong applicants for working in non-profit organizations and college and/or university positions.
UofL’s Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction has these defining features:
- Flexible choice of specialization area
- Collaboration with nationally-recognized experts across many specialization areas
- Focus on current research-based effective teaching practices
- Development of skills as a leader of other educators, a consumer and conductor of research, and a leader who can impact change to improve educational learning opportunities for all students
Teacher education candidates should visit the Educator Preparation Program page and review the expectations listed under the "Review These Teaching Profession Expectations" section.
An Education Specialist is prepared for positions such as these:
- District Curriculum Specialist (e.g., Science Education Coordinator)
- Program Coordinator (e.g., Early Childhood programs)
- Content Specialist (e.g., Math Specialist)
- Instructional Coach (e.g., at school or district level)
- Consultant (in area of specialization) (e.g., working for a state department, textbook company, tutoring agency, or online education organizations and businesses).
For job opportunities in Kentucky, visit Kentucky Educator Placement Service
Dr. Justin McFadden
Advanced Programs Co-coordinator
Associate Professor
justin.mcfadden@louisville.edu
Dr. James Chisholm
Advanced Programs Co-coordinator
Associate Professor
james.chisholm@louisville.edu
Ms. Betty Hampton
betty.hampton@louisville.edu
Advisor, Graduate Education Programs
Director, Graduate Student Services
FAQ: Curriculum and Instruction (EdS)
Once you are admitted to the program, you may request to transfer up to 6 credit hours if your UofL advisor approves the request. Transfer requests are then submitted to the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies.
Successful candidates will graduate with an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree. If you choose to pursue an endorsement as your specialization, you will also be able to apply that endorsement to your base certificate.
The program can be completed in as few as two years or as many as six years.
Courses are delivered both face to face and online. Face to face courses are offered on UofL campus and in local schools.
This program is highly individualized. You are able to identify a faculty advisor with whom you would like to work and together you determine a program of studies that builds on what you have already learned and then develop a course sequence that further develops your specialization/expertise in order to meet your future career goals.
Yes, it is possible to transfer in PhD coursework, as it fits within the Ed.S. program sections. This must be approved by your advisor and the Advanced Programs Coordinators.
If you have already completed a different master’s degree (e.g., MAT or another M.Ed.) and if you meet the other admissions requirements for the Ed.S., you can transfer into this program. Coursework must fit within the Ed.S. program sections. Any transfer credits/courses must be approved by your advisor and the Advanced Programs Coordinators.