Program Overview
Insights into Our Online Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction Program
Become a leader in curriculum transformation with Northern Kentucky University’s Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Curriculum & Instruction specialist degree. This 100% online program is designed to help you understand and use best practices in learner-centered curriculum and instructional design. Instruction centers on strategies, effective teaching, program evaluation, student assessment, and teacher professional development.
Through research and discussion, you will expand your knowledge of current issues that affect teaching, curriculum, motivation, and student success and apply that knowledge to your practice. Learn from the same dedicated faculty who teach on campus and prepare to improve instructional effectiveness in order to meet the needs of 21st-century learners.
In this online Education Specialist program, you will:
- Develop materials and methods for inclusion of students with disabilities in general elementary, middle, and secondary classrooms
- Address principles of cognitive psychology and brain research for the purpose of improving P-12 student learning and motivation with applications to curricula, learning environments, and instructional strategies
- Engage in course projects that emphasize the critical-thinking skills needed to shape schools and school systems to meet the diverse needs of all students
- Learn from real-life scenarios and think critically about ways to drive innovation in school districts and regional, state, and federal education agencies
The educator preparation programs at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
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Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of graduate education programs online. Check out our other quality online education programs.
Tuition
Pay for Your Online Program by the Course
The Ed.S. – Teaching and Leading – C&I online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition to in-state and out-of-state students.
Tuition breakdown:
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total With Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Curriculum & Instruction | $412 | $480 | $12,840 |
Tuition and fees are subject to change at any time.
Ranked among the “Top Public Colleges” by Forbes, 2022
Calendar
View Our Application Deadlines and Class Schedules
The Ed.S. – Teaching and Leading – C&I online program is convenient and flexible, featuring six start dates on an accelerated course schedule. View the calendar to find the best start date for you and be sure to note all corresponding deadlines.
Now Enrolling:
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 05/08/2023 | 04/26/2023 | 05/01/2023 | 05/04/2023 | 05/08/2023 | 06/23/2023 |
| Summer 2 | 06/26/2023 | 06/14/2023 | 06/19/2023 | 06/22/2023 | 06/26/2023 | 08/11/2023 |
| Fall 1 | 08/21/2023 | 08/09/2023 | 08/14/2023 | 08/18/2023 | 08/21/2023 | 10/06/2023 |
| Fall 2 | 10/18/2023 | 10/05/2023 | 10/10/2023 | 10/13/2023 | 10/18/2023 | 12/08/2023 |
| Spring 1 | 01/08/2024 | 01/02/2024 | 01/04/2024 | 01/05/2024 | 01/08/2024 | 02/23/202$ |
| Spring 2 | 03/11/2024 | 02/29/2024 | 03/04/2024 | 03/08/2024 | 03/11/2024 | 04/26/2024 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Northern Kentucky University?
Admissions
Follow the Steps to Being Admitted into Our Online Program
The Ed.S. – Teaching and Leading – C&I online program has a simple admission process to help you get started right away. Before you apply, please review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state. The requirements for admission to this program include:
View full admission requirements
Ed.S. – Teaching and Leading – C&I Online Admission Requirements
- Complete online application for admission
- Pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alumni or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived
- Minimum 3.0 graduate GPA
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework from accredited institutions. One transcript must show successful completion of master's degree in education or in the content area of the applicant's teaching certificate.
- A copy of the applicant's Kentucky teaching certificate showing certification at the Rank 2 level, or out-of-state equivalent
- Supplemental application
Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:
NKU Office of Graduate Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Courses
Read About Our Online Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction Classes
For the Ed.S. – Teaching and Leading – C&I online, students must complete 10 courses for a total of 30 credit hours.
Students must take the following courses:
EDG 667: Collaboration & Inclusive Practices
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Legislation and instructional practices relating to the education of students with exceptionalities. Course covers various methods of co-teaching as well as locating, adapting, and developing materials and methods for including students with disabilities in general elementary, middle, and secondary classrooms.
EDG 701: Supervision of Field & Clinical Experience
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the role of the cooperating teacher in developing and mentoring prospective teachers and interns and standards-based observation and feedback. This course includes a job-embedded requirement of supervising a student in field or clinical experience.
EDG 605: Introduction to Research Methods
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to education research enabling candidates to become effective consumers and users of research in education. It will improve candidates’ ability to apply research findings appropriately in school settings and will lay a foundation for an original action research project.
EDG 702: Research Based Teaching
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1.5
In this course students will conduct a comprehensive literature review on a topic that relates to a specific educational issue that impacts P-12 student learning and create a research-based design of an action research project that can be conducted and reported as their capstone project. Course will be taken twice.
EDG 703: Capstone in Action Research
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1.5
In this course students will conduct and report the results of an research project reflecting synthesis and application of knowledge acquired in prior coursework to address a specific educational issue leading to enhanced P-12 student learning, including data analysis, written summary of research findings, and poster presentation. Course will be taken twice.
EDG 618: Advanced Curriculum Studies
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Study of historical, theoretical and philosophical influences on school curriculum and of current trends in curriculum development; familiarization with models of PK-12 curriculum development.
EDG 620: Learning and Motivation
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses principles of cognitive psychology and brain research for the purpose of improving P-12 student learning and motivation with applications to curricula, learning environments, and instructional strategies.
EDG 624: Pupil Assessment and Evaluation
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Various types of pupil assessment and the use and interpretation of each; mastery learning; criterion reference tests; competence-based instruction and evaluation; selection and use of standardized tests; construction of classroom tests.
EDG 626: Current Trends and Issues in Curriculum and Instruction
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course engages candidates in critical thinking about current issues and concerns in education that affect teaching, curriculum, motivation, and student success. Through research and discussion, teachers will expand their knowledge of current issues and apply that knowledge to their current practice.
EDG 628: Increasing Instructional Effectiveness
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The course is designed to improve teacher instructional effectiveness in order to meet the needs of 21st century learners. Participants will learn new effective pedagogy and implement one or more of the various strategies into their diverse placement, gather data, and analyze the impact on student learning.
