

Master’s in curriculum and instruction online at KU
Every day, passionate educators like you step into classrooms, ready to make a difference. But being an educator isn’t for people who want to stand still. There's always room to grow, to innovate, and to better serve your students.
The University of Kansas School of Education and Human Sciences has empowered educators to transform teaching and learning since 1909. The online Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) in Curriculum and Instruction* builds on this legacy, combining the excellence KU is known for with the flexibility working educators need.
Whether you're looking to enhance your classroom expertise, develop innovative curricula, or explore new horizons to apply your expertise, our program offers the comprehensive foundation you need to make a lasting impact. Here, you'll join a community of forward-thinking educators, each of whom brings unique experiences to the program. Together you’ll learn from faculty who are actively shaping the future of education through groundbreaking research and real-world application.
Video Transcript
In our online program, we seek to use the practitioner's knowledge as the site to engage a lot of the discussion of materials. So if practitioners would enter our online program with multiple years of teaching at a particular grade, we've really sought to have our courses capitalize on that knowledge and balance their new learning with the experiences they've had in the classroom. We seek to have them become more informed about their own choices in their own schools and kind of take a leader position within their schools with regard to knowledge about current issues and sort of what I think of as 21st century strands, which include infusing technology into the curriculum, working with diverse learners, seeing literacy as infused across content areas, looking at the reality of K-12 content standards in learning, and also the reality that teacher education needs to be paired with field experiences.
*This program is an online Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree in curriculum and instruction. It does not lead to initial nor advanced teaching licensure. Prior teaching experience is not required but is strongly recommended.
KU’s master’s in curriculum and instruction at a glance
The online C&I master’s delivers a premier educational experience that transforms passionate teachers into educational innovators.
KU’s 100% online program allows you to:
- Complete your degree in as few as two years
- Study on your own schedule over 10 courses, 8 weeks each
- Start when you’re ready: spring, summer, or fall
- Learn from doctoral-level educators conducting groundbreaking research
- Create an instructional portfolio that can be directly applied in your current classroom
The C&I master’s was designed conveniently without requirements like:
- GRE scores for admission
- Practicum or residency
- Campus visits
Note: In order to enroll in this curriculum and instruction master’s program, a bachelor's degree is required.

Why choose KU’s online curriculum and instruction master’s?

Excel with a forward-thinking curriculum
Engage with a comprehensive curriculum that bridges theory and practice, preparing you to address the evolving needs of diverse learners. Develop the skills to create innovative learning experiences that make a lasting impact.

Learn from accomplished faculty
Study with published researchers and experienced educators who understand the real-world challenges of today's classrooms. Our faculty doesn't just teach—they shape the future of education through groundbreaking research while providing personalized support.

Experience connected learning
Join a vibrant online community where 93% of your peers are fellow educators, bringing an average of 7.5 years of classroom experience to rich discussions and collaborative projects. Experience the power of peer-to-peer learning while maintaining work-life balance.
Soar higher with a curriculum that advances your practice
The comprehensive C&I curriculum bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, preparing you to tackle today's educational challenges while anticipating tomorrow's innovations.
Core areas of study
- Advanced instructional strategies
- Curriculum development and assessment
- Educational technology integration
- Multicultural education approaches
- Research-based teaching methods
- Student-centered learning design
Designed for practical application
- Develop curriculum for immediate use
- Create effective assessment strategies
- Design inclusive learning environments
- Build tech-enhanced learning
- Conduct action research in your own classroom
Elevate your career as an educator
- Enhance instructional effectiveness
- Deepen understanding of how students learn
- Advance skills in differentiated instruction
- Master research-based strategies
- Leadership roles in curriculum development
- Educational consulting opportunities
Online curriculum and instruction master’s: Course descriptions
KU’s master’s degree in curriculum and instruction is for current educators and teachers who want to learn more about effective instructional practices and curriculum development to make a difference. Here, you can read more about the courses available to those pursuing a master’s in curriculum and instruction online at the KU School of Education and Human Sciences. Each course listed is worth 3 credits.
Please note: Course list and sequence is subject to change.
Your route to success
Find your fastest path to graduation with our tailored course roadmaps. Select your start date to learn more:
C&T 709 - FOUNDATIONS OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
C&T 807 - MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION
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C&T 806 - INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES & MODELS
EPSY 715 - UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH IN EDUCATION
Students should expect to study much of this material in greater depth through additional coursework before being fully prepared to conduct independent research. However this course should enhance their ability to locate, read, comprehend, and critically analyze research articles and reports. Topics in the course include quantitative and qualitative methods and designs, historical and descriptive research, and program evaluation.
C&T 803 - DIFFERENTIATING CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
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C&T 874 - CONSTRUCTIVIST LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES
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C&T 802 - CURRICULUM PLANNING FOR EDUCATION SETTINGS
C&T 770 - PEDAGOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOM
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C&T 801 - PLANNING FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
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C&T 890 - Bridging Theory to Practice: Capstone Portfolio
Personal support at every step
Your journey to becoming a more effective educator starts with the right guidance. Erica and Allison, your dedicated admissions outreach advisors, understand the unique challenges teachers face when pursuing graduate education. They'll help you understand how the program aligns with your teaching goals, guide you through the application process step by step, answer your questions about online learning at KU, and connect you with any other resources you need for success.

Learn from the leaders in education innovation
KU’s School of Education and Human Sciences faculty doesn’t just teach about educational excellence—they define it. As active researchers and experienced educators, they bring both theoretical depth and practical wisdom to every course.
Meet your mentors
KU faculty members go above and beyond to support your success by providing regular, meaningful feedback on your work, offering additional resources tailored to your interests, and sharing insights from their current research. Combining impressive academic credentials with real classroom experience, KU’s curriculum and instruction faculty understand the challenges you face because they've faced them too.
KU C&I faculty are:
- Published researchers shaping educational policy and practice
- Experienced K-12 educators who understand classroom realities
- Dedicated mentors who provide personalized guidance
- Active contributors to national educational organizations
- Authors of widely used educational texts and resources
Barbara Bradley

Barbara Bradley, Ph.D.
Professor, Reading Education
Elementary Education Program Coordinator
Research interests:
- Preschool
- Early childhood
- Early literacy
- Book sharing with informational texts
- Read alouds
- Oral language development
- Formative experiments
- Design research
- Design-based research
Hyeson Cho

Hyeson Cho, Ph.D.
Professor
Research interests:
- TESOL
- Critical literacy
- Digital literacy and multiliteracies
- Academic literacy
- Racialized and gendered identity
- Language teacher identity
- Teacher education for diverse students
- Service-learning
- Heritage language education
- Education of minoritized students
- Technology-integrated language instruction
Laurie Cleavinger

Laurie Cleavinger, Ph.D.
Teaching Professor
Research interests:
- Project-based instruction
- Inquiry learning
- Pedagogical content knowledge
Jaclyn Dudek

Jaclyn Dudek, Ph.D.
Instructional Design Manager
Assistant Professor
Research interests:
- Qualitative Methods
- Place-based learning
- Learning Design
- Informal and family learning
Heidi Hallman

Heidi Hallman, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Curriculum and Teaching
Professor
Research interests:
- Sociocultural theories of language and literacy
- Social contexts of language and literacy development
- At-risk learners
- Ethnographic and Qualitative approaches to research
Karen Jorgensen

Karen Jorgensen, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Curriculum and Teaching
Teaching Professor
Research interests:
- Biliteracy development in early childhood through adulthood
- Pre- and in-service teacher education
- Supporting striving readers in grades 5-12 and adulthood
- Integration of children's/young adult literature into learning
Carrie LaVoy

Carrie LaVoy, Ph.D.
Teaching Professor
Research interests:
- Methods of differentiating assessment and instruction
- Investigating why students (at all levels) struggle with mathematics
- Improved methods of training pre-service teachers in mathematics education
Lonna Summers Rocha

Lonna Summers Rocha, Ph.D.
Associate Teaching Professor
Research interests:
- In-service teachers
- University TESOL programs
- Critical pedagogy
- Bilingual paraeducators
- Qualitative research
- Reflexivity
Kwangok Song

Kwangok Song, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Research interests:
- Bilingual and biliteracy practices
- Out-of-school literacy
- Digital literacy
- Classroom discussions
- Online discussions
- Discourse analysis
Steven Hugh White

Steven Hugh White, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Elementary Education - Social Studies
Research interests:
- Geography
- GIS
- Social studies education
- Instructional strategies
Cheryl Wright

Cheryl Wright, Ph.D.
Assistant Teaching Professor
Research interests:
- Approaches to curriculum reform
- Transformative education
- Evidence-based practices that support interactive and positive learning environments
- Application of real-world knowledge to be a changemaker
The Jayhawk online learning experience
At KU, online learning doesn’t mean you’re on your own. KU’s virtual classrooms buzz with the same energy and collaboration you'd find on campus, creating an environment where meaningful connections flourish alongside academic growth.
Your classroom community
Step into virtual spaces where theory meets real-world experience. Your classmates bring diverse perspectives from classrooms across the country. This rich mix of experience creates dynamic discussions and opportunities to share practical solutions to today's teaching challenges.
Flexible yet engaging
The thoughtfully designed C&I master’s program fits the rhythms of a professional's life:
- Eight-week courses that align with your teaching schedule
- Asynchronous learning balanced with interactive group projects
- Live discussion sessions that work with your timeline
- Collaborative assignments that build your professional network
- Access to course materials 24/7
Begin your journey to teaching excellence at KU
Every day in classrooms across the country, dedicated teachers like you are looking for ways to make a bigger impact. KU believes that pursuing advanced education should enhance your ability to serve your students, not disrupt it. The online curriculum and instruction master's program is designed to meet you where you are—bringing together passionate educators, experienced faculty, and immediately applicable learning in a flexible online format.

Ready to take the next step in your teaching journey?
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- Based on a limited sample of self-reported data from students and alumni of the University of Kansas School of Education and Human Services online programs in education from cohorts between 2020 and 2023.
- Retrieved on March 14, 2025, from usnews.com/education/online-education/university-of-kansas-OEDU0797/education