MEd. in Curriculum and Instruction

Program overview

Boost your instructional expertise and help today’s students to thrive 

Is it time to increase your impact as an educator? Seattle Pacific University’s MEd in Curriculum and Instruction provides five pathways for teachers to bolster their instructional expertise and leadership capacity. Develop your skills in educational theory, research, and best practices to enhance your ability to create culturally sustainable and inclusive learning spaces that impact the health of our schools.

Apply today

Program Overview

Depending upon your specific professional goals and interests, there are two areas of concentration:

Concentration 1: Curriculum and Instruction
This program invites teachers to explore current educational theory, research, and best professional practices to enhance their knowledge and skills as they serve, and advocate for, today’s students. Designed for educators who aim to grow in their professional practice, this program will help equip teachers to meet the needs of diverse classrooms, creating culturally sustainable and inclusive learning spaces. Program graduates are highly skilled, research-informed teachers and instructional leaders in their schools. A master’s degree may also qualify teachers for a higher placement on their district salary scale.

Concentration 2: Teacher Leadership
The Teacher Leadership program is designed for current teachers who are already serving, or who wish to serve, as leaders in their schools. This program is aligned with Teacher-Leader Model Standards and Washington state Teacher Principal Evaluation Standards. Washington state Principal or Program Administrator Certification courses are embedded in the program course sequence.

Graduates from this concentration will have completed two or more of the seven required classes for the Principal Certificate or Program Administrator Certificate. The remaining courses and the 9-credit internship can then be scheduled if the graduate decides to pursue an administrative certificate later in their career. Program graduates are teachers serving in leadership roles such as instructional coaches, department chairs, and leaders in assessment and school improvement initiatives.

Concentration 3: MLL Instruction
This concentration focuses primarily on equipping students with research-based practices in teaching multiple language learners (MLLs), and is aligned with WA state ELL endorsement requirements if students wish to add it. Some students may choose to complete the WA ELL endorsement following completion of this concentration. To do so, students will complete a supervised field experience. If students choose not to seek this endorsement, they can replace the practicum with an elective.

Concentration 4: Self-Designed Program
This concentration is the most flexible option, for those who want to craft a program that best fits their professional goals. Aside from our core courses, students can design (with Chair approval) a course of study drawing from our different graduate programs, including Literacy, Language, and Equity, Educational Leadership, Digital Education Leadership, and MLL instruction.

Concentration 5: Literacy, Language, & Equity
Our concentration in Literacy, Language, and Equity is for teachers who want to deepen their knowledge of the science of reading and writing. Additionally, certified teachers who complete the program are eligible for Reading and ELL endorsements in Washington state. This concentration will prepare you to help students of all ages thrive through providing research-based instruction in reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Graduates may serve as reading specialists and/or literacy coaches, or as better-prepared teachers of reading and writing in P–12 classrooms.

Why Seattle Pacific for your Master’s of Education in Curriculum & Instruction? 

  1. Accomplished Faculty

    Courses within the Curriculum and Instruction program are taught by full-time faculty and expert practitioners. Each instructor is strongly committed to K–12 education and the majority hold doctoral degrees. School of Education faculty regularly engage in scholarly activities, and they are active leaders in professional organizations engaging the K–12 educational community.

  2. Flexible Delivery

    The Curriculum and Instruction program is offered through a combination of online and face-to-face classes, or in a fully online format. It is designed to be completed by full-time teachers in less than two years (seven quarters, including summer). Online courses utilize a user-friendly platform to enhance communication and interaction between students and faculty.

  3. Affordable

    SPU’s tuition rate for the Curriculum and Instruction program is comparable to other area institutions. Financial aid is available through a federally insured student loan program.

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Curriculum

Course Listings

Note: If students have taken similar courses in prior graduate programs of study, they may, with the permission of the chair, take substitute elective courses.

Foundations and Research (12 credits)

  • EDU 6085 Moral and Theological Issues in Education (3)
  • EDU 6120 American Education: Past and Present (3)
  • EDU 6975 Interpreting and Applying Ed Research I (3)
  • EDU 6976 Interpreting and Applying Ed Research II or EDU 6979 Action Research in School Settings (3)

Concentration 1: Curriculum and Instruction (24 credits)

  • EDU 6524 Curriculum Design (3)
  • EDAD 6583 Culturally Sustaining Practice (3)
  • EDU 6526 Survey of Instructional Strategies (3)
  • EDU 6160 Planning, Instructing and Supporting Students II (3)
  • EDSP 6644 Educating Exceptional Students (3)
  • EDU 6600 Communication & Collaboration (3)
  • EDRD 6641 Foundations of Reading Instruction (3)
  • Choice of elective course. Choose from list of electives below. (3)

Concentration 2: Teacher Leadership (21 credits)

  • EDAD 6583 Culturally Sustaining Practice (3)
  • EDAD 6589 Engaging Communities (3)
  • EDTC 6433 Teaching with Technology (3)
  • EDU 6613 Standards-Based Assessment (3)
  • EDU 6524 Curriculum Design (3)
  • EDU 6530 Foundations of Instructional Coaching (3)
  • Choice of elective course. Choose from list of electives below. (3)

Concentration 3: Teaching Multilingual Learners (24 credits)

  • EDAD 6583 Culturally Sustaining Practice (3)
  • EDRD 6506 Literacy Standards and Assessments (3)
  • EDRD 6507 Language Development, Diversity, & Literacy (3)
  • EDRD 6509 Linguistics for Educators (3)
  • ELT 5530 Foundations of ELT: Theory and Application (3)
  • ELT 5552 ELL Methods: Principles & Practice (3)
  • EDRD 6980 Practicum (3)
  • Elective (6000-level course approved by Chair (3)

Concentration 4: Self-Designed Program (24 credits)

  • 6000-level courses, approved by Chair (24)

Electives (3)

  • EDRD 6506 Literacy Assessment & Standards (3)
  • EDRD 6509 Linguistics for Educators (3)
  • EDRD 6529: Learning to Read: Teaching Practices for Early Reading (3)
  • EDRD 6530 Disciplinary Lit & Lang Learning (3)
  • EDRD 6531 Multicultural Children's/YA Lit (3)
  • EDSP 6644 Educating Exceptional Students (3)
  • EDSP 6653 Teaching Reading to Excptional Students (3)
  • EDU 6528 Accomplished Teaching (3)
  • EDU 6555 Gender Topics Edu & Leadership (3)
  • EDU 6600 Communication & Collaboration (3)
  • EDU 6950 Topics in Education (3)

Culminating Experience/Capstone (3 credits)

  • Concentration 1: Curriculum and Instruction Capstone: EDU 6899 (3)
  • Concentration 2: Teacher Leadership Capstone: EDU 6990 (3)
  • Concentration 3: Curriculum and Instruction Capstone: EDU 6899 (3)
  • Concentration 4: Curriculum and Instruction Capstone: EDU 6899 (3)

Total required credits for degree: 39

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Literacy, Language, & Equity

Beginning summer 2025, the Literacy, Language & Equity MEd will no longer be accepting applications. Beginning summer 2025, students interested in the Literacy, Language & Equity MEd program are encouraged to apply for the Curriculum & Instruction: Literacy, Language & Equity Emphasis MEd (application not yet released).

In the MEd in Literacy, Language, and Equity program, students may start any quarter and are not required to take specific classes each quarter.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Foundations and Research Core

  • EDU 6085 Moral Issues in Education (3)
  • EDU 6600 Communication and Collaboration (3)
  • EDU 6975 Interpreting and Applying Educational Research I (3)
    or EDU 6980 Applying Research in School Settings (3)

Reading and Language Arts Core

  • EDRD 6506 Literacy Assessment and Standards (3)
  • EDRD 6507 Language Development Diversity and Literacy (3)
  • EDRD 6508 Vocabulary Development (3)
  • EDRD 6509 Linguistics for Educators (3)
  • EDRD 6529 Teaching Reading: Strategies of Instruction (3)
  • EDRD 6531 Childrens and Young Adult Literature (3)
  • EDRD 6533 Writing: Process to Product (3)
  • EDRD 6600 Literacy Coaching in the STEM Disciplines (2)
  • EDRD 6641 Foundations of Reading Instruction (3)
  • EDSE 5653 Teaching Reading to Exceptional Students (3)

Practicum experience

The 1- to 3-credit practicum experience, EDRD 6980, is designed to give you an opportunity to apply the knowledge that you have gained in a classroom setting. It also meets several of the state competencies for the English Language Learners and  Reading endorsements.

Within this course, you will:

  • complete an independent field experience in literacy instruction, develop and teach a unit plan, and be formally observed by your course instructor as you teach a minimum of two lessons from that unit;
  • submit a portfolio that documents your ability to have a positive impact on student learning, as well as your knowledge and teaching skills in the ELL and Reading endorsement areas.

Some students may choose to complete the Reading and ELL endorsements following completion of the MEd in Literacy, Language, and Equity. Students will complete a supervised field experience in the endorsements they are seeking. If students already hold these endorsements, they can replace the practicum with an elective.

Comprehensive examination

The comprehensive examination is a tool to help synthesize and apply the information you have gained throughout the course of study. Most students take the exam during the last quarter of coursework or the quarter following. In order to take the comprehensive examination, you must have completed all of the required courses in the program.

Program schedule

This program is designed to be completed within two years, including Summer Sessions. You must complete all requirements for the degree within six years.

Program requirements

The MEd in Literacy, Language, and Equity is a rigorous 27 to 39-credit program. To complete the program, you will be required to:

  • hold a current teaching certificate;
  • complete coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher;
  • complete all literacy coursework prior to beginning a practicum experience for the reading and English Language Learners endorsements;
  • pass a comprehensive examination during the last quarter of coursework or the quarter following.

Adding Reading and ELL Endorsements

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Foundations Core

  • EDU 6085 Moral Issues in Education (3)

Reading and Language Arts Core

  • EDRD 6506 Literacy Assessment and Standards (3)
  • EDRD 6507 Language Development Diversity and Literacy (3)
  • EDRD 6508 Vocabulary Development (3)
  • EDRD 6509 Linguistics for Educators (3)
  • EDRD 6531 Childrens and Young Adult Literature (3)
  • EDRD 6533 Writing: Process to Product (3)
  • EDRD 6641 Foundations of Reading Instruction (3)
  • EDSE 5653 Teaching Reading to Exceptional Students (3)

Practicum

  • EDRD 6980 Field Experience (3)

Anjean Vanden Bosch | Seattle Public Schools English Teacher

Anjean Vanden Bosch

SPU's Literacy, Language, and Equity program has been fantastic for me as a secondary educator. The professors I've had inspired me to use a more diverse and rich array of texts in the classroom, given me tools to enhance my language instruction, and challenged my notions of high-quality and meaningful assessments.

Anabel Hovig | Edmonds School District Teacher

Anabel Hovig

The LLE graduate program left me feeling empowered as a literacy broker. This program is on the cutting edge of an important shift in reading instruction. As more and more attention turns toward the science of reading, teacher training in this area is more critical than ever. I highly recommend this program to all teachers.

Nicole Rule | Seattle Public Schools

Nicole Rule

Seattle Pacific's LLE program was perfect for me. Classes are small, with plenty of time for discussion, and amazing professors who care deeply about the subject and their students. Some classes focus on the "squishier" aspects of literacy and language like motivation and ways to find amazing authors for different grade levels, while others dive deeply into the nuts and bolts of language acquisition and useful scaffolding techniques. My journey led me to a position as an art teacher at a dual-language immersion program. I find the lessons learned in my classes at SPU are applicable and relevant.

Elizabeth Woods | Seattle Public School District Teacher

Nicole Rule

The Literacy, Language, and Equity MEd program at Seattle Pacific University is a gift for anyone in education. I am so thankful for the time I spent learning from and with the professors and my cohort. From the meaningful debate about literacy and language, to the exploration of equity in works of the past and present, I am a better educator because of this experience. I am teaching my students how to read with strategies based on engagement and motivation I hadn't considered before. Our vocabulary studies, word work, and investigation into multicultural literature provide authentic joy and constant discovery. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to expand their understanding of the English language, interested in diving deep into meaningful literacy instruction, and ready to discover and invest in multicultural literature.

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Costs

Tuition and fees for 2023–24

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$735

per credit

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$50

application fee

See additional fee details.

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39

credits to complete

Financial aid

Before applying for aid, you must first be admitted to a graduate program. Make sure you:

  • Enroll in at least 3 credits (or half-time) toward a degree or eligible certificate each quarter.
  • Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.

You may take advantage of scholarships and loans. SPU does not have a deadline for graduate financial aid, though earlier is always better than later! 

Learn more about the FAFSA and applying for financial help.

Learn more about scholarships, assistantships, and loans available to graduate students. 

Fees

Find out more about administrative and other School of Education program fees.

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Application

Admission requirements

To apply for admission into the Curriculum and Instruction program, you must submit the following items:

  • Graduate application, available online at spu.edu/applynow
  • Official college/university transcript(s)
  • Résumé
  • Personal statement (1–2 pages)
  • Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which addresses applicant’s leadership abilities and/or teaching skills.
  • 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA*
  • Copy of front and back of teaching certificate (if applicable)
  • $50 application fee

*If cumulative undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0, applicant must take the GRE with a preferred minimum combined verbal and quantitative score of 950. (On the revised GRE exam, preferred minimum scores of verbal: 148 and quantitative: 147.)

Application deadlines

Autumn Quarter entry: August 15
Winter Quarter entry: November 15
Spring Quarter entry: February 15
Summer Quarter entry: May 15

Application and admission questions?

Contact Graduate Admissions at 800-601-0603 or gradadmissions@spu.edu.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How selective is admission to the SPU School of Education graduate degree programs?

This varies by program. Admission to some programs, such as the Accelerated Master in Teaching Mathematics and Science (AMTMS), Accerated Master of Arts in Teaching (AMAT), and MEd in School Counseling, is very competitive. Admission to each of SPU's graduate programs in education is standards-based, and all applicants must meet all standards for admission.

Can I continue to work while enrolled in a graduate degree program in the SPU School of Education?

Yes, in most cases. Most of the graduate degree programs offered by the School of Education are part-time programs, with classes offered in a variety of worker-friendly venues. Education graduate courses are scheduled at SPU or off campus, in the evenings, occasionally on Saturdays, and during the summer.

The Acclerated Master of Arts in Teaching (AMAT) and Accelerated Master in Teaching Mathematics and Science (AMTMS) programs are exceptions. They are one-year full-time programs due to their full-time internships.

Is it possible to complete a graduate degree from SPU's School of Education online?

The School of Education offers several fully online programs, including the AMAT-Online, AMTMS-Online, Digital Education Leadership, and Teacher Leadership programs. Please review the program pages for eligibility requirements.

Is a graduate program at SPU more expensive than comparable education programs at other universities?

SPU's graduate tuition rates are competitive with other accredited universities in Washington.

How does a graduate degree or graduate certificate from SPU compare with a similar degree or certificate from other universities?

SPU's School of Education has been offering a wide range of fully accredited master's and doctoral degrees in addition to graduate certificates for more than 20 years. SPU's reputation in P–12 education in Washington and around the country is strong, and students who complete our graduate degree and certificate programs enjoy a higher rate of employment than the state's average.

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Continuing Education

To meet the changing needs of adult learners, Seattle Pacific University offers a wide range of programs and courses to meet the needs of today’s professionals. With competitive credit and program rates, these personal and professional development opportunities make lifelong learning affordable. As the largest provider of continuing education credits for teachers in Washington state, SPU’s Center for Professional Education is focused on the current needs of K–12 educators.

Courses taken for credit and numbered at the 5000 level are graduate-level courses and are designed primarily with the needs of teachers and other professionals in mind for the purpose of meeting certification, endorsement, district pay-lane requirements, and other professional needs. These graduate-level courses may be considered to meet elective requirements in some cases.

Still have questions? Review the FAQs.

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