Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum & Instruction

Degree Requirements

Each graduate student is personally responsible for complying with all rules and regulations of Graduate Admissions, the University and the School of Education, and for fulfilling all degree requirements.

Master of Education (M.Ed.) 

To qualify for admission to a graduate degree program at the Master of Education level, an applicant must have completed a bachelor's degree program with a scholastic record that gives evidence of ability to succeed in graduate work. Specific requirements are listed with each program.
In order to qualify for a Master of Education degree, each candidate must meet the following requirements:
  1. Complete a minimum of thirty (30) credits of required course work in a specific degree program with a cumulative GPA of B or better, with no more than six (6) credits with an earned graded below B (3.00) counting toward the Master's.
  2. Complete satisfactorily the specified internship and/or field practicum, and appropriate seminar, under supervision of a designated faculty member in the School of Education. Practicum are open only to matriculated students who have completed all other degree requirements.
  3. Complete the degree within five years of the date of admission.

Individuals seeking an initial teaching license, who meet the requirements, should follow the Secondary Education Initial Licensure pathway. Those seeking the master's degree, but not the license, complete the Curriculum and Instruction pathway. The Curriculum and Instruction master's degree does not lead to licensure in the state of Massachusetts.

Individuals who complete the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): BCBA Coursework Preparation (graduate certificate) at UMass Lowell with at least a 3.000 GPA can apply for the curriculum and instruction master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and Education. This program does not lead to a teaching license in any state.

Starting the fall of 2022, there will be one master's degree with three pathways: ABA, non-licensure and licensure. Curriculum and Instruction science option and math option will be closed in the fall of 2022. However, students presently in these options will be accommodated with no loss of credits.

Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.) - Secondary Education - initial licensure

Designed for individuals who seek initial licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The School of Education, UMass Lowell’s Master of Education degree (M.Ed.) with initial licensure prepares English, History, Math and Science secondary teachers to effectively meet the needs of Massachusetts diverse students. This pathway recognizes and celebrates the diversity of students that make up our nation's  K-12 schools and schools around the world. It also recognizes and seeks to address historic and systemic inequities, especially with respect to race, ethnicity, gender, English language proficiency, special needs, household income, and sexual preference. The pathway emphasizes pedagogy that draws benefit from student diversity through culturally sustaining practices, while advancing equity and inclusion. The program integrates research-based theory and practice with authentic well supported field-based experiences, throughout the program. This prepares teacher candidates to enter the teaching profession with the content, confidence and skills necessary to be successful. An especially attractive feature of this pathway is the deliberate integration, in some courses, of initial licensure students with in-service educators also pursuing a master's degree. Through careful differentiation of instruction and assessment, students seeking initial licensure benefit from the experience and leadership of in-service educators, while in-service educators gain experience with leadership and mentoring skills. Instruction and assessments are carefully differentiated to achieve these benefits.

Requirements

Completion of a bachelor's degree in English, History, Math or Science (biology, physics, chemistry) is a required pre-requisite. For those with alternative majors, a minimum of 36 content credit hours is required. Candidates must pass the following required MTEL tests: Communications and Literacy and Content Area test for the license you seek. 

A cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.000 or above in your bachelor's degree is a pre-requisite. Any UMass Lowell undergraduate junior or senior may apply to a master's degree program at UMass Lowell under the Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Degree Option with the following conditions: 

  1. The applicant must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.000 or above at the time the baccalaureate degree is conferred in order to maintain eligibility for this option, and 
  2. The applicant must apply for and receive his/her baccalaureate degree before matriculating into the graduate program. Conditional acceptance into the program will be granted to eligible juniors and seniors before their baccalaureate degree is conferred.

Degree Pathways: 

Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.)

These pathway are designed to meet the needs of experienced practitioners, who seek to broaden and deepen their professional knowledge and to expand the contributions they can make to education. Candidates are not required to hold an initial or professional teaching license. This program does not lead to licensure. At least one year of work experience in an educational setting is preferred. This program recognizes and celebrates the diversity of students that make up our nation's K-12 schools and schools around the world. It also recognizes and seeks to address historic and systemic inequities, especially with respect to race, ethnicity, gender, English language proficiency, special needs, household income, and sexual preference. The program emphasizes pedagogy that draws benefit from student diversity through culturally sustaining practices, while advancing equity and inclusion, The program focuses on research-based theory and practice with authentic, well-supported field-based experiences, as appropriate, throughout the program. An especially attractive feature of this pathway is the deliberate integration, in some courses, of initial licensure students with in-service educators also pursuing a master's degree. Through careful differentiation of instruction and assessment, students seeking initial licensure benefit from the experience and leadership of in-service educators, while in-service educators gain experience with leadership and mentoring skills. Instruction and assessments are carefully differentiated to achieve these benefit.

Degree Pathways:

Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.) - Applied Behavior Analysis and Education

The M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction: Applied Behavior Analysis and Education pathway is a 30-credit degree program which can be completed entirely online. This program does not lead to a teaching license in any state. 

Candidates who may be eligible for this pathway must complete the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): BCBA Coursework Preparation (Graduate Certificate) at UMass Lowell with at least a 3.000 GPA. Candidates who are in their fifth course of the ABA program may apply and be considered for admission to the M. Ed. program prior to completing the certificate program.

Five of the courses from the certificate program will transfer into this program

Information about the Graduate Certificate can be found on the UMass Lowell Department of Psychology Website.

Degree Pathways:

Updated 12/08/21

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