The UMass Lowell School of Education offers Master's Degrees in Curriculum and Instruction to provide busy teaching professionals with the flexibility to continue their education while working full-time.

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Masters in Curriculum and Instruction Overview

The School of Education at UMass Lowell offers a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction that provides busy professionals with the flexibility to continue their education.

The M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction offer three online options in: 

General Option

The M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction is a 30-credit degree program that can be completed entirely online. This program does not lead to a teaching license in any state. Candidates should have at least one year of experience in an education setting.

This pathway requires a culminating Action Research course during the student's final semester in the program. This course is a hands-on course that can be completed at the candidates' school or workplace.

Applied Behavior Analysis and Education Option

The M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction: Applied Behavior Analysis and Education Option is a 30-credit degree program that can be completed entirely online. This program does not lead to a teaching license in any state. Candidates eligible for this program must meet the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): BCBA Coursework Preparation (graduate certificate) at UMass Lowell with at least a 3.000 GPA. Candidates who are registered for their fifth course of the ABA program may apply and be considered for admission to the M.Ed. program before completing the certificate program.

Students who complete the Graduate Certificate Program in Applied Behavior Analysis can count up to five certificate courses towards their Master's degree.

Secondary Initial Licensure Option

The M.Ed. Secondary Initial Licensure requires eight courses and a 6-credit practicum. The School of Education endorses the following content areas:

  • English
  • History
  • Math
  • Science: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics

There are five core and five specialization classes that all students take regardless of their pathway.

The Master of Education, Curriculum & Instruction pathways can be found in the Academic Catalog.

  • Curriculum and Instruction: General Option
  • Curriculum & Instruction: Applied Behavior Analysis and Education
  • Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary Initial Licensure

There are specific requirements for admission to the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction programs listed below. All paperwork and fees for admission are submitted to UMass Lowell Graduate Admissions. Once the completed graduate school application and fee are submitted, the other required materials may be sent to Graduate Admissions individually and will be accumulated in the candidate's admission file until it is complete. Candidates should confirm with Graduate Admissions that their application file is complete. School of Education Faculty do not review the file until it is complete; review takes about two to three weeks if materials are received during the regular semester.

Requirements for Admissions to the Secondary Initial Licensure pathway:

To be admitted, applicants must have completed a Bachelor's degree in English, History, Math, or Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) and have a 3.000 GPA in the Bachelor's degree for which they are seeking licensure. 

A UMass Lowell undergraduate may apply to the Bachelor's to Master's in Education with the following conditions:

  • When the Bachelor's to Master's degree is conferred, an undergraduate must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.000 or above to maintain eligibility for this option. 
  • Undergraduates can take two Master's courses in their junior or senior years to transfer to their Master's.

Requirements for all pathways: 

  • An application - Apply Online
  • An application fee
  • A statement of purpose explaining why the candidate wants to pursue this degree
  • Two letters of recommendation 
  • Official transcript
  • Resume
  • Undergraduate and/or graduate GPA of 3.000 or better

Financial Aid 

To receive financial aid, students need to be taking at least two classes per semester. Please contact registrar@uml.edu with more questions about financial aid. 

Non-matriculated Status and Transfer Classes

Applicants can take up to two classes as non-matriculated students. 

Applications can be completed and submitted at any time during the year. Each application is processed - and each applicant notified - as soon as all of your admissions materials have been received by the Graduate Admissions and reviewed by the graduate coordinator.

All applicants can transfer in two graduate classes if they are an appropriate substitute for courses already offered by the School of Education,

MTELS: Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure

To teach in Massachusetts, all applicants need to pass two MTELS. One MTEL is Communication and Literacy, and the other is one in the applicant's content area.

The School of Education confers the Master's, but the license is conferred by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). It is suggested that all master students pass the required MTELs before they finish their coursework.

Learn more from Graduate Admissions.

Named a Best Online Graduate Education program by U.S. News & World Report.

2024 US News Online Grad Education

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