Curriculum and Instruction
GRADUATE
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers degree programs to prepare teachers for Early Childhood Education (Grades P-3), Elementary Education (Grades K-6), and High School (Grades 6-12). Additionally, the department offers programs for Nursery through Grade Twelve (N-12) teachers in art and music.

The programs have both general and professional studies components. Requirements for each component include, but are limited to, the following courses or experiences:

PROGRAMS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
MASTER OF EDUCATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) program in Early Childhood Education provides advanced study for teachers working with children three through eight years of age. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible for the Class A Professional Early Childhood Education Certificate provided they already hold the Class B Professional Early Childhood Education Certificate.

Note: The appropriate advising guide sheets and the assigned departmental advisor should be consulted in all program matters.

Candidacy
The special requirements for Admission to Candidacy in Early Childhood Education are:

1. Submission of satisfactory test scores from one of these tests: (a) Graduate Record Examination, (b) Miller Analogies Test, or (c) NTE.

2. Satisfactory completion of the written Candidacy Examination which is administered by the department once each semester. This must be completed prior to eighteen semester hours of course work. Applications are available in UCOM 3020.

3. Completion of a minimum of nine (9) semester hours of graduate studies with a 3.00 grade-point average.

4. Completion of IDE 510.

Comprehensive Examination
After being admitted to Candidacy and completing 36 semester hours of course work, the student must successfully complete a Comprehensive Examination covering all areas of the student's program. Application forms for the Comprehensive Examination are available in UCOM 3020.

Thesis
A student may elect to write a thesis as part of the program. If the student decides to write a thesis, a Thesis Committee will be appointed to work with the student and to evaluate the thesis. (IDE 510 and IDE 620 are required.)

Program
The program for the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education is as follows:

Minimum hours required: 36
(24 must be on the 500 level)

A. CURRICULUM AND TEACHING (6 hours)
* EEC 551 Seminar in Elementary Education
* EEC 553 Organizational Patterns and Curricula for Early Childhood Education

B. EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS (6 hours)
SELECT ONE:
EDF 501 Cultural Foundations of Education
EDF 515 Multicultural Education
SELECT ONE:
EPY 502 Psychological Principles of Learning
EPY 521 Human Development and Behavior

C. RESEARCH AND EVALUATION (3 hours)***
* IDE 510 Educational Research and Evaluation

D. TEACHING FIELD: (15 hours)
* EEC 535 Trends in Teaching Mathematics
* EEC 536 Issues and Innovations in Teaching Social Studies
* EEC 537 Teaching Science
EEC 550 Trends in Parent Education
EEC 552 Community Services for Families and Children
EEC 554 Language Development in Early Childhood Education
EEC 555 Organization and Administration in Early Childhood Education
EEC 556 Research in Early Childhood Education
EEC 557 Practicum:
EEC 560 Workshop in Elementary/Early Childhood Education****
EEC 562 Class Logistics and Facilitation
EEC 575 Diagnosis of Learning Difficulties in Mathematics
EEC 590 Special Topics****
EEC 592 Research Seminar
EEC 594 Directed Study and Research
EEC 599 Thesis
AED 501 Trends and Practices in Teaching Art in the Elementary School
RED 530 Current Approaches to Reading Instruction
* RED 531 Trends and Practices in Teaching Reading
RED 544 Word Recognition Skills in Teaching of Reading
RED 533 Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties
RED 545 Literature for Children and Adolescents

E. ELECTIVES: (6 hours)
SPE 500 Nature and Needs of Exceptional Children and Youth**
Free electives to be selected with consent of advisor
*Required
**All certification programs require an introductory special education course, if not completed at undergraduate or master's level.
***Students who have previously not completed an evaluation course will be required to complete an approved evaluation course in addition to IDE 510.
****No more than 3 hours can be applied to the Teaching Field.

EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
The program for an Educational Specialist degree in Early Childhood Education is designed to provide a further specialization for the practitioner as a classroom teacher. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible for the Class AA Certificate in Early Childhood Education provided they already hold a Class A Certificate in Early Childhood Education.

Admission to Candidacy
Each student must apply for admission to candidacy for the Educational Specialist programs in Elementary and Early Childhood Education. Applications are available in UCOM 3020.

Comprehensive Examination
After completing 36 semester hours of course work, the student must complete a comprehensive examination based on the student's program. Arrangements for a final comprehensive examination are made through the advisor.

Program
The program for the Instructional Specialist in Early Childhood Education is the following:
Minimum hours required: 36 (18 must be on 600 level)

A. CURRICULUM AND TEACHING (6 hours)
IDE 640 Instructional Development
IDE 650 Instructional Techniques

B. EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS (6 hours)
EPY 602 Psychological Aspects of Teaching and Learning
and
EDF 610 History of American Education
or
EDF 615 Education and Anthropology

C. RESEARCH AND EVALUATION (9 hours)
IDE 620 Quantitative Methods I
IDE 660 Instructional Evaluation
IDE 692 Research Project Seminar

D. TEACHING FIELD (15 hours)
EEC 601 Advanced Seminar
EEC 622 Advanced Seminar in Curriculum and Instruction Problems
EEC 699 Research Project

Additional approved courses

All certification programs require an introductory special education course, if not completed at undergraduate or master's level.

PROGRAMS IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
MASTER OF EDUCATION IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) program in Elementary Education provides advanced study for teachers working with children six through eleven years of age. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible for the Class A Professional Elementary Education Certificate provided they already hold a Class B Professional Elementary Education Certificate.

Note: The appropriate advising guide sheets and the assigned department advisor should be consulted in all program matters.

Candidacy
The special requirements for Admission to Candidacy in Elementary Education are:

1. Submission of satisfactory test scores from one of these tests: (a) Graduate Record Examination, (b) Miller Analogies Test, (c) NTE.

2. Satisfactory completion of the written Candidacy Examination which is administered by the department once each semester. This must be completed prior to eighteen semester hours of course work and after the student has taken EEC 522, EEC 523, IDE 510, and two courses in the teaching field. Application forms are available in UCOM 3020

3. Completion of nine (9) semester hours of graduate studies with a 3.00 grade-point average.

Comprehensive Examination
After being admitted to Candidacy and completing 36 semester hours of course work, the student must complete successfully a Comprehensive Examination covering all areas of the student's program. Application forms for the Comprehensive Examination are available in UCOM 3020.

Thesis
A student may elect to write a thesis as part of the program. If the student decides to write a thesis, a Thesis Committee will be appointed to work with the student and to evaluate the thesis. (IDE 510 and IDE 620 are required.)

Program
The program for the M.Ed. in Elementary Education is the following:

Minimum hours required: 36 (24 must be on 500 level)

A. CURRICULUM AND TEACHING (6 hours)
* EEC 522 Elementary School Curriculum
* EEC 523 Instructional Planning in the Elementary School

B. EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS (6 hours)
SELECT ONE:
EDF 501 Cultural Foundations of Education
EDF 515 Multicultural Education
SELECT ONE:
EPY 502 Psychological Principles of Learning
EPY 521 Human Development and Behavior

C. RESEARCH AND EVALUATION (3 hours)***
* IDE 510 Educational Research and Evaluation
IDE 620 Quantitative Methods I (Thesis Option Only with IDE 510)

D. TEACHING FIELD (15 hours)
EEC 532 Language Development in Elementary School
* EEC 551 Seminar in Elementary Education
* EEC 535 Trends in Teaching Mathematics
* EEC 536 Issues and Innovations in Teaching Social Studies
* EEC 537 Teaching Science
EEC 550 Trends in Parent Education
EEC 552 Community Services for Families and Children
EEC 557 Practicum:
EEC 558 Teaching Spelling and Writing
EEC 560 Workshop in Elementary-Early Childhood Education****
EEC 562 Classroom Logistics and Facilitation
EEC 575 Diagnosis of Learning Difficulties in Mathematics
EEC 590 Special Topics****
EEC 592 Research Seminar****
EEC 594 Directed Study and Research****
EEC 595 Internship:
EEC 599 Thesis
AED 501 Trends and Practices in Teaching Art in the Elementary School
RED 530 Current Approaches to Reading Instruction
* RED 531 Trends and Practices in Teaching Reading
RED 533 Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Disabilities
RED 534 Remedial and Clinical Procedures in Reading
RED 544 Word Recognition Skills in Teaching Reading
RED 545 Literature for Children and Adolescents

E. ELECTIVES: (6 hours)
* IDE 620 Quantitative Methods I (required of Thesis option only)
SPE 500 Nature and Needs of Exceptional Children and Youth**

*Required
**All certification programs require an introductory special education course, if not completed at the undergraduate level.
***Students who have not previously completed an evaluation course will be required to complete an approved evaluation course in addition to IDE 510.
****No more than 3 hours can be applied to the teaching field.

ALTERNATIVE M.Ed. IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
After admission to the program, the assigned advisor reviews the student's record and determines prerequisite course needs as required by the Department. In general, the program requires a minimum of 48 graduate hours and such additional undergraduate courses or experiences as the Department may require. A degree plan sheet is available upon request from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education. See College of Education general section for program admission requirements.

The following prerequisite courses are required. Equivalent courses or experiences may be substituted with written approval of the advisor and department chair.

Prerequisites
** RED 330 Foundations of Reading
EPY 251 Human Growth and Development
MA 201 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers
EPY 455 Evaluation of Teaching and Learning
RED 333 Literature for Children
Other courses as the Advisor may require.

In addition to the above prerequisites, students must also have completed three courses in mathematics and four courses in science (natural and physical) at the undergraduate level.

DEGREE PROGRAM
Minimum graduate hours required: 48 (27 must be 500-level)
Students may not enroll for more than 20 hours of degree program course work before achieving Level II (Unconditional) admission status.

A. CURRICULUM AND TEACHING (6 hours)
* EEC 522 Elementary School Curriculum
* EEC 523 Instructional Planning in Elementary School

B. EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS (6 hours)
EDF 501 Cultural Foundations of Education
or
EDF 515 Multicultural Education
EPY 502 Psychological Principles of Learning

C. RESEARCH AND EVALUATION (3 hours)
* IDE 510 Educational Research and Evaluation

D. TECHNOLOGY (3 hours)
See Department advisor for approved course.

E. TEACHING FIELD (24 hours)
* EEC 532 Language Development in Elementary School
* EEC 551 Seminar in Elementary Education
* EEC 535 Trends in Teaching Mathematics
* EEC 536 Issues and Innovations in Teaching Social Studies
* EEC 537 Teaching Science
* RED 545 Literature for Children and Adolescents
* RED 530 Current Approaches to Reading Instruction
or
RED 531 Trends and Practices in Teaching Reading.

REMAINING OR ADDITIONAL HOURS FROM THE FOLLOWING COURSES:
AED 501 Art Education
EEC 550 Trends in Parent Education
EEC 552 Community Services for Families and Children
EEC 557 Practicum:
EEC 562 Classroom Logistics and Facilitation
EEC 575 Diagnosis of Learning Difficulties in Mathematics
EEC 590 Special Topics:
F. SPECIAL EDUCATION (3 hours)
SPE 500 Nature/Needs of Exceptional Children/Youth

G. CLINICAL FIELD EXPERIENCE (6 hours)
* IDE 597 Student Teaching

Supervised practice in a school setting in the student's teaching field. The student will work full time in the school for an entire semester.

*Required Graduate Courses
**Field Experience Required

EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
The program for an Educational Specialist degree in Elementary Education is designed to provide a further specialization for the practitioner as a classroom teacher or an instructional support person. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible for the Class AA Certificate in Elementary Education provided they already hold a Class A Certificate in Elementary Education.

Admission to Candidacy
Each student must apply for admission to candidacy for the Educational Specialist programs. Applications are available in UCOM 3020.

Comprehensive Examination
After completing 36 semester hours of course work, the student must complete a comprehensive examination based on the student's program. Arrangements for a final comprehensive examination are made through the advisor.

Program
The program for the Instructional Specialist in Elementary Education is the following:
Minimum hours required: 36 (18 must be on 600 level)

A. CURRICULUM AND TEACHING: (6 hours)
IDE 640 Instructional Development
IDE 650 Instructional Techniques

B. EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS (6 hours)
EPY 602 Psychological Aspects of Teaching and Learning and
EDF 610 History of American Education
or
EDF 615 Education and Anthropology

C. RESEARCH AND EVALUATION (9 hours)
IDE 620 Quantitative Methods I
IDE 660 Instructional Evaluation
IDE 692 Research Project Seminar

D. TEACHING FIELD (15 hours)
EEC 601 Advanced Seminar
EEC 622 Seminar in Curriculum and Instructional Problems
EEC 699 Research Project
Additional approved courses

All certification programs require an introductory special education course, if not completed at undergraduate or master's level.

PROGRAMS IN HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION
MASTER OF EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAMS
M.Ed. programs are designed to enhance and extend the knowledge and qualifications of high school teachers.

Requirements for admission to candidacy in high school education programs are:

1. Successful completion of at least 9 semester hours of graduate work.

2. Completion of required SED course and IDE 510 with a grade of "B" or higher.

3. Successful completion of a candidacy examination.

4. Alabama Class B Professional certification (or equivalent) must be held by the student.

5. Regular admission in Graduate School and acceptable scores on the GRE, MAT or NTE.

I. HIGH SCHOOL

A. CURRICULUM AND TEACHING (6 hours required)
SED 552 The High School Curriculum
Specific Course for certificate area:
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS (French, German, Spanish, Language Arts)
SED 561 Trends and Practices in Teaching Language Subjects in the Secondary School

MATHEMATICS
SED 563 Trends and Practices in Teaching Mathematics in the Secondary School

SCIENCE PROGRAMS
SED 564 Trends and Practices in Teaching Science in the Secondary School

SOCIAL SCIENCE PROGRAMS
SED 562 Trends and Practices in Teaching Social Sciences in the Secondary School

B. FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION (6 hours required)
CHOOSE ONE
SED 551 Secondary School Student
EPY 502 Psychological Principles of Learning
EPY 521 Human Development and Behavior

CHOOSE ONE
EDF 501 Cultural Foundations of Education
EDF 515 Multicultural Education

C. RESEARCH AND EVALUATION (6 hours required)
IDE 510 Educational Research and Evaluation
(Prerequisite: EPY 455 or equivalent)
SED 560 Graduate Research Seminar

D. TEACHING FIELD (15 hours required)
Courses selected with advisor approval from student's teaching field.

LANGUAGE ARTS: Courses selected with advisor approval from English, Speech Communication, Drama, and Reading.

MATHEMATICS: Courses selected with advisor approval from Mathematics.

SCIENCE PROGRAMS: Biology: Courses selected with advisor approval from Biology. Science Composite: Courses selected with advisor approval from Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, and Aerospace Education.

SOCIAL SCIENCE PROGRAMS: History: Courses selected with advisor approval from student's teaching field. Social Science Composite: Courses selected with advisor approval from Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.

E. ELECTIVES (3 hours required)*
*All certification programs require an introductory special education course, if not completed at the undergraduate or Master's level.

ALTERNATIVE M.Ed. IN HIGH SCHOOL
This program is designed to provide initial teacher preparation at the graduate level for students interested in pursuing a career in teaching but whose undergraduate degree did not include a teacher education program. See College of Education general section for program admission requirements.

Requirements for admission to candidacy in the alternative program:

1. Successful completion of at least 9 semester hours of graduate work.

2. Completion of 6 hours of required courses with a grade of "B" of higher.

3. Submission of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (minimum score of 800 on the General Section) or the Miller Analogies Test (minimum score of 40).

4. Completion of a candidacy application.

5. Successful completion of at least one semester in the High School Teacher Mentor program (Two semesters are required. Additional information on this requirement will be provided by the Department).

6. Regular admission in the Graduate School.

Students will complete one of the following programs.

I. HIGH SCHOOL OPTION
A. CURRICULUM AND TEACHING (9 hours required)
SED 555 Advanced Teaching Techniques
SED 559 Curriculum and Teaching in the Secondary School
Appropriate methods course for the teaching specialization.

B. FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION (6 hours required)
CHOOSE ONE
EDF 501 Cultural Foundations of Education
EDF 515 Multicultural Education

CHOOSE ONE
EPY 502 Psychological Principles of Learning
EPY 521 Human Development and Behavior

C. EVALUATION (3 hours required)
EPY 455 Evaluation of Teaching and Learning

D. SURVEY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION (3 hours required)
SPE 500 Nature and Needs of Exceptional Children and Youth

E. READING (3 hours required)
RED 541 Reading and Study Skills in the Content Areas

F. TECHNOLOGY (3 hours)
See Department advisor for approved course.

G. TEACHING FIELD (15 hours required)
Selected from approved electives in the student's teaching field. These fields are presently available in this program:

Language Arts Composite
French
General Science Composite
Biology
Social Science Composite
History
Spanish
Mathematics
German

H. INTERNSHIP (6 hours required)
IDE 597 Student Teaching

Supervised practice in a school setting in the student's teaching field. The student will work full time in the school for an entire semester.

EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST IN HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION
Requirements for admission to the programs are:

1. Master's degree from an accredited institution.

2. Valid Alabama Class A certification in a middle or high school.

A. CURRICULUM AND TEACHING (6 hours required)
IDE 640 Instructional Development
IDE 650 Instructional Techniques

B. FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION (6 hours required)
EPY 602 Psychological Aspects of Teaching and Learning
CHOOSE ONE
EDF 610 History of Education in America
EDF 615 Education and Anthropology

C. RESEARCH AND EVALUATION (9 hours required)
IDE 620 Quantitative methods I
IDE 660 Program Research and Evaluation
IDE 692 Research Seminar

D. FIELD PROJECT (3 hours required)
SED 699 Field Project

E. TEACHING FIELD (15 hours required)
Selected from approved electives in the student's teaching field. These fields are presently available:

Language Arts Composite
Biology
History
Math
Social Science Composite
General Science Composite

Comprehensive Examination
During the semester in which 36 hours of course work in the degree program is completed, the student must successfully complete a comprehensive examination. Application forms for the comprehensive examination may be obtained in the departmental office in UCOM 3020.

PROGRAMS IN NURSERY THROUGH GRADE TWELVE (N-12)
Requirements for admission to N-12 programs in the department are:

1. Successful completion of at least 9 semester hours of graduate work.

2. Completion of 8 hours in required courses with a grade of "B" or higher (must include IDE 510).

3. Successful completion of a candidacy examination.

4. Alabama Class B Professional certification (or equivalent) must be held by the student.

5. Regular admission in Graduate School and acceptable scores on either the GRE, MAT or NTE.

ART EDUCATION
A. CURRICULUM AND TEACHING (6 hours required)
AED 501 Trends and Practices in Teaching Art in the Elementary
School
AED 502 Trends and Practices in Teaching Art in the Secondary School

B. FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION (6 hours required)
CHOOSE ONE
EPY 502 Psychological Principles of Learning
EPY 521 Human Development and Behavior
SED 551 Secondary School Student

CHOOSE ONE
EDF 501 Cultural Foundations of Education
EDF 515 Multicultural Education

C. RESEARCH AND EVALUATION (6 hours required)
IDE 510 Educational Research and Evaluation
(Prerequisite: EPY 455 or equivalent)
AED 560 Graduate Research Seminar

D. TEACHING FIELD (15 hours required)
Art courses selected with advisor approval

E. ELECTIVES (3 hours required)*

*All certification programs require an introductory special education course, if not completed at the undergraduate or Master's level.

MUSIC EDUCATION
Check with Music Department regarding the specific courses.

ALTERNATIVE M.Ed. IN N-12 PROGRAMS
This program is designed to provide initial teacher preparation at the graduate level for students interested in pursing a career in teaching but whose undergraduate degree did not include a teacher education program. See College of Education general section for program admission requirements.

Requirements for admission to candidacy in the alternative program:

1. Successful completion of at least 9 semester hours of graduate work.

2. Completion of 6 hours of required courses with a grade of "B" or higher.

3. Submission of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (minimum score of 800 on the General Section) or the Miller Analogy Test (minimum score of 40).

4. Successful completion of at least one quarter in the High School Teacher Mentor program (additional information on this requirement will be provided by the Department).

5. Regular admission in the Graduate School.

Students will complete one of the following programs.

NURSERY THROUGH GRADE 12 OPTION (Art or Music)
ART EDUCATION

A. CURRICULUM AND TEACHING (12 hours required)
SED 555 Advanced Teaching Techniques
SED 559 Curriculum and Teaching in the Secondary School
AED 440 Art in the N-12 Program
AED 441 Art in the N-12 Program

B. FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION (6 hours required)

CHOOSE ONE
EDF 501 Cultural Foundations of Education
EDF 515 Multicultural Education

CHOOSE ONE
EPY 502 Psychological Principles of Learning
EPY 521 Human Development and Behavior

C. EVALUATION (3 hours required)
EPY 455 Evaluation of Teaching and Learning

D. SURVEY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION (3 hours required)
SPE 500 Nature and Needs of Exceptional Children and Youth

E. READING (3 hours required)
RED 541 Reading and Study Skills in the Content Areas

F. TECHNOLOGY (3 hours)
See Department advisor for approved course.

G. TEACHING FIELD (15 hours required)
15 hours in approved Art electives

H. INTERNSHIP (6 hours required)
IDE 597 Student Teaching

Supervised practice in a school setting in the student's teaching field. The student will work full time in the school for an entire semester.

MUSIC (Vocal/Choral or Instrumental) EDUCATION
Check with the Music Department regarding the specific courses.

DESCRIPTIONS OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION COURSES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Art Education (AED)
Elementary/Early Childhood Education (EEC)
Natural Science Education (NSE)
Reading Education (RED)
Secondary Education (SED)

College of Education

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