Currently ranked at #4 in the nation, the online master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) at Florida State is designed for current educators who are committed to improving their instructional effectiveness and becoming teacher leaders. The program assists educators in better understanding and addressing:
- the needs of the diverse students they serve;
- the dynamic policy environment represented by new state and local standards; and
- research-based instructional approaches and supports that are available to teachers in the 21st century.
Students in the program will use their teaching context as sites to explore the ideas, techniques, technology, and approaches introduced in the program to determine their local effectiveness. Participation in the program will require educators to be committed to honing their knowledge of students, content, and standards. This will be accomplished by participants examining their own knowledge, abilities, and educational effectiveness through the use of data collected from their practice. Students in the program must have regular and frequent contact with Pre-K – 12 learners in an instructional capacity. These data will then be interpreted using the theoretical and methodological tools introduced in the program. Online mentors will also be available to help teachers navigate the program.
Please note: This program does not lead to teacher certification as it is an advanced program designed for current teachers. Courses will be offered when resources are available.
Students begin the program in the fall semester as graduate students. The core courses of this online program, most of which are offered in an asynchronous format, are designed to accommodate teachers’ varied work schedules. There is some opportunity for face-to-face interaction depending on the courses in the major and electives selected.
The online master’s program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate coursework (10 three-credit-hour courses) and a portfolio (zero credit hours) the last summer of the program. Coursework can be completed on a part-time basis in approximately two years, as students typically complete two 3-credit hour courses per semester. The program consists of seven core 3-credit hour courses taught in succession from Fall of Year 1 to Summer of Year 2. The remaining three courses can be scheduled to accommodate individual interests and areas of focus. The program culminates in the production and defense of a Portfolio in the summer of Year 2. The overall program of study will be determined by the student and the student’s faculty advisor from the major area of study.
- Fall of Year 1:
- EDG 5339 Making Sense of Data to Inform Instruction
- Spring of Year 1:
- EDG 5345 Using Assessments in the PK-12 Classroom to Differentiate Instruction
- Fall of Year 2:
- EDG 5206 Teachers as Informed Curriculum Decision Makers
- Spring of Year 2:
- EDG 5342 Analyzing and Refining Teaching
In addition, these core courses are offered in the summer semester:
- Summer of Year 1:
- EDG5709 Culturally Responsive Teaching
- EEX5089 Adaptations and Accommodations for Learners with Disabilities
- Summer of Year 2:
- EME5050 Teaching and Technology
- EDG5972 Capstone Defense (Portfolio-Zero credit hour course)
MAJORS AND POTENTIAL COURSEWORK IN ADDITION TO THE CORE COURSES:
*This program does not include the C&I core courses indicated above. The Master's in Autism Spectrum Disorder has a different course sequence. Click here to learn more about the online Master’s in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Early Childhood Education Elective Courses:
- EEC 5269 Curriculum and Play
- EEC 5615 Issues and Trends in Early Childhood Education
- EEC 5263 Thematic Curriculum and Direct Instruction for Young Children
Other electives negotiated with program advisor
Elementary Education Elective Courses:
- EDE 5324 Promoting Thinking in the Elementary School
- EDE 5225 The Elementary School, K-6
- EDE 5266 Current Issues and Trends in Elementary Education
Other electives negotiated with program advisor
English Education Elective Courses:
- LAE 5348 Teaching Multiliteracies (Spring, even years)
- LAE 5637 Problems and Trends in English Education (Fall, even years)
- LAE 5696 Participatory Culture in Literacy and Learning (Fall, odd years)
- LAE 5908 Directed Individual Study (Spring, odd years)
Other options:
- LAE 5364 Survey of British Literature for English Teachers (Summer, even years)
- LAE 5927 Teachers as writers (Spring, odd years)
Foreign and Second Language Education Elective Courses:
- TSL 5XXX Pedagogical English Grammar (Spring I)
- TSL 5XXX Syllabus Design and Materials Development in FSLE
OR - TSL 5XXX Introduction to Linguistics for Foreign and Second Language (Summer)
- TSL 5XXX Methodologies for Teaching Second and Foreign Language (Fall II)
- TSL 5XXX Introduction to Second Language Acquisition (Spring)
Other electives negotiated with program advisor
Mathematics Education Elective Courses:
- MAE 5658 Using Technology in the Teaching of Mathematics
- MAE 5691 Mathematics Teaching and Learning
- EEX 5246 Mathematics for Learners with Disabilities
Other electives negotiated with program advisor
Science Education Elective Courses:
- SCE 5642 Science Teaching and Educational Policy (Summer, odd years)
- SCE 5340 Science Teaching and Learning (Spring, even years)
Other options:
- SCE 5905 Directed Individual Studies in Science Education
- EDP 5216 Theories of Learning and Cognition in Instruction
- EDP 5217 Principles of Learner Motivation
Science content courses negotiated with program advisor
Social Studies Education Elective Courses:
See program advisor for recommendations for social studies content courses.
Fall: July 1st
When beginning an application:
Select: “Distance Learning”
Select: “Master’s Part-Time”
Select a major: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, English Education, Foreign and Second Language, Math Education, Science Education or Social Science Education.
When beginning an application:
Select: “Distance Learning”
Select: “Master’s Part-Time”
Select a major: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, English Education, Foreign and Second Language, Math Education, Science Education or Social Science Education.
In order to meet minimum University admission requirements, applicants must have:
- Admission to graduate study is a two-fold evaluation process. The Office of Admissions determines eligibility for admission to the University, and the academic department, program, or college determines admissibility to the degree program. University graduate admissions requirements are found at https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions. Academic programs have additional requirements.
- Florida State University requires a course-by-course credential evaluation for all applicants that have degrees from a non-U.S. institution. International and domestic applicants with degrees earned from international institutions must submit their official transcripts through a NACES approved evaluator for transcripts from a non-U.S. institution. SpanTran has created a custom application for Florida State University that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. See the “Transcript Requirement” section on The Graduate School website, https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions, for detailed information on University transcript requirements for graduate admission.
- A bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA – An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution, with a minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working towards a bachelor’s degree.
- GRE test scores*. Official test results are required from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). These scores are considered official only when they are sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the testing agency. Examinee copies are not considered official. Graduate Record Exam (GRE): http://www.ets.org/ – FSU Institution Code: 5219. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) do not retain scores longer than five years. If your test scores are older than five years, you may have to retake the test to have official scores sent directly to FSU from the testing agency. If you have the report that was mailed to your home address for older scores, then FSU will accept that report.
- Target scores: Verbal – 146+, Quantitative – 140+
- The GRE requirement may be waived for applicants if the applicant meets at least ONE of the following criteria:
- Three years of professional experience as a practicing educator or equivalent field provided that the candidate can provide evidence of Effective or Highly Effective teacher evaluations, OR
- Successful completion of six graduate credit hours from the C&I program with a graduate GPA of 3.50 or higher, OR
- Passing score on the General Knowledge Test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination or an equivalent state certification examination.
- Applicants must provide evidence to satisfy the criteria being applied; please send documentation to Heather Murphy. Approval of a GRE waiver does not guarantee admission. Prospective students must still apply and meet all other admissions requirements.
- *NOTE: GRE requirements for admission have been waived for master's and specialist programs through Fall 2026.
- Language proficiency test (international students only)– FSU accepts scores from TOEFL (minimum 80), IELTS (minimum 6.5) and MELAB (minimum 77).
- Transcripts – Official transcripts from each college/university attended should be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions electronically at graduateadmissions@fsu.edu or via mail in a sealed envelope:
- Florida State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
314 Westcott Building
P.O. Box 3061410
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1410
USA
- Florida State University
Applicants must upload the following REQUIRED supporting documents to the Admissions Application Portal:
- Statement of purpose (at least one page) – should describe your purpose for pursuing a degree, qualifications and long-term career goals.
- Two letters of recommendation
- One page resume/curriculum vitae
- Writing Sample – it is acceptable to submit a paper used in another class, or one that was published.
Heather Murphy
Academic Program Specialist
G110 Stone Building
(850) 645-9927
E-mail
