Online Master of Science in Education in Curriculum & Instruction

Purdue University West Lafayette (Main Campus)

Request Information
Ready to Learn More About The
Master of Science in Education
in Curriculum & Instruction?

Choose a Top-Ranked Program You Can Afford

Purdue's online MS in Education in Curriculum and Instruction degree is backed by extensive research, taught by world-renowned faculty, and at just $450 per credit hour for in-state tuition, is a degree you can afford.

#6 for Curriculum and Instruction

#6 Best Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Programs (tie) — U.S. News & World Report 2024

#15 Online Education Program in the U.S.

#15 America's Best Online Education  — U.S. News & World Report 2024

Advance Students’ Learning

Research demonstrates that when social justice issues, strength-based approaches, and K-12 STEM education are included in the development and teaching of curriculum, long-term student success is greater. So whether you evaluate, implement or instruct curriculum, understanding how new methodologies and current theories in these topics relate to your role is vital to your students' ability to learn.

View our Virtual Information Session

Hear directly from our directors of admissions, program directors and faculty to learn more about the program’s objectives, what it’s like to learn online, the resources we have to assist you throughout your education, and career paths after graduation.

Advance Your Role

Through the online Master of Science in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University, you'll learn to maximize the role you play in the curriculum life cycle and develop students who thrive in the classroom and love to learn.

Benefits to Your Position

Teachers: Meet new demands and use a student-centered approach to help everyone in your classroom learn.

Leaders/Curriculum Coordinators: Assess student learning with new technological innovations, education theories, implementation procedures and more.

Curriculum Administrators: Develop and evaluate new curriculum with new research and methodologies.

Testimonials

I am thankful for the flexibility and convenience of this program. I learned so much; it was not easy, but worth it. My classmates were very diverse, some from overseas. They come from all professional backgrounds, and we all have a passion for teaching. I learned much from them, and the groups were very supportive. The faculty is fantastic and dedicated.

Silvia Heywood

Teacher

Silvia Heywood Purdue Global Student

I am grateful for the opportunity to hone my skills in educational technology and instructional design. The faculty is extremely knowledgeable and eager to help. I would recommend the program to anyone.

Ethan Crisp

Teacher

Ethan Crisp Purdue Global Student

Gain New Curriculum Skills Critical to Classroom Success

Purdue's curriculum and instruction program equips you with advanced skills and experiences in evaluating, creating, and teaching curriculum. As a graduate, you'll be able to understand, conduct and communicate research to your colleagues, local policymakers, administrators and the community to create successful learning opportunities for your students.

Graduates Can:

  • Develop a critical understanding of changing demographics and the diversity of students, schools and communities to better serve their educational needs.
  • Advocate for values of diversity, inclusivity and social justice.
  • Deepen your understanding of educational trends and policies and their impacts on the students and communities they serve.
  • Strengthen disciplinary and transdisciplinary knowledge.
  • Mentor, coach and collaborate with colleagues to encourage them to enact their roles as leaders.
  • Communicate effectively with various stakeholders, including colleagues, parents, administrators, media and policy-makers.
  • Develop strategies for sustained resilience in addressing ongoing opportunities and challenges.

View All Courses

Choose a Career-Focused Concentration

Step into leadership roles and meet the growing diversity of classrooms — choose from five concentrations to deepen your learning in a focused area.

English Language Learning

Provide high-quality language and content-area instruction for students learning English as an additional language in the U.S. (one of the fastest-growing and most diverse populations in the U.S.) and around the world. Through a separate application process, this concentration offers optional licensure preparation for teachers in Indiana or an optional graduate certificate. Follow the below links to learn more about these additional credentials: 

English Language Learning Graduate Programs 

Teaching English Language Learners (TELL) Graduate Certificate 

English Language Learning Licensure 

Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) at licensure@purdue.edu before continuing with program application if you have questions regarding licensure or contact your state Department of Education about how this program may translate to licensure in your state of residence.

Gifted, Creative and Talented Studies

Serve gifted, creative and talented students while learning a strengths-based talent-development model that helps all students realize their full potential. Through a separate application process, this concentration offers optional licensure preparation for teachers in Indiana or an optional graduate certificate.  Follow the below links to learn more about these additional credentials:

Gifted, Creative and Talented Studies Graduate Certificate 

High Ability Licensure 

Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) at licensure@purdue.edu before continuing with program application if you have questions regarding licensure or contact your state Department of Education about how this program may translate to licensure in your state of residence.  

Integrated STEM Education

Develop knowledge and skills for teaching STEM disciplines through the integration of engineering and technology design, in problem- and project-based contexts. When you complete this concentration, you will understand the philosophical foundations of integrated STEM education and be able to develop, deliver, and assess engaging K-12 integrated STEM educational experiences. Through a separate application process, this concentration offers an optional graduate certificate.  Follow the below link to learn more about this additional credential:

K-12 Integrated STEM Education Graduate Certificate 

This is a non-licensure program. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) at licensure@purdue.edu before continuing with program application if you have questions regarding licensure or contact your state Department of Education about how this program may translate to licensure in your state of residence.

Mathematics Education

Broaden your knowledge and practice in teaching and learning mathematics as you develop your expertise in mathematics and in the methods of teaching mathematics to meet the needs of diverse learners. Courses emphasize connections between K-16 mathematics content and effective, research-based instructional strategies.

Educational Technology

Take on a leadership role in curriculum and training; prepare professionals from K-12 and related environments to improve students’ learning experiences. Offers an optional graduate certificate in instructional design.

Create a Flexible Career in Education

When you look at the employment statistics for positions in education that demand a graduate degree like the master's in curriculum and instruction, you'll see a strong focus on helping all students thrive within their academic abilities.

  • 888,900 new education or training jobs are projected to be added from 2016 to 20261
  • $63,750 average salary of instructional designers with a master's degree1
  • 10–20% increase in average annual salary for teachers who hold a master's degree2

Explore Careers in Curriculum and Instruction

Admissions decisions are based on individual experience and the applicant’s fit with the program.

We recommend that all applicants speak to an enrollment counselor to verify eligibility and document accuracy in applying for the program. Candidates must submit a completed application as well as the following items:

  • A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • An updated resume
  • Two Statements
  • Official transcripts from all universities attended, including transfer credits*
  • (3) professional letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your abilities
  • An application fee of $60 ($75 for international students)
  • 12 hours of previous coursework in science and/or mathematics (STEM Concentration Only)

    *Coursework used to satisfy the requirements of a conferred master’s degree from an institution other than Purdue may not be used as transfer credit.
No Teaching Degree Required
  • Students have various backgrounds within curriculum development, like teachers, school social workers, and administrators.

In addition to the admission requirements noted on the first tab, international students must also provide the following information.

    • Official transcripts from all universities attended in the original language as well as English translation for transcripts and diplomas not in English.
    • An application fee of $60 ($75 for international students)
    • Non-native English speakers must also submit the following.
      • TOEFL test scores that are less than two years old and meet the following requirements:
        • Minimum Overall: 80
        • Writing: 18
        • Speaking: 18
        • Listening: 14
        • Reading: 19
      • IELTS test scores that are less than two years old and meet the following requirements:
        • Minimum Overall: 6.5
        • Writing: 6.5
        • Speaking: 6.0
        • Listening: 6.0
        • Reading: 5.5
      • Duolingo test scores that are less than two years old and meet the following requirements: 
        • total score of 115 and 115 on each subscore

We recommend that all applicants speak to an enrollment counselor to verify eligibility and document accuracy before applying for the program. To schedule your phone interview, call 877-497-5851.

Once you have connected with an enrollment counselor, you are ready to complete the online application.

If you have any questions about filling out the application, contact us online or call us at 877-497-5851 to speak with an admissions advisor.

Send All Other Application Materials To:

Purdue University Online Programs Admissions Processing Center
851 Trafalgar Court, Suite 420 
West Maitland, FL 32751

7/19/2023 15:00:09 Sarah Warr swarr@wiley.com Wiley https://online.purdue.edu/programs/education/graduate-certificate-in-instructional-design Content (ex. misspellings, missing punctuation, incorrect grammar, new or revised content requests, etc.)
1. replace in "Admissions Requirements" tab "To be considered for admission, students must complete a phone interview with an admissions advisor and submit a completed application as well as the following items:" with "We recommend that all applicants speak to an enrollment counselor to verify eligibility and document accuracy in applying for the program. Candidates must submit a completed application as well as the following items:"

2. Updates on the "How to Apply" tab:
A. replace "Prior to starting your online application, you must first complete a phone interview with an admissions advisor." with "We recommend that all applicants speak to an enrollment counselor to verify eligibility and document accuracy before applying for the program."
B. update: "Once you have completed your phone interview, you are ready to complete the online application." to "Once you have connected with an enrollment counselor, you are ready to complete the online application." Please keep the hyperlink to the online application at the end of the sentence.
Updated 8/7 Alicia West, akcoon@purdue.edu 7/25/23

What’s it Like to Learn Online?

  • Will my diploma look different from the on-campus programs?

    No. Both on-campus and online programs earn the same diploma. Online students are also invited to participate in the graduation ceremony on campus upon program completion.

  • How do online classes work?

    Coursework is asynchronous, meaning that there are not specific times that you need to be online. When you start the program, you will be given access to a virtual classroom interface. Your instructor will post coursework, syllabi, assignments, and messages every week. You will also use discussion boards, e-mail, and chat to communicate with your classmates and your instructor. You can log on and do your coursework at any time that is convenient for you, but you must turn in your assignments by the deadlines your instructor sets.

  • How much time should I allow for doing homework and completing assignments?

    As in an on-campus program, you should plan on devoting about 15 to 20 hours a week to coursework, depending on your study habits.

  • What if I have a question about homework or need help with a technical issue?

    The faculty and staff at Purdue are dedicated to your success at the University and in the future. Your instructor will set times for one-on-one electronic consultation upon request and will answer emails in a timely fashion. Technical support is available to help you handle hardware and software issues, and we have dedicated staff available to talk to you about financial aid, scheduling, or any other administrative issues.

Current Tuition Rates and Fees* In-State Out-of-State
Tuition Rate $381.20 $601.20
PO Infrastructure Fee (per credit hour) $18.80 $18.80
Digital Education Fee (per credit hour) $50.00 $50.00
Total Cost Per Credit Hour $450.00 $670.00
Total Credit Hours 30 30
Total Program Cost $13,500.00 $20,100.00


*Tuition and fees are charged on a per credit hour basis and are subject to annual increases. Annual increases may change the total program cost. Purdue faculty and staff fee remissions may not be applied to the online MSEd in Curriculum and Instruction program.

Learn More About This Program

To find out more about the online MS in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue, request more information or call 877-497-5851 to speak to an admissions advisor.

NOTES AND CONDITIONS - PLEASE READ

1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Education, Training, and Library Occupations. Retrieved on January 29, 2019, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/home.htm.

2 Gilbert, N. (March 2018). Noodle. Maximize Your Teacher's Salary Potential with a Master's Degree. Retrieved on January 29, 2019, from https://teach.noodle.com/teaching-salary-with-a-masters-degree.