Curriculum OVERVIEW

Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction

Our MEd degree is a 33-credit graduate-level program designed for teachers looking to improve their professional practice and those interested in applying their art education background in specialized or leadership roles.

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Your Journey

Work toward your professional goals with the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Build a toolkit of strategies with our core courses to develop comprehensive curricula and engage learners. Pursue your passion with one of two specializations.

Continue your work as an action researcher in the capstone phase. Develop a research question in an area of interest, curate your knowledge of existing literature, and present your findings to faculty and peers.

Specializations

Discover the specialization that truly speaks to your passion and interests, and get ready to make a real impact in the field you love:

Both pathways foster reflective practice strategies and action research to inspire curriculum design.

Your academic advisor will help you plan your perfect timeline and curricular path, with most students completing their degree in 2–3 years. Learn at your own pace, complete coursework on your schedule, and engage with a vibrant community of art teachers through weekly discussion boards and collaboration.

Program Outcomes

MEd in Curriculum and Instruction: Practical Skills, Powerful Outcomes

Design meaningful instruction. Create engaging, differentiated learning experiences that support students’ cognitive, social, and individual growth.
Build strong curriculum. Develop and evaluate long-term plans that align with standards, benchmarks, and your students’ needs.
Teach for today’s world. Use instructional strategies, educational technology, and research-based methods to support 21st-century skills.
Foster inclusive classrooms. Encourage active learning, digital fluency, self-motivation, and equity in every lesson.
Lead and advocate. Collaborate with families, colleagues, and your community to make a difference beyond the art room.
Reflect and grow. Use assessment to refine your teaching and continuously evolve your practice.
Drive change through research. Complete an action research project that solves real challenges in your classroom or school.

Curriculum

When pursuing a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, you’ll take 15 credits of core courses, then choose a specialization and complete 12 credits focused on that area. It’s a flexible path designed around your goals.

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500-Level Core Courses

15 credit hours, required in this sequence.

ARE540	Cultural Competency in Art Education	3
ARE548	The Art of Teaching and Learning	3
ARE518	Reaching All Artists Through Differentiation	3
ARE550	Curriculum and Assessment	3
ARE552	Reflective Practitioner	3
Credits		15

Specialization Coursework

Specialize in Arts Integration or Instructional Leadership in Art Education to personalize your program based on your passions and interests.

Arts Integration

Focus on creativity across subjects by using the arts to build engaging lessons, integrate tech, and support 21st-century skills—all while helping student artists grow with confidence and resilience.

Arts Integration: How Art Increases Academic Capacity

Innovation Through Design

Social-Emotional Learning in the Visual Arts

Technology in the 21st-Century Art Room

Instructional Leadership in Art Education

Learn to lead change in education through community connections, ethics, and leadership—plus practical skills like grant writing and creative entrepreneurship.

Ethics and Equity for Art Education

Advocating for the Visual Arts

Designing and Leading Professional Learning

Principles of Art and Business

Capstone & 600-Level Courses

The Capstone Entrance Exam shows students’ ability to apply 500-level course learning through academic writing. It is a prerequisite for 600-level coursework.

600-Level Core Courses

ARE632	Foundations of Action Research	3
ARE634	Capstone: Curriculum & Instruction	3
Credits		6

University for Life

Today, you are seeking a degree. Tomorrow, you may need additional support on your journey as an educator and artist. AOEU’s podcasts, videos, conferences, and other PD opportunities will be there to guide you along with a community of art educators from around the world.

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