Master of Education with a Specialization in Curriculum and Instruction Online

Prepare for leadership in the classroom and beyond as you gain C&I expertise that enhances teaching effectiveness and improves student outcomes.

Apply by 8/1/26
Start class 8/24/26 Apply Now
Apply Now

Program Overview

Transform your classroom with this online M.Ed. in C&I program


The online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction program from University of North Carolina Wilmington prepares students to translate curriculum theory, learning and design principles into professional practice. The program equips students to lead in-depth curriculum design processes in a variety of global educational contexts, including schools, organizations and communities.

Courses are designed for students from various professional settings, including but not limited to PreK-12 schools, colleges and universities, military and government agencies, privately owned businesses and nonprofit organizations. By the end of the program, students will complete an integrative capstone project that requires the synthesis of content learned across all courses. 

In this online master’s in curriculum and instruction program, you will:

  • Critically evaluate educational policies, practices and curricula to identify implications for learners, organizations and communities
  • Design adaptive curriculum and learning experiences that are responsive to learners, organizations and communities
  • Apply leadership strategies that build collaborative, inclusive learning communities across educational, organizational and community settings
  • Leverage emerging technologies and creative design approaches to integrate critical inquiry and enhance curriculum, instruction and organizational innovation
  • Engage stakeholders in reflective, data-informed decision-making and growth-oriented discussion that challenges assumptions and fosters systemic change
  • Critically evaluate educational policies, practices and curricula to identify implications for learners, organizations and communities
  • Design adaptive curriculum and learning experiences that are responsive to learners, organizations and communities
  • Apply leadership strategies that build collaborative, inclusive learning communities across educational, organizational and community settings
  • Leverage emerging technologies and creative design approaches to integrate critical inquiry and enhance curriculum, instruction and organizational innovation
  • Engage stakeholders in reflective, data-informed decision-making and growth-oriented discussion that challenges assumptions and fosters systemic change

With an online M.Ed. C&I degree, you can explore career opportunities that include:

  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Instructional Coach
  • Instructional Designer
  • Department Chair/Teacher Leader
  • Education Program Evaluator
  • Learning and Development Specialist
  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Instructional Coach
  • Instructional Designer
  • Department Chair/Teacher Leader
  • Education Program Evaluator
  • Learning and Development Specialist

Also available:

UNCW offers additional education degree and certificate programs online.

Total Tuition $10,645.50*
Duration As few as 12 months**
Credit Hours 30

Accreditation:

All educator preparation programs at the University of North Carolina Wilmington are approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 855-306-4734

Call 855-306-4734

Tuition

Learn about tuition for the online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction program


UNCW offers convenient, pay-by-the-course tuition for our online programs. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each academic year pending legislative approval. View more information on your cost of attendance.

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $10,645.50*

Calendar

Discover program start dates and deadlines


The M.Ed. in C&I program is delivered in an online format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring rolling admissions and six start dates each year. Choose the date that best suits your goals.

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 18/24/268/1/268/1/268/26/268/27/2610/11/26
Fall 210/19/269/26/269/26/2610/21/2610/22/2612/6/26

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 8/1/26
Class Starts 8/24/26

Admissions

Review the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction admission requirements


Learn more about admission guidelines for the master’s in curriculum and instruction program. UNCW reviews applications on a rolling basis, so you are urged to apply promptly for your preferred start date.

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Official transcripts
  • 3.0 GPA

Admission requirements include:

  • Application for graduate admission
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, completed before graduate study begins
  • Transcripts from all institutions attended (graduate and undergraduate)
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • A statement of purpose describing your professional background, future goals and how earning this degree helps in meeting stated goals
  • Two recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant roles

Candidates interested in licensure must pass the examination required by the State of North Carolina and submit the necessary paperwork to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Courses

Here’s a look at the online curriculum and instruction master’s courses


The online M.Ed. in C&I program curriculum is comprised of 10 courses (30 credit hours).

Visit the Course Registration page to view the course schedule for this degree.

Students must complete the following courses

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Analysis of major contemporary theories and research of learning and development as a basis for individual and organizational change and development in educational settings.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines teacher leadership research, theory, and practice. Prepares teachers to assume leadership roles in classrooms, schools, school systems, and the larger educational community.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the principles and practices of facilitating group learning in diverse environments, including educational settings, community-based organizations, military contexts, and non-profit organizations. The course equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to foster collaborative learning, manage group dynamics, and apply evidence-based strategies for effective facilitation.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Transformative praxis is a teaching and learning model that combines research and practice with reflection in action. Students experience leadership strategies to facilitate transformative learning by recognizing and reorganizing education norms systematized by traditional and historic power structures, and by inspiring transformation through locally constructed definitions and purposes for education.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The examination of data-driven instructional decision making and the use of research to improve student learning. Focus on current issues and research methods used in the areas of curriculum development.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students will use the research, processes of curriculum development, models of curriculum, alignment of curriculum, and instructional strategies studied in EDL 530 to develop and implement an action research project on curriculum and instruction in a PreK-12th grade classroom, school, or district setting.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide the knowledge and skills required to collaborate, develop, implement, and evaluate curriculum and instructional models. Content covers curriculum models, alignment of curriculum to learning standards, study of learning, task analysis, goal and objective formulation, and meeting individual needs. This also includes assessment of curriculum and instruction for change and improvement.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the field of comparative and international education, including a focus on exploring complex global educational issues of access, and quality. The course explores comparative case studies of education around the world through the lenses of formal schooling, information education, and community-based organizations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The examination of data-driven instructional decision making and the use of research to improve student learning. Focus on current issues and research methods used in the areas of curriculum development.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students complete a culminating project that represents their engagement in an original line of inquiry under the direction of a faculty member (Chair). The culminating project focus is identified and developed in EDL 596. Oral presentation and defense of project are required. 

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