Master of Education - Curriculum & Instruction

Plan Description

The Department holds as its central mission the preparation and development of educators at all levels. The department ensures that its professional education programs are based on essential knowledge, established and current research findings, and sound professional practice.

The Department offers M.Ed. subplans for those interested in completing a Master’s degree and meeting requirements for a teaching license through the Alternative Route to Licensure (ARL) or Teach For America (TFA) subplans. Subplan 1, Professional Studies, is mostly for teachers with a standard teaching license. For the following emphasis areas a standard teaching license is not required for admission: Career & Technical and Postsecondary Education, Educational Technology, or Multicultural Education. Students can also earn a Master’s degree in some content areas through a partnership with the Regional Professional Development Program (RPDP).

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements

Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

In addition to meeting the admission requirements of the Graduate College, applicants must also meet the requirements established by the Department of Teaching and Learning. They are:
1. An overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 is required for admission. Students with a GPA of less than 3.00 but greater or equal to 2.75 may be admitted to the graduate program upon review of the Admissions Committee.
2. A completed on-line application for admission submitted to the Graduate College through the Grad Rebel Gateway.
3. A one-to two-page letter of intent of professional goals and rationale for pursuing the degree. For subplan 1, in the letter of intent please state the emphasis area you are interested in. (The letter of intent is uploaded in the online application).
4. The names and contact information of two professional references are required in the online application. The professional references will be contacted to submit a letter of recommendation.
5. Unofficial or official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities will need to be submitted in the online application. Official transcripts are required once given an offer of admission into the program.
6. For the Alternative Route to Licensure (ARL) subplans, applicants have additional requirements including passing Praxis test scores. (See https://www.unlv.edu/education/arl-programs for details).

Applicants to the Professional Studies subplan must choose one of the available concentrations when applying to the program: 

• Career, Technical & Postsecondary Education (CTPE)
• Children’s and Young Adult Literature
• Educational Technology
• English Language Arts
• Instructional Design
• Art Education
• K-8 Integrated STEM Education
• Leadership for Teachers and Professionals
• Literacy Education
• Math Education
• Multicultural Education
• Professional Training and Development
• Science Education
• Workforce Education Leadership

Teach For America subplans also require passing Praxis test scores and prospective TFA students will be provided information on this from the Teach For America organization.

Applications are processed when all credentials required by both the Graduate College and the Teaching and Learning department have been received. Once received, materials are forwarded to the Graduate Coordinator and the Teaching and Learning Master’s Admission Committee to evaluate the applicant’s credentials and recommend acceptance or denial into the program.

The Graduate College will send official notification regarding the status of applications through the Grad Rebel Gateway. In addition, an email will be sent from the department of Teaching and Learning identifying an academic advisor. Students are responsible for contacting their advisors upon admission to the program. All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements

See Subplan Requirements below.

Subplan 1: Professional Studies (Non-Licensure)

Subplan 2: Elementary Education Alternative Route to Licensure (ARL) (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Subplan 3: Elementary Education Teach for America (TFA) (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Subplan 4: Secondary English Education ARL (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Subplan 5: Secondary Math Education ARL (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Subplan 6: Secondary Science Education ARL (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Subplan 7: Secondary Social Studies Education ARL (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Subplan 8: Secondary English Language Arts Education TFA (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Subplan 9: Secondary Mathematics Education TFA (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Subplan 10: Secondary Science Education TFA (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Subplan 11: Secondary Social Studies Education TFA (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Subplan 1 Requirements: Professional Studies (Non-Licensure)

Total Credits Required: 30

Subplan 2 Requirements: Elementary Education Alternative Route to Licensure (ARL) (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Total Credits Required: 37

Subplan 3 Requirements: Elementary Education TFA (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Total Credits Required: 37

Subplan 4 Requirements: Secondary English Education ARL (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Total Credits Required: 37

Subplan 5 Requirements: Secondary Math Education ARL (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Total Credits Required: 37

Subplan 6 Requirements: Secondary Science Education ARL (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Total Credits Required: 37

Subplan 7 Requirements: Secondary Social Studies Education ARL (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Total Credits Required: 37

Subplan 8 Requirements: Secondary English Language Arts Education TFA (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Total Credits Required: 37

Subplan 9 Requirements: Secondary Mathematics Education TFA (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Total Credits Required: 37

Subplan 10 Requirements: Secondary Science Education TFA (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Total Credits Required: 37

Subplan 11 Requirements: Secondary Social Studies Education TFA (Licensure) (ON HOLD)

Total Credits Required: 37

Plan Degree Requirements

Students in the Professional Studies subplan must complete a minimum of 30. Students in subplans other than Professional Studies must complete a minimum of 37 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
All graduate students are held responsible for the requirements and academic policies established by the Graduate College and outlined in the front of this catalog.
Per graduate college requirements, students must be enrolled in at least 3 graduate level credits in the term they will graduate.

Plan Graduation Requirements

The student must successfully complete the culminating experience.

Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.