Curriculum and Instruction (EdS)

Specialist in Education in Curriculum and Instruction

Unit: College of Education and Human Development (GE)
Department: Elementary, Middle & Secondary Teacher Education
Program website

Academic Plan Code(s): C&I_EDS

Program Information

The EdS (Education Specialist) degree in Curriculum and Instruction is a 30 credit hour, post-master's degree program. The program prepares classroom teachers to become curriculum and instruction specialists so that they are well-prepared to lead within their schools, districts, or region, specific to a particular area of teaching.

Potential candidates for this degree are teachers who have completed a master's degree in education or a Master of Arts in Teaching, or related field, and are interested in continuing their educational pursuits but are not interested in pursuing a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction.

The program will provide graduates with expertise needed for strong instructional leadership in schools, including extensive knowledge of:

• Curriculum
• Leadership and coaching
• Data analysis and research methods to support data-driven decision making
• One are of expertise within teaching (e.g., science teaching, elementary mathematics specialist, reading specialist, special education)

Application Requirements

Applicants to the Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction program must submit the following:

• Completed UofL graduate application submitted at https://apply.graduate.louisville.edu/apply/
• Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework.  To be considered official, transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution to the UofL Graduate School. Transcripts issued to the candidate, and/or uploaded by the candidate, are considered unofficial.
  • International transcripts must be evaluated per UofL Graduate School requirements: https://graduate.louisville.edu/admission/international/evaluation
• Personal statement – Candidates should upload a rationale for pursuing this degree which should include a statement of professional goals and philosophy of education (limit of two pages).
• Current resume detailing at least three years of K-12 teaching experience
• Copy of current Kentucky teaching certificate
• Recommendations – Two (2) recommendations are required. Recommenders should include a letter attesting to the candidate’s skills and understanding of student achievement, leadership, and advanced knowledge of curriculum, instruction and assessment. One recommendation must be from the current site supervisor. Requests are automatically sent to the recommenders’ emails once the graduate application is submitted. Adequate time should be given for recommenders to respond to the request by the application deadline. Candidates may log into their admission portal to check the status of the recommendations.
• Signed documents included in the application. You will be asked to review and sign the Professional Code of Ethics/Technology User Agreement.

International Applicants:

• International applicants must submit additional application items, and meet additional admission requirements.  Information on the international application and admission requirements can be found here: https://graduate.louisville.edu/admission/international

Admission Requirements

• Complete application (including all checklist items above and payment submitted).
• Master’s degree in Education from an accredited institution. 
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.30. Candidates with a GPA lower than 3.30 should consult with the admissions counselor to discuss potential options.
• Three years of full-time K-12 teaching experience
• Completion of six (6) credit hours of advanced teaching coursework (beyond initial teacher preparation program)

Admission is competitive. Meeting the GPA minimum and all other admission requirements does not guarantee that prospective students will be accepted into the program. 

Program admission dates:  Spring, Summer or Fall semester 

Application Deadlines:  December 1 for Spring, April 1 for Summer, and August 1 for Fall.

Degree Requirements

The student will meet with their advisor to develop an area of focus/emphasis*.

¹

Or equivalent course approved by faculty advisor.

Areas of specialization include but are not limited to the list below*:

1. Elementary Math Specialist**

2. English as a Second Language**

3. Classroom Reading**

4. Instructional Technology**

5. Diversity Literacy

6. Special Education

7. Social Justice Education

8. Content Area Teaching (courses required vary based upon the content area)

9. Other

*Please meet with advisor to develop a plan that meets your goals.  

**These specializations lead to Kentucky teaching endorsement for Kentucky certified teachers.