Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction Online

Advance your ability to lead curriculum design and elevate student instruction through this flexible, practitioner-focused program built for licensed educators seeking new professional opportunities.

Apply by: 8/17/26
Start class: 8/30/26 Apply Now

Program Overview

Expand your educational impact with the online master’s in curriculum and instruction program

$17,050 Total Tuition
10 months Program Duration
31 Credit Hours

The online Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction program deepens your knowledge of planning and implementing learning-centered instruction. Our flexible, 100% online coursework explores qualitative and quantitative research practices, student engagement techniques, and differentiated instruction strategies to support your professional growth.

Deepen your understanding of multicultural teaching, curriculum leadership and multimedia design while progressing through curriculum that emphasizes social justice and diversity. Learn from expert faculty, including a Minnesota Educator of the Year award recipient, who share their industry insight to prepare you for career advancement. This online curriculum and instruction degree program can also serve as the foundation for doctoral studies.

In this online M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction program, you will learn to:

  • Explore contemporary theories in curriculum design, instruction differentiation and assessment strategies
  • Implement contemporary curriculum theories with research-based teaching strategies into school settings
  • Formulate meaningful research questions and processes
  • Integrate and promote equity, diversity and inclusion in K-12 schools
  • Explore contemporary theories in curriculum design, instruction differentiation and assessment strategies
  • Implement contemporary curriculum theories with research-based teaching strategies into school settings
  • Formulate meaningful research questions and processes
  • Integrate and promote equity, diversity and inclusion in K-12 schools

With a master's degree, you will be eligible to pursue the following curriculum and instruction careers:

  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Teacher Leader
  • Instructional Specialist
  • Adjunct Instructor
  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Teacher Leader
  • Instructional Specialist
  • Adjunct Instructor

Education programs also available:

St. Cloud State offers multiple online education programs. Check out all of our online education programs.

Total Tuition $17,050*
Program Duration As few as 10 months
Credit Hours 31

Membership

The AAQEP Logo which stands for Association for Advancing Quality in Education Preparation.

St. Cloud State University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

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Need More Information?

Call 888-439-0687

Call 888-439-0687

Tuition

Learn how and when to pay your affordable tuition

Affordable tuition helps pave the way to meeting your goals. Our pay-by-the-course tuition is an excellent way to manage your budget.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour $550
Total Tuition $17,050*

Calendar

When is the next convenient start date for your online master’s program?

Our online M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction program offers seven-week courses and multiple start dates. Start when you’re ready!

TermStart DateApp DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlineTuition Deadline
Fall A8/30/268/17/268/24/268/26/269/8/26
Fall B10/25/2610/12/2610/19/2610/21/2611/3/26
Spring A1/10/2712/28/261/4/271/6/271/19/27

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 8/17/26
Class Starts 8/30/26

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online from St. Cloud State?

Apply Now

Admissions

What do you need to apply to the online master’s in curriculum and instruction program?

We offer a streamlined admission process to make it easier for you. Review the admission requirements below.

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • 2.75 undergraduate GPA*

*Students who have below a 2.75 GPA may still be considered for admission. A holistic review of the application and required documentation will be completed. Upon review, an interview with the Program Director may be requested.



Application Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Professional resume
  • Contact information for two professional references
  • $50 application fee
  • Short-answer questions, limit to 1200 characters/about 200 words (Note: counter in the system counts characters):
    • As a graduate student, what are you looking to learn/gain from the program?
    • As a graduate student, what will you be able to contribute to the program and your fellow students?

Transcripts

Please submit transcripts from all colleges attended. We will accept unofficial transcripts at the time of application; however, official transcripts will need to be submitted before the end of the first term in the program. St. Cloud State staff will download official transcripts for graduates of St. Cloud State and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

Non-St. Cloud State/Minnesota State transcripts may be ordered through the records office and delivered electronically to:

  • Parchment – St. Cloud State University >> Graduate Admissions
  • National Student Clearinghouse – St. Cloud State University >> Graduate Admissions

Official paper and international transcripts may be mailed to:

School of Graduate Studies
720 4th Ave S
St. Cloud, MN 56301

Courses

Browse the coursework for the online curriculum and instruction degree program

To earn your M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction online, you must complete 11 courses (31 credit hours).

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to the assumptions, purposes, strategies, interpretation, and reporting of quantitative and qualitative research in education.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Part II of an introduction to the assumptions, purposes, strategies, interpretation, and reporting of quantitative and qualitative research in education.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Foundations, development and assessment of curriculum. Influences on definition of curriculum and reform. PreK-16.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines viewpoints on multicultural teaching from historical, national, and current global perspectives. Presents models for curricular change to meet accreditation standards in public schools. Focuses on implementation strategies.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Investigation, application, analysis and evaluation of instruction. Includes models and strategies of teaching, the research base, implementation, staff development and peer review.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Change in education is necessary. However, because schools are complex organizations, long-lasting change is often difficult to implement and maintain. This course investigates the change process in organizations, the political/societal context for change, and how teachers can become active participants in change. Both change theory and practice will be addressed.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Investigation, application, analysis and evaluation of policy and advocacy in K-12 classrooms. Examines the role played by educators in advocacy and policy development, cultivating practical skills necessary for communicating complex ideas with various stakeholders, crafting resolutions to conflicting stakeholder values and ideals, articulating policy changes needed in K-12 classrooms, and evaluating its impact on students.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Investigation, application, analysis, and evaluation of arts-based strategies utilized across all K-12 content areas as a mechanism for social justice and equity.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theory, research, practice in educational multimedia design for informal and instructional experiences. Survey of learning theories, instructional design processes, and development tools (hardware/software).
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Teachers will develop an understanding of the variety of ways content and instruction can be improved utilizing teaching and learning strategies including technology in the following areas: Keyboarding, Children's Literature & Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
A graduate only course that is used for completion of the culminating project of a Master's Degree.
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