Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction

The Master of Education Degree (MEd) program is designed for persons who desire to engage in graduate studies that will help them improve their competencies as educators. The MEd Coursework degree (Professional/Plan C) program is the most pursued degree option and is available for students both on and off campus. The basic elements of the MEd Coursework option include completion of 36 credits (15 required credits plus 21 credits of electives) of approved graduate courses. At the conclusion of the program, each student must submit a final reflection paper followed by an exit interview with a faculty member. The program may coincide with the pursuit of a USBE recognized Endorsement. 

The MEd Project degree (Plan B) program is a research-oriented degree, and focuses on improving the instructional skills of the candidate. The program requires a minimum of 36 credits in a pre-planned program. A thesis is not required, but all candidates must complete a project. The MEd Project option requires a relationship with a major professor who will agree to supervise the culminating project. Each MEd Project student is expected to develop a Master’s creative project related to his or her area of concentration and designed to achieve professional goals.

For candidates whose long-range goals include the possibility of pursuing a doctorate, the Master's of Science (Plan A) program may be a better choice to acquire research skills.

How to Apply

Important Information

Credit Restrictions

The following restrictions should be understood by all students who are taking master’s level courses who have not been admitted to a master’s degree program. Admitted students are also required to be aware of these credit restrictions.

• Students may transfer up to 12 credit hours of 5000 or 6000-level graduate coursework from another institution into a USU Master's program. Such courses can include courses required for a specialization.
• USU will accept transfer courses at either the 5000 or 6000-levels provided they appear on a graduate transcript, and meet one of the following criteria:
  • Approved endorsement courses that meet USBE Endorsement requirements and carry equivalent content and a similar title, or
  • Other classes that, following faculty review of the class syllabus, align with required research courses or graduate level electives.
• Workshop courses from other universities at the 5000-level (or lower) may not be transferred to USU/TEAL graduate programs.
  • Classes taken from USU for CEU credits can be transferred to academic credit with departmental approval and payment of transfer fees. For additional information see the CEU Transfer Form.
• P/F grades will be accepted only for seminars, special problems, interdisciplinary workshops, thesis research & continuing graduate advisement.
• Coursework taken more than 8 years prior to the semester of graduation cannot be applied toward the master's degree.
• Any approved transfer courses can be used for no more than 50% of the required courses for a USU specialization.

Degree Completion and Commencement

Notify Alyson Lavigne (alyson.lavigne@usu.edu) at the beginning of the semester you plan to complete your degree. She will complete and submit a Completion of Requirements form to the School of Graduate Studies, which is required at the beginning of the semester that you plan to complete.

Final Exam

Each MEd Project student is required to pass an oral exam to be taken at the end of his/her program. Typically, the exam is devoted to a presentation/discussion of the student's Master’s creative project or portfolio. Students must work closely with their master's degree advisor throughout the program to plan and carry out a creative project. If a student fails the oral exam, he/she may retake the exam once.

Letter of Completion

It is the responsibility of the Graduate Program Coordinator to see that a Letter of Completion is sent from the School of Teacher Education and Leadership to the School of Graduate Studies once a student has completed all requirements. Chairpersons/advisors please notify the Graduate Program Coordinator when a student has completed all program requirements so the letter is sent for your program.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements include a GPA of 3.0 over the last 30 credits taken prior to the application, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose outlining your desire to pursue graduate studies.

Graduation

Graduation deadlines published by the Utah State University School of Graduate Studies are strictly enforced. Students should be certain to obtain a copy of these deadlines from the Graduate School for the year in which they intend to complete their degree, and plan their programs, projects, and oral examination accordingly.

Contact Information