Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction: Education of Diverse Populations, Ed.S.

Learn More About UMass Lowell's Online Graduate Education Programs

The Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Education of Diverse Populations,* is designed for practitioners who wish to increase their knowledge and skills necessary to develop a school culture which values diversity and promotes high expectations and achievement for all. Experienced teachers and administrators will benefit from this degree program.

First-time students should register using the Non–Degree Course Registration Form for NEW Students.

*Previously known as the CAGS program; Ed.S. program title effective Spring 2011.

Program Outline

Foundation Courses for the Education of Diverse Populations (9 credits)
01.625 Organization of Schools and School Systems
01.630 Educating Diverse Populations - Available Spring 2012!
01.610 Theories of Learning
Other courses with approval of advisor

Research and Evaluation (3 credits)
07.642 Program Evaluation - Available Spring 2012!
07.xxx Other research course with approval of an advisor

Specialization: Curriculum and Instruction (15 credits)
Choose 5 courses with the approval of an advisor
04.635 Dynamics of Curricular Change
04.637 History & Theory of Curriculum - Available Spring 2012!
04.638 Curriculum Design K-12 - Available Spring 2012!
04.643 The Skillful Teacher - Available Spring 2012!
04.658 The Gifted Child
05.502 Issues, Mandates and Ethics in Special Education
04.576 Promoting Healthy Lifestyles Among Students
04.676 Exploring the Nature of Science
04.673 Curriculum Design for Science Teachers
Other courses as they become available

Culminating Seminar (3 credits)
04.656 Ed.S. Seminar
May only be taken after the completion of eight courses in the program.

Admission to the Program

Admission to the Ed.S. degree program requires that an applicant hold a master's degree in education from an accredited college or university or a master’s degree in a closely related field of study, with a cumulative grade point average of not less than 3.0. Additionally, applicants should have at least three years of full-time experience in a K-12 school or a related setting. Full admission requirements can be found at http://www.uml.edu/grad but include:

• Two-page statement in which you describe your educational philosophy and reasons for seeking entry to the degree.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Proof of professional teacher status (or GRE scores general test).
• All official transcripts.
• TOEFL scores if appropriate.

Note: Courses may require that assignments are completed in field settings. If you work in an educational setting you will, in most cases, be able to use your own place of employment for these assignments. However, it is the responsibility of the student to find an appropriate K-16 field setting to complete course work. UML will not secure field placements for students.

It is recommended that those individuals who are interested in the program take no more than TWO COURSES prior to seeking admission.

Program Requirements

In order to qualify for the Ed.S. degree, each candidate must meet the following requirements:

1. Complete a minimum of 30 credits of course work in the specified degree program.
2. Complete all course requirements for the degree program at this university. A maximum of six credits of course work (completed within the last five years) transferred from another accredited institution is the only exception granted.
3. Complete all course requirements with a cumulative grade point average of a B or better. No additional course credits may be permitted in order to achieve the grade point average of a B or better required for the certificate.
4. Complete the program within five years of the date of admission.

Course Descriptions

01.610 Theories of Learning

This course offers a detailed analysis of the major contemporary learning theories, both behavioral and cognitive. 3 credits.

01.625 Organization of Schools and School Systems

This course is designed to help students understand the organizational dynamics of schools. The knowledge gained shoud assist students inidentifying and suggesting alternatives to programmatic and behavioral regularities found in a school or human service organization. 3 credits.

01.630 Educating Diverse Populations

"Educating Diverse Populations" is designed to prepare experienced educators to provide effective leadership in a diverse community. Drawing from the Graduate School of Education's conceptual framework of "Education for Transformation", students will be expected to: examine their own cultural heritage and experiences; gain increased understanding of equity issues concerning race, language, gender, sexual orientation, and special education needs; develop new insights for culturally responsive pedagogy; assess alternative strategies for facing illustrative conflicts in culturally diverse school settings; and consider how to ameliorate the pervasive impact of poverty on children in today's schools. 3 credits.

04.576 Promoting Healthy Lifestyles Among Students

The focus of this course is on applying nutrition concepts relevant to elementary and middle school children and how these concepts can be integrated into the classroom at an age appropriate level. This course will address a broad range of issues including eating habits, disordered eating, sports nutrition, food allergies and school wellness policies. 3 credits.

04.635 Dynamics of Curricular Change

This course considers alternative perspectives of curriculum and explores issues and strategies involved in the process of changing the curricular visions and practices of schools. 3 credits.

04.637 History & Theory of Curriculum

This course examines the historical development of American curriculum from the colonial period to the present, with a focus on theories that shaped what was taught in schools, and how those theories reflected social, cultural and political values and conflicts. Particular attention will be paid to curriculum theories that have shaped contemporary curriculum, and to examination of programs that reflect those theories. 3 credits.

04.638 Curriculum Design K-12

A review of state mandates which, by law, shape the curriculum for the school. Examination of "new" curricula and their sources, as well as the development of a rationale for curriculum design and an evaluation fo the personnel and techniques by which these curricula can be developed. 3 credits.

04.643 The Skillful Teacher

This course is designed to help teachers and educational leaders view teaching from a reflective stance. Teaching skills rarely identified from research on teaching: and the video tapes of teaching are studied for examining the applications of these skills inactual teaching. 3 credits.

04.656 Ed.S. Seminar

Candidates undertake a structured review of the literature culminating in a paper demonstrating their depth of understanding of an issue pertinent to K-12 education. The Ed.S. Seminar may be taken concurrently with the practicum, but not with any other course. 3 credits.

04.658 The Gifted Child

The Gifted Child introduces students to the scientific study of giftedness using a reader-friendly textbook written by an acknowledged expert on the topic.  Students will consider a number of assumptions about gifted children as they read the textbook, simultaneously testing their "every day" ideas about giftedness against contemporary scholarship.  The book identifies and attempts to dispel nine widely-accepted, but over-simplified, beliefs about gifted children. 3 credits.

04.673 Curriculum Design for Science Teachers

Science content, process skills, assessment, nature of science... how does a middle school teacher consider all of the elements of science teaching and meet the Massachusetts Frameworks? Using the Backwards Design model, teachers in this course will develop and reinforce effective lesson and unit planning skills, learn about different forms of assessment, create and implement effective assessment tools, and explore how to weave understanding of the nature of science into units. In addition, we will explore Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences and think about how these ideas might impact how you approach teaching middle school science. 3 credits.

04.676 Exploring the Nature of Science

This course will take you on an exploration of some fascinating discoveries in the history of science, engage you in debate about controversial issues in science, and involve you in raising your own scientific questions. We shall examine whether there really is a scientific method, why theories are not the same as beliefs, the importance of scientific models, what distinguishes science from pseudoscience and explore what it means to be scientifically literate in today's society. 3 credits.

05.502 Issues, Mandates and Ethics in Special Education

This course will examine special education laws and ethical practices in K-12 settings. 3 credits.

07.642 Program Evaluation

Evaluation tasks will be identified and the policy issues attendant to evaluation will be examined. Students will conduct an evaluation. 3 credits.

Please note: Graduate students will be assessed a "First Year Student Services Fee" upon matriculation into a graduate degree or certificate program. Please see the Accounts Receivable website for more information.