Master of Arts in Education: Curriculum and Instruction
Innovate Your Classroom. Elevate Your Teaching.
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Create Effective Educational Programs
Are you passionate about developing and improving school programs? The Master of Arts in Education in Curriculum and Instruction at Concordia University Irvine introduces you to best practices in teaching. You’ll advance your knowledge and skills in innovative technology integration, current research, and cutting-edge classroom strategies.
The master’s in Curriculum & Instruction from Concordia is an online, asynchronous program. That means, no juggling face-to-face courses, on-campus classes, or synchronous sessions. Within our 10-month track, learners will take two courses at a time for each 8-week term. Upon graduation, you’ll have the experience you need to shape the future of education – influencing the tools and classroom practices that help students learn and develop.
Students who complete the master’s in Curriculum & Instruction may take an accelerated path to earn a second MAEd in Learning, Design, and Technology at Concordia with only five additional courses.
Online
Study fully online where it’s convenient for you.
30 Units
Complete your program in about 10 months.
$710/Unit
Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
“What I liked about Concordia was it was a nice blend of pedagogy and practical application in the classroom. It was really tailored to the working educator. It was something I knew would further my professional growth – and it certainly did.”
Greg McFall ’07
Getting Started
In this master’s degree program, you’ll learn to enhance your teaching abilities with recent developments in the educational field and current technologies to bring learning to life in the classroom.
You can also earn a second MAEd degree by adding just 15 additional elective units to your degree plan. You’ll graduate with both the MAEd in Curriculum and Instruction and an MAEd in Learning, Design, and Technology. By earning these degrees together, you’ll be prepared to advance your career with positions that require expertise in both areas. Plus, most school districts will offer an increase in your pay scale for completing a second degree.
Next Start
August 24, 2026
Upcoming Starts
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Fall 2 2026 October 19, 2026
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Spring 1 2027 January 11, 2027
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Spring 2 2027 March 8, 2027
Curriculum
Core Curriculum (Sample Courses):
- EDEL510 – Servant Leadership
- EDU520 – Curriculum Design and Assessment
- EDU524 – Coping with Stress and Violence in Today’s Classroom
- EDU542 – School, Community and Diverse Family Structures
- EDU550 – Educational Discourses: Change and Reform
- EDU547 – Brain-Based Teaching and Learning
- EDU586 – Educational Technology
- EDU595 – Developing Character and Ethics
View the Concordia University Irvine Online Catalog for a full list of courses.
Upon earning your Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, you’ll be able to:
- Integrate Intentional Design (IID): Research and develop instructional content and pedagogy to apply learned skills to support and assess the attainment of learning outcomes for all students. (IL, SR)
- Apply Disciplinary Competencies (ADC): Demonstrate analytical skills and knowledge necessary to develop and implement effective and ethically informed content and pedagogy. (CE, IL)
- Model Ethical Leadership (MEL): Model servant leadership by supporting, collaborating and sharing expertise within a diverse professional community. (CE, EL, RP)
- Exercise Informed Reflection (EIR): Implement a balanced approach to the analysis and development of the teaching and learning processes. (IL, RP)
- Promote Active Learning (PAL): Identify effective strategies for lifelong learning in a global and digital world, including shaping a personal learning network to support continuous professional growth in curriculum and instruction. (EC, CE)
Tuition and Fees
At Concordia, we understand that investing in your education is a significant decision. That’s why we offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make your academic journey more affordable. View tuition costs and fees.
Lutheran Educator Discount
For applicants currently serving as a teacher or administrator in a Lutheran school, Concordia offers a 10% discount on tuition when you pursue a degree through Concordia University Irvine’s School of Education. Candidates for this special discount simply need to submit a signed letter from their school administrator verifying employment along with all application materials.*
CUI Alumni Loyalty Discount
For applicants who have earned a degree from Concordia University Irvine, the university offers a 10% discount on tuition when you pursue an additional degree or program through our School of Education. Candidates for this special discount simply need to inform the Admissions Office of your eligibility when applying for admissions.*
*Students receiving Concordia Faculty/Staff Waiver, Graduate Assistants, and Scholarship Athletes cannot combine with tuition discounts.
Admission Requirements
View the Graduate Application page for full details on application and admission requirements.
Information Sessions
Attend and Information Session online to learn more about our program, the application process, financial aid, payment plans, and more.
Career Outcomes
Instructional coordinators typically need a master’s degree to enter the field. Previous teaching experience may be required. Growth is projected for these roles — from 2023 to 2033, over 20,000 openings are predicted each year.1
The most popular employers for instructional coordinators include1:
- Elementary and secondary schools; local: 36%
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state: 9%
- Government: 8%
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools; private: 8%
- Educational support services; private: 7%
Graduates are prepared for the
following roles:
- District Liaison
- Curriculum Specialist / Coordinator
- Instructional Coach
- Department or Grade-Level Chair
- Higher-Education Professor
- Assessment / Instructional Support Specialist
- Pathway to Further Leadership or Doctoral Study
MAED/MAEL Program Handbook
The Program Handbook provides you with certain graduate degree program descriptions and requirements needed to earn a MAED/MAEL degree.
Networking Opportunities
As a graduate student at Concordia, you’ll become part of a vibrant community of over 25,000 alumni and over 3,500 peers, fostering meaningful connections that support both personal and professional growth. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to helping you discover and develop your callings through mentorship and collaboration.
Located in Irvine — home to more than 900 tech companies and a hub for innovation — students benefit from proximity to leading industries in life sciences and information technology. One-third of all Fortune 500 companies have a presence in Irvine, offering abundant opportunities for internships, mentorships, and career advancement.
Irvine’s strategic position in Southern California provides access to a dynamic business ecosystem, making it an ideal place to build your professional network. Whether you’re attending on-campus events or engaging with our online community, Concordia offers the resources and support to help you thrive in your various vocations.
Explore Financial Aid
Reduce your tuition costs with financial aid — with help from a team that wants to make your time at Concordia as affordable as possible.
Meet Our Faculty
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Cari Chittick
Director of Lutheran Teaching Programs and LCMS Placement, Professor of…
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Kathy Mueller
Administrative Assistant to the Dean/Assistant Director of Events and Partnerships
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Sandra Mercier
Director, MAEd Learning, Design, and Technology & Curriculum & Instruction
FAQs
Is a degree in curriculum and instruction worth it?
If your goals include advancing your education career, increasing your earning potential, and growing professionally, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction can be a meaningful next step.
At Concordia University Irvine, this path can also extend beyond a single degree. Graduates have the unique opportunity to pursue a second MAEd through an accelerated pathway—expanding their expertise into Learning, Design, and Technology and opening doors to roles that require both instructional and technical specialization.
More specifically, if your goals include developing content and pedagogy, stepping into servant leadership, building effective learning strategies, and positioning yourself for long-term career advancement through combined expertise in Curriculum & Instruction and Learning, Design, and Technology, this program could be an excellent fit for you.
For more information about this special opportunity, please contact our VP of Enrollment Services, Steve Jin, at (949) 214-3851 or [email protected].
How long does a master’s in curriculum and instruction take?
At Concordia, the Master of Arts in Education: Curriculum and Instruction can take as few as 10 months to complete. Master’s programs at colleges are all different in length, so you’ll need to compare degree programs and how they can best work for you.
Can I be a principal with a master’s in curriculum and instruction?
You typically need a master’s degree to move into a principal role. There are multiple programs you could enroll in to meet your leadership goal. While a Master of Arts in Education: Curriculum and Instruction is an option, you may be better served by a master’s in educational administration or a master’s in educational leadership.
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Sources
1U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm (viewed Nov. 15, 2024).
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.