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Graduate Programs of Study
Master of Arts or Master of Education: Curriculum Studies
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
Does the Curriculum Studies program require the GRE exam?
No. We do not require the GRE (or any other external exam) because we have found that exam scores do not correlate with success at DePaul. a good score on an external exam might influence an application which had other weaknesses, but it is not required.
What do you look for in an application to the Curriculum Studies program?
We look for evidence of three things: academic ability to do graduate work, a work ethic which will sustain you through a graduate program, and the ability to work with and/or teach students. To determine this, we look carefully at all of your application materials, but especially at your personal statement and at your references. So you should make sure that your application materials cover our three areas of concern and that they give a good picture of the strengths which you will bring to the program.
Will DePaul accept graduate transfer credits?
Yes. You can petition to have the School of Education give you credit for up to two graduate courses which you have taken elsewhere. A form for this petition is available from the Graduate Office. Keep in mind, however, that these credits may or may not count towards the requirements of the Curriculum Studies program. So when and if your petition is granted, you should be sure to see your faculty advisor to see how the program requirements will be affected.
What is the deadline for admissions? Do you use "rolling admissions"?
Yes, we admit on a "rolling admissions" basis. This means that you can apply at any time. Generally it takes a couple of weeks after all your papers are in before you receive an acceptance letter, though sometimes it takes a little longer in late July and August. But notice the phrase "after all your papers are in." It may be a long time after you apply before we receive letters of reference and transcripts.
Can I start classes before I am fully admitted?
Yes. As soon as you give us a completed application form and the admissions fee, you will be entered into the system. You are then eligible to register even if you have not been fully admitted. But you may only do this for one quarter. In general, it is good idea to get the admissions process started as soon as you can.
Career Emphasis Sequences
Can I adapt the Curriculum Studies program to my particular needs?
Yes, this is one of the strengths of the program. You are able to take five electives which you can use to develop your career goals. We have a number of defined options (for example, in ESL or bilingual education, in mathematics, reading, or language arts, and in supervision) But you are not restricted to these options. Indeed, the majority of our students define their own sequences of electives.
Could I take classes outside of the School of Education to complete a Curriculum Studies degree?
Yes. Although the School of Education has a wide variety of offerings in many areas, you are free to choose courses from anywhere in the University (provided they are graduate courses for which you qualify). For example: English teachers often take courses offered by the English Department, including courses from their M.A. in writing program; history teachers are encouraged to take additional history or political science courses; elementary and middle school teachers might want to broaden their education by taking courses in our Masters in Liberal Studies program; and teachers interested in multicultural education are invited to consider courses on inter-cultural communication offered by our Communications department.
I am a science teacher, focusing mostly on biology. Can I take biology graduate courses as career emphasis courses?
Yes, we encourage more biology courses for biology teachers. And by and large the Biology department has been helpful. They generally offer one evening course every quarter in Ecology, Aquatic Environments, Exotic Cat Management, and the like. These have worked well for many biology teachers, especially those who have a good background in biology. You do have to plan your schedule, however, so that you are ready to take the courses when they are offered.
Can I get any additional certifications or endorsements through the Curriculum Studies program?
Yes, in many cases you can. In particular, the career emphasis sequences in bilingual education, ESL, middle school mathematics, reading specialist, and supervision are specially designed to lead towards an additional certificate or endorsement. If you are seeking an endorsement, you should choose your electives carefully in consultation with an adviser.
Is a graduate degree in Curriculum Studies marketable in non-school environments?
Yes. We have a number of students who work for corporations, hospitals, professional associations, and civic or community organizations. Although we do not have a specific concentration in corporate education, we do have a group of students who are specifically interested in corporate education.
Do students pursuing different emphases in Curriculum Studies ever take courses together?
Yes. You must take three core curriculum courses, all of which enroll students from a variety of specialties within curriculum studies or educational leadership. From our point of view, the variety of settings represented in these common courses add strength to the program.
Financial Aid
Can I get financial aid to help defray the cost of tuition?
Sometimes, but financial aid for graduate students is limited. Occasionally, students are able to get financial aid from external sources. To find out more about financial aid you should consult the Financial Aid office.
As a graduate student in Curriculum Studies, do I qualify for a student loan?
Yes. This is the primary form of financial aid. Again, consult the Financial Aid office for information about how to fill out applications for student loans.
Do graduate students qualify for graduate assistantships?
The School does have a small number of graduate assistantships for full-time students. Applications for these highly competitive positions are generally due in March or April for the following year. Read more online.
Scheduling
How long does it usually take to complete the program?
This depends on you. Three years is a general guide for most people, though some take longer and a few finish more quickly. The program requires 12 courses, plus a research course. Most people start with one course per quarter, and later take two per quarter.
Can I begin the Masters program while while I am still working?
Yes. We expect that our students will be working full time outside the home, as teachers, administrators, or professionals in other positions. Since all of our Master's courses are offered in the evening, it is possible to complete the whole program without taking a leave from your job.
What is a full course load for a person who works full-time?
We consider two courses to be a full load, especially for those who have responsibilities elsewhere.
Is the Curriculum Studies program offered at one of DePaul's suburban campuses?
Not at this time. However, there are three required social/cultural studies courses that are offered at our Naperville campus. If these fit into your schedule, you may wish to take them there. Occasionally you will find an elective course offered at another campus, but the program as a whole is only offered on the Lincoln Park campus.
Research Requirement
What is the difference between an M.A. and an M.Ed.?
An M.A. requires a Master's thesis, written to fulfill the requirements of CS 589, and an oral examination on the thesis. An M.Ed. requires two Master's papers, developed as part of the requirements of CS 580.
Is there any difference between an M.A. and an M.Ed. as far as marketability and respectability are concerned?
This is difficult to answer because it depends on whom you talk to and where you plan to work. Most people would answer, "No." Some people, especially those who do not know the field, perceive that an M.A. is more prestigious. From our perspective, both degrees require serious work and are equally prestigious.
Which should I choose, an M.A. or an M.Ed.?
This depends on you. The thesis is generally a year-long process, and it must involve a committee of at least three. Although it can be an extremely valuable experience, it requires time and commitment for you to make the most of the process. The papers can be planned earlier in your program and, if you are well organized, completed while you take CS 580 towards the end of your program. Fortunately you do not need to decide until you are well into the program.
How do I get started on the M.Ed. papers?
If you decide on an M.Ed., you will have to register for CS 580, a course designed to help you through the process of writing these papers that is offered once a year. It is usually offered every other Monday evening during the Autumn and Winter quarters. (See the CS 580 web page for further information about this course. It is a good idea to have an idea of what you plan to write about before you enter this course, so do not hesitate to discuss your thoughts with your advisor. More details are in the M.Ed. handbook which you can obtain from the Graduate Office.
How do I get started on a thesis?
Since you cannot register for the thesis course until you have a thesis advisor, you first must get someone to agree to be your advisor. a good way to approach this is to prepare a short proposal and discuss it with the person you think you want to convince to become your advisor. More details are in the thesis handbook which you can obtain from the Graduate Office.
Technology
Does the Curriculum Studies program offer options in educational technology?
We do not have a defined sequence in educational technology at this point, but we are developing one. We do have a number of faculty who are pursuing this interest, and there are courses (either in the School of Education or in the School of Telecommunications and Information Science) which you might want to take. We also have some knowledgeable people in our Academic Technology Development department who have taught courses for us. For information about our ATD department, try this link: http://www.atd.depaul.edu/website.
If I want to continue to teach and work with people, would a degree in Computer Science be the best option for me?
Perhaps. A computer science degree would make a lot of sense for some people. But for those who are interested in teaching, it also makes sense to combine computer science courses with a Curriculum Studies degree. Our primary emphasis is on why and how technology can be used to enhance the learning process rather than on the technical aspects of hardware and software.
Can the Curriculum Studies program help me learn how to use technology to create, design, and deliver educational curricula?
Yes. These goals fit well with the approach to technology which most of our faculty take. In general, we do not see technology as something that causes change by itself. So we not only teach about technology, we also give a lot of attention to how it can be used to make a difference in the lives of people.
Learn about:
For More Information
Please direct questions to edgradadmissions@depaul.edu
or call (773) 325-4405.
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