Curriculum planning and carefully designed teaching methods are fundamental to providing quality education in our nation’s schools. Students in Boston University’s Curriculum and Teaching graduate program dedicate themselves to learning about the complex issues of contemporary education as they prepare to be outstanding leaders in teaching and supervisory positions.

Our program emphasizes the professional talents of planning and designing instruction, creating comprehensive interdisciplinary curriculum, broadening and deepening the knowledge base of one’s teaching, and evaluating the results of teaching. Our goal is to graduate educators who are knowledgeable and innovative in a demanding and rewarding profession.

Master’s and CAGS Studies
Teachers who already hold an initial license often select our general Curriculum and Teaching program to develop a master’s degree or a CAGS program that includes advanced liberal arts and professional education study. Students may also choose this program because they want to study schools and the profession of teaching without pursuing a license for teaching.

Students seeking advanced interdisciplinary study in education are encouraged to apply to the general Curriculum and Teaching program. With the guidance of your academic advisor, you may select courses either to further develop one aspect of your profession or to expand your teaching into a new area.

Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits for the Ed.M. program, and a minimum of 32 credits for the CAGS program. The Ed.M. degree program requires one research course, three courses in the Curriculum and Teaching Department, and five courses selected in consultation with your advisor. You may complete the graduate program at the Ed.M. or CAGS level without officially declaring a specific area of concentration.

Required Courses for Ed.M. Program
36 Credits

Required Courses for CAGS Program
32 Credits

1 Research course
3 Courses in Curriculum and Teaching
4 Electives Selected with Advisor’s Consent

Course descriptions

Practicum
Boston University enjoys long-standing relationships with many inner city and suburban school systems in Greater Boston that offer our students rewarding field experiences under the guidance of expert teachers and faculty. The School of Education reserves the right to determine whether a student is fully prepared to enter any professional field experience. This includes passing the SED Literacy Test prior to starting the practicum.
Click here to learn more about the SED Literacy Test.

The Doctoral Program
During your doctoral study in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, you will gain a thorough understanding of key areas essential to your professional leadership in education. These include building a solid academic content foundation for your individual field; strengthening the knowledge base and professional skills pertinent to forming, designing, implementing, and evaluating specific educational programs; and developing research capabilities enabling you to conduct and evaluate research. In addition, you may pursue study in one of the many specializations available in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching.

All doctoral students must complete study in four areas: basic School of Education and departmental core courses, educational research courses, academic content courses, and specialized courses in a professional education area.

Required Courses for Ed.D. Program

In addition, Ed.D. students must complete the residency requirement, comprehensive examination, and a research dissertation.

Course descriptions

Download a description of this program