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Curriculum and Instruction

  • Master of Science
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Lead Educational Change with Purpose and Practical Insight

The Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction at Saint Vincent College prepares educators and professionals to lead meaningful change in how people learn and grow. This flexible program emphasizes thoughtful curriculum development and practical instructional strategies that support improvement across educational and organizational settings.

You’ll engage with research-based methods, apply assessment tools, and design inclusive learning experiences that meet the needs of diverse learners. A strong research component helps you identify challenges and implement solutions that make a measurable impact.

Whether you're working in education, healthcare, business, or human services, this program strengthens your ability to guide instructional improvement and support professional growth. Students may also pursue initial Pennsylvania teaching certification while earning their graduate degree.

Graduate Programs

Program Highlights

Curriculum and instruction master’s student seated at a desk, wearing a black blazer and white shirt.

Graduate Fellowship

Saint Vincent College offers a prestigious graduate fellowship program for aspiring educators—complete with full tuition scholarship and a monthly stipend—in exchange for working in a local PreK–12 school district as a teacher, substitute, or support staff. Over two years, fellows earn their master’s degree at no cost, acquire practical in-district experience, and graduate with a competitive edge for employment, boasting a 98% job placement rate post-program.

Graduate student with long blonde hair working at a desk with a tablet or laptop in a classroom setting, with a whiteboard, water bottle, and colorful bag in view.

Fully Online Program: Flexible, Accelerated Schedule

The program is a fully online, accelerated 30-credit program that can be completed in approximately 18 months. Courses are offered in 7-week sessions during the fall, spring, and summer semesters, with students taking two courses per term.  This flexible format is ideal for working educators, combining real-time interaction with the convenience of online learning.

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Experienced and Approachable Instructors

Our education instructors at Saint Vincent College bring a wealth of real-world experience to the classroom, combining practical knowledge with a supportive, student-centered approach. Having worked as teachers, administrators, and specialists, they understand the challenges and rewards of education firsthand. This experience allows them to provide relevant insights and personalized guidance, making them approachable mentors who are dedicated to preparing future educators for success in diverse and dynamic teaching environments.

Interior exhibit space with wooden walls, featuring educational displays and a quote on the wall by Fred Rogers: 'Discovering the truth about ourselves is a lifetime's work, but it's worth the effort.

Fred Rogers Institute Certificate in Values Based Leadership

By completing leadership-focused electives and three additional courses, you can earn a certificate in values-based leadership alongside your degree. This certificate combines Fred Rogers’ philosophy of compassionate leadership, emotional intelligence, and relational trust with the core principles of servant leadership, preparing you to lead with purpose, empathy, and integrity

Careers and Outcomes

Graduates of the curriculum and instruction program bring a deep understanding of how people learn and how organizations grow. Their ability to apply research, lead instructional improvement, and support professional development makes them valuable contributors in a wide range of fields. From classrooms to corporate settings, they are shaping learning environments that are responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking.

Graduates of the curriculum and instruction program go on to hold impactful roles in a wide range of educational and professional settings. Our alumni are making a difference as:

  • Instructional leaders and curriculum coordinators
  • Professional development and training specialists
  • PK–12 teachers and department chairs
  • Higher education instructors and academic advisors
  • Educational consultants in school systems or private organizations
  • Program designers in nonprofits, healthcare, or workforce development
  • Technology integration specialists and assessment coordinators

Student Success Stories

Portrait of Kristyan Hahn

Kristyan Hahn, C'22, '24, G'25

“The graduate program at Saint Vincent College mixed practical experiences with meaningful theory and has helped me to become a better leader in the field of education. Memorable experiences like planning fairs for the local community, developing curriculum for nonprofits, and creating professional development and assessments, helped me to make a more significant impact on my students. As I move towards leadership positions in the school, I feel prepared thanks to the down-to-earth guidance provided by the Saint Vincent professors.”

Math teacher, Ketterer Charter School 

Portrait of Angel Scalamogna

Angel Scalomogna, C'23, '24

 “My time in the curriculum and instruction graduate program at Saint Vincent was both intellectually energizing and genuinely inspiring. Earning my teaching certification alongside this master’s degree, I was lucky to learn from professors who didn’t just teach content but instead modeled the kind of thoughtful, impactful education I now strive to bring into my own classroom. The program challenged me to design curriculum that is meaningful and connects with students to reflect the world they live in.”

English teacher, Derry Area Middle & High School

Curriculum Requirements

The Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction is a 30-credit program that combines foundational coursework with customizable electives. Students build expertise in areas such as instructional leadership, curriculum development, assessment, and educational research. The program includes a sequence of core courses along with three electives, allowing students to tailor their studies to specific interests like literacy, leadership, special education, or educational technology. This structure supports both professional growth and practical application in a variety of learning environments.

  • Required Courses

    Required Courses (30 credits):
    • GCED 600 Educational Leadership and Professional Development
    • GCED 605 Statistics and Research Design
    • GCED 615 Curriculum and Systems Design
    • GCED 620 Assessment and Diagnostics
    • GCED 625 Instructional Technology
    • GCED 635 Instructional Methodology
    • GCED 650 Human Learning
    • Three electives - 9 credits (electives can include any graduate education course not listed above)

  • Key Courses

    Educational Leadership and Professional Development: This course takes you on a deep dive into what it truly means to lead in schools and organizations. Inspired by the compassionate philosophy of Fred Rogers, you'll explore leadership through empathy, emotional intelligence, and ethical decision-making. You’ll learn how to build trusting relationships, design impactful professional development, and create inclusive spaces where people—and learning—can thrive. It’s about becoming the kind of leader who lifts others up and makes lasting change.

    Curriculum and Systems Design: Get ready to move from theory to action as you explore how great curriculum is built—and how it comes to life in schools, training programs, and beyond. In this hands-on course, you’ll dig into models of curriculum and instructional design, then apply what you learn by creating authentic curriculum for educational or professional settings. With interactive lectures, field experiences, tech integration, and creative projects, you’ll gain the tools to design learning that’s practical, purposeful, and ready to use.

    Instructional Technology: In this dynamic course, students dive into the power of technology as a transformative educational tool. Through hands-on projects and real-world applications, you’ll build the skills and confidence to integrate tech in meaningful ways—whether you're teaching in a classroom, leading professional training, or designing innovative learning experiences. Get ready to explore, experiment, and elevate your instruction with the tools of tomorrow!

Graduate Programs
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