Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction – Instructional Coach Teacher Leader PreK-12 Online

Focus your professional knowledge and expertise in education to elevate your career and help teachers maximize student engagement and achievement in the classroom. The affordable online MS C&I – Instructional Coach/Teacher Leader PreK-12 program at ESU can help you achieve your goals quickly.

Apply By: 1/2/25
Start Class: 1/13/25 Apply Now

Program Overview

Gain insights into our online MS in Curriculum and Instruction - Instructional Coach/Teacher Leader program

Take your passion for education into school leadership roles with a Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) – Instructional Coach/Teacher Leader PreK-12 from Emporia State University. This online education degree emphasizes applying evidence-based practices into classroom curriculum by working with teachers and other school leaders to improve instruction.

Rigorous coursework emphasizes contemporary classroom and instructional practices, methodology and strategies that promote student engagement and learning. You'll also deepen your understanding of how to effectively educate diverse student bodies—addressing multicultural populations and differing learning abilities alike.

Core courses include Curriculum Leadership: Models and Strategies; Cultural Influences and Educational Practices; Supporting Technology Integration for School Leaders; Developing Authentic Assessments—and more.

The Instructional Coach/Teacher Leader concentration allows you to select from several courses to further specialize your degree. Elective topics include principles of professional development and leading adult learners, advancing colleagues' professional skills through observation and feedback, as well as using cognitive science to create enriched learning environments.

Required coursework incorporates an embedded practicum—providing you the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to develop curricula and assessments, guide faculty development and manage building leadership teams.

Please note this program does not lead to obtaining a teaching license.

In this online MS C&I – Instructional Coach/Teacher Leader program, you will:

  • Learn to design and implement curriculum for grades PreK-12
  • Apply course material to improve critical thinking and problem solving as well as decisions related to evaluating and producing curriculum for national, state and local levels
  • Gain practical understanding of fundamental principles, generalizations, and theories of curriculum leadership, curriculum models, and educational research
  • Develop and hone leadership skills in the area of technology integration and its partnership with curriculum reform
In this online MS C&I – Instructional Coach/Teacher Leader program, you will:+
  • Learn to design and implement curriculum for grades PreK-12
  • Apply course material to improve critical thinking and problem solving as well as decisions related to evaluating and producing curriculum for national, state and local levels
  • Gain practical understanding of fundamental principles, generalizations, and theories of curriculum leadership, curriculum models, and educational research
  • Develop and hone leadership skills in the area of technology integration and its partnership with curriculum reform

This online program prepares you for roles such as:

  • Teacher Leader
  • Curriculum Director
  • Instructional Coordinator
  • Instructional Specialist
  • Curriculum and Instruction Director
This online program prepares you for roles such as:+
  • Teacher Leader
  • Curriculum Director
  • Instructional Coordinator
  • Instructional Specialist
  • Curriculum and Instruction Director
+

Dual-Degree Option: Accelerated online MS in Curriculum & Instruction + MS in Educational Administration

Emporia State University offers you an opportunity to complete both your Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction and Master of Science in Educational Administration accelerated online programs together, saving you time and tuition compared to completing these programs separately.

When completed together at ESU, the dual-degree option shares a maximum of 15 credit hours.

Read More +

This option is ideal for if you are:

  • Interested in pursuing the Educational Administration program, but do not have the minimum required teaching experience (3 years per KSDE) to start that program. You can begin the C&I program without experience and work to add professional experience for the Ed Admin while completing your C&I.
  • A working educator who wants to earn your MS in C&I degree while also completing nearly half of the coursework requirements for the Ed Admin program.
  • An educator who wants to become an administrator and also add to your marketability with an advanced degree in curriculum and instruction.

As a dual-degree student, scheduling and pacing of coursework is up to you, but we recommend that you complete your MS in Curriculum & Instruction first, then continue with the remaining coursework for the Ed Admin program. If you pursue the dual-degree option, you will likely find that the C&I concentrations in Curriculum Leadership or Instructional Coach are most relevant to MS in Educational Administration coursework.

Note: As a dual-degree student, you can return at any time for the second program, provided all coursework is completed within a 7-year time frame (starting with the first dual course applied towards the second degree), per university policy.

For more information on the accelerated online dual-degree option, please contact the program’s academic advisor, Megan O’Brien, via email (preferred) at [email protected] or via phone at (620) 341-5091.

Dual-Degree Option: Accelerated online MS in Curriculum & Instruction + MS in Educational Administration+

Emporia State University offers you an opportunity to complete both your Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction and Master of Science in Educational Administration accelerated online programs together, saving you time and tuition compared to completing these programs separately.

When completed together at ESU, the dual-degree option shares a maximum of 15 credit hours.

Read More +

This option is ideal for if you are:

  • Interested in pursuing the Educational Administration program, but do not have the minimum required teaching experience (3 years per KSDE) to start that program. You can begin the C&I program without experience and work to add professional experience for the Ed Admin while completing your C&I.
  • A working educator who wants to earn your MS in C&I degree while also completing nearly half of the coursework requirements for the Ed Admin program.
  • An educator who wants to become an administrator and also add to your marketability with an advanced degree in curriculum and instruction.

As a dual-degree student, scheduling and pacing of coursework is up to you, but we recommend that you complete your MS in Curriculum & Instruction first, then continue with the remaining coursework for the Ed Admin program. If you pursue the dual-degree option, you will likely find that the C&I concentrations in Curriculum Leadership or Instructional Coach are most relevant to MS in Educational Administration coursework.

Note: As a dual-degree student, you can return at any time for the second program, provided all coursework is completed within a 7-year time frame (starting with the first dual course applied towards the second degree), per university policy.

For more information on the accelerated online dual-degree option, please contact the program’s academic advisor, Megan O’Brien, via email (preferred) at [email protected] or via phone at (620) 341-5091.

Also available:

Emporia State offers a wide range of graduate education degree programs in a convenient online format. Explore all of our online education programs.

$10,956* Total Tuition
As few as 12 months Duration
33 Credit Hours

Accreditation

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

The Teachers College at Emporia State is accredited under the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation standards through the CAEP accreditation system, for a period of seven years.

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Request Information

Call 800-721-2248

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Tuition

Learn more about our affordable tuition

Tuition for the MS in Curriculum & Instruction – Instructional Coach/Teacher Leader PreK-12 online degree program is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.

View additional tuition information+

Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Per Program*
MS – C&I – Instructional Coach/Teacher Leader PreK-12 $332 $996 $10,956

Tuition breakdown:

$10,956* Total Tuition
$332 Per Credit Hour

Calendar

Know ESU online dates and deadlines

The MS in Curriculum & Instruction – Instructional Coach/Teacher Leader PreK-12 program is delivered in an online format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year. Choose the start date that's best for you.

View full calendar  + 

7 week coursesProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment Due
Spring 2025, Session I1/13/251/2/251/5/251/6/251/9/25
Spring 2025, Session II3/10/252/24/252/27/253/3/253/6/25
Summer 2025, Session I5/12/254/28/255/1/255/5/255/8/25
Summer 2025, Session II6/30/256/16/256/19/256/23/256/26/25

Now enrolling:

1/2/25 Apply Date
1/13/25 Class Starts

Have questions or need more information about Emporia State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Emporia State?

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Admissions

Read the details of our admission criteria

Your journey begins here! The admission process is the first step toward earning your degree. Be sure to get familiar with these requirements to enroll in the MS in Curriculum & Instruction – Instructional Coach/Teacher Leader PreK-12 online program.

Admission Requirements:

  • Official transcripts
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75
View all admission requirements +

MS in Curriculum & Instruction – Instructional Coach/Teacher Leader PreK-12 Online Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher in the last 60 hours of study or an overall GPA average of no less than a 3.0 for a completed master's degree.
  • No GRE, teaching certificate or experience required

Official transcripts from all institutions attended can be submitted via a secure electronic service offered by the issuing institution to [email protected] or by selecting Emporia State University on the transcript request form, mailed (or overnighted) to:

Emporia State University
Graduate School
Room 313 Plumb Hall
1 Kellogg Circle
Emporia, KS 66801

Students who have obtained a degree from a foreign university/college must have a transcript evaluation from a recommended external source that is a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services). Students will not be allowed to enroll until the evaluation has been received in the Graduate School.

Have a question? Call us at 800-721-2248800-721-2248

Courses

Discover the degree plan for our instructional coach/teacher leader program

The MS in Curriculum & Instruction – Instructional Coach/Teacher Leader PreK-12 online curriculum is comprised of 11 courses (33 credit hours), including 24 credit hours of core courses and nine credit hours of Curriculum Leadership Area of Concentration courses.

Expand All
You must take the following courses.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to prepare school leaders (teachers, instructional coaches, administrators, etc.) for the integration and application of diverse educational technologies into classrooms and schools in ways that reflect a theoretical, research-based and practical understanding of curriculum development and the effective uses of technology. Course content explores practical ways to integrate technology into both teaching and learning as well as the critical importance of adequate training and professional development for successful integration
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students completing this course will, as current or future educational leaders, explain and work effectively with the design and management of academic programs, grades Pre-K-12. They will interpret past, current and emerging curriculum initiatives and describe their intended impact on school curricula, teachers and students. Students will also explain and demonstrate in simulated settings processes for creating, implementing and managing local academic programs in the context of those reform initiatives. Students will be asked to apply their knowledge in four projects which gauge how students can successfully apply what they have learned in a variety of curriculum-related settings.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In this course, differing values and issues in education are addressed, as are the philosophical, historical and social forces that create the issues. Students will be challenged to investigate the historical and cultural antecedents of modern education. They will also examine their own belief systems with regard to the institution of education and to the role and function of the teacher and school leader.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to prepare students to effectively educate culturally, ethnically, racially different, and differently abled students. Major components are: to explore personal biases and methods of overcoming them; explore the basic principles underlying multicultural education and to develop appropriate strategies for teaching, leading, and other functions of the school and its community.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on authentic assessment as a means of equitable student evaluation. Students will differentiate assessment, evaluation, grading and reporting. Approaches to assessment products, performances, processes, tests, and student self-reflection and self-evaluation are explored in this course. Through triangulation, students will create a balanced assessment plan for one course they teach. Participants will create rubrics for one summative assessment and observation instruments for use in evaluating processes. Students may choose to create instructions for portfolio assessment.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will examine classroom and instructional organization practices that promote effective teaching, student learning, and applications of that learning and student engagement. Students through the course will examine a variety of teaching structures, assessing their potential impact on learning, and will develop a teaching and learning template applicable to their content areas and classroom management and teaching styles.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is an introductory graduate-level course in research methodology designed to allow the student to function as a knowledgeable and critical consumer of scholarly research in his/her field. The course will also emphasize the use of action research for program improvement.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to provide the opportunity for the candidate to develop and demonstrate his/her abilities as a teacher-leader in one or more areas to be selected in collaboration with the university advisor and the practicum field supervisor from among topics including leadership in curriculum development and assessment development, leadership in faculty development, site-based council management, and leadership on school building leadership teams. Student must complete majority of C&I program prior to practicum start date.
You must take three of the following courses.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This foundational course in professional development will provide educators an introduction to knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviors and aspirations that a Teacher Leader will use in designing, facilitating, implementing and assessing high-quality professional development. Additionally, principles and practices to leading adult learners will be integrated throughout the course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to prepare graduate students who aspire to educational leadership responsibilities to advance the professional skills of colleagues by demonstrating and applying expertise in observational skills and in providing feedback in order to support reflective practice focused on improving curriculum, instruction and assessment.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Course topics include school culture, change theory, future-ready, teaching and learning and recruitment and retention. Students will learn through a combination of learning activities intended to highlight the characteristics of culture of improvement. Students will engage in activities that apply their learning to their current context.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Neurological research, traditional sources of knowledge, and contributions from mental health are accessed to design socially, emotionally, and physical safe learning environments for all students and staff. Construction of schooling conditions, to include adults who model and teach healthy social interaction patterns. A comprehensive view of behavioral support is provided.
Duration: 7 null weeks
Credit Hours: 3

*Tuition is subject to change on an annual basis.

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