Online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction

Academic title: M.A. in Education, Curriculum and Instruction

30 Credits

to Graduate

January 11

Next start date

*Recommended apply date is minimum 6 weeks prior to next start date.  

An Educator teaching four other educators from a monitor

Online master's in curriculum and instruction

An online master’s in curriculum and instruction is a career booster for teachers. Designed for working educators, you’ll deepen your knowledge and skills and bring new ideas and teaching strategies to your classroom.

U.S. News and World Report ranks CMU as among the best online master’s in education programs in the nation.

In the curriculum and instruction concentration, the emphasis is on the theory and practice of curriculum development for traditional elementary- and secondary-age students. You’ll take part in strategies and techniques for managing classrooms and design engaging learning experiences.

The program is completely online with your capstone project relevant to your own school or classroom. You may even be able to save time and money by earning credit toward your degree with our prior learning and certification-to-credit pathways. 

Online master's in curriculum and instruction overview

Core credits12
Concentration credits18
Total credits to graduate30

How much does an online master's in curriculum and instruction cost?

The cost shown below is based on the current tuition and fee estimate. Your actual cost of attendance for financial aid purposes may vary based on your assigned tuition rate, the number of credits you're enrolled in and the length of your enrollment period. If you're enrolled in a single module instead of a full semester, your housing and food, transportation and personal expenses will be adjusted based on the number of weeks you're enrolled (for example, 12-week or 8-week modules). If you're enrolled less than half-time, your cost of attendance will not include housing and food, personal expenses or loan fees.

  • Military tuition benefits: Active duty, veterans and military-affiliated students may qualify for reduced tuition, waived fees and need-based awards
Estimated annual cost $31,830

What can you do with an online master's in curriculum and instruction?

For certified teachers in Michigan, earning your online master’s degree in education is one pathway to renew your license or upgrade to a Professional Teaching Certificate. Careers include: elementary and secondary teachers, community college faculty and curriculum directors.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for teachers is $62,310 per year and job growth shows a slight 2% decline. For postsecondary teachers, the median pay is $83,980 and job growth is much faster than average at 7%.

 Career Projected Salary
 Training and Development Manager $127,090
 Program Director, Higher Education $74,720
 Education Administrator (Postsecondary) $103,960

All data and statistics in this section are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.



Admission requirements

GPA: 2.7

Entrance Exam: N/A

When you apply for the MA in Education and hold a baccalaureate or equivalent degree from a college or university of recognized standing, you may be granted regular admission, provided you have an overall cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).

Admission with stipulations may be granted when you do not meet the requirements for regular admission and evidence exists to support your potential for success in the program. Admission decisions are governed by the policies of Graduate Studies.

Important Message for Prospective Students: It is highly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing agency in your state of residence if you are considering an academic program that leads to a professional license. CMU offers state-by-state information at https://www.cmich.edu/academics/accreditation-and-licensure-information/professional-certification-licensure-disclosures with web links to the appropriate licensing agencies. It is your responsibility to contact the appropriate licensing agency and to understand the requirements in your state of residence as applied to your specific situation.