Master in Curriculum and Instruction (Master's)

Tuition is Costs include tuition & fees. All students receive our e-tuition rate..

This is a concentration within the Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Teacher Leadership program, designed for working educators. It focuses on professional development using InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards to help students craft educational strategies that engage students and improve assessment results.

Focus areas include Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.

The program requires 30 credit hours, with most courses worth 3 credits. Students complete their capstone through an internship, thesis, portfolio, or research project.

Graduates are prepared to develop effective instructional approaches, evaluate student learning, and integrate new technology and teaching strategies into the classroom.

Applicants need a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and proof of teacher certification (unless exempt). International applicants must provide evaluated transcripts from NACES or AICE agencies. English proficiency tests (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo) may be required for non-native English speakers. Required documents include an online application, application fee ($50 for international), transcripts, resume/CV, essay, and proof of certification.

The programme totals about 30 credit hours. Accelerated online delivery with 7-week courses. The program can be completed in as few as 10 months. For international students, tuition is around the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 79% of applicants.

Professional connections are central to the University of Southern Maine experience. Students have access to internships, fieldwork, clinical placements, and other opportunities connected to leading employers in Southern Maine. Alumni and recent graduates continue to contribute beyond campus, including service on Maine’s World Affairs Council and recognition in national athletic training competition.

USM brings together Portland and Gorham campuses, giving students access to courses and opportunities across Southern Maine. Portland hosts university events, including exhibitions, concerts, and discussions on education. The wider region adds cultural collections, hands-on learning, community events, and gathering spaces through USM’s connections with Lewiston-Auburn. Free bus service links the campuses with each other and the greater Portland area.

Students can select from more than 300 undergraduate and graduate options, then combine majors, minors, and certificates to shape an individual program. Online programs and courses allow students to study from home or another location, with options designed around different schedules. USM also offers more than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate courses in a fall term. For international students, the Portland and Gorham setting provides access to a city campus, a second campus in nearby Gorham, regional employers, and flexible online study.