Teaching and Curriculum, M.S.

A Graduate Degree Built Across an Entire Research University

The M.S. in Teaching and Curriculum is an excellent opportunity for educators looking to add a graduate degree. Backed by the resources of a research university, this program enables dedicated educators and curious minds to go deep into the discipline that drew them to teaching, while future leaders can build on their expertise and skill set. Students can build an individualized program of study around one of 10 concentration areas, working directly with an advisor to draw coursework from the School of Education and across Syracuse University, without committing to a new teaching license.

Suggested Application Deadline varies by semester start | More admissions information

Why Teaching and Curriculum at Syracuse?

This program is designed for those seeking advanced study in education but not a teacher certification program.

• Concentrations help you deepen your expertise. Choose from 10 concentrations that give your degree real shape from the start: Instructional Design, Cultural Foundations of Education, Education Administration, Inclusive Education and Disability Rights, Special Education, Music Education, Mathematics Education, Clinical and Instructional Practice, Arts Education, and Creative Leadership.
• The reach of the full University. Your program of study draws on faculty and coursework across campus, in addition to the School of Education, so your specialization is built with the resources of an entire R1 research university.
• Built for working educators. Complete the degree full time or part time; many courses are offered in the afternoon or evening to accommodate students who are teaching or working while they study.

“SOE fosters a closely connected community dedicated to cultivating the next generation of educators. It offers abundant avenues for students to gain valuable classroom experience and maintains a steadfast commitment to supporting their professional journey even beyond graduation.”
—Raquell Carpenter ’23, G’24

Who Should Apply?

The master’s degree in Teaching and Curriculum is designed for educators with a strong interest in broader education and instructional issues who want to go deeper in a specific content area or specialization, whether or not they already hold teaching certification. It is a strong fit for current teachers looking to sharpen their expertise, recent graduates of an initial certification program who want to extend their content knowledge, and education professionals whose goals fall outside a traditional licensure path.

Because every program of study is individually designed, admission includes working with an SOE advisor to shape a course of study aligned with your specific goals and chosen concentration area.

Program at a Glance

The master’s degree in Teaching and Curriculum is a flexible, 30-credit degree program.

• Built around your interests—Students select one of 10 concentration areas and, in partnership with a faculty advisor, design a personalized plan of study within it, rather than following a single fixed curriculum.
• A structure with room to explore—Your program will include a research methods course, at least four graduate-level courses in your concentration or certification field, and at least one course from outside that area, so your specialization stays focused without becoming narrow.
• A capstone that proves your expertise—You will complete a professional portfolio and a Master’s Intensive Exam, demonstrating both the depth of your specialization and your ability to connect it to your professional goals.

More information on academic requirements available in the Syracuse University Course Catalog. SOE is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).

What Our Graduates Do

Graduates of the Teaching and Curriculum M.S. deepen their expertise within their chosen concentration and carry that specialization directly into their professional roles, as teacher leaders, department chairs, or instructional specialists in their content area. Others use the program’s cross-disciplinary access to move into curriculum design, instructional coaching, or education administration roles that draw on coursework from beyond the School of Education.

The program also serves as a pathway to further graduate study, including Syracuse’s Ph.D. in Education or Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, for those who want to continue toward research and advanced scholarship.