Curriculum & Instruction (MSCI) graduate programs at Black Hills State University (BHSU) facilitate professional growth while preparing education professionals for leadership in roles beyond the classroom. As a practicing teacher and graduate student, you will have opportunities to take online and site-based coursework directly into the classroom and into leadership experiences to better connect theory to practice and to expand your understanding of research and research-based practices.
Courses in each of the areas of emphasis align with state standards and national standards of the designated professional association (National Council for Teachers of Mathematics, Council for Exceptional Children). Core courses are guided by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
- Enhance your knowledge and skills in a specific area of emphasis
- Further your teaching career
- Apply coursework to continuing education requirements as a non-degree-seeking student
- Apply coursework to the South Dakota Department of Education endorsement requirements
- Recognized by a National Web Magazine as a Top 50 Online Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction program
PLEASE NOTE: Completion of an MSCI program does not result in licensure or endorsement of an existing teaching license. Graduate courses leading to an endorsement may be applied toward a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction degree.
Apply online for admission to graduate studies. Submit a completed application form and a $35.00 application fee. Request that an official undergraduate transcript showing your posted baccalaureate degree be sent from the institution that awarded the degree to BHSU Admissions, along with graduate transcripts if you wish to transfer graduate credit. Submit a current resume/vita and two letters of recommendation, one from your current employer. Finally, complete and submit a written response to a case study and question related to your area of emphasis. You will receive an email from the Director of Graduate Studies regarding your acceptance to the program.
To be accepted, students must have:
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An undergraduate degree in education (BS or BA)
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A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 or higher
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At least 3 years of professional teaching experience
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Current Resume/Vita
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Two accepted letters of recommendation (one from current employer)
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Written response to emphasis-area case study prompts (response must meet scoring criteria for acceptance into the program)
Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction - Education Studies - Course Requirements*
33 semester hours
Core Courses (18 hours):
- (3) ED 630 Educational Collaboration and Research Methods
- (3) ED 703 Applying Learning Theory to Instructional Design
- (3) ED 744 Curriculum Development and Instruction
- (3) ED 748 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Schools
- (3) ED 750 Action Research in Schools
- (3) ED 790 Seminar
Content Courses (15 hours): Complete 15 Hours of Approved Elective Content Coursework for the MSCI Program:
- (3) ED 728 New & Emerging Technology in Schools
- (3) ED 747 Reading Research and Theory in Schools
- (3) Elective
- (3) Elective
- (3) Elective
Consult with your advisor for all elective course selections.
*Course requirements may vary by academic year. To view the requirements for your academic year, please visit Registration & Records for status sheets.
Status Sheets
Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction - K-12 Mathematics Education - Course Requirements*
MSCI K-12 Mathematics Education students complete core courses online and content courses online or in a face-to-face format. Graduates are prepared to serve school districts as teacher leaders, math coaches, and math coordinators.
33 semester hours
Core Courses (18 hours):
- (3) ED 630 Educational Collaboration and Research Methods
- (3) ED 703 Applying Learning Theory to Instructional Design
- (3) ED 744 Curriculum Development and Instruction
- (3) ED 748 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Schools
- (3) ED 750 Action Research in Schools
- (3) ED 790 Seminar
Content Courses (15 hours):
- (3) ED 601 Foundations and Issues in Mathematics Education
- (3) ED 641 Understanding Student Thinking in Number/Operations
- (3) ED 651 Understanding Student Thinking in Algebra
- (3) ED 661 Understanding Student Thinking in Geometry/Measurement
- (3) ED 671 Assessment in School Mathematics
- (3) ED 751 Leadership in School Mathematics
These math content courses are offered through the Center for Advancement in Science and Mathematics Education (CAMSE) at BHSU. To find out more information about these math content courses, please contact Deann Kertzman via email at deann.kertzman@bhsu.edu.
*Course requirements may vary by academic year. To view the requirements for your academic year, please visit Registration & Records for status sheets.
Status Sheets
Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction - K-12 Special Education - Course Requirements*
33 semester hours
Core Courses (18 hours):
- (3) ED 630 Educational Collaboration and Research Methods
- (3) ED 703 Applying Learning Theory to Instructional Design
- (3) ED 744 Curriculum Development and Instruction
- (3) ED 748 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Schools
- (3) ED 750 Action Research in Schools
- (3) ED 790 Seminar
Content Courses (15 hours):
- (3) SPED 510 Behavior Management of Exceptional Children
- (3) SPED 513 Serving Students with MR,SS, and Severe Disabilities
- (3) SPED 517 Vocational Transitional Programming
- (3) SPED 520 Curriculum and Instruction Strategies K-12
- (3) SPED 531 Identification and Assessment in Special Education
*Course requirements may vary by academic year. To view the requirements for your academic year, please visit Registration & Records for status sheets.
Status Sheets
Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction - Mathematics - Course Requirements
30 semester hours
Core Courses (12 hours):
- (3) ED 703 Applying Learning Theory to Instructional Design
- (3) ED 744 Curriculum Development and Instruction
- (3) ED 748 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Schools
- (3) ED 790 Seminar
Content Courses (18 hours):
- (3) Elective: MATH 500 or higher
- (3) Elective: MATH 500 or higher
- (3) Elective: MATH 500 or higher
- (3) Elective: MATH 500 or higher
- (3) Elective: MATH 500 or higher
- (3) Elective: MATH 500 or higher
*Course requirements may vary by academic year. To view the requirements for your academic year, please visit Registration & Records for status sheets.
Status Sheets
