M.A. in Teaching and Learning: Research in Curriculum Design

Master of Arts Degree


Teaching and Learning: Curriculum Design

Admission to the M. A. Program

All interested applicants to the Ed.D. Teaching and Learning Program and the M.A. in Teaching and Learning: Curriculum Design are strongly encouraged to attend one of several informational meetings during November, December and January lasting about one hour. There will be a brief presentation, as well as group and one-on-one advising.  Register here for one of the information sessions. 

Applicants interested in Financial Aid should complete the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as January 1st, 2012 and no later than March 2, 2012.  Contact Student Financial Services at 858-534-4480 if you have any questions.

The application deadline is February 1, 2012.


Application Checklist

A completed application will include the following components:

Application Form

The application form is completed online.

In the application select the following choices:


a. Choose Program/Department: Education Studies

b. Choose Major: Teaching and Learning (Curriculum Design)

c. Choose Degree: M.A. is the only selection

d. Choose Term: Special Summer 2012 is the only selection

Academic History

A 3.0 cumulative GPA is required from the school awarding the bachelor's degree.

Transcripts

For Application Review purposes: The Education Studies Department accepts uploaded transcripts only.  Please scan both the front and back sides from each university/college level institution attended, even if the back side is blank.  Convert the scanned transcripts to PDF format (see link within the online application), and upload both front and back sides of your documents.

Upon provisional admission to graduate study at UC San Diego:

* Send One set of official hard copy of transcripts from all institutions attended and from the institution where you obtained your undergraduate degree to the Office of Graduate Admissions (OGS) at UC San Diego.  OGS willr equire these transcripts from you if you are officially admission into the University. 

Recommendations

Three letters of recommendation submitted via the online recommendation form available within the application or mailed to us using the downloadable form (also accessible through the online application). You may find it useful to consider in advance whom you will ask to serve as recommenders, so that you can contact these individuals and confirm their willingness. We recommend selecting recommenders that are familiar with your teaching and who also can attest to your ability to engage in graduate level work while teaching full time. 

Statement of Purpose

The online application includes a statement of purpose. The statement should focus on the following two areas:

a. Your interest and experiences in research and curriculum design

b. Your prior professional development experiences

Writing Sample

This might be either a recent college term paper, a mentorship or grant application essay, or an essay (3-5) pages about a specific teaching and learning experience.

GRE (general test only) Scores

The GRE exam (general test only) must be taken prior to the admission deadline. Our program code is R4836. If you have already taken the test and did not have your scores sent to UC San Diego, contact ETS to have your scores sent to us electronically. The test scores are valid for 5 years.

Please be sure to retain copies of all application materials submitted to EDS.  EDS will not be able to make copies of any application materials that are part of your file.  Any admissions document submitted with your application becomes the property of the University.

* For former UC San Diego graduate students, contact Melissa Wolf to complete the necessary re-admission forms.  A new application is not required. 

 

Send Application Materials to:

University of California San Diego
Education Studies
Attention: Admissions/ Melissa Wolf
9500 Gilman Drive
Mail Code 0070
La Jolla, CA 92093-0070


The M.A. in Teaching and Learning at UC San Diego offers local professional educators an extensive overview of educational research in curriculum design.

A key feature of the M.A. program is the integration of research and practice. M.A. students remain full-time teachers for the duration of the program. They design, implement and evaluate curricular innovations in their own classrooms. The culmination of the M.A. work is a thesis describing the rationale, development, and effectiveness of these innovations.

Once students have completed this M.A. graduate program, they may apply to enter directly into the second year of the Ed.D program either immediately or at a later time.


What do teachers say about their experience in the M.A. Program?

"There is much to think about, much to learn, and much room for improvement in education. This program is an opportunity to start your quest to help the field of education as more than just a teacher."

"Think of this program as something you do for yourself. This is an opportunity to return to the 'life of the mind.' This year gave me a chance to recharge my intellectual batteries!"

"This program skillfully leads you through a process of discovering your own philosophy about teaching and learning, questioning your assumptions, and engaging with educational research."

"The best learning experience of my life."

Examples of M.A. Research Projects

The topics of the M.A. theses in past years are varied, and have included: multimedia approaches to secondary biology and chemistry instruction; writing revision among emergent writers; building partnerships between families and schools; activities which link home and school experiences in the content areas of reading and writing, mathematics, science, and social studies; improved integration of curriculum and assessment; motivation and art; using technology for mathematics and geography teaching; and embedding ESL in native language instruction.

Since the program's inception in 1988, more than 240 educational professionals have earned M.A. degrees in Teaching and Learning (Research in Curriculum Design). Of these, over half came from the ranks of elementary teachers while the remaining teach in secondary and post-secondary settings.

The M.A. Course of Study

The M.A. program requirements consist of forty quarter units of coursework, including the master's thesis. Courses are usually offered for 4.0 quarter units of credit, and are typically offered one night per week, from 5:00-7:50 pm. Core coursework comprises twenty-eight units, with the remaining twelve units consisting of elective coursework.

Core M.A. Coursework

  • First Summer (mid June - late August)
    • EDS 229: Introductory course about research on teaching practice.
    • EDS 231 or 232 (offered alternating summers): Each summer includes an intensive course in innovative instructional theory and practices. Specific topic changes each year. Examples include: portfolio and authentic assessment; telecommunications in the classroom; collaborative learning; and research on child development and learning.

  • Fall, Winter, and Spring
    • EDS 230A-B-C: Three-quarter seminar providing an extensive overview of curriculum design principles, and application of educational research to classroom practice
    • EDS 233A: Graduate seminar in which UCSD faculty present their research on educational topics.
    • EDS 290 (fall & spring only): Intensive work with faculty.

  • Second Summer (mid June - late August
    • EDS 231 or 232: (see above.)
    • EDS 295: Completion of M.A. thesis writing.

 

The M.A. in Teaching and Learning (Research in Curriculum Design) and first year Ed.D. students typically have part-time student status and thus pay part-time fees. In addition, most Teaching and Learning graduate students are able to waive student health fees since they receive health benefits from their employers.  For current graduate fees, visit here. 


Note: The M.A. program satisfies the requirements for the first year of the Doctor of Education in Teaching and Learning program.

Who do I contact for further information?

All interested applicants to the M.A. in Teaching and Learning: Research in Curriculum Design and the Ed.D. Teaching and Learning Program are strongly encouraged to attend an informational meeting lasting about one hour. There will be a brief presentation, as well as group and one-on-one advising.

For questions about the admissions process, please contact Melissa Wolf. For more information about the M.A. in Teaching and Learning: Research in Curriculum Design, please contact Dr. Jim Levin.