WGU Launches New Master's Degree for Teachers, 2/22/11

News Brief - 2/22/11

Western Governors University Launches New Master’s Degree for Teachers

Online university introduces Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction; scholarships available

SALT LAKE CITY — Western Governors University’s NCATE-accredited Teachers College is now offering a new degree program created for licensed teachers, the M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction. The new program is designed to help educators improve design of curriculum and instruction through the use of empirical educational research. To help introduce this new degree program, WGU has announced the Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Scholarship, a competitive scholarship program valued at up to $2,000.

This new degree program teaches teachers to develop, implement, and evaluate teaching and learning methodologies and help them acquire the skills and credential to become pedagogical and curricular leaders. It focuses on two areas of study: curriculum and instruction and research fundamentals. Like all WGU degree programs, the M.S. in Curriculum and Instructions is online and competency-based. Students progress by demonstrating their knowledge, or ‘competency,’ in each course. This learning model allows students to move quickly through subjects they already know while they focus on the things they still need to learn. Learning resources, which consist of textbooks, webinars, and interactive simulations, are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so students can schedule their studies to fit their busy lives.

The WGU M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction is a rigorous and challenging program designed for motivated, independent learners. Students should be prepared to devote about 20 hours per week to their studies. For more information about the program, go to http://www.wgu.edu/msci.

To be eligible for the Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Scholarship, students must complete an application for admission, submit official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree and present a current, valid teaching credential. Scholarships will be awarded at the rate of $500 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms. Multiple scholarships will be awarded, but this is a competitive scholarship and recipients will be selected based on their academic record, readiness for online study, and an interview with a WGU scholarship counselor.

Through the National Education Association (NEA) Academy, NEA members are eligible for a 5% discount on tuition and waiver of WGU’s application fee. For more information about benefits for NEA members, go to http://www.wgu.edu/landing/nea.