Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Raymond Dixon, Chair (405 B Educ. Bldg. 83844-3082; 208-885-6587, rdixon@uidaho.edu

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction includes teacher preparation programs for elementary education, secondary education, special education, and graduate programs in curriculum and instruction and special education.

The professional degree majors in curriculum and instruction provide knowledge, skills, and experiences to enable teachers to work effectively with K-12 students and schools. Students benefit from collaborative relationships and experience with partner schools and agencies.

Pre-service teaching degree majors are offered in elementary education and secondary education (B.S.Ed.). A fifth-year program is offered in special education. Students should consult an advisor concerning requirements for degree and/or certification.

Master's degrees are offered in curriculum and instruction and special education (M.Ed.). Doctorate degrees are available in education (Ed.D., Ph.D.) with specializations in curriculum and instruction or special education with emphases in autism and developmental disabilities.

Elementary and Secondary Teacher Education

These programs include the university core curriculum, professional education core curriculum, and program content courses. Secondary students select teaching majors and minors from subjects currently taught in secondary schools such as English, social studies, sciences, mathematics, art, and foreign languages. Elementary students receive a B.S.Ed. degree; secondary students may earn a B.S.Ed. degree through the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, Health and Human Sciences or a B.A. or B.S. degree through the department and college administering the academic major.

Early and continuous field experiences are a hallmark of the teacher preparation program, which culminates in a semester-long professional experience. Program goals include

  1. recruitment and retention of high quality students through rigorous admission, continuation, and exit criteria,
  2. preparation of teachers in a standards driven, integrated, and field-based program,
  3. completion of the Internship semester, and
  4. engagement in continuing professional development for students, teachers, and university faculty to improve K-12 student performance.

Special Education Teacher Education

The 5th Year Special Education Program offers a unique program culminating in an undergraduate degree and recommendation for certification in either elementary or secondary education plus a master’s degree and recommendation for K-12 certification in special education. It is designed for students who want to become teachers in special education and general education.

Graduate Education/Curriculum and Instruction

The program provides advanced professional and foundational courses that support graduate study in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. Graduate programs in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in teacher education include

  1. Master of Education in curriculum and instruction; and
  2. doctoral degree programs (Doctor of Education or Doctor of Philosophy) with emphases in curriculum and instruction.

Graduate Education/Special Education

The program provides advanced professional and foundational courses that support graduate study in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. Graduate programs in special education include the following:

  1. Master of Education in special education
  2. Doctoral degree programs (Doctor of Education or Doctor of Philosophy) with emphases in special education

Persons interested in doctoral work in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences should apply to the program through the College of Graduate Studies. Admission requirements for the doctoral program include

  1. a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 in undergraduate preparation,
  2. a minimum grade-point average of 3.50 at the master's degree level or its equivalent, and
  3. letters of recommendation.

Exceptions to the criteria may be made when documented by the Graduate Review Committee.

The professional degree majors in career and technical education provide the opportunity and relevant skills, knowledge, and dispositions to enable teachers, administrators, and business and industry personnel to work effectively with today's organizations, youth, and adults. Learners benefit from the realistic relationships between course experiences and work required by educational institutions, business, industry, agriculture, and family life.

Preservice teaching degree majors are offered in career and technical education (CTE) with options in business and marketing education, engineering and technology education, and occupational education in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. (See Admission to Teacher Education Programs.)

For all undergraduate teaching degrees listed below, the student should consult an advisor concerning state requirements for the career-technical education certificate.

Business and Marketing Education

The business and marketing education option is for students interested in teaching business, marketing, and business technology subjects at the high school or post-secondary level. Completers of this option qualify for an Idaho secondary teaching certificate (6-12) in business technology education, marketing technology education, and usually economics (based on selected electives).

Career-technical Education

The career-technical education option is designed primarily for teachers in area career-technical schools and secondary trade and industry programs who do not hold degrees. It does not qualify one for teaching in a public K-12 system unless a person also holds a secondary endorsement or an occupational specialist certificate.

Career-technical Certification

In collaboration with the Idaho State Division of Career Technical Education, sequential in-service undergraduate career-technical education degree courses, as well as selected graduate career-technical courses, are offered each semester at area professional/technical schools located at Coeur d'Alene, Lewiston, Boise, and Twin Falls.

Technology Education

The technology education option is designed for students interested in teaching technical subjects related to construction technology, communications technology, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, production, and other technology related subjects. It is a 2+2 program, meaning graduates from technical and community colleges with an associate degree in a technical/science area can be admitted and complete the program in two full years. Graduates of this option qualify for an Idaho secondary teaching certificate in technology education (grades 6-12).