Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education Option, M.A.E.

This degree is approved for distance education by the WSCUC.

On April 25, 2022, the CSU Chancellor’s Office issued a memo that GWAR will no longer apply to new and continuing graduate students (regardless of catalog year) at CSULB. Catalog copy has been updated on 07/21/2022 to account for this change.

Visit the College of Education Graduate Studies Office website for specific program details, application guidelines and materials, and application deadlines. Master’s students must complete Catalog requirements specified in the Catalog in effect at the time of admission to the graduate program.

Option in Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education

The Master of Arts in Education, Option in Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education (30-33 units) is designed to foster the development of educators who are caring, effective, reflective, and committed to improving their schools. Coursework prepares teachers to apply theoretical insights and research findings to the practical problems they encounter in their work in curriculum and instruction. Visit the program website for program details (Curriculum and Instruction Website).  Most program courses are offered in an online modality.

Prerequisites

The following are required for admission to the program:

1. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Minimum 2.85 overall grade point average in last degree (not credential or certificate) earned from an accredited institution of higher education. Applicants whose overall GPA is less than 2.85 but meet the University minimum GPA requirement and who present compelling evidence of academic and professional potential either through recent academic performance and/or experiential background, may be considered for admission at the discretion of the program admission committee.
3. A valid teaching credential (may be waived by program coordinator).
4. Six (6) units in teaching mathematics (may be waived by program coordinator).
5. International applicants have additional university application requirements including meeting the English language proficiency requirement. Please visit The Center for International Education (CIE) website for more information.

Application

Applicants use Cal State Apply to file all application materials before the deadline. Deadlines and details about the Program Materials (e.g., statement of purpose prompt, recommendation prompts) may be found in the Application Process section of the College of Education Graduate Studies Office website. Please contact the College of Education Graduate Studies Office if you have questions. 

Submit official transcripts from the college or university from which you earned your bachelor’s degree. This set of transcripts will be used to determine grade point average eligibility. Failure to submit transcripts in a timely manner will result in a delayed review of the application.

Classified Admission

Successful applicants are admitted to the program with Classified admission status.

Advancement to Candidacy - Clear Admission

Students should advance to candidacy as early as possible. They should meet with the program coordinator to plan their program. For Advancement to Candidacy (Clear Admission status), students must:

1. Resolve all incomplete grades.
2. Complete 6 units of program requirements.
3. Maintain a 3.0 grade point average.

Please contact the College of Education Graduate Studies Office if you have questions.