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2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Master of Education in Instruction and Curriculum - Educational Differentiation Emphasis

For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Education and Community Innovation section in this catalog.

Website: gvsu.edu/coe/grad

Mission - Teaching, leading, and learning in a democratic society.

Philosophy - Believing that schools function as social and political entities as well as for the growth of individuals, the College of Education and Community Innovation prepares teachers and leaders a) to enhance the academic and personal potential of their students, and b) to evaluate the social and ethical implications of educational policies and practices.

Values - The College of Education and Community Innovation values expertise to guide our practice, equity to guide our interactions, liberal education to guide our perspectives, and social responsibility to guide our commitment to democratic education. We value these ideals in our preparation of candidates, our development of faculty, and our relationships with the larger community we serve.

This program prepares classroom teachers and specialists to understand and meet the educational needs of students with exceptional abilities across the learning continuum within the mixed-ability classroom. The program focuses on assessment, methodology, materials, curriculum, and administration.

Minimum Number of Hours in Program

The M.Ed. degree in instruction and curriculum with an emphasis in educational differentiation requires a minimum of 33 credit hours.

Program Location
DeVos Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus, located in downtown Grand Rapids, MI

Requirements for M.Ed. in Educational Differentiation

Social Foundations of Education (3 credits) Choose one:

Research and Evaluation (3 credits):

Core Courses (9 credits):

Emphasis Area Courses (9 credits) Choose 3 courses:

Elective (3 credits):

  • Elective ( 3 credits)

Practicum/Graduate Field Experience (3 credits):

  • EDI 685 - Educational Differentiation Field Experience Credits: 3

Students must apply in advance for each practicum course. Advisor approval is required. Application deadlines (practicum): February 15 for spring/summer, May 15 for fall, September 15 for winter semester.

Capstone (3 or 6 credits) Choose one:

Prerequisite: EDF 660

Students should meet with their advisor midway through their program to decide on a Capstone and discuss plans for completion. Subject to department approval, Capstone courses may be taken in variable amounts from one to three credits (EDI 693) or one to six credits (EDI 695) and require continuous enrollment each semester until completed.

Application deadlines (thesis/project): February 15 for spring/summer, May 15 for fall, September 15 for winter semester.


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