Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Education - Alternative Routes
The Alternative Routes – Master of Education Program (Alt Routes M.Ed.) combines City University of Seattle’s renowned one-year certificate-only program with our M.Ed. program, allowing candidates to receive credit towards a master’s degree while completing the certificate program. Candidates may be able to work for some time in their current school assignment during their Alt Routes field experiences with district permission. To complete the master’s degree, candidates must complete an additional 15 M.Ed. credits (4 courses).
Endorsement options available with this plan of study include:
- Special Education + either Elementary Education or Mathematics
- English Language Learner + either Elementary Education or Mathematics
- Middle Level Mathematics
- Mathematics (Grades 5-12)
Program Outcomes
The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction will prepare students to:
Interpret educational theories and scholarship to inform best practices in education and create engaging learning environments supporting the diverse needs of students.
Utilize quantitative reasoning skills to analyze data to inform instruction and assessment that support evidence-based decisions in diverse settings.
Demonstrate a commitment to the ethical and professional dimensions of teaching through culturally responsive practices.
Integrate personal and professional development to navigate the complexities within educational settings.
Interpret and apply critical thinking pedagogy through reflective practice.
Admission Requirements
In addition to CityU's Admission Requirements for Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs, applicants to one of the Alternative Route programs must meet the following admission criteria.
- Completion of a bachelor degree from an accredited institution of higher education with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
- Complete an interview with program faculty.
- Submit a resume with three references.
- Submit three professional reference letters.
- Complete each section of the Washington Educators Skills Test - Basic (WEST-B), or pass the State-approved tests for Math, Reading, and Writing.
- Take the following tests, preferably prior to admission to the program: SPED (West E 70), ELL (West E 51), Math (NES 203 and 304), Reading (NES 104), and/or Elementary (NES 102 and 103). All candidates must pass these tests for certification.
Alternative Route 3 and Alternative Route 4 applicants must also provide documentation of 80 hours of supervised work with children.
Total Required Credits (39)
Core Courses (12 Credits)
| ECU 504 | Graduate Research and Methodology * | 4 |
| ECU 506 | Practice of Diversity and Global Education * | 4 |
| ECU 508 | School and Community Engagement * | 4 |
Alternative Route Specialized Study (24 Credits)
Candidates complete the courses listed below plus one of the following 4 credit specialized blocks.
Special Education Behavior Block (4 Credits)
Special Education Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Block (4 Credits)
| ESP 529 | Fundamentals of the IEP Process | 3 |
| ESP 540 | Teaming and Transitions | 1 |
English Language Learner Block (4 Credits)
| ESL 544 | Evidence-Based Instructional Practices for ELL | 3 |
| ESL 670 | Identification, Assessment, and Culturally Responsive Practices for ELL | 1 |
Mathematics Block (4 Credits)
| ETC 605 | Mathematics II * | 3 |
| ETC 670 | Aligning Learning Targets and Assessments in the Mathematical Classroom | 1 |
Capstone (3 Credits)
| ECU 601 | Master of Education Capstone Project * | 3 |