Master in Curriculum and Instruction (Master's)

Applications for the Jan 2027 intake are open until Nov 15, 2026. Tuition is Tuition for the 2026-2027 academic year is $650 per credit hour for in-state students and $1,050 per credit hour for out-of-state students..

Students engage in designing and adapting curricula for diverse classrooms through coursework and practical experiences. They study curriculum theory, instructional methods, and assessment strategies with a focus on culturally responsive teaching. The programme emphasizes applying research to classroom practice and developing skills in differentiated instruction. Students complete a practicum and conduct action research to address real educational challenges.

Focus areas include Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Second Language Teaching and Learning, Curriculum Design and Development, Differentiated Instruction, Technology in Education, Early Childhood Education.

The programme requires 36 credits, distributed across core courses, electives, a practicum, and a dissertation. Students complete a minimum of 3 credits in a practicum and 1-16 credits in dissertation work.

Graduates work as curriculum specialists, instructional coaches, or teachers in diverse educational settings including K-12 schools, community colleges, and educational consulting firms.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Required documents include official transcripts, a statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation. A teaching certificate is required for some courses.

The programme totals about 36 credit hours. On-campus, full-time or part-time, typically completed in two years. For international students, tuition is above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 75% of applicants.

Connections beyond the classroom are central to UMKC's place in Kansas City. The university works with organizations across the city to create internships and mentoring opportunities, and its online jobs board lists 12,000 potential employers. Alumni and community networks support graduates as they move into professional life. Student participation in research begins at the undergraduate level and continues through graduate and professional programs, with financial support and faculty mentorship available for undergraduate research and creative scholarship projects.

UMKC offers more than 125 academic areas across undergraduate, graduate and professional study. Its strengths include pharmacy, education, law, nursing and business, alongside health sciences and research in cardiovascular systems and clinical medicine. As Kansas City's only Carnegie Research 1 university, UMKC has received more than $118 million in total external awards after setting an annual $85 million goal in 2018, reaching that target five years ahead of schedule. A UMKC-led regional materials research engine has also received a National Science Foundation award of up to $160 million.

Campus life spans the Volker campus and the Health Sciences campus, with student support spaces, a student plaza, Miller Nichols Library, residence life, fitness and recreation, and more than 400 student organizations, professional groups and clubs. Kansas City functions as an extension of campus: the KC Streetcar connects UMKC with internships, entertainment, cultural destinations and City Hall. Students come from 82 countries and all 50 states. International students and exchange visitors have admissions pathways, and international students perform at Global Fest.