Curriculum and Instruction Division

Division Chairperson and Graduate Program Director: Dan Mourlam, Ph.D.
 

Division of Curriculum and Instruction
115 Delzell Education Center
Phone: (605) 658-6639
ci@usd.edu
http://www.usd.edu/ci

FACULTY

 Professors:

Lisa A. Hazlett, Ph.D., University of Kansas-Lawrence. Specialization: English, Language Arts Education.
William J. Sweeney, Ph.D., Ohio State University. Specialization: Special Education.

Associate Professors:

Gary Cheeseman, Ed.D., St. Mary’s University. Specialization: Indian Education.
Susan Gapp, Ed.D., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Language Arts, Reading Education.
Karen Kindle, Ed.D., University of Houston. Specialization: English Language Learners, Language Arts, Reading Education.*
Dan Mourlam, Ph.D., University of Northern Iowa. Specialization: Instructional Technology, Secondary Methods.*
Kevin Reins, Ph.D., University of Wyoming. Specialization: Mathematics Education.

 Assistant Professors:

Jing (An) Williams, Ph.D., Ohio University. Specialization: Social Studies Education.*

Senior Lecturer:

Monica Iverson, Ed.D., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Special Education.

Professor Emeritus:

Garreth Zalud, Ph.D., University of Georgia. Specialization: Reading Education.

Instructor:

Carla McMurry-Kozak, Ed.S., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Special Education, Secondary Education.

Lecturer:

Robin Wiebers, Ed.D., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Secondary Education.*

The * indicates faculty assigned to the Division of Teacher Residency and Education who also teach courses in C&I programs.

DEGREE

Master of Arts, Plan A and Plan B
Master of Science, Plan B only
Doctor of Education

Master of Arts, Plan A and B

Elementary Education  

SPECIALIZATION

Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Learners (accelerated option available)
Early Childhood Education
Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach (accelerated option available)
Science/Technology/Math

Secondary Education  

SPECIALIZATION

Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Learners (accelerated option available)
Science/Technology/Math

Secondary Education + Certification  
Special Education, Plan B only  

SPECIALIZATION

Advanced Specialist in Disabilities (accelerated option available)
Multicategorical Special Education K-12
Early Childhood Special Education

Master of Science, Plan B only

Technology for Education and Training  

Doctor of Education

Curriculum and Instruction  

CERTIFICATE

Alternative Teacher Certification   
Science, Technology, and Math Pedagogy  

Division of Curriculum and Instruction

The mission of the Division of Curriculum and Instruction is to focus on teaching principles of learning and instruction through a framework of current theory, research, best practices, diversity, and technology in order to prepare reflective graduates that have broad knowledge of the multiple factors affecting individuals’ development, performance, and leadership within PK-12 classrooms and professional practice.

Graduate programs in the Division of Curriculum and Instruction are designed to prepare individuals for positions in schools, districts, and higher education. Coursework in programs is offered through a variety of delivery systems to meet the unique needs of students pursuing advanced degree work within the Division.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (Doctor of Education)

1. Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://www.usd.edu/graduate-school/apply-now and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
2. Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with translation) must accompany an application. Official transcripts of all academic work at the undergraduate and graduate levels are required for all students. The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
3.  Completion of a master’s degree and baccalaureate degree is required from an institutionally accredited institution. A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.7 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework is required for full admission. Each graduate program may admit students on provisional status per university policy.
4. Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institutionally accredited American college or university or from an accredited institution in the following English-speaking countries: United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Canada (Excluding Quebec), Australia, and New Zealand are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants, a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT), 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), 8.5 on the TOEFL Essentials, 6.0 on the IELTS Academic, or 53 on the PTE is required for graduate admission. 
5. Applicants are required to include a statement of purpose or goal statement as part of the completed application.

Additional Program Admission Requirements:

6. Three (3) professional letters of recommendation are required.

Subject to department chair’s approval, applicants who do not meet all of the above criteria may be admitted on a provisional basis.

WICHE Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) eligible program. 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (Master of Arts and Master of Science)

1. Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://www.usd.edu/graduate-school/apply-now and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
2. Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with translation) must accompany an application. Official transcripts of all academic work at the undergraduate and graduate levels are required for all students. The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
3. Applicants with a baccalaureate degree may be qualified for admission into the graduate program. Baccalaureate degree must be from an institution with institutional accreditation for that degree. A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.7 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework is required for full admission. Each graduate program may admit students on provisional status per university policy.
4. Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institutionally accredited American college or university or from an accredited institution in the following English-speaking countries: United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Canada (Excluding Quebec), Australia, and New Zealand are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants, a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT), 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), 8.5 on the TOEFL Essentials, 6.0 on the IELTS Academic, or 53 on the PTE is required for graduate admission. 
5. Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose or goal statement.

WICHE Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) eligible program. 

Additional Program Admission Requirements:

6. Three (3) professional letters of recommendation are required.
7. Secondary Education Plus Certification and Special Education Multicategorical Plus Certification applicants require the following: 

a. Secondary Education Plus Certification applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree in areas equivalent in content to an approved University of South Dakota teaching major. The secondary education plus certification program provides an opportunity to become certified to teach at the secondary level. Students with degrees in Art, Music, and Physical Education will also have to satisfy the necessary requirements for K-12 certification.

b.  Special Education Multicategorical Plus Certification applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree. The special education multicategorical program provides an opportunity for candidates to earn initial K-12 special education certification. Students in this program will also have to satisfy entrance requirements for admission to teacher education and all teacher certification requirements.

Subject to department chair’s approval, applicants who do not meet the above criteria may be admitted on a provisional basis.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (Graduate Certificates)

1. Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://www.usd.edu/graduate-school/apply-now and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
2. Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with translation) must accompany an application. Official transcripts of all academic work at the undergraduate and graduate levels are required for all students. The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
3. Applicants with a baccalaureate or master’s degrees may be qualified for admission into the certificate program. Baccalaureate degree must be from an institution with institutional accreditation for that degree. A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.7 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework is required for full admission. Each graduate certificate program may admit students on provisional status per university policy.
4. Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institutionally accredited American college or university or from an accredited institution in the following English-speaking countries: United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Canada (Excluding Quebec), Australia, and New Zealand are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants, a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT), 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), 8.5 on the TOEFL Essentials, 6.0 on the IELTS Academic, or 53 on the PTE is required for graduate admission. 
5. Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose or goal statement.

Additional Program Admission Requirements:

6. Three (3) professional letters of recommendation are required for the Alternative Teacher Certification graduate certificate only.

Subject to department chair’s approval, applicants who do not meet the above criteria may be admitted on a provisional basis.

Note: Applicants for the Alternative Teacher Certification certificate should understand that the graduate certificate does not automatically result in a teaching license in South Dakota. Applicants should follow the processes outlined by the South Dakota Department of Education (https://doe.sd.gov/). 

Application Deadline

• Two weeks before the start of the semester
  • Fall, Spring, and Summer starts

Student Learning Outcomes for Special Education (M.A.)

1. Candidates will understand and apply knowledge and skills appropriate to their professional field of specialization.  
2. Candidates will demonstrate understanding of principles of learning that are appropriate to their field of specialization.  
3. Candidates will demonstrate professional dispositions that are appropriate to their field of specialization. 

Student Learning Outcomes for Secondary Education Plus Certification (M.A.)

1. Majors in Secondary Education will demonstrate content knowledge in their major field.  
2. Majors in Secondary Education will demonstrate the application of teaching and learning principles in the field of education.  
3. Majors in Secondary Education will have an impact on student learning in their major field. 

Student Learning Outcomes for Secondary Education (M.A.)

1. Candidates will understand and apply knowledge and skills appropriate to their professional field of specialization.  
2. Candidates will demonstrate understanding of principles of learning that are appropriate to their field of specialization.  
3. Candidates will demonstrate professional dispositions that are appropriate to their field of specialization.

Student Learning Outcomes for Elementary Education (M.A.)

1. Candidates will understand and apply knowledge and skills appropriate to their professional field of specialization.  
2. Candidates will demonstrate understanding of principles of learning that are appropriate to their field of specialization.  
3. Candidates will demonstrate professional dispositions that are appropriate to their field of specialization.

Student Learning Outcomes for Technology for Education and Training (M.S.)

1. Candidates will understand and apply knowledge and skills appropriate to their professional field of specialization.  
2. Candidates will demonstrate understanding of principles of learning that are appropriate to their field of specialization.  
3. Candidates will demonstrate professional dispositions that are appropriate to their field of specialization. 

Student Learning Outcomes for Curriculum and Instruction (Ed.D.)

1. Candidates will understand and apply knowledge and skills appropriate to their professional field of specialization.  
2. Candidates will demonstrate understanding of principles of learning that are appropriate to their field of specialization.  
3. Candidates will demonstrate professional dispositions that are appropriate to their field of specialization. 

Programs

• Alternative Teacher Certification Graduate Certificate
• Curriculum and Instruction (Ed.D.)
• Elementary Education (M.A.)
• Science, Technology, and Math Pedagogy Graduate Certificate
• Secondary Education (M.A.)
• Secondary Education Plus Certification (M.A.)
• Special Education (M.A.)
• Technology for Education and Training (M.S.)