Graduate and Online Studies

​The department of Teacher Education and Special Education offers students excellent preparation for graduate teaching programs. CMU leads the state of Michigan in the number of master's degrees in teaching conferred annually.​

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M.A. in Education: Curriculum and Instruction

The Master of Arts degree in Education with a Curriculum and Instruction concentration focuses on developing better teachers/educators and a deeper understanding of how to package and facilitate learning experiences. The program is designed for educators who aspire to oversee curriculum and instruction. While the Curriculum & Instruction concentration focuses primarily on PK-12 educators and the learning experiences of students in a school setting, the program also serves a highly diverse group of educators to examine curriculum and instruction from multiple perspectives. This unique degree also provides an opportunity to create personal pathways.

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M.A. in Learning, Design, and Technology

The MA in Learning, Design, and Technology prepares candidates to integrate technology in a variety of instructional settings, both face-to-face and virtual, that include PK-12, higher education, business, non-profits, and other training settings. With a focus on intentional instructional design and assessment, as well as facilitation and collaboration, the program prepares individuals for technology leadership roles.



M.A. in Reading and Literacy

The MA in Reading and Literacy K-12 option prepares students with teaching certificates to specialize in the study of research and methodology in reading from kindergarten through secondary education. The program provides an in-depth study of literacy programs, theoretical models, and processes of reading and writing, assessment, interdisciplinary processes, and strategies in literacy, current literacy issues, and the diagnosis and remediation of reading difficulties. The program includes a six-week supervised clinical practicum. Graduates are also eligible to apply for the Reading Specialist (BR) endorsement.

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M.A. In Special Education

Currently, the Master of Arts in Special Education is available to Michigan educators with a valid Michigan Teaching Certificate. This program is open to those who are interested in earning a master’s degree in special education with an initial or additional endorsement in one of three areas: Autism Spectrum Disorder (SV endorsement), Cognitive Impairment (SA endorsement), or Special Learning Disability (SM endorsement). 

If you do not hold a Michigan teaching certificate: 

  • If you are seeking initial certification, we offer an expedited pathway for those with bachelor’s degrees to earn a standard teaching certificate with an autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment, or specific learning disability endorsement. This pathway will prepare to you to teach students with disabilities K-12 in the State of Michigan.
  • If you are seeking to earn your bachelor’s degree, we also offer an accelerated pathway for degree completion and the ability to earn a standard teaching certificate with an autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment, or specific learning disability endorsement. This pathway will prepare you to teach students with disabilities K-12 in the State of Michigan.

If pursuing the standard certificate with a special education endorsement only, you may be required to take additional coursework to meet initial teacher certification requirements in addition to completing the degree requirements on the M.A. in Special Education. This would be determined in consultation with a faculty advisor prior to admission to the program.

Doctorate in Educational Technology

The Doctorate in Educational Technology is designed for those interested in professional research and a rigorous evaluation of educational technology or technology-based training. The program is taught completely online in a cohort format where students start and finish a set schedule of courses together.  There are no face-to-face requirements. 

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