Program Overview 

The Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) Certificate Only is a fully online program designed for candidates to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to serve as curriculum specialists at the classroom, department, building, or system level, among other roles. Completers of the program are suited for positions supporting teachers as they improve their curricula and instructional strategies, lead assessment efforts at the district or state levels, or guide efforts to integrate new curricula and pedagogical approaches in classrooms. 

Curriculum & Instruction Specialists

  • Assist with new approaches to teaching
  • Model instructional strategies
  • Support differentiation and lesson planning
  • Oversee analysis of student data, and more

Candidates complete 21 credit hours of advanced curriculum-focused coursework. 

Program Highlights

The Curriculum & Instruction Certificate Only program coursework is fully online, preparing professional teachers, teacher leaders, and administrators to enhance their expertise in curriculum and instruction to improve student learning. 

  • Program designed for elementary, middle, or secondary level educators
  • 100% ONLINE
  • Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) APPROVED for field addition
  • Focus on learner-centered curriculum and instruction
  • Small class sizes and individualized learning

Program of Study

The program includes 21 total hours.

Please contact the Curriculum & Instruction Program Coordinator for additional information. 

Curriculum & Instruction Core Courses

15 credit hours
  • EDCI 7800: Curriculum Praxis
  • EDCI 7810: Foundations of Curriculum
  • EDCI 7820: Advanced Curriculum theory and Practice
  • EDCI 7840: Community-Engaged Pedagogies in Curriculum and Instruction
  • EDCI 7830: Trends and Issues in Curriculum and Instruction

Research & Assessment Core

3 hours
  • EDRS 8000: Applied Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Capstone & Applied Research in C&I

3 hours
  • EDUC 7900: Certification Only Capston

Admission Requirements

  • Master’s degree in professional education or a related field.
  • Uploaded to graduate application. Current clear, renewable Georgia Teaching, Service and/or Leadership Certificate, out-of-state equivalent, OR Secondary & Middle Grades Department Chair/Program Coordinator approval (for non-certified applicants). To print a copy of your clear, renewable Georgia certificate, you may log into your MyPSC account.  Must NOT already hold the Curriculum & Instruction field on your PSC certificate.
  • Minimum of THREE (3) years of professional teaching and/or administrative experience required.
  • Forms and their directions are in the online graduate application. May submit letters of recommendation or utilize evaluation form to be completed via the graduate application. The KSU Graduate College will send electronic evaluation forms to these sources. Two evaluations must be submitted for this admission requirement to be noted as complete. These recommendations must come from an educational professional who has taught or supervised your work and who can write with authority about your abilities as an educator.
  • This program provides candidates with authentic, field-based learning experiences. Completion of these experiences often requires the facilitation of an educator (usually a current administrator or Lead Teacher) who agrees to serve as the candidate’s mentor during his or her degree program. The mentor contact operates as part of a learning team with the candidate and university faculty, ensuring the candidate has an opportunity to complete his or her field experiences and/or working with university faculty and candidates to identify appropriate alternative experiences.  As this program leads to a field addition by the GaPSC, the mentor must meet PSC requirements, as listed on the program Curriculum & Instruction Mentor Form. Completed form must be uploaded to graduate application. Individuals employed in a private school setting will need to reach out to the Bagwell Certification Officer for further guidance. 
  • An interview may be required. If so, you will be contacted by the program to set up an interview. 

PLEASE NOTE: International Students (Visa and Green Card Holders) Please visit KSU’s International Graduate Admissions site for additional requirements. Additionally, KSU’s International Student and Scholar Services provides assistance. 

Application Process

  • Complete the Online Graduate Application.
  • Obtain and submit official transcripts from EACH college or university attended, including those institutions where degrees were NOT earned. Official transcripts are those in a university sealed envelope. Your transcripts should reflect, at least, a Master’s degree with, at least, a 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Obtain and submit a copy of Georgia Teaching Certificate or a departmentally-approved equivalent.
  • Complete and submit a Professional Resume documenting education, teaching experience, volunteer and service accomplishments, and record of leadership activities. Your resume MUST reflect, at least, three years of teaching experience.
  • Complete and submit the Professional Reflection Statement.
  • Obtain and submit two references using the Evaluation Form.
  • Obtain and submit the Mentor Commitment Form.
  • Submit a copy of the Transfer Credit Request Form, if applicable.
    1. International Applicants Only: Please contact the International Student Admissions Office at 470.578.4377 for all international admission requirements related to your citizenship or visa status or visit the Graduate International Admissions website.

PLEASE NOTE: That an interview may be required for admission. If an interview is required for your application, you will be contacted by the Program Coordinator to set up the interview.

Additional Information

For more information about the C&I certification only program, please call 470.578.6314 or email ciedssmge@kennesaw.edu. 
For more information on graduate admissions, please email DegreeUp@kennesaw.edu.