Admissions | Curriculum and Instruction

The Curriculum and Instruction master’s degree provides an excellent professional and career development with advanced studies in teacher leadership, educational theories and research, and curriculum design. Online courses are intended to enhance equitable and culturally responsive teaching practices and learning outcomes.

Admissions Timeline
Program Start	Fall	Winter	Spring	Summer
Application Opens	September 1
Final Application Deadline	August 15	November 15	February 15	May 15
Final Application Materials Due*	August 29	November 29	February 29	May 29

Additional Timeline Information:

*Recommendations can sometimes take longer to arrive. You can submit your application before these have arrived. This deadline is to allow a short grace period for your recommendations to arrive, if necessary.

After submission, your application will be reviewed by staff and faculty. We make every effort to communicate admissions decisions within three to four weeks.

Applications are reviewed as they are submitted.

Admissions Requirements

Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. If your GPA is lower than 3.0, contact the pre-admissions advisor
The Master of Science (MS) does not require foreign language competency.
The Master of Arts (MA) indicates competency in a foreign language. The Department of World Languages and Literature administers the required foreign language examination.

Required Application Materials

Below is the list of the materials and information you will need to provide as part of your online application. We recommend preparing these materials in advance of submitting your application.

Unofficial Transcripts: from your bachelor’s degree-granting institution and from any institution at which you have earned graduate-level credit.
English Language Proficiency: Automatically assessed in your application materials. Learn more about your options for proving proficiency.
Résumé outlining your work and volunteer experience in an educational setting.
Statement of Purpose: Please complete a statement of purpose in no more than 500 words that answers the following prompts. We recommend you provide examples when appropriate. Your answers should reflect how your background, beliefs, and experiences have prepared you for this program.
- Our ideal student is someone who demonstrates the following:
  - A commitment to work for equity and fairness across race, ethnicity, class, gender and sexual identification, language, religion, ability, or any other group identification which advantages or disadvantages a person based on group identity
  - Honors, values and demonstrates consideration and respect for diverse patterns and expectations of learning and communication
  - A commitment to ongoing professional learning and demonstrate a belief that everyone can learn and construct knowledge;
  - A dedication, energy, drive, and determination to overcome obstacles and continually learn in every setting
  - An initiative, motivation and commitment to become a professional educator
- Please provide examples of your experience with youth that demonstrate how you meet these dispositional requirements.
- Please describe your career goals, professional experiences and/or accomplishments, and your reason for applying to this program
Recommendations: Submit contact information for at least two references via the application. Portland State University will contact your references and provide them with instructions for submitting recommendation forms.

Admissions Review Process

We review your application for the following:

Academic Requirements: Via your transcripts, we assess whether you meet the university’s minimum admissions requirements.
Experience In educational settings: Experience working in educational settings demonstrates your understanding of the K-12 education system, principles of curriculum development, curriculum planning and implementation, and assessment.
Résumé: We use your résumé to evaluate your relevant work and/or volunteer experiences in educational settings and how these experiences align with your goals in pursuing this master’s degree.
Statement of Purpose: Your statement of purpose will be evaluated based on its content, your responses to the prompt questions, and your writing style and proficiency. Please restrict your essay to a maximum of 500 words.
Two Recommendations: If possible, at least one of these should come from someone who has seen you work with youth. Your references will submit a questionnaire that you send them via the application portal.

Ready to apply?

Review the PSU Graduate School’s minimum admissions requirements.
Create an account or sign into the Portland State University Admissions Application system.
Select "Start New Application"
Then select "Graduate Application"
For the college, select "College of Education"
For the program of study, select "Curriculum and Instruction - Online, Masters"
Select the term you plan to start the program

Questions? Contact Tatiana!

Post-Admissions

You will be notified of your admission decision to the program via an email and formal digital letter from the Graduate School. After admission, you will be assigned a faculty advisor and staff student success advisor, both of whom will support you through your program. The college provides an online orientation module to help you take your next steps to begin your program. You will also be invited to a live orientation session to ensure that you’re fully prepared to begin.

A few additional things to keep in mind:

All students must submit their official transcripts to the Graduate School after admission.
If you’re still completing a bachelor’s degree, you must apply for your degree, and it must be awarded by the term before you begin your graduate program. (Ex: if the program begins summer, the degree must be awarded by the end of spring term).
You must register for coursework in the term that you are admitted in order to validate admission to the program. If you do not, your admission status will be canceled.
If you’re unable to begin in your term of admission, you may request a deferral by emailing askcoe@pdx.edu for up to 4 terms (one year). This request must be made before the start of the program.