The Master of Arts in Education prepares strong education professionals to have an informed understanding of complex learning; the knowledge and skills to promote such learning; and the disposition to advocate effectively for the learning, living and growth of students, especially those who bring cultural, linguistic and other diversity to schools. The program coursework challenges educators to analyze and improve their instructional practice to better serve students with diverse ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, as well as students with special needs.

The Curriculum and Instruction Emphasis focuses on teaching and learning in the classroom. The Special Education Emphasis prepares strong professionals who have an informed understanding of what constitutes true learning as well as the knowledge and skills to promote it, and the disposition to work actively toward change when policies or practices negatively impact the learning, living and growth of students with special needs.

A Master of Arts degree in Education can also do the following:

  • Afford greater opportunities for local educators to serve as strong professionals through leadership roles.
  • Provide teachers with an opportunity to develop advanced pedagogical content knowledge in curriculum and instruction to serve diverse learners in today's classrooms.
  • Help certified teachers become outstanding and effective educators of culturally and linguistically diverse students in the schools of this region.
  • Assist certified teachers to be effective educators of students with special needs.
  • Provide a collegial, supportive and informed environment for those educators working toward their National Board Certification.
  • Qualify educators to continue on for a doctoral degree.

Required Courses

MAE students must demonstrate the ability to communicate with native speakers of a language other than English. Students will need to provide evidence of having met this requirement prior to graduation. Evidence may include:

  • Having two college semesters of one language other than English on a university transcript;
  • Completing a language assessment through World Languages & Cultures at CSUMB;
  • Having two high school years of one language other than English on a high school transcript;
  • Other equivalent

Students must select one of the following two emphases and complete the requirements.

Curriculum and Instruction

Complete all of the following courses:

Complete one of the following courses:

Complete one of the following courses:

Complete one of the following courses:

Complete one of the following courses:

Complete ONE of the following courses:

Special Education

Complete all of the following courses:

Complete 2 elective courses (6 units) from the Preliminary SPED Credential Program or the MAE Curriculum and Instruction Emphasis.

Learning Outcomes

LO 1: Students express a critical, questioning perspective (i.e. identify, describe and analyze) about diverse theoretical paradigms with regard to teaching, learning and school reform, including those generated by marginalized groups, which situate schooling in a larger historic and political context.

LO 2: Students search, navigate and critically consume (read, analyze and use) educational research.

LO 3: Students use, apply, design and implement research to bring about change and make improvements in their own professional environment.

LO 4: Students demonstrate their knowledge of and ability to use the most appropriate culturally responsive practices that support complex and challenging learning.

LO 5: Students communicate with native speakers of a language other than English.

LO 6: Students use technology critically to access information, to communicate and as a means of curricular and pedagogical support for higher-level thinking.

LO 7: Students communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, particularly acting as effective advocates for children.

LO 8: Students work with communities of practice on behalf of social justice.