Requirements and procedures for the M.A. degree
The department offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree with nine
tracks. Two options are available for the M.A. degree in C&I, Plan A or
Plan B. Plan A requires a formal thesis that is submitted to the
Graduate School and is more appropriate if future doctoral study is
likely. Students usually choose Plan A or B within the first year of
coursework. The plan selection is made officially when the student files
the degree program.
The information in this handbook describes how Graduate School
requirements are applied in C&I—please refer to the
Graduate School website for master’s degree graduation
requirements.
NOTE: All department forms and links to Graduate School forms are
available online.
An online checklist
is available to assist students in meeting all requirements.
M.A. Plan A requirements
Program planning
Major Coursework
Plan A programs require a minimum of 31-35 credits (including 10 thesis credits).
- Track requirements: minimum of 14 semester credits in selected track (consult particular track for particular course requirements (See planning forms.)
- Research:
- CI 8133 Research Methods in Curriculum and Instruction (3 cr.)
- CI 8777 Thesis Credits (10 cr.) (Consult planning forms to determine if additional research courses are needed for particular track)
Minor or related field coursework:
A minimum of 6 semester credits is required for a minor or related field.
- A traditional minor includes work in a single field related to the major, but taken outside of the Curriculum and Instruction department. Competency in the selected minor is expected and may be assessed as part of the final examination. For an official minor to appear on the diploma and transcript, students are expected to meet minor requirements in the program of choice and the DGS for the minor program must sign all Graduate School forms. Students in the past have minored in Educational Psychology, Mathematics, Studio Arts, or Hispanic Linguistics. Students have also completed “free-standing” minors not housed in a particular department such as the interdisciplinary Minor in Literacy and Rhetorical Studies.
- A related field is less formal and more flexible than a minor. It is composed of a coherent pattern of courses, possibly embracing several disciplines. The final examination may include content from the related field, but students are not expected to have significant competency in the field like those with a traditional minor. Students may elect to take courses within C & I (but outside their specific track) for the related field. For example, a student with a track in Learning Technologies may have a related field in Literacy Education.
Filing the degree program
M.A. degree programs include a list of the coursework for the degree
and the faculty members recommended for the M.A. examining committee.
The degree program form also identifies the M.A. plan—Plan A or Plan B.
It should be submitted after approximately 10 credits have been taken.
The M.A. program is first reviewed by the DGS and, if approved, is then
forwarded to the Graduate School for final approval. A letter from the
DGS is sent to the student when the program has been forwarded to the
Graduate School. On occasion the DGS returns the program to students
with questions and/or a list of stipulated revisions and students need
to re-submit the program for review.
To file the M.A. program, students must submit two forms to the DGS for
approval: (1) the C&I Departmental M.A. Program Planning Form—Plan A,
and (2) the Graduate School’s Degree Program Transmittal Form.
- C&I M.A. program planning form-Plan A This form should be used to plan a program of study with the adviser(s). All courses taken independently (directed studies, problems, readings) must be described thoroughly so that content is understood by the DGS. Students must attach descriptions or copies of previously completed Directed Study Proposal forms. This planning form requires the student to list the proposed committee members for the final examination process. See committee examples and information.
- Graduate school degree program transmittal form Students complete this form after finishing the C&I M.A. Program Planning Form-Plan A. “Major courses” are all CI (or MthE) courses related to the designated track. “Other program courses” are those taken outside of the selected track and/or to constitute the minor or related field.
Making changes to the approved program
Once approved by the Graduate School, the program must be fulfilled to meet graduation requirements. Changes must be requested by petition and require adviser and DGS signatures. Petitions may be found the C&I and Graduate School websites.
Final M.A. Plan A thesis
All M.A. students must demonstrate familiarity with the tools of research or scholarship in their track, the ability to work independently, and the ability to present the results of their investigation effectively. The thesis required for the M.A. Plan A is formal and submitted to the Graduate School. The Plan A thesis is divided into chapters (usually five). A thesis proposal must be discussed and approved by the student’s committee before the student may proceed with the thesis.
In preparation for the Plan A thesis, the M.A. student must complete the following steps in order:
- File degree program [when approximately one-third (10 credits) of coursework is completed]
- Construct a formal written thesis proposal according to program area requirements and distribute to committee (see below)
- Hold formal meeting with committee and gain input from committee and written approval on the M.A. Plan A Thesis Review Sheet and Final Examining Committee Form, to be submitted to C&I Graduate Studies office
- Revise proposal as needed (may require another committee meeting or later signatures from the committee members depending upon the extent of revisions required)
- If applicable, complete IRB application and wait for approval
- Once IRB approval is achieved, begin data collection
The Plan A thesis:
- requires 10 thesis credits (CI 8777)
- is a formal M.A. thesis (bound and submitted to Grad School), involving approx. 450 hours of work
- involves original research in the form of a “mini-dissertation” divided into chapters
- is likely to require human subjects (IRB) approval (see below), which must be obtained prior to beginning data collection
- requires a thesis proposal (see below), which must be written and presented to the committee for approval before the study begins
- is submitted to the Graduate School
Plan A thesis proposal
Suggested contents of the thesis proposal include the following:
Introduction and Statement of the Problem
Description of the problem, research questions and rationale
Literature Review
-
An abbreviated critical review of literature related to the proposed study
-
Proposed Methods
-
Information on the teaching context if applicable (i.e. number of students, type, setting, school, type of course, etc.)
-
A written description of the proposed study including the research questions and a description of research methodology(ies), data sources, collection methods and approach to data analysis
Preparation and Qualifications for Conducting the Research
Description of the problem, research questions and rationale
Appendix
If applicable, Human Subjects
Application (see below)
Final Thesis Text:
Suggested contents of the final thesis include the following:
The Introduction and Statement of the Problem
A description of the problem and the purpose of and rationale for the study. Includes a statement of research questions and the rationale for asking them.
Literature Review
A critical overview of the literature related to the proposed study.
Methodology
A detailed description of the design (e.g., the setting, the sample, the instrumentation, research methodology(ies), the data collection procedures, the procedures for analysis of the data)
Presentation of the Results
A detailed description of the results as they correspond to research questions
Conclusion and Implications
Conclusions, limitations of the research, recommendations for further research, and pedagogical implications
Bibliography, Resources and Appendices (if applicable)
-
Full bibliographic information for all of the sources cited and resources u sed.
-
If applicable, copy of the approval letter from the U of MN IRB.
Reading Strategies Instruction in Spanish and Its Influence on Reading Comprehension in English
Conducted in an international school in Paraguay, this study explored the effect of reading strategy instruction in Spanish (the students’ native language) on their reading comprehension in English. Seventeen 5th-graders participated and received instruction in reading strategy use in Spanish over a 4-month period. Data sources included pre- and post-interviews, pre- and post-questionnaires involving a self-assessment of strategy use, and reading comprehension measures using the recall protocol procedure (3 times over 5 months) and oral fluency measures (3 times over 5 months). (Required IRB approval.)
Word Women: Learning about Literacy from Extraordinary Girl Writers outside of the Classroom
This descriptive analysis explored the literacy lives of extraordinary adolescent girl writers who have published their writing outside of the classroom. Based on a review of the literature, indicating that researchers have unearthed new layers of meaning by expanding literacy studies beyond formal writing classrooms and curriculum, this study captured the voluntary out-of-school writing practices of five girls, ages 11–18. Three primary questions guided this research: “What motivates young authors to write?” “How do these girls define themselves as writers?” and “What does their writing process look like?” Using open-ended interviews, electronic mail surveys, and published and unpublished writing samples, the researcher drew conclusions about the compelling and complex ways these girls used writing to express themselves and make sense of their world, and as a result of these discoveries, the ways in which we can reflect on writing pedagogy. (Required IRB approval.)
Human subjects approval
Most M.A. theses involve work with students, teachers or other school or business personnel, i.e., human subjects. Students must submit an application to the University’s Internal Review Board (IRB) prior to contacting potential subjects or collecting data. Depending upon the nature of the study, IRB approval may take several weeks or months, so students are advised to plan ahead and apply early in the research process. IRB instructions and applications are available online. Advisers and the Department Chair must sign students’ IRB applications before they are submitted.
The University of Minnesota requires Human Subjects’ Protection Training for all investigators and research personnel, including students. For information on how to complete and register for human subjects training, see Human Subjects Protection.
Final examination
The Graduate School requires a final examination for M.A.
candidates. In C&I, this exam is oral and is based primarily
on the Plan A thesis, though it may include any work
fundamental to the major and related field or minor. The
final oral is conducted as a closed examination, attended by
only the student and all examining committee members, and
usually lasts 1—1 1/2 hours (the absence of any member
results in an invalid examination). The adviser or chair of
the student’s examining committee coordinates the
examination.
Preparing to take the final exam:
Students must make the Plan A thesis available to the
examining committee for review well in advance of the final
examination (at least 2-3 weeks). The M.A. thesis is read by
the entire examining committee, and committee members must
be unanimous in certifying that the thesis is ready for
defense, as indicated by their signatures on the
Graduate School’s Reviewers Report form
found in the
Master's Graduation Packet. Instructions
for the preparation of the thesis, including format
specifications, should be obtained from the Graduate School.
Scheduling the final exam:
Students are responsible for scheduling the final oral
examination with committee members at least one week prior
to the exam. Students should work with staff in 125 Peik to
secure a location for the closed exam.
Submitting the final examination report:
The results of the examination are reported on
the Final Oral Examination form the student obtains from the
Graduate School (316 Johnston Hall) ONLY
after the Reviewer’s Report form has been submitted to the
Graduate School. A majority vote of the committee is
required to pass the examination, with all members present
and voting. A student who fails the examination may be
terminated from the graduate program or may be allowed, on
unanimous recommendation of the examining committee, to
retake the examination, providing the reexamination is
conducted by the original examining committee.
Submitting copies of the thesis:
Once the exam is completed, the student returns the Final
Examination Report form to the Graduate School by the last
working day of the intended month of Graduation. Students
submit two unbound copies of their thesis to the Graduate
School, both signed by their adviser(s), by the last working
day of the intended month of graduation. It is also common
for students to submit a bound copy of the thesis to the
adviser and other committee members if desired.
Graduation and commencement
Clearance for graduation:
Degrees are awarded at the end of each month. To qualify for
graduation for a particular month, a student must submit the
Application for Degree form on or before the first workday
of that month and must complete the examination and all
other requirements (including necessary forms and fees) by
the last workday of that month.
Graduation instructions and necessary forms are found on
the Graduate School’s website.
Commencement ceremony: Two
Graduate School commencement ceremonies are held each
year—in late spring and late fall. Graduates are encouraged,
but not required, to attend. To make sure their names appear
in the commencement ceremony program, students must submit
the commencement attendance form by the deadline specified
in the Graduate School section of the Class Schedule.
Commencement information can be found on the
Graduate School’s website.
M.A. Plan B requirements
The department offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree with
nine tracks. Two options are available for the M.A. degree
in C&I, Plan A or Plan B. Plan B substitutes additional
coursework and special papers for a thesis. Students usually
choose a plan within the first year of coursework. The plan
selection is made officially when the student files the
degree program.
The information in this handbook describes how Graduate
School requirements are applied in C&I—please refer to the
Graduate School website for master’s degree
graduation requirements.
NOTE: All department forms and links to Graduate School
forms are available
online.
An online
checklist is available to assist students in meeting all
requirements.
Plan B: Program planning
M.A. Plan B programs require a minimum of 30 credits.
Major Coursework
A minimum of 14 semester credits is required in the selected track within C&I. Each M.A. track has a different set of course requirements, which are outlined on planning forms available on the C&I website. Students must work closely with the assigned adviser to plan the program.
Research
- Research ethics requirements – DHA 8181 (1 credit), OR Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR part 1 and 2).
- Research methods course, chosen in consultation with adviser from list of recommended courses for C & I (3 cr.)
- 8000-level independent study course for Plan B project(s) (3 cr.), course number varies by track
Minor or related field coursework:
A minimum of 6 semester credits is required for a minor or related field.
- A traditional minor includes work in a single field related to the major, but taken outside of the Curriculum and Instruction department. Competency in the selected minor is expected and may be assessed as part of the final examination. For an official minor to appear on the diploma and transcript, students are expected to meet minor requirements in the program of choice and the DGS for the minor program must sign all Graduate School forms. Students in the past have minored in Educational Psychology, Mathematics, Studio Arts, or Hispanic Linguistics. Students have also completed “free-standing” minors not housed in a particular department such as the interdisciplinary Minor in Literacy and Rhetorical Studies.
- A related field is less formal and more flexible than a minor. It is composed of a coherent pattern of courses, possibly embracing several disciplines. The final examination may include content from the related field, but students are not expected to have significant competency in the field like those with a traditional minor. Students may elect to take courses within C & I (but outside their specific track) for the related field. For example, a student with a track in Learning Technologies may have a related field in Literacy Education.
Filing the degree program
M.A. degree programs include a list of the coursework for the degree
and the faculty members recommended for the M.A. examining committee.
The degree program form also identifies the M.A. plan—Plan A or Plan B.
It should be submitted after approximately 10 credits have been taken.
The M.A. program is first reviewed by the DGS and, if approved, is then
forwarded to the Graduate School for final approval. A letter from the
DGS is sent to the student when the program has been forwarded to the
Graduate School. On occasion the DGS returns the program to students
with questions and/or a list of stipulated revisions and students need
to re-submit the program for review.
To file the M.A. program, students must submit two forms to the DGS for
approval: (1) the C&I Departmental M.A. Program Planning Form—Plan B,
and (2) the Graduate School’s Degree Program Transmittal Form.
- C&I
M.A. program planning form-Plan B—This form should
be used to plan a student’s program with the adviser(s).
The form is divided into three areas in which coursework
is required—the major, research, and the minor or
related field. Students may list CI or MthE courses and
courses taken in other departments under each area. All
courses taken independently (directed studies, problems,
readings) must be described thoroughly so that their
content is understood. Students must attach copies of
previously completed
Directed Study Proposal form. If student took the
two RCR workshops to meet the ethics and responsible
conduct of research requirement, evidence must be
provided at the time of program submission.
The cover page of the planning form is used to list the proposed committee members for the final examination process. It needs to be signed by the adviser to confirm approval of the degree program and to confirm that all proposed committee members have been notified and have agreed to serve on the committee. This committee consists of two representatives from the selected track and one from the minor (outside C&I) or a related field (may be from outside or within C&I). See committee examples. - Graduate school degree program transmittal form—Students complete this form after finishing the C&I M.A. Program Planning Form. “Major courses” are all CI (or MthE) courses related to the designated track. “Other program courses” are those taken outside of the department and/or to constitute the minor or related field.
Making changes to the approved program
Once approved by the Graduate School, the program must be fulfilled to meet graduation requirements. Changes must be requested by petition and require adviser and DGS signatures. Petitions may be found the C&I and Graduate School websites.
Final M.A. plan B project(s)
All M.A. students must demonstrate familiarity with the
tools of research or scholarship in their major track, the
ability to work independently, and the ability to present
their work effectively. Plan B paper(s) are less formal than
Plan A theses and are not submitted to the Graduate School.
Plan B paper(s) may build more directly from coursework;
papers should involve deep engagement of the research
literature, e.g., an in-depth pursuit of a topic generated
from course work; an analysis/synthesis of the research
literature. A paper done for a course may serve as one of
the Plan B papers, with the understanding that it would be
extended and revised under the supervision of the adviser to
serve as a Plan B paper. For example, a student could
collect data on a project done for a course (e.g., software
design, curriculum development, test or assessment
instrument).
The Plan B project(s):
- requires a 3-credit “Problems” course (course number varies by track)
- results in one or two papers involving a combined total of approximately 120 hours of work
- if one paper, should be approximately 40-60 pages, divided into sections. If two, each should be approximately 20-30 pages.
- requires a proposal, which must be approved by the adviser before work on the paper(s) begins
- may or may not involve human subjects (IRB) approval
- are not submitted to the Graduate School, but most students present members of the committee with a bound copy
- Once IRB approval is achieved, begin data collection
Plan B Project Proposal
Suggested contents of the Plan B Proposal include the following:
Purpose of the project
Description of the project and the purpose of and rationale for the project.
Literature review
Preliminary outline of the literature related to the proposed project.
Proposed "method"
-
Information on the teaching context if applicable (i.e. number of students, type, setting, school, type of course, etc.)
-
A written description of the proposed study including the research questions and a description of research methodology(ies), data sources, collection methods and approach to data analysis
Appendix
If applicable, Human Subjects
Application (see below)
Final project text:
Suggested contents of the final Plan B project(s) include the following:
Abstract
A one-paragraph description of the project. Less than 200 words
Purpose of and Rationale for the Project/Inquiry
Description of the project and the purpose of and rationale for the project.
Literature Review
Critical overview of the literature related to the project.
Description of the Project
-
Information on the teaching context if applicable (i.e. number of students, type, setting, school, type of course, etc.)
-
A written description of the project plan including goals, content, method(s) used, how data were analyzed (if applicable).
Description of the Results and Implications
Description of what was learned from the project and the implications for teaching and future research.
Conclusion and Implications
Conclusions, limitations of the research, recommendations for further research, and pedagogical implications
Bibliography, Resources and Appendices (if applicable).
-
Full bibliographic information for all of the sources cited and resources used.
-
If applicable, copy of the approval letter from the U of MN IRB.
Example of studies showing Plan B thesis effort and quality:
A teacher created a series of alternative assessments for foreign language classrooms (as part of a course on testing and assessment) and decided to try them out with her students and seek their responses. She was interested in exploring whether the alternative (performance) assessments had an impact on students’ motivation and attitudes toward language learning. The paper involved an in-depth literature review on alternative assessment in foreign language teaching and motivation and attitudes toward language learning. The assessments that were designed were included along with a synthesis of the data gathered from students. (involved IRB approval)
Human subjects approval
Most M.A. theses involve work with students, teachers or other school or business personnel, i.e., human subjects. Students must submit an application to the University’s Internal Review Board (IRB) prior to contacting potential subjects or collecting data. Depending upon the nature of the study, IRB approval may take several weeks or months, so students are advised to plan ahead and apply early in the research process. IRB instructions and applications are available online. Advisers and the Department Chair must sign students’ IRB applications before they are submitted.
The University of Minnesota requires Human Subjects’ Protection Training for all investigators and research personnel, including students. For information on how to complete and register for human subjects training, see Human Subjects Protection.
Final examination
The Graduate School requires a final examination for all
M.A. candidates. In C&I, this exam is oral and is based
primarily on the Plan B project(s), though it may include
any work fundamental to the major and related field or
minor. The final oral is conducted as a closed examination,
attended by only the student and all examining committee
members, and usually lasts 1—1 1/2 hours (the absence of any
member results in an invalid examination). The adviser or
chair of the student’s examining committee coordinates the
examination.
Students must make the Plan B project(s) available to the
examining committee for review well in advance of the final
examination (at least 2-3 weeks).
Scheduling the final exam:
Students are responsible for scheduling the final oral
examination with committee members at least one week prior
to the exam. Students work with staff in 125 Peik to secure
a location for the closed exam.
Final examination report:
The results of the examination are reported on
the Final Oral Examination form the student obtains from the
Graduate School (316 Johnston Hall) once the Graduation
Packet has been requested. A majority vote of the committee,
all members present and voting, is required to pass the
examination. A student who fails the examination may be
terminated from the graduate program or may be allowed, on
unanimous recommendation of the examining committee, to
retake the examination, providing the reexamination is
conducted by the original examining committee.
Once the exam is completed, the student returns the Final
Examination Report form to the Graduate School by the last
working day of the intended month of Graduation. The Plan B
project(s) are not submitted to the Graduate School but are
usually bound and submitted to the adviser and other
committee members if desired.
Submitting copies of the thesis:
Once the exam is completed, the student returns the Final
Examination Report form to the Graduate School by the last
working day of the intended month of Graduation. Students
submit two unbound copies of their thesis to the Graduate
School, both signed by their adviser(s), by the last working
day of the intended month of graduation. It is also common
for students to submit a bound copy of the thesis to the
adviser and other committee members if desired.
Graduation and commencement
Clearance for graduation:
Degrees are awarded at the end of each month. To qualify for
graduation in a particular month, a student must submit the
Application for Degree form on or before the first
workday of that month and must complete the examination and
all other requirements (including necessary forms and fees)
by the last workday of that month. Graduation instructions
and necessary forms are available in the
Graduation Packet which you order online.
Commencement ceremony: Two
Graduate School commencement ceremonies are held each
year—in late spring and late fall. Graduates are encouraged,
but not required, to attend. To make sure their names appear
in the commencement ceremony program, students must submit
the
Commencement Attendance Approval Form [pdf] by the deadline
specified in the Graduate School section of the Class
Schedule.
Checklist for M.A. requirements and procedures
Revised Fall 2008
