Assessment, Differentiated Curriculum and Instruction (Master of Applied Science, M.A.S.)

Dr. Kipton Smilie, Program Director
ksmilie@missouriwestern.edu
(816) 271-5952
missouriwestern.edu/education/differentiated-instruction/

The Differentiated Curriculum and Instruction option is designed to meet the needs of the following professionals:

• Current and future teachers, from early childhood, elementary, and secondary education, who want to learn techniques to more effectively differentiate instruction to better support ALL learners in diverse, inclusive, PreK-12 classrooms
• School administrators, who are interested in improving instructional practices in their school or district
• Current or future educational policy makers, who wish to enhance their understanding of the power of differentiated instruction for meeting the unique needs of ALL learners in diverse, inclusive, PreK-12 classrooms.

Successful completion of the Differentiated Curriculum and Instruction master's degree, though it will not result in an additional area of teacher certification in the State of Missouri, will prepare graduates to better meet the diverse challenges of teaching in 21^st Century classrooms.

In addition to learning how to effectively differentiate curriculum and instruction for learners who: are English learners, are gifted / talented, are at-risk for school failure (i.e., due to poverty, trauma, or other unique needs), or experience mild / moderate disability, graduate students should gain the following from coursework in the Differentiated Curriculum and Instruction program:

• A deep understanding of fundamental issues associated with the pedagogical approach of differentiating instruction
• Specific skills associated with differentiating:
  • content, what is to be learned
  • process, how learners acquire information
  • product, how learners demonstrate learning and
  • learning environments, where and with whom learners learn
• Knowledge of differentiated instructional methods needed to successfully teach ALL learners in diverse classrooms
• Knowledge of considerations for the selection and effective implementation of multidisciplinary approaches to differentiated curriculum and instruction
• Opportunities to develop skills of leadership regarding differentiated instruction, including: needs analysis, shared vision, improved communication, adult learning, measurement of efficacy, and overcoming resistance
• Enhanced general knowledge of diverse, inclusive classroom settings
• Training in analytical and critical thinking methods
• Support for an internship experience, which requires the application of content information gained from participation in the M.A.S. program.

What are the unique benefits of the Differentiated Curriculum and Instruction program option at Missouri Western State University?

• All required courses are available online; this flexibility allows courses to be completed from anywhere in the world.
• The master's degree in Differentiated Curriculum and Instruction includes a professional core sequence, which focuses on critical reading of education literature and analyzing research in education.
• Strong foundation in current research in the field of differentiating instructional content, process, product, and learning environments.