The Curriculum and Instruction program is designed to further the professional development of teachers who wish to improve their teaching knowledge and skills for greater effectiveness in the classroom and perhaps seek additional licensure.  The MAE program requires a core of 14 semester hours of work and culminating in a Capstone Project.  The Curriculum and Instruction program requires a minimum of 30 semester hours.

 The Reading Endorsement (12 semester hours) requires a minimum of 50 clock hours of field experience.  These hours are distributed across the four required sequential courses.  Those applying for the Reading Endorsement must take the appropriate licensure test.   

The TESOL Endorsement (12 semester hours) requires a minimum of 50 clock hours of field experience.  Up to 20 hours may be documented prior to the field practicum, with approval of the Practicum instructor.  Those adding the TESOL Endorsement must take the appropriate content area licensure test. 

*NOTE: This endorsement is offered as a cohort program, meaning some courses will be offered intermittently. 

In the Professional Development Strand, (at least 12 semester hours) students make a thoughtful selection of electives, guided by their advisor, in order to increase expertise in a particular area or to facilitate professional growth. The PD Strand must be formally reported by the advisor to the Office of the Registrar before credit toward program completion is granted.  Electives may be chosen from other graduate courses not required in the Curriculum and Instruction major. 

Complete and submit an online Graduate application, along with the following:

• Graduate application fee ($40), payable via our online payment site.
• Proof of state-issued teaching license.
  Note: Applicants who hold an Ohio teaching license should indicate the license number on the application. Applicants who hold an out-of-state license will need to provide a copy of their teaching license and official transcripts documenting completion of a bachelor’s degree.
• Official transcripts for all previous college and/or university work. Transcripts must be sent from the issuing institution to the Graduate School. If hand-delivered, transcripts must be in an unopened envelope from the issuing institution.
• One professional recommendation related to teaching success and/or qualifications to pursue graduate studies in education.
  Professional Recommendation Form (PDF).
• One academic recommendation related to academic success and/or capacity to succeed in graduate-level academic work. This recommendation should be completed by an instructor of the applicant’s graduate-level coursework.
  Academic Recommendation Form (PDF).
  Note: Otterbein University reserves the right to contact persons providing recommendations and to contact a person to acknowledge of receipt of a recommendation.
• Interview with the Graduate Education Advisor in the Education Department.
• Application essay (see below for details).

Application Essay Instructions

Part I: Submit a one to two page, typed, double-spaced essay addressing the reasons why you are applying to the Graduate Education Program at Otterbein University. Explain how your participation in this program would align with your professional goals. In your essay, identify the program of study you wish to complete:

• MAE in Curriculum & Instruction, plus a strand from the following:
• Professional Development Strand
• Reading Strand
• TESOL Strand

Part II: Submit a two to three page, typed, double-spaced response to the following statement:

Describe a teaching strategy that you read about in a journal or learned about in a professional development session that was subsequently implemented by you. Reflect on the experience and describe what you learned from it.

If you have questions, please call 614-823-3271 or email Amy Featherstone, Advisor in Graduate Education Programs, afeatherstone@otterbein.edu.

Admission Criteria

• For undergraduate coursework, applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Grade point averages between 2.5 and 3.0 may be considered for admission on a conditional basis, if the candidate demonstrates particular strengths in other criteria.
• For any previous graduate coursework, applicants must have a cumulative grade point of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). A minimum of 6 semester hours of graduate coursework must be completed prior to application for full admission.
• Candidates not holding a teaching certificate/license may only be admitted through special consideration of the Graduate Education Committee.
• Applicants who hold a non-standard teaching certificate/license are strongly encouraged to meet with the Graduate Education Advisor prior to enrollment in classes.
• Students who are provisionally admitted may register for up to 12 graduate semester hours.

Admission Requirements for International Students:

Due to the nature of this program, international students interested in obtaining an MAE at Otterbein University should have undergraduate coursework in education that is equivalent to that required for teaching licensure in the United States

• In addition to submitting the online application and all official transcipts, a WES, ECE, or SpanTran evaluation may be required. The GPA requirement for international students is 3.0 or its equivalent on the official evaluation.
• Interviews with a Graduate Education Advisor may be done over the phone or via the Internet (Skype, etc.).
• Submit the same two recommendation forms listed above.
• Submit an application essay; see above for details.
• Submit qualifying TOEFL and IELTS scores.

Students who are admitted to the MAE program must maintain a 3.0 GPA. Those who fall below that line will be subject to dismissal from the program.

Tuition and Fees

The cost for graduate level courses is $590 per credit hour, and most graduate-level education courses are 3 or 4 hours. Some graduate students may need to take additional undergraduate coursework—the cost of undergraduate classes is $618 per hour, with most at 3 to 4 credit hours. Some education courses with field experiences require an additional fee. Additionally, all students pay a student life fee of $100.

There is an additional fee for each Capstone hour. Tuition waivers may not be used to cover the additional Capstone fee.

Please consult the Business Office site for a complete list of fees.

The Otterbein Advantage Scholarships

Otterbein University is proud to partner with employers throughout Ohio to offer scholarships and special educational benefits to employees of partner institutions and as well as to their spouses/partners and dependent children. To learn more about these scholarships and to find out if you are eligible, visit our Advantage Scholarships page.

Financial Aid

Otterbein is dedicated to making sure students have the financial opportunity to pursue their degree. Along with financial aid, graduate students are eligible for consideration for a variety of loans.

How to apply for Financial Aid at Otterbein:

1. Complete the FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid. (Otterbein’s School Code is 003110).
2. Complete the Institutional Aid Form.

Note: There is NO COST to apply for financial aid or to complete the FAFSA.

If you have questions, please email Student Financial Services or call 614-823-1502.

Tuition Waivers

Teachers currently working at a school that has partnered with Otterbein University for supporting teacher candidates with observations, methods field experiences, and student teaching may be eligible for tuition waiver certificates. We provide these waivers directly to districts or independent schools. Please note that the distribution of these waivers is determined by the district or school.

The following provisions and conditions apply:

• Tuition waiver certificates may be assigned to school employees who have been admitted to Otterbein University’s Graduate School. The university is not obligated to admit candidates solely based on this agreement with schools.
• Students may use multiple fee waivers in the same semester, however, the number of fee waiver credits may not exceed the number of course credits taken.
• Teachers utilizing a tuition waiver certificate must submit a valid certificate at the time of registration or make other arrangements with the Business Office. Otterbein University has the right to refuse acceptance of expired waivers.
• Tuition waivers do not cover the cost of special fees for testing, Capstone hours, or computer labs.

Payment Plans

We understand that meeting the expense of a college education is a big investment for many families. To aid in this process, we have developed two methods of payment for comprehensive fee charges. See the Business Office site for more information.