Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction

SKC's Division of Graduate Studies and the Division of Education are proud to offer the College's first Master's Degree in Education. The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.C&I) program at SKC is intended for in-service education professionals, and is offered in two distinct emphases, or strands: Integrative Indigenous Education, or Literacy, Equity, and Excellence. More information can be found below.

Program requirements

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Apply to the M. Ed. Curriculum & Instruction Program

About the M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction

Salish Kootenai College’s Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction Degree is a rigorous 15-month program designed for educators who are actively teaching or working in an education related field. There are two distinct strands: Integrative Indigenous Education and Literacy, Equity, and Excellence. Both strands aim to nurture master educators as educational leaders who:

1. commit to deliver a culturally sustaining and revitalizing curriculum that expands learning opportunities in their communities of impact, especially those of the Flathead Reservation.
2. impact learners and the learning community through reflective practice that artfully merges theory to action.
3. celebrate and appreciate each learner’s uniqueness toward development of supportive learning communities.
4. apply critical thinking, mindful and transparent communication, and cultural transformation by conducting research and service with the community.
5. exemplify tribal values in their relationships, especially those of the Ql̓ispé, Ksanka, and Séliš people.
6. advocate for research-based promising practices as they serve the local community as educational leaders.

Integrative Indigenous Education Strand

The Integrative Indigenous Education emphasis increases educators' ability to create community-centered educational experiences integrating the languages and cultures of the Ql̓ispé, Ksanka, and Séliš peoples’ in classroom and community settings, including but not limited to the effective integration of Indian Education for All. The program intentionally builds educators’ connections to reservation communities they serve.

Key Courses

Indigenous Educational Praxis
Integrated Perspectives in Mixed Method Action Research
Indigenous Educational Research Intensive
Applied Indigenous Knowledge - Fall
Applied Indigenous Knowledge - Winter
Applied Indigenous Knowledge - Spring
Research Writing Foundations

Literacy, Equity, and Excellence Strand

The Literacy, Equity, and Excellence emphasis focuses on equity and high expectations using a four-part framework that pervasively integrates concepts, content, and literacy skills while deepening understanding of unique contexts -including Tribal communities. This strand embraces the science of reading, explores neurological diversity in literacy learning, and leads to a K-12 Reading Endorsement in Montana.

Key Courses

Indigenous Educational Praxis
Integrated Perspectives in Mixed Method Action Research
Research in Literacy Education
Applied Literacy Assessment
Finding Voice: Writing in Literacy Learning
Advanced Integrated Literacy I, II, III
- Know the Child
- Responding to the Needs Children
- The Child in the Learning Community

For more information, contact:

For General Information

Debbie Bell
Program Coordinator
debbie_bell@skc.edu
[406] 275-4928

Contact Dr. Walker Robbins or Dr. Elser regarding strand-specific questions.

Integrative Indigenous Education Strand

Dr. Wren Walker-Robbins
Graduate Program Co-Coordinator and Department Chair, Secondary Education
wren_walkerrobbins@skc.edu
[406] 275-4780

Literacy, Equity, and Excellence Strand

Dr. Tammy Elser
Graduate Program Co-Coordinator and Instructor, Elementary Education
tammy_elser@skc.edu
[406] 275-4877

Program Structure, Expectations and Timeline

SKC's Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction is a robust, cohort-based degree program with a specific course sequence that builds on the knowledge base that students will acquire. It is important that students understand and fully commit to this program structure. Please note the dates shown below.