Curriculum & Instruction

Mission

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Texas Southern University is dedicated to developing culturally responsive educators through rigorous research, innovative teaching, and strong PreK-12 school partnerships. Aligned with the College of Education's mission, the department prepares urban professionals to address 21st-century educational challenges using cutting-edge pedagogical practices.

The Educator Preparation Program (EPP) integrates technology-driven instruction to enhance teaching effectiveness, student engagement, and data management. Candidates develop lesson plans utilizing technology, engage in clinical experiences, and complete specialized coursework, including EDCI 210 and EDCI 340, to foster digital proficiency in education.

Upon the completion of these courses, candidates will be able to:

Apply and pass Google Certified Educator (GCE)
Incorporate AI in courses to enhance productivity
Create and incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity
Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media
Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats
Demonstrate effective use of current emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support resources and learning
Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks
Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interaction related to the use of technology
Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions
Conduct an ongoing self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses in the knowledge and skills of technology applications

Programs Offered

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Texas Southern University provides initial teacher preparation programs leading to teaching certification, along with advanced degrees for aspiring curriculum specialists, educational leaders, and consultants.

Students can pursue a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies for initial teaching credentials, as well as master’s and doctoral programs designed to enhance expertise in curriculum development and educational leadership.

B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies

EC – 6 Generalist (Dr. Amber Adams - amber.adams@tsu.edu)
EC – 6 Bilingual Generalist (Dr. Jacqueline D. Smith – jacqueline.smith@tsu.edu)
4 – 8 Mathematics (Dr. Reginald Todd – reginald.todd@tsu.edu)
4 – 8 Science (Dr. Reginald Todd – reginald.todd@tsu.edu)
4 – 8 Math/Science (Dr. Reginald Todd – reginald.todd@tsu.edu)
4 – 8 Social Studies (Dr. Viveca Grant – viveca.grant@tsu.edu)
4 – 8 ELA/Reading (Dr. Mokysha Benford– mokysha.benford@tsu.edu)
4 – 8 ELA/Reading/Social Studies (Dr. Mokysha Benford– mokysha.benford@tsu.edu)
Special Education All Levels/EC – 6

Educator Preparation Program

M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction

Early Childhood Education (Dr. Mokysha Benford – mokysha.benford@tsu.edu)
Bilingual Education (Dr. Ingrid Haynes – ingrid.haynes@tsu.edu)
Instructional Technology (Dr. Holim Song – holim.song@tsu.edu)
Reading Education (Dr. Mokysha Benford – mokysha.benford@tsu.edu)
Special Education (Dr. Kanisha Porter – Kanisha.porter@tsu.edu)
Secondary Education (Dr. Reginald Todd – reginald.todd@tsu.edu)

Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction

Dr. Jacqueline D. Smith - jacqueline.smith@tsu.edu
Dr. Reginald Todd – reginald.todd@tsu.edu

Contact

Dr. Jacqueline Smith, Chair
Curriculum & Instruction
Tel: 713-313-7267
Fax: 713-313-4449

B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies

Seven Specialty Tracks for Teacher Certification

B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies Close

Texas Southern University’s B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies offers seven specialized tracks, guiding students toward degree completion and Teacher Certification. To enroll in any track, students must gain admission to the Department and the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) within the College of Education, ensuring comprehensive training for future educators.

Admission Requirements

Must first be admitted to the University.
Must be TSI Complete.
Must eradicate deficiencies assessed at the time of admission.
Must petition the College for admission at the completion of TSI requirements.

All requirements for the Educator Preparation Program

Student must have a 3.0 GPA to be admitted to the Educator Preparation Program.
Courses designated as major courses must be completed with grades of “B”, where grades of “B-” are unacceptable.
Grade restrictions referenced for the Educator Preparation Program must also be adhered to prior to graduation, and a comprehensive departmental exit examination is administered to seniors.

4-8 English Language Arts/Reading/Social Studies Concentration

Prerequisite(s): None
Number of Credit Hours: 122
Degree Plan: Click here for ELA/R/S DP

4-8 English Language Arts and Reading Concentration

Prerequisite(s): None
Number of Credit Hours: 122
Degree Plan: Click here for ELAEC DP

4-8 Social Studies Concentration

Prerequisite(s): None
Number of Credit Hours: 122
Degree Plan: Click here for SSC DP

4-8 Mathematics/Science Concentration

Prerequisite(s): None
Number of Credit Hours: 122
Degree Plan: Click here for M/S C DP

4-8 Mathematics Concentration

Prerequisite(s): None
Number of Credit Hours: 122
Degree Plan: Click here MC DP

EC-6 Generalist Concentration

Prerequisite(s): None
Number of Credit Hours: 122
Degree Plan: Click here for GC DP

EC-6 Bilingual Generalist Concentration

Prerequisite(s): None
Number of Credit Hours: 122
Degree Plan: Click here for BGC DP

Science 4-8 Concentration

Prerequisite(s): None
Number of Credit Hours: 122
Degree Plan: Click here for SC DP

Special Education All Levels/EC-6 Concentration

Prerequisite(s): None
Number of Credit Hours: 122
Degree Plan: Click here for SE DP

M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction Open

Early Childhood Education

Prerequisite(s): None
Number of Credit Hours: 33
Degree Plan: Click here for ECE DP

Bilingual Education

Prerequisite(s): None
Number of Credit Hours: 36
Degree Plan: Click here for BE DP

Instructional Technology

Prerequisite(s): None
Number of Credit Hours: 33
Degree Plan: Click here for IT DP

Reading Education

Prerequisite(s): None
Number of Credit Hours: 36
Degree Plan: Click here for RE DP

Special Education

Prerequisite(s): None
Number of Credit Hours: 33
Degree Plan: Click here SE DP

Secondary Education

Prerequisite(s): None
Number of Credit Hours: 33
Degree Plan: Click here for SeE DP

Apply To Master’s Degree Program

Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction Open

Requirements

The policies governing admission into the Doctor of Education program are as follows:

An applicant must apply for admission through the Graduate School by completing the appropriate application form and uploading the required supplemental documents and meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School.
Completed applications are routed from the Graduate School to the Department Doctoral Admission Committee for further screening and review. Eligible applicants are invited for an interview and recommendations are made to the College Admissions Committee.
The College Admissions Committee, upon further review, makes recommendations to the Dean of the College who finally recommends qualified applicants to the Dean of the Graduate School.
Upon decision, applicants are notified of the action taken on his or her application.

Admissions Criteria

Students admitted with specified condition(s) must remove their condition(s) during the first semester upon admission.

GRE Score

Must score at least 350 (Revised score: 143) on the Quantitative section.
Must score at least 350 (Revised score: 143) on the Verbal section.
Must score 350 (Revised score: 143) on the Analytical Writing section.

GPA

Must have Master’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum overall GPA of 3.25.

References

Must submit three (3) letters of professional and academic references.
One (1) letter must be from the immediate, or most recent, supervisor of the applicant.
Two (2) letters must be from faculty members from the last university attended.
Other criteria specified in H-B 1641 will be considered.
Writing sample: Applicant will submit a handwritten writing sample that must be 300 – 600 words, or score 550 on the Verbal Section, or 350 on Analytical writing, or take English 501.
Applicants will be interviewed by members of the COE Admissions Committee.
Oral Presentations: Applicants may be required to orally present a piece of work to the COE Admissions Committee.

Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction

Prerequisite(s): None
Number of Credit Hours: 60
Degree Plan: Click here for C&I DP

Apply to Doctorate in Education