MA in Curriculum and Instruction, Critical Pedagogy in Denver United States | University of Colorado Denver

Tailored for graduates of the ASPIRE to Teach alternative certification program to obtain a Master's degree in curriculum and instruction with a focus on critical pedagogy. Alumni work collaboratively across all levels—with fellow educators, specialists, families, learners, school leaders, guidance counselors, and local stakeholders—to support every student's achievement. During graduate studies, you'll explore curriculum and instructional methods within P-12 educational settings. This involves rigorous examination of classroom and institutional practices (both personal and observed) alongside the broader theoretical foundations shaping education policy and teaching approaches. You'll further hone your teaching skills under ASPIRE faculty mentorship while reconnecting with peers from your certification cohort. The Curriculum & Instruction department highlights educators' dual roles as academics and thoughtful practitioners.
A unifying theme across all MA coursework is Critical Pedagogy. This educational philosophy approaches teaching, learning, and school structures by acknowledging education's political dimensions and systemic disparities (social, economic, gender, cultural, racial, geographic, etc.) that contribute to unequal learning access for diverse student populations.