Curriculum and Instruction
Graduate Certificate Online Program
The graduate certificate program in Curriculum and Instruction provides students with the tools to plan, develop, and implement standards-based curricula and instruction. The program caters to students who have an interest in expanding their teaching or supervision skills but who are not currently pursuing a master’s degree. Students will be prepared to create lesson plans for various schools and education programs and learn about various educational needs and the use of evaluation of teaching materials. The program covers various models of teaching, advanced curriculum design and instruction, and global perspectives in curriculum.
Designed For You
The California Coast University online Graduate Certificate in Curriculum and Instruction program was designed for complete flexibility for the student. All courses are self-paced and completed 100% online.
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Low tuition with interest-free payment plans as low as $100/month.
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Flexible programs designed to fit into your busy schedule. Self-paced study with no group projects, set meeting times, or exam dates.
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The program is not structured in semesters, quarters, or terms. It is designed to allow students to begin their online studies at any time of the year.
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CCU offers a tuition discount for Active Duty Military, Veterans, Law Enforcement, Firefighters, Government Employees, and CCU Graduates.
We also offer a 10% discount for Corporate Partner employees. For more information on how to become a Corporate Partner, see our Corporate Partnership Information Page.
*Employment verification is required. Offer good for students who enrolled after April 2018 and were offered discount at time of enrollment. Offer is not retroactive for students already enrolled. Discount and/or prices subject to change and/or cancellation at any time without notice. This offer cannot be combined with any other discount(s).

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Examine the theoretical foundation of curriculum and instruction based on the philosophical, historical, psychological, and social foundations of the field.
- Examine how curriculum models are utilized in the educational environment.
- Compare and contrast the similarities and differences in conceptions of culture, race, ethnic group, and minority groups related to curriculum and instruction.
- Evaluate the various models of teaching, the historical context within which the models were developed, and the importance of individual differences and diversity in the selection of appropriate teaching models.
- Examine curriculum development, measurement, policies of inclusion, and the effects of culture to improve educational programs in diverse classrooms.
- Express key concepts and theories related to curriculum and instruction, in written form, utilizing prescribed essay criteria.
The great culture that has been cultivated at CCU over the decades.The staff and faculty are dedicated professionals who are attentive and committed to helping students reach their academic potential. A supportive positive spirit is present that is palpable.
Explore The Program
The Graduate Certificate in Curriculum and Instruction degree program consists of 4 total courses.
The required courses are comprised of:
4 Core
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There are 12 total semester units in this program.
The online Graduate Certificate in Curriculum and Instruction degree program is comprised of the following 4 courses. Click on course title to expand and read more.
ID | Course Name | Units | |
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EDU 501 | Integrating Technology into Teaching | 3 | |
EDU 510 | Models of Teaching | 3 | |
EDU 524 | Curriculum Design and Evaluation | 3 | |
EDU 548 | Global Perspectives in Curriculum | 3 | |
Prerequisites to Admission:
An applicant must have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education; or, a Bachelor’s Degree in another field may be considered if the Admission Committee evaluation indicates that the applicant has the necessary foundation to succeed in the program.
FAQ About Coursework
Required units may be satisfied in the following ways:
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California Coast University has developed comprehensive Study Guides, for each course, that are designed to coordinate and sequence the learning materials within the required textbook(s). The following points will help to illustrate how the Study Guides are designed:
- Study Guides are based on specific textbooks, available through local bookstores, the publisher, or the University's Rental Library.
- Each Study Guide is organized with a complete syllabus, along with instructional materials to guide the student chapter by chapter through the corresponding text.
- Each Study Guide contains an overview and summary of all textbook chapters, a listing of important keywords (with definitions), self-tests (with answers) on key points, and critical thinking activities.
- Study Guides include 4 unit exams equally spaced throughout the instructional materials, four writing assignments per unit, and the final multiple choice examination.
- Examinations are designed to test the student on the information contained within the preceding chapters.
- All tests have no time limit and may be completed as open book tests.
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Transcripts of previously completed academic work are evaluated and credit may be transferred to meet existing coursework requirements. The following guidelines are utilized when accepting transfer credit for a certificate program:
- The University will accept transfer credit from applicable courses completed at colleges or universities accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or foreign equivalent.
- Certificate students may receive transfer credit for up to 6 semester units of previously completed coursework. Students may transfer up to 9 semester units of credit completed at California Coast University.
- To be eligible for graduate academic credit, transfer grades must be equivalent to a letter grade of B (3.0 GPA) or higher.
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During the admissions process, all professional experience is reviewed to determine if an applicant has sufficient occupational experience to warrant completing a Challenge Examination in lieu of a Study Guide for a particular course. The following factors are considered:
- An applicant may be offered an opportunity to complete a Challenge Examination if the candidate's occupational expertise appears to be comparable to the objectives identified for a particular course.
- Successfully passing a Challenge Examination will demonstrate an acceptable level of competence for that course.
- If a student does not pass a Challenge Examination they are assigned a Study Guide for completion.
- The maximum amount of Challenge Examinations allowed for each program level are: Associate 4; Bachelor's 10; Master's 2; Doctorate 0; and Certificates 1.