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Certificate in Curriculum and Instruction

School of Education

Overview

Biola’s Certificate in Curriculum and Instruction — a fully online, 12-credit graduate program — will prepare you to write or edit curricula for school districts or for publication. Your coursework will give you opportunities to gain a deeper knowledge of educational processes, student assessment, classroom management and other techniques to strengthen instruction and reduce achievement gaps. You will enhance your professional writing skills by learning how to construct book proposals, grants, and scope and sequences for learning programs across all grade levels.

The certificate program can be taken as a stand-alone graduate program or can be applied to Biola’s Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Arts in Education, and Master of Science in Curriculum, Instruction and Publication programs.

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Courses

Below are the course requirements for this academic program. For full program details, visit Biola's academic catalog.

Note: This list is intended to give you a quick glimpse into the program's academic offerings, and should not be used as a guide for course selection or academic advising.

Program Requirements

The Certificate in Curriculum and Instruction is only offered spring and summer semesters. You can complete the Certificate in Curriculum and Instruction program in two semesters by taking four of the six courses below:

Provides practice in researching and writing grants that are credible, scholarly, and comprehensive. Teaches authors how to promote their books by writing a focused, dynamic, and compelling book proposal to submit to educational publishers. Presents the steps in writing informative and credible textbooks that lead to publication. Notes: Certificate candidates must pass this course with a grade of "B" or higher. Grade Mode: A.
Examines curricula that motivates and engages students to promote deeper learning. Teaches how to design curricula that focuses on key skills and competencies. Instructs how to construct curricula that develops creative thinkers and independent learners in order to promote higher student engagement. Notes: Certificate candidates must pass this course with a grade of "B" or higher. Grade Mode: A.
Options: 1-2 week internship, working alongside national and international publishers to see how textbook publishing companies function; interactions with district, county, and/or state educational policy makers and/or administrators; development and editing of curriculum materials; working on the SOE online journal. Notes: Special approval required. Certificate candidates must pass this course with a grade of "B" or higher. This course may require travel and housing fees for on-site practicums. Grade Mode: A.
This course explores current state and federal legislation affecting the educational community. Students also examine the key statutes and landmark court cases that have impacted the field of education. Practice in contacting lawmakers and lobbyists in order to express one's sentiments on a critical issue will be provided. Notes: Special approval required. This course may require travel. Certificate candidates must pass this course with a grade of "B" or higher. Grade Mode: A.
This course presents the complex relationships in writing student texts, teacher's editions, and ancillary materials for gifted, EL, and special needs students. Incorporates guidance in providing formal and informal assessment opportunities for teachers using the text. Acquaints curricula writers with concept presentation through visual display, page layout, graphics, color, and type and working with layers of editorial staff. Notes: Certificate candidates must pass this course with a grade of "B" or higher. Grade Mode: A.
Focuses on the essential elements required for productive school leadership as well as those characteristics of leadership that should be avoided. Provides several models for instructional leadership including building professional learning communities, coaching, and clinical supervision. Notes: Certificate candidates must pass this course with a grade of "B" or higher. Grade Mode: A.
8 months
Standard Duration
This indicates the standard duration of this program. Completion time may vary depending on transferred coursework and preferred courseload.
12
Total Program Credits
Every program at Biola University features rigorous academics, biblically integrated curriculum and vocational preparation.
WSCUC
Accreditation
Biola University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additional accreditations may apply to specific programs.

Admissions & Deadlines

As a Christian institution, Biola seeks to admit applicants whose backgrounds clearly demonstrate scholarly aptitude, a commitment to the historic Christian faith, personal character and integrity, and a positive service-oriented motivation toward their field of study. Biola does not discriminate on the basis of the applicant's race, color, sex, socio-economic status, disability, or national or ethnic origin.

Education and GPA Requirements

  • You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution by the time you plan to start coursework at Biola, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Note: If you do not meet the degree or GPA requirements above, you may still be considered for admission. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions office at graduate.admissions@biola.edu. If you are an international student, contact grad.international@biola.edu.

English Proficiency Requirements

  • If English is not your first language, you are required to display your English proficiency before admittance into a Biola University graduate program. See “English Proficiency” in the application steps section below.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Early Action: May 1
    • General: July 1
    • International Students
      • On Campus: June 1
      • Online/Hybrid: July 1
  • Spring Semester
    • Early Action: October 1
    • General: November 1
    • International Students: October 1
  • Summer Semester
    • General: April 1

Application Steps

  1. Complete and submit the online application

  2. Submit a non-refundable $65 application fee

  3. Submit supplemental application materials through your online application portal:

  4. Official Transcripts

    • Submit all official transcripts from previous academic institutions.
      • Request official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
      • If enrolled at the time the application is filed, be sure to request transcripts of work finished to date and final transcripts upon completion of your course of study.
      • Transcripts will be considered official only when a) mailed directly from the institution to Biola, b) sent electronically through an approved vendor or c) physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution. Final approval for admission is contingent on receiving an official transcript.
        • Mail transcripts to:
          Biola University Office of Graduate Admissions
          13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639
    • Note for International Students: All international transcripts need U.S. grade equivalencies noted (i.e. GPA on a 4.0 scale). If your transcripts do not show U.S. grade equivalencies, you must have them evaluated by a credential evaluation agency like SpanTran (Biola Discount), World Education Services (WES) or Foundation for International Services (FIS). Be sure to choose "course by course report" and have SpanTran/WES/FIS send them directly to Biola University via online portal or post (13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639) in order to be considered official.

    Reference Letters

    • Note: Additional instructions can be found in the online application.

    Essays

    • Note: The essay prompts can be found in the online application.

    English Proficiency (required for non-native English speakers)

    • Evidence of English proficiency is required for all students to support student success. Proficiency must be shown through one of the methods described below:
      • Minimum test score on a qualifying standardized test
        • TOEFL: minimum score of 100 iBT
        • IELTS: minimum score of 7.5
        • Duolingo: minimum score of 125
      • A degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral) issued by an institution where English is the medium of instruction.
        • Official written communication from the institution (Registrar, Controller of Examinations Office, or Undergraduate College)
        • Official degree statements or transcripts may be accepted given English is stated as the medium of instruction
        • Official catalog verification
        • Note: For universities from non-Anglophone countries, further language assessment may be required.
      • Completion of the English Language Scholars (ELS) with passing status on the ELS's final exit exam, which must be approved by the ELS Director in collaboration with the academic program committee. An updated TOEFL or IELTS score may be used at the end of a term to test directly into the graduate program for the following term.
      • Qualify for English Language Scholars (ELS), which allows students who do not meet the minimum TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores to still enroll in their graduate degree program. Students would be taking academic English courses concurrently with the graduate degree program courses.
        • Students eligible for ELS will be assessed by the ELS Director to determine the total number of academic English courses to take while enrolled in their graduate program courses. The following are the scores needed to qualify for ELS: TOEFL iBT 90 / IELTS 7.0 / Duolingo 110–124.
        • Note: Students must be admitted to the graduate program first to be considered for ELS.
  5. Interview with a faculty member

    • After your application and all supplemental application requirements are submitted and approved, you will have an in-person or phone/video interview (if long distance or online) with a faculty member.
  6.  

    Things to Note

    • Track your application status at any time. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting. You can complete a portion and finish at a later time. Your information will be saved. When you apply, to guarantee confidentiality, you will be asked to create a user name and a password, and will receive a personalized identification number. Track your application status by logging in to the online application.
    • Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student’s academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution.

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