DePaul University Master's in Education: Your Complete Guide

DePaul University, a large private Catholic research university in downtown Chicago, may not seem like the obvious counterpart to a state flagship for graduate teacher education. Yet it has quietly built one of the region's most flexible curriculum studies portfolios. Enrolling roughly 20,000 students across two urban campuses, the university anchors its College of Education in the Vincentian mission of serving practicing educators in under-resourced classrooms.

The College offers both an M.Ed. and an MA in Curriculum Studies, with concentrations ranging from bilingual/bicultural education to STEM and social and cultural foundations. Tuition sits at $744 per credit for the 52-quarter-hour program, and admission does not require the GRE. For Illinois teachers deciding between stacking endorsements or pursuing a research degree, the price and flexible format often tip the scales.

Depaul's College of Education: Accreditation, Mission, and Chicago Advantage

DePaul University is one of the largest Catholic universities in the United States, rooted in the Vincentian mission of service to underserved communities and social justice. For working educators in Chicago, this institutional identity translates to graduate programs that emphasize accessibility, address urban education challenges, and support professional growth for in-service teachers balancing careers with advanced study.

Campus Locations and Commuter Access

DePaul operates two main campuses: the Loop campus in downtown Chicago and the Lincoln Park campus on the North Side. Both locations offer evening and weekend course options that accommodate teachers who work full-time in Chicago Public Schools or surrounding districts. The Loop campus sits steps from major CTA and Metra lines, making it a practical choice for educators commuting from across the metropolitan area.

Accreditation and State Approval

DePaul University holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, the recognized accrediting body for institutions in the North Central region.¹ The College of Education maintains approval from the Illinois State Board of Education for programs leading to Professional Educator Licensure.² This state approval means that credentials earned through DePaul's educator preparation programs are recognized for Illinois licensure and endorsement purposes. While some education schools pursue additional national accreditation through CAEP, prospective students should verify the current accreditation status for specific programs directly with the College of Education.

Focus on Urban Education and Equity

The College of Education centers its curriculum on preparing teachers to work effectively in urban schools, with particular attention to issues of equity, culturally responsive teaching, and community engagement. Faculty members often bring practitioner backgrounds in Chicago-area schools, combining scholarly research with direct classroom experience. This orientation makes DePaul's graduate programs especially relevant for educators seeking to deepen their impact in diverse, high-need school environments.

Program Scale and Recognition

The College of Education enrolls a substantial graduate student population across its master's, doctoral, and endorsement programs. Although specific enrollment figures and national rankings vary over time, DePaul's education programs have earned recognition for their commitment to preparing reflective practitioners who can lead in urban contexts.

M.ed. And MA Programs in Curriculum and Instruction at Depaul

Master's in master's in curriculum and instruction programs have shifted decisively toward practitioner-focused credentials in the last decade, and DePaul's portfolio reflects that trend while still preserving a research pathway. The College of Education offers four graduate tracks in Curriculum Studies, all built on a 52 quarter-hour framework¹, but each aimed at a distinctly different candidate.

MA vs. M.Ed.: Choosing the Right Degree Type

The MA in Curriculum Studies (Curriculum Specialist concentration) is the research-oriented option. It suits students who want to move into doctoral study, work as a curriculum developer at the district or nonprofit level, or engage with education as a scholarly discipline. The M.Ed. in Curriculum Studies (Curriculum Specialist concentration) covers the same 52 quarter hours but is framed for working practitioners who want applied depth in curriculum development without the research emphasis.² Neither of these two tracks leads to Illinois licensure or adds an endorsement: they are standalone professional or academic credentials.

The Two Endorsement-Bearing M.Ed. Tracks

DePaul offers two additional M.Ed. concentrations that stack an Illinois endorsement onto an existing Professional Educator License (PEL):

• Teacher Leader concentration (52 quarter hours): Leads to the Illinois Teacher Leader endorsement on your existing PEL. Best for licensed classroom teachers moving into mentoring, instructional coaching, department chair, or grade-level leadership roles.
• Computer Science concentration (52 quarter hours): Leads to the Illinois Computer Science endorsement on your existing PEL. Designed for licensed teachers, often in math, science, or STEM-adjacent fields, who want to formally add CS instruction to their teaching authorization.

Licensure Status: Read This Carefully

None of the four Curriculum Studies tracks at DePaul lead to initial Illinois teaching licensure.¹ If you do not already hold an Illinois PEL, the Teacher Leader and Computer Science endorsements cannot be activated on your record. Prospective students without a license should look instead at DePaul's initial licensure pathways in other departments.

Timeline and Culminating Requirement

At 52 quarter hours, full-time students typically finish in roughly two years, while part-time educators taking one or two courses per quarter should plan on three to four years. All four tracks culminate in a capstone project rather than a traditional thesis, keeping the emphasis on applied curriculum work grounded in the candidate's own classroom or district context.

Online, On-Campus, and Hybrid: How Depaul Delivers Its Curriculum Studies Degree

DePaul University offers its Curriculum Studies master's in education degree programs entirely online, making it possible for working educators to earn a graduate degree without ever commuting to the Lincoln Park campus.

Fully Online and On-Campus Options

Both the Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum Studies are available through a fully online track.¹ The sole specialization, Curriculum Specialist, is offered in both formats,² so you can choose the degree type (thesis-based MA or non-thesis M.Ed.) and the delivery mode that fits your schedule. On-campus courses take place at DePaul's Lincoln Park Campus in Chicago,² while the online path mirrors the same curriculum with no required campus visits. This structure eliminates geography as a barrier, whether you live in the Chicago suburbs, downstate Illinois, or out of state.

Evening and Weekend Courses Designed for Working Teachers

Although the published materials do not list hybrid or specific evening/weekend designations for the Curriculum Studies program,¹ DePaul's College of Education historically schedules graduate courses in the evenings to accommodate full-time teachers. Online asynchronous flexibility adds another layer of convenience. If you opt for on-campus sections, you can expect late-afternoon or evening meeting times common to graduate education programs in the city. Check the course schedule for the upcoming term to confirm exact days and times.

Technology Platform and Course Format

DePaul uses the D2L Brightspace learning management system for its online courses. The university does not specify whether Curriculum Studies online sections are fully asynchronous, fully synchronous, or a blend. In practice, many graduate education courses combine self-paced modules with periodic live virtual sessions, but you should contact the program office for the current delivery model. The online platform provides discussion boards, assignment submission, and access to library resources, ensuring you stay connected to faculty and peers regardless of location.

Parity Between Online and On-Campus Students

DePaul awards the same diploma, faculty teach both online and on-campus sections, and the curriculum standards are identical.² Whether you complete the degree on campus or online, your transcript will not distinguish the delivery mode, and you will be part of the same academic community. This parity extends to access to support services such as academic advising, the writing center, and career resources, ensuring that your credential holds equal weight in Illinois and national job markets.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Depaul Curriculum Studies Tuition, Fees, and Total Program Cost

DePaul's M.Ed. in Curriculum Studies requires 52 quarter credits, billed at a per-credit rate on the university's quarterly calendar. Full-time students pay a $150 comprehensive fee per quarter, while part-time students pay $100. The same per-credit tuition rate applies regardless of whether courses are taken online or on campus.

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Admission Requirements and Application Process for Depaul's M.ed. In Curriculum Studies

DePaul's graduate admissions process for the M.Ed. in Curriculum Studies is straightforward, with rolling admissions and no standardized test requirement. Gather the materials below before you apply.

• Bachelor's Degree and Minimum GPA

  You need a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75. If your GPA falls slightly below that threshold, contact the College of Education to discuss conditional admission options.
• No GRE or Standardized Test Required

  DePaul does not require the GRE or any other entrance exam for this program, removing a common barrier for working educators.
• Official Transcripts

  Submit official transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Electronic transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution are preferred.
• Personal Statement

  A written statement of purpose is required. Use it to articulate your professional goals, your interest in curriculum studies, and how DePaul's program aligns with your career trajectory.
• Two Letters of Recommendation

  Provide two letters from individuals who can speak to your academic ability or professional practice, a school administrator, cooperating teacher, or university professor are all strong choices.
• Current Résumé or CV

  Upload a résumé or CV that highlights your teaching or education-related experience, including any leadership roles, committee work, or curriculum development projects.
• Teaching License Not Required

  An Illinois Professional Educator License is not a prerequisite for admission. The program is open to educators at all stages, including those who hold out-of-state credentials or who work in non-licensure roles.
• Application Deadlines (Rolling with Term Targets)

  DePaul accepts applications on a rolling basis, but each quarter has a target deadline: August 15 for fall, December 1 for winter, March 1 for spring, and May 1 for summer. Applying before these dates gives you the best chance of securing financial aid and your preferred course sections.

Course Sequence, Curriculum Plan, and Field Experience Requirements

DePaul's Curriculum Studies M.Ed. is built on a substantial 52-quarter-hour plan¹ that balances a deep core with enough elective flexibility for students to tailor the degree to their professional goals. Understanding how the courses stack, what the capstone demands, and whether fieldwork is part of the picture will help you map the program onto your own timeline.

Core Coursework: 32 Quarter Hours Across Eight Courses

All Curriculum Studies students, regardless of concentration, complete eight core courses totaling 32 quarter hours¹. While DePaul's catalog titles can shift slightly from year to year, the core sequence generally spans foundational topics in curriculum theory, instructional design, assessment, and diversity in education. A required research seminar, listed as CS 580², anchors the program's scholarly component and prepares students for the capstone that comes later. Students should expect courses that examine how curricula are developed, evaluated, and reformed within urban school contexts, a reflection of DePaul's deep roots in Chicago education.

Specialization and Elective Courses

Beyond the core, the Curriculum Specialist concentration adds another layer of focused study. Students complete approximately 8 quarter hours in diverse learning coursework, exploring how identity, equity, and community shape teaching and learning. An additional 8 quarter hours of electives round out the 52-credit total, giving students room to pursue topics such as literacy education, bilingual pedagogy, or educational technology. This structure means roughly 16 quarter hours, nearly a third of the degree, can be customized to align with specific career interests or endorsement goals.

Applied Capstone Project

The program culminates in an applied capstone project rather than a traditional thesis. Designated as CS 608¹, this course typically falls near the end of the degree sequence and asks students to design, implement, and reflect on a curriculum-related project grounded in their professional practice. Because the capstone is applied, it is well suited to working educators who can connect the project to real classroom or school-level challenges. Most students complete the capstone within a single quarter, though the research seminar taken earlier in the sequence lays essential groundwork.

Field Experience: No Formal Clock Hours Required

One notable feature of the Curriculum Studies M.Ed. is that it does not require formal practicum or field experience hours³. This distinguishes it from licensure-track programs that mandate supervised classroom placements. For educators balancing full-time teaching and an M.Ed. program, that means no additional observation logs or placement coordination on top of an already demanding schedule. Students do, however, engage with authentic educational settings through course-embedded assignments and the capstone project itself.

Typical Part-Time Sequence

DePaul estimates a roughly 30-month completion timeline⁴. For a part-time student taking two courses per quarter across the university's quarter system, that translates to approximately seven to eight quarters of enrollment. A common pattern might look like two core courses in each of the first four to five quarters, followed by specialization and elective courses, with the capstone project reserved for the final quarter. Students who can take an extra course in a summer quarter may finish on the shorter end of that range. Full-time students can compress the timeline further, though many in this program are practicing educators who prefer the steadier part-time pace.

Before enrolling, request a current curriculum plan from DePaul's College of Education advising office so you can confirm exact course titles and any recent sequencing updates for the 2025-2026 or 2026-2027 academic year.

Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Graduate Assistantships at Depaul

Graduate education funding has grown more competitive as universities compete for working teachers, and DePaul has responded with a stack of named scholarships, assistantships, and alumni discounts that can meaningfully offset the $744 per credit¹ College of Education tuition. Layering two or three of these sources is usually more effective than counting on any single award.

Named Scholarships for College of Education Students

DePaul publishes about 20 endowed College of Education scholarships each year,² with a central application window running from mid-August to mid-October. Awards worth reviewing before you apply:

• Value-Creating Education Scholarship: $15,000 for the 2025-2026 cycle, aimed at students pursuing socially engaged education work.²
• Double Demon Scholarship: 25% tuition discount for DePaul undergraduate alumni returning for a graduate degree.²
• Graduate Catholic Scholarship: 10% tuition discount for alumni of any U.S. Catholic college or university.³
• Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship: covers 50% to 90% of tuition for up to 20 quarter hours per year for eligible students pursuing a master's in early childhood education.⁴

Graduate Assistantships

The College of Education offers graduate assistantships that require roughly 20 hours per week of work in exchange for tuition remission covering two classes per quarter, plus a stipend.² Curriculum Studies students are eligible, but positions are limited and competitive. Contact the College of Education's dean's office and individual faculty members early, ideally before the quarter you plan to enroll.

Federal Aid and Employer Benefits

Graduate students enrolled at least half-time can borrow through the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program. Candidates in eligible teacher-preparation tracks may also qualify for the federal TEACH Grant, which comes with a service obligation in a high-need field at a low-income school.⁴ File the FAFSA using DePaul's school code; DePaul posts its priority filing date and current graduate aid policies on its Graduate Financial Aid and Eligibility page.

If you teach for Chicago Public Schools or another district, ask HR about tuition reimbursement before you register. DePaul's evening and online scheduling in Curriculum Studies is designed to fit around a full teaching day, which keeps you eligible for most employer benefit programs that require continued employment during coursework.

What a Depaul Curriculum Studies Degree Is Worth in Chicago

Graduates of DePaul's curriculum studies programs most commonly pursue roles as instructional coordinators and curriculum specialists, positions that pay notably well in the Chicago metro area compared to national figures. According to BLS data, the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area offers mean annual wages roughly $16,000 above the national median for instructional coordinators, reflecting strong demand across the region's large network of public and private school districts. Nationally, BLS projects about 21,900 annual openings for instructional coordinators over the 2024 to 2034 period, while Illinois alone anticipates roughly 782 openings per year with a projected growth rate of 2.6%, outpacing the national pace. Keep in mind that these figures reflect school-based and district-level curriculum roles. Professionals who pivot into corporate training, EdTech instructional design, or higher education curriculum development often command higher salaries, with experienced instructional designers in the private sector frequently earning above the 90th percentile threshold shown below.

Illinois Licensure, Endorsements, and Career Pathways After Graduation

Understanding the difference between licensure-bearing and non-licensure tracks is essential before you enroll. DePaul's Curriculum Studies M.Ed. is primarily a professional development degree, meaning most concentrations do not, on their own, add a new teaching license or endorsement to an existing Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL). Instead, they deepen expertise in areas like curriculum design, assessment, and instructional leadership. If you already hold a valid PEL, however, certain coursework pathways within the program can satisfy Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) requirements for a subsequent endorsement, provided you also pass the relevant Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) exam.

The Computer Science Endorsement Pathway

One of the most in-demand subsequent endorsements in Illinois currently is Computer Science for grades 5 through 12. ISBE requires 18 semester hours of qualifying coursework¹ in areas such as algorithms and data structures, programming languages, programming techniques, problem solving, and principles of computing. Coursework in general computer applications does not count toward this total.² Candidates must also pass the ILTS Computer Science exam (test code 205, which replaced the former test 038)¹ before the endorsement can be added to their PEL.

DePaul's curriculum studies concentrations that include computer science and educational technology coursework can help candidates build toward these 18 hours, though applicants should work with an advisor to confirm that each course aligns with ISBE content categories. Teachers who want to lead computer science instruction in middle and high school settings, especially in Chicago Public Schools, should explore this track early in their program planning.

Career Titles Graduates Pursue

With or without an endorsement, the Curriculum Studies M.Ed. positions graduates for roles that go beyond the traditional classroom:

• Curriculum coordinator: Designs and aligns K-12 curriculum across grade levels or content areas.
• Instructional coach: Supports teachers with observation, feedback, and professional learning.
• Instructional designer: Develops learning materials for school districts, nonprofits, or edtech companies.
• Department chair: Leads a content department and manages teacher teams within a school.
• Educational technology specialist: Integrates digital tools and platforms into teaching and learning.

Many Illinois school districts require or strongly prefer a master's degree for curriculum coordinator and instructional coach positions. This makes the DePaul M.Ed. a direct pathway to master's in education jobs, not simply a credential for the salary lane change, though it accomplishes that as well.

Alumni Outcomes and Employer Connections

DePaul's College of Education maintains partnerships with Chicago-area school networks, which gives graduate students access to field placements and professional contacts. As of mid-2026, the college does not publish a standalone placement or alumni outcomes report specific to the Curriculum Studies program. Prospective students should contact the admissions office or program director to ask about recent graduate employment trends and district hiring partnerships. Anecdotal evidence from program descriptions and alumni profiles suggests strong placement within Chicago Public Schools and suburban districts, though verified outcome data would strengthen the case for enrollment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Depaul's Curriculum Studies Program

Prospective students often have similar questions about DePaul University's Curriculum Studies program. Below are direct, fact-based answers to the most common inquiries about cost, admissions, format, licensure, timeline, and career outcomes.