Curriculum & Instruction - University of Houston
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College of Education

Curriculum & Instruction

Two students working on a table with a teacher leaning over the one on the left

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

The Department of Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Houston College of Education prepares teachers, teacher leaders and other educators committed to student success and lifelong learning. We offer an award-winning teacher education program and specialized graduate programs to help professionals advance their careers. Specifically, we offer a B.S. in teaching and learning, an education minor, an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction, an Ed.D. in professional leadership and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction. As part of a Tier One public research university in a diverse, dynamic city, we strive to end inequities in education in Houston and beyond. Join us!

Important Dates for Graduate Students: Admissions & Comprehensive Exams

CUIN Quick Links

Teacher fist pumping student

WANT TO BE A TEACHER?

We offer the following programs to help students become certified teachers in Texas:

We’re proud to be a three-time winner of the Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award from the Association of Teacher Educators. We’ve also earned commendations from the Texas Education Agency for “Innovative Educator Preparation” and “Preparing the Educators Texas Needs.” Our students participate in a yearlong student-teaching internship with strong mentor support, giving them real world experience that sets them apart from their peers.

Get Certified: Learn more!

SEEKING A GRADUATE DEGREE?

We offer master’s and doctoral programs with various specializations to meet your career goals.

Master's Programs
Doctoral Programs
  • Ph.D. in curriculum & instruction
    • Art education/visual culture
    • Bilingual/ESL education
    • Early childhood education
    • Learning, design & technology
    • Literacy education
    • Mathematics education
    • Science education
    • Social studies/social education
    • Teaching/teacher education
Best Online Programs U.S. News & World Report Grad Education 2025

A Leader in Online Education

As part of a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research institution, we prioritize rigorous, relevant coursework to support student success. Whether virtual or face-to-face, students can be confident in the quality of our instruction. In 2025, we earned a No. 20 ranking from U.S. News & World Report for our online master’s degree programs. We’re dedicated to flexibility to meet students’ needs. Pick a program that’s right for you!

NEWS & FEATURES

  • Woman with regalia sitting in front of a cougar statue

    Top Spring Graduates Share Secrets to Success

    “Find a method that works for you to manage your assignments, don’t hesitate to ask for help, get to know your classmates, and get to know your professors during office hours,” said Tiffany Thao Nguyen, who’s graduating with a bachelor’s in health and a 4.0 GPA.   

  • Tairan Qiu

    Assistant Professor of Literacy Education Earns Trio of Fellowships

    Tairan Qiu, who joined the College of Education in fall 2023, has drawn national recognition as a leading early career scholar in literacy education and research. “I’m very honored,” said Qiu, whose awards include the Reading Hall of Fame Emerging Scholars Fellowship.

  • Sheng Kuan Chung

    Art Education Professor Wins National Award

    Professor Sheng Kuan Chung earned the Distinguished Scholar Award from the National Art Education Association’s Asian Art and Culture Interest Group. “The recognition strengthens my conviction that art education is not solely about teaching the subject matter,” he said.
  • Mikel Cole

    Associate Professor Selected for Fulbright Exchange in Romania

    Mikel Cole, a professor of bilingual/ESL education, will work with doctoral students at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University to improve their research and media literacy skills. “This feels like such a gift,” he said.

  • Alex Hernandez and Justin Burris

    Full Circle: The Student Becomes The Teacher

    Growing up, Alex Hernandez (left) found inspiration in his elementary school teacher, Justin Burris. Years later as a struggling UH student, Hernandez connected with Burris, now a professor, to help him fulfill his dream of becoming a teacher himself.

  • UH Fountains and Farish Hall College of Education

    UH College of Education Welcomes Eight New Faculty in Fall 2024

    “I am thrilled to have this amazing group of scholars joining our COE community,” said Dean Cathy Horn. “The diversity of their strengths amplifies an already phenomenal faculty and enhances our ability to realize our mission to ensure everyone has access to strong public schools and healthy, thriving communities.”

SHORT TAKES

A sampling of faculty, staff, student and alumni happenings:

Carrie Cutler, a clinical associate professor of mathematics education, won the 2024 the Teacher Educator of the Year Award by the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children.

Three faculty members earned promotions in fall 2024: Jeanette Alarcón to associate professor, Conra Gist to professor and Jie Zhang to professor.

Vera Hutchison, an associate professor of literacy education, was selected as co-chair of the Research Committee for the Association of Teacher Educators.

Alumna Paloma Moreno was named director of multilingual programs for Tomball ISD. She earned a B.S. in teaching in 2011, an M.Ed. in administration and supervision in 2017 and an Ed. D. in professional leadership – K-12 in 2022.

BY THE NUMBERS

  • 900+CUIN students
  • 95%Overall passing rate on certification exams (TEA)
  • 1.5MHouston-area K-12 students
  • 1stFounding member of US PREP reform coalition
  • 3-Time WinnerTeacher Education “Distinguished Program” (ATE)
Waterfall outside Farish Hall

CONTACT US

Department of Curriculum & Instruction
University of Houston College of Education
3657 Cullen Blvd.
Farish Hall, Suite 236
Houston, Texas 77204-5029

Department phone: 713-743-0958