Early in your program, you are required to choose from among four areas of specialization. These reflect the strengths and current course offerings in Curriculum and Instruction as well as appropriate courses from across Lynch School and Univer sity programs and departments.

Areas of specialization are:

• Language, Literacy, and Learning
  
  
• Mathematics, Science, and Technology
  
  
• Curriculum, Policy, and School Reform
  
  
• Critical Pedagogy, Diversity, and Social Justice

The area of specialization provides a focus for course selection, independent study, and research projects. As part of each area of specialization, you take courses in curriculum and instruction broadly construed as well as courses more explicit ly focused on research, practice, and policy issues in the area. In some cases, you may take appropriate courses outside the Lynch School and outside the University.

The area of specialization also includes an independent research requirement in which you are guided by the faculty as you read, critique, design, and conduct research and development activities in a particular area.