Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Arts in Education

Offered by Department of Teacher Education

Program Information and Admission Requirements

The Curriculum and Instruction Program requires four core classes covering the areas of research, democracy, diversity, and technology in accordance with the renewed focus of the College of Education. The program is 36 credit hours; however, additional credit hours may be needed for state certification in some endorsement areas.

Admission requirements include GPA and a Professional Biography.  Applicants may include Graduate Record Examination scores if available.

The Curriculum and Instruction program is designed to provide educators with an opportunity for gaining knowledge and skill in the design, development and evaluation of school curriculum. In addition, this degree is intended to assist the classroom practitioner in gaining greater expertise in a chosen instructional specialization or endorsement area. Instructional specialization could include, but is not limited to, focus areas such as art, elementary education, English as a Second Language, mathematics, political science, social sciences, and a variety of other topics and endorsements.

Successful completion of a comprehensive examination/project is required of students prior to graduation. There are three parts:

  1. Program examination/project
  2. Departmental examination, and
  3. College of Education Survey of Desired Outcomes.

Contact your adviser at least one semester in advance of your planned graduation. Additionally, you must apply for graduation in the first few weeks of the semester in which you intend to graduate even if you will not attend.

 

This program is offered online only.

All students are required to complete an exit survey during the semester of graduation or program completion.

Department Core Courses 1
TE 800Education Research3
TE 803Philosophy of Education3
TE 804Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education3
TE 805POverview of Assistive Technology3
or TE 886P Digital Technology for Educators
Concentration
Select one of the following concentrations:24
Total Credit Hours36

Early Childhood Education Concentration

Department Core Courses
Take all of the following:
TE 800Education Research3
TE 803Philosophy of Education3
TE 804Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education3
TE 805POverview of Assistive Technology3
or TE 886P Digital Technology for Educators
Concentration Courses
TE 851Principles of Early Childhood Education3
TE 852Issues and Trends in Early Childhood Education3
TE 853AImprovement of Instruction in Early Childhood Education3
TE 857Early Communication, Language and Literacy3
TE 816GPracticum: Curriculum & Instruction Graduate Practicum3
Select 9 credit hours of the following:9
Curriculum Implementation
Instructional Design for Learning
The Effective Teacher: Enhancing Classroom Instruction
Contemporary Theory & Practice in Reading
Improvement of Instruction in Elementary School Language Arts
Improvement of Instruction in Mathematics for Grades PK-3
Designing Digital Learning Environments
Thesis
Nature and Needs of Exceptionalities
Psychology & Education of Gifted & Talented Learners
Medical Aspects of Individuals with Disabilities
Art Methods for Young Children
Children's Literature
Physical Education for Students with Disabilities
Total Credit Hours36

Elementary Education Concentration

Department Core Courses
TE 800Education Research3
TE 803Philosophy of Education3
TE 804Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education3
TE 805POverview of Assistive Technology3
or TE 886P Digital Technology for Educators
Concentration Courses
TE 845Contemporary Theory & Practice in Reading3
TE 853CImprovement of Instruction in Elementary School Language Arts3
TE 816GPracticum: Curriculum & Instruction Graduate Practicum3
TE 853FImprovement of Instruction in Mathematics for Grades PK-33
or TE 853G Improvement of Mathematics Instruction for Grades 4-8
or TE 848 Formative Assessment & Successful Acad Interventions for Elem School Math
Select 12 credit hours of the following:12
Instructional Design for Learning
The Effective Teacher: Enhancing Classroom Instruction
Content Methods & Strategies for Teaching English As A Second Language
Infusing STEM in the K-8 Classroom
Implementing Universal Design for Learning in School Settings
Literacy, Assessment, and Instructional Intervention
Elementary School Curriculum
Improvement of Instruction in Elementary School Science
Improvement of Instruction in Elementary School Social Studies
Reading in the Content Areas
Integration of Curriculum and Digital Technology
Thesis
Special Topics (Approved topic: Advanced Instruction)
Research-Based Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities
Inclusion and Differentiation Strategies for the 21st Century Classroom
Total Credit Hours36

Reading/Special Education Concentration

Department Core Courses
TE 800Education Research3
TE 803Philosophy of Education3
TE 804Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education3
TE 805POverview of Assistive Technology3
or TE 886P Digital Technology for Educators
Concentration Courses
TE 845Contemporary Theory & Practice in Reading3
TE 846Literacy, Assessment, and Instructional Intervention3
TE 854Reading in the Content Areas3
TE 816BPracticum: Reading3
TESE 863Research-Based Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities3
Select 9 credit hours of the following:9
Bilingual Special Education
Characteristics and Strategies for individuals with Emotional and Behavioral Health Disorders
Applied Behavior Analysis
Intervention Strategies for Individuals with Behavioral & Emotional Disabilities
Inclusion and Differentiation Strategies for the 21st Century Classroom
Co-Teaching & Collaborative Services
Consult & Collaboration with Families & Agencies Serv Individuals with Disabilities
Improvement of Instruction in Elementary School Language Arts
Total Credit Hours36

English as a Second Language Concentration2

Department Core Courses
TE 800Education Research3
TE 803Philosophy of Education3
TE 804Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education3
TE 805POverview of Assistive Technology3
or TE 886P Digital Technology for Educators
Concentration Courses
TE 824Language Development for English Language Learners3
TE 825English Language Learners (ELL): Culture, Civil Rights, and Advocacy3
TE 826Content Methods & Strategies for Teaching English As A Second Language3
TE 827Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)3
TE 853AImprovement of Instruction in Early Childhood Education3
TE 816APracticum: Education3
An additional six credit hours of advisor-approved electives6
Total Credit Hours36

Secondary Education Concentration

Department Core Courses
TE 800Education Research3
TE 803Philosophy of Education3
TE 804Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education3
TE 805POverview of Assistive Technology3
or TE 886P Digital Technology for Educators
Concentration Courses
TE 816GPracticum: Curriculum & Instruction Graduate Practicum3
Select 3-9 credit hours of the following:3-9
Instructional Design for Learning
The Effective Teacher: Enhancing Classroom Instruction
Content Methods & Strategies for Teaching English As A Second Language
Implementing Universal Design for Learning in School Settings
Reading in the Content Areas
Integration of Curriculum and Digital Technology
Thesis
Research-Based Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities
Select 12-18 additional credit hours from a Content Area (Business, History, English, Math, Science, etc.) 12-18
TBD and approved by academic advisor
Total Credit Hours36

Instructional Effectiveness Concentration

Department Core Courses
TE 800Education Research3
TE 803Philosophy of Education3
TE 804Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education3
TE 805POverview of Assistive Technology3
or TE 886P Digital Technology for Educators
Concentration Courses
TE 810Instructional Design for Learning3
TE 815PThe Effective Teacher: Enhancing Classroom Instruction3
TE 829Implementing Universal Design for Learning in School Settings3
TE 876Integration of Curriculum and Digital Technology3
TE 899PSpecial Topics (Approved topic: Advanced Instruction)3
TE 816GPracticum: Curriculum & Instruction Graduate Practicum3
Select 6 credit hours of the following:6
Curriculum Implementation
Content Methods & Strategies for Teaching English As A Second Language
Seminar in Student Teaching Supervision
Thesis
Psychology & Education of Gifted & Talented Learners
Teacher Leadership
Research-Based Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities
Total Credit Hours36

Transitional Certification Concentration

Department Core Courses
TE 800Education Research3
TE 803Philosophy of Education3
TE 804Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education3
TE 805POverview of Assistive Technology3
or TE 886P Digital Technology for Educators
Concentration Courses
TE 831Professional Skills & Knowledge I6
TE 832Professional Skills and Knowledge II6
TE 833Context of Education6
Select one of the following options:6
For Holders of Transitional Permits
Clinical Practice 1: Introduction to Transitional Student Teaching
and Clinical Practice 2: Transitional Student Teaching
For Students who do not hold a Transitional Permit
Clinical Practice: Student Teaching
Total Credit Hours36

STEM K-8 (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Concentration

Department Core Courses
TE 800Education Research3
TE 803Philosophy of Education3
TE 804Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education3
TE 805POverview of Assistive Technology3
or TE 886P Digital Technology for Educators
Concentration Courses
Take all of the following:
TE 816GPracticum: Curriculum & Instruction Graduate Practicum3
TE 828Infusing STEM in the K-8 Classroom3
TE 848Formative Assessment & Successful Acad Interventions for Elem School Math3
TE 853DImprovement of Instruction in Elementary School Science3
Take 3 hours from the following:3
Teacher Leadership
Leadership in Learning Design and Technology
Take 3 hours from the following:3
Improvement of Instruction in Mathematics for Grades PK-3
Improvement of Mathematics Instruction for Grades 4-8
Take 6 hours from the following:6
The Effective Teacher: Enhancing Classroom Instruction
Implementing Universal Design for Learning in School Settings
Improvement of Instruction in Early Childhood Education
Motivating the 21st Century Learner
Integration of Curriculum and Digital Technology
Seminar in Instructional Technology
Program Design for High Ability Education
Total Credit Hours36

Montessori - Early Childhood Concentration

Department Core Courses
TE 800Education Research3
TE 803Philosophy of Education3
TE 804Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education3
TE 805POverview of Assistive Technology3
or TE 886P Digital Technology for Educators
Concentration Courses
Take all of the following:
TEMO 803PMontessori-Philosophy and Child Development3
TEMO 811PMontessori Early Childhood-Practical Life 3
TEMO 812PMontessori Early Childhood-Math and Sensorial3
TEMO 813PMontessori Early Childhood-Language and Grammar3
TEMO 831Montessori Early Childhood Core Applications I3
TEMO 832Montessori Early Childhood Core Applications II3
TEMO 833Montessori Practicum 1: Early Childhood1
TEMO 834Montessori Practicum 2: Early Childhood2
An additional three credit hours of advisor-approved electives3
Total Credit Hours36

Montessori - Elementary I Concentration

Department Core Courses
TE 800Education Research3
TE 803Philosophy of Education3
TE 804Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education3
TE 805POverview of Assistive Technology3
or TE 886P Digital Technology for Educators
Concentration Courses
Take all of the following:
TEMO 803PMontessori-Philosophy and Child Development3
TEMO 806PMontessori Elementary I - Physical Science/Biology3
TEMO 807PMontessori Elementary I - History/Geography3
TEMO 809PMontessori Elementary I - Language/Grammar3
TEMO 810PMontessori Elementary I - Mathematics/Geometry3
TEMO 841Montessori Elementary I Core Applications I3
TEMO 842Montessori Elementary I Core Applications II3
TEMO 843Montessori Practicum 1: Elementary I1
TEMO 844Montessori Practicum 2: Elementary 12
Total Credit Hours36

School Librarian Concentration

Department Core Courses
TE 800Education Research3
TE 803Philosophy of Education3
TE 804Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education3
TE 805POverview of Assistive Technology3
or TE 886P Digital Technology for Educators
Concentration Courses
Take all of the following:
TE 868Copyright, Fair Use, and Ethics3
TE 869Introduction to School Library Program3
TE 870Developing Web-Based Portfolios3
TE 871Collection Development and Management3
TE 872Organization of School Library and Technology Resources3
TE 873Reference Services and Resources3
TE 875Administration of the School Library3
TE 893Field Experiences in School Library3
Total Credit Hours36

Reading for International Educators3

Department Core Courses
TE 800Education Research3
TE 803Philosophy of Education3
TE 805POverview of Assistive Technology3
or TE 886P Digital Technology for Educators
TE 809PCurriculum Implementation3
Concentration Courses
Take all of the following:
TE 845Contemporary Theory & Practice in Reading3
TE 846Literacy, Assessment, and Instructional Intervention3
TE 853CImprovement of Instruction in Elementary School Language Arts3
TE 854Reading in the Content Areas3
TE 857Early Communication, Language and Literacy3
TE 897Seminar in Reading3
TE 899PSpecial Topics (Children's Literature)3
EDAD 855Supervision of Instruction3
or TE 816G Practicum: Curriculum & Instruction Graduate Practicum
Total Credit Hours36
1

Except for the Reading International Educators concentration. TE 809P is required instead of TE 804.

2

The ESL Concentration Area will qualify an individual for adding an ESL PK-12 endorsement to the Nebraska Teaching Certificate. Because of the volume of coursework required, there is NOT a thesis option.

3

Reading for International Educators will not lead to a teaching certificate.