Business and Information Technology Education Master’s Degree

Business and Information Technology Education MSE program overview

Enhance your teaching, leadership, and classroom instruction skills for the subject area of business and information technology. In the Curriculum and Instruction MSE program, you will explore instructional theory and new approaches to curriculum design that meet the needs of today’s elementary and secondary schools. In the Business and Information Technology Education program, you will choose one of two emphases: business or information technology. For the business emphasis, you’ll dive deeper into topics such as accounting, marketing, organizational structure, and information systems, while the IT emphasis covers topics such as hardware and operating systems, network management, information systems, and program and web design.

Licensure: This program is designed to prepare students for licensure or certification in Nebraska. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Nebraska, please check that state's licensing board to determine their licensing requirements. Authorization may be required from them prior to beginning a clinical or field experience in that state. Learn more about state authorization, licensure, and reciprocity.

Student learning outcomes for the MSE Curriculum and Instruction program:

Analyze literature to improve educational practices.
Develop learning environments that promote student achievement.
Cultivate professional relationships with all stakeholders.
Utilize evidence-based inclusive practices to develop meaningful learning experiences for students.

Download program handbook (PDF) View program courses

Fast facts

Degree offered: Master of Science in Education (MSE) in Curriculum and Instruction – Instructional Leadership / Business and Information Technology Education

Delivery format: Fully online

Program credit hours: 36

Curriculum and instruction core courses (12 credit hours)
Business and information technology focus area courses (15-18 credit hours)
Electives (6-9 credit hours)

School: Education and Behavioral Sciences, Business and Technology

Department: Educational Foundations and Leadership, Business and Economics

Business and IT Education MSE program of study

Students must complete the MSE Curriculum and Instruction core, business and information technology focus area courses (choosing either the business emphasis or IT emphasis), and electives to total at least 36 credit hours for the program. Up to 12 credit hours may be transferred in from another regionally accredited graduate institution and applied toward a degree. Credit that has been applied toward an earned degree will not be accepted except for courses that are part of the core requirements. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a total of 36 credit hours are needed to graduate with this degree.

Curriculum and instruction core courses (12 credits)

Credits: 3
Description: Beginning graduate students will develop a practical knowledge and application of basic types of research, as well as basic research tools and skills that will be helpful to them throughout their program. Graduate students will create a research plan and write a review of literature (paper). Students will create appropriate survey and interview questions, develop a beginning understanding of educational statistics, and the process for developing a research proposal including Institutional Review Board requirements and application processes.
Credits: 3
Description: This class is designed to acquaint students with the latest research related to instructional theory, and further, to create opportunities for teachers to try new instructional approaches. The course surveys systems that teachers may use to assess the pros and cons of various instructional approaches.
Credits: 3
Description: A course designed to examine the principles underlying the development of a PK-12 public school and post-secondary program curriculum. Emphasis on methods of determining priorities, objectives, scope and sequence and organizational patterns. The roles of state and local involvement will also be examined.
Credits: 3
Description: Philosophies and theories underlying the American educational system. An analysis of the differing philosophies of education and their implications for education in a democratic society.

- BUS 652 Management Accounting (3 credit hours) – An examination of management uses of accounting data with particular reference to decision-oriented cost classification, methods of cost estimation, data appropriate for decision models, standards and controls, and special problems. Prerequisite: Accounting CBK.
- BUS 656 Marketing Administration (3 credit hours) – A study of concepts useful in understanding marketing systems and buyer behavior and developing skills in making marketing decisions. Topics include marketing strategy, decision models, market segmentation, promotional strategy, and product management.
- BUS 690 Seminar in Organizational Behavior (3 credit hours) – Examination and analysis of the organization as a social system and the impact of its various components on work attitudes and behavior; topics include the development of organizational structures, organizational effectiveness, decision making and policy formulation, leadership, and change.
- CIS 632 Information Systems Technology and Management (3 credit hours) – A course that addresses the operational, tactical, and strategic considerations associated with information systems within organization subunits, within an organization, and between organizations. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between organizations and their information systems.
Plus select one of the following:
- CED 650 Curriculum Development in Career/Technical Education (3 credit hours) – Curriculum development for educators in Career and Technical Education programs is covered in this course. Course activities focus on current issues, trends, educator resources, and curriculum development in Career and Technical Education. Students will utilize Career Education guidelines and resources from the Nebraska Department of Education and Nebraska Career Connections to complete essays, projects, curriculum development, and an electronic portfolio to deliver instruction based on the Nebraska Career Education Model of career awareness, career exploration, and work-based learning experiences.
- CIS 575 Topics in Computer Information Systems (3 credit hours) – Study of topics such as simulation, expert systems, and other areas in the forefront of current CIS practices. Designated as a “hands-on”, project-oriented course. The student will learn about the techniques, tools, and practices of contemporary information systems domains. Topic and title will vary. This course may be repeated if topic and title are different.
- CSC 548 Web and Multimedia Content Design and Administration (3 credit hours) – This course is a study of digital media, multimedia, and web-based media and applications. The various forms of digital media will be presented. Approaches to integrating multiple forms of digital media into multimedia presentations of projects will be addressed. Current multimedia tools will be introduced. The creation and management of web-based media and applications will also be explored. Markup languages and web creation tools will be addressed. Design strategies, content management strategies, security, aesthetics, and related topics will be considered. Students will also be presented with approached to teaching the topics contained in this course and will be asked to create a written reflection, from an educator’s perspective, on teaching these topics.
- EDU 682 Developing and Integrating Technology in the Classroom (3 credit hours) – This is an advanced course in which students will further develop skills to use advanced technology for classroom presentations and interactive teaching/learning. This course is also designed to integrate instructional principles and assessment practices with the use of technology in the classroom. Students will develop a broader understanding of the application of technology in the curriculum of one’s subject area(s) or grade level(s).
- CIS 554 Technology Platforms: Hardware and Operating Systems (3 credit hours) – This course provides students with a balance of theory and practice in the areas of selection, installation, management, maintenance, troubleshooting, design, and evaluation of operating systems and computer hardware. Proprietary and open-source systems are considered. Technical research and the use of various forms of documentation will be addressed. The role of ergonomics in hardware selection will be explored. Instructional strategies for teaching hardware and operating systems terminology and concepts will also be presented.
- CIS 557 Networking and Technology Management (3 credit hours) – This course provides students with a basic knowledge of computer networks, including network concepts and network operating systems. The areas of network selection, installation, management, maintenance, troubleshooting, design, and evaluation are addressed. Instructional strategies for teaching networking and managing the networking instructional environment will also be presented. Special emphasis is placed on issues of security, scalability, and design for maintainability. This course also addressed general methods, skills, and strategies essential for planning and managing authentic and meaningful information technology learning experiences for students. Strategies for dealing with diverse populations, wide ranges of computer literacy levels, and a variety of learning styles are considered. The topics of assessment, evaluation, and appropriate feedback techniques are explored. Additionally the course provides coverage of the general management skills, techniques, and strategies for planning, designing, implementing, evaluating, and managing the learning environment and the various technology components, technical resources, and tools that are a part of it. The basic practice of database design, development, and management is presented and its role in technology management is emphasized. Students will complete a significant technology planning or technology management project in this course. That project will be supported by a database application.
- CIS 575 Topics in Computer Information Systems (3 credit hours) – Study of topics such as simulation, expert systems, and other areas in the forefront of current CIS practices. Designated as a “hands-on”, project-oriented course. The student will learn about the techniques, tools, and practices of contemporary information systems domains. Topic and title will vary. This course may be repeated if topic and title are different.
- CIS 632 Information Systems Technology and Management (3 credit hours) – A course that addresses the operational, tactical, and strategic considerations associated with information systems within organization subunits, within an organization, and between organizations. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between organizations and their information systems.
- CSC 542 Program Design and Documentation (3 credit hours) – An introduction to and an exploration of computer programming, program development approaches, systems analysis and design principles, algorithm development, debugging, programming tools, diagramming, documentation, program testing, program implementation approaches, human-computer interaction, and related topics. Concepts for procedural and object-oriented programs will be explored. Students will create program solutions coded in a common high-level language. Students will also gain familiarity with applications development tools and strategies for testing and debugging code. While exploring these topics, students will also be presented with instructional strategies for teaching such material and managing classroom activities related to the material. Each student will create a written reflection on these topics from the perspective of an educator.
- CSC 548 Web and Multimedia Content Design and Administration (3 credit hours) – This course is a study of digital media, multimedia, and web-based media and applications. The various forms of digital media will be presented. Approaches to integrating multiple forms of digital media into multimedia presentations of projects will be addressed. Current multimedia tools will be introduced. The creation and management of web-based media and applications will also be explored. Markup languages and web creation tools will be addressed. Design strategies, content management strategies, security, aesthetics, and related topics will be considered. Students will also be presented with approached to teaching the topics contained in this course and will be asked to create a written reflection, from an educator’s perspective, on teaching these topics.

Credits: 3
Description: An advanced course in children’s literature will focus on all genres including contemporary authors and multicultural materials for elementary school applications. An emphasis will be given to the integration of literature across the curriculum to facilitate literacy.
Credits: 3
Description: A course designed to enhance instruction and assessment of elementary and middle level students’ communication skills.
Credits: 3
Description: A study of theories of learning and motivation, conditions and processes of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning; personal qualities of a teacher; the teaching process, classroom management; teaching the exceptional learner; and the role of evaluation in learning and teaching.
Credits: 3
Description: This course offers intensive study of specific issues and trends that have direct impact upon education. Individuals will choose a topic to examine in breadth and depth. It presents a comprehensive approach to the exploration of the selected topics. The course offers opportunities for the students to examine relevant topics affecting education in breadth and depth.
Credits: 2
Description: This is an advanced course in literacy and language skills for PreK-K educators that provides deep knowledge of early literacy instruction. Topics include the integration of phonology, orthography, semantics, syntax, and morphology with an emphasis on the foundational concepts of language and reading development. This course is designed for those participating in specific training delivered through an Educational Service Unit, school district, or other approved entity.
Credits: 3
Description: This is an advanced course in literacy and language skills for K-12 educators focusing on phonology, morphology, fluency, reading difficulties, spelling, and assessment with an emphasis on the foundational concepts of language and reading development. This course is designed for those participating in specific training delivered through an Educational Service Unit, school district, or other approved entity.
Credits: 3
Description: This is an advanced course in literacy and language skills for K-12 educators focusing on vocabulary, word knowledge, reading comprehension, writing, and working with diverse populations. This course is designed for those participating in specific training delivered through an Educational Service Unit, school district, or other approved entity.
Credits: 3
Description: This course explores the legal, ethical, and political issues of school administration and implementing equity of educational opportunity and culturally responsive practices. The course will examine the principles of PK-12 education law and the management of school operations through the study of the legal system and student and employee rights.
Credits: 2-3
Description: Original research in the content area designed and conducted by the student and directed by a faculty advisor. Types of research include Final Research Paper, Final Research Project, Final Research Portfolio and Comprehensive Examinations. The results of the research project may be presented to faculty, school boards, community groups, or other appropriate groups. This course is the capstone research project for the MSE Curriculum and Instruction-Instructional Leadership emphases. It should be taken within one of the final two semesters of the program.
Credits: 0-6