Curriculum and Instruction Master's Degree (MSE)

Curriculum and Instruction - Instructional Leadership MSE program overview

Choose from one of 14 subject areas to enhance your teaching, leadership, and classroom instruction skills through our master's Curriculum and Instruction - Instructional Leadership (MSE). In this program, you will explore instructional theory and new approaches to curriculum design that meet the needs of today’s elementary and secondary schools. Through improved curriculum design, you’ll be able to improve student outcomes by helping your students learn more and understand better.

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.

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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.
This program is designed to prepare students for teacher licensure or certification in Nebraska.
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For licensed, practicing PK-16 teachers and education professionals, the Community of Learning allows you to earn your master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction-Instructional Leadership in just two years. In this hybrid program, you’ll spend five Saturdays per semester collaborating and learning with other members in a classroom setting. Drive your own professional development and master the art, science, and craft of teaching.
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The Cross-Curricular Education program may include courses in reading and language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, health, physical education, visual and performing arts, career education, world languages, technology, leadership, cultural diversity, and other content areas, threads, or themes. This program examines the relationship of two or more content or theme areas in the PK-12 classroom.
This program is designed for teachers who are already certified. It does not meet initial teacher certification/licensure requirements through the Nebraska Department of Education.
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The Early Childhood Education program covers in depth topics such as the growth and development of young children, the formulation of curriculum for young ages, and managing programs and coordinating relations between stakeholders (families, schools, and communities).
This program requires that you first hold a bachelor’s degree and a completed Elementary Education endorsement. It is designed for teachers who are already certified in this content area and serves as an opportunity to go deeper into their specialty while simultaneously earning a master’s degree. It does not meet initial teacher certification/licensure requirements through the Nebraska Department of Education.
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A non-degree Early Childhood endorsement option is also available.
In the Elementary Education program, your focus will be on the development of curriculum for elementary-aged school children. You’ll take a close look on a variety of subjects, including literature and language arts, social studies, science, and math.
This program is designed for teachers who are already certified in this content area and serves as an opportunity to go deeper into their specialty while simultaneously earning a master’s degree. It does not meet initial teacher certification/licensure requirements through the Nebraska Department of Education.
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The English Education program is broad. Students in this program are encouraged to gain a broad-based education. Beyond the required hours in education, you will select from a rotation of seminars in English literature, creative writing, criticism, linguistics, and related topics.
This program is designed for teachers who are already certified in this content area and serves as an opportunity to go deeper into their specialty while simultaneously earning a master’s degree. It does not meet initial teacher certification/licensure requirements through the Nebraska Department of Education.
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The English as a Second Language program aims to develop a thorough understanding of communication and culture, while studying how different groups communicate between themselves through language and symbols. You’ll research the acquisition of learning a second language and learn how to teach the English language more effectively.
This program is designed to prepare students for teacher licensure or certification in Nebraska.
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A non-degree ESL Education endorsement option is also available.

The Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Education program allows for extensive study on the FCS topic of your choice. You’ll examine literature and current trends in FCS, instructional techniques, and curriculum development, and then apply them in your own research.
This program is designed for teachers who are already certified in this content area and serves as an opportunity to go deeper into their specialty while simultaneously earning a master’s degree. It does not meet initial teacher certification/licensure requirements through the Nebraska Department of Education.
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The Math Education program is heavily focused on math, and specifically how it can be connected and taught in the classroom.
This program is designed for teachers who are already certified in this content area and serves as an opportunity to go deeper into their specialty while simultaneously earning a master’s degree. It does not meet initial teacher certification/licensure requirements through the Nebraska Department of Education.
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The Music Education master's program is designed primarily for K-12 teachers who wish to remain in the classroom by combining an enhanced teaching program with instructional leadership skills. This program may also appeal to non-teachers, as careers can be found outside of education in directorship positions, performance, and music lessons
This program is designed for teachers who are already certified in this content area and serves as an opportunity to go deeper into their specialty while simultaneously earning a master’s degree. It does not meet initial teacher certification/licensure requirements through the Nebraska Department of Education.
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The Reading Specialist program covers a plethora of literacy topics, such as philosophy, phonics, writing, and more, and how to apply these topics professionally in the classroom to develop reading skills in PK-12.
This program is designed to prepare students for teacher licensure or certification in Nebraska.
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A non-degree Reading Specialist endorsement option is also available.
In the Skilled and Technical Sciences Education program, you’ll examine philosophy and types of activities for the skilled and technical sciences education classroom. Topics covered will be materials, facilities, and equipment, as well as current trends and developments in technology education.
This program is designed for teachers who are already certified in this content area and serves as an opportunity to go deeper into their specialty while simultaneously earning a master’s degree. It does not meet initial teacher certification/licensure requirements through the Nebraska Department of Education.
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The Social Sciences Education program provides for a wide range of disciplines, preparing you to specialize in the social sciences topic of your choice and apply it to the classroom.
This program is designed for teachers who are already certified in this content area and serves as an opportunity to go deeper into their specialty while simultaneously earning a master’s degree. It does not meet initial teacher certification/licensure requirements through the Nebraska Department of Education.
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Curriculum and Instruction core courses

Students must complete the Curriculum and Instruction core courses, and courses from one of the 14 focus areas. See focus area pages for additional details. 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.

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.