Advance your career with a master's in Curriculum and Instruction - Instructional Leadership
Learn the knowledge and skills needed to become a better teacher and prepare for impactful roles in today's school settings. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, the online master’s in Curriculum and Instruction is a great way to further your career goals.
Affordable
Among the lowest-cost master's degrees in the U.S.
Attainable
No entrance exams. Complete in as little as two years or up to 10 years.
Flexible
100% online. Eight- and 16-week terms available.
High quality
High quality and nationally ranked for excellence.
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.
Fast facts
Degree offered: Master of Science in Education (MSE) in Curriculum and Instruction–Instructional Leadership
Delivery format: Most focus areas are fully online, and some are hybrid (a mix of online and in-person classes)
Program credit hours: 36-42
School: Education and Behavioral Sciences
Department: Educational Foundations and Leadership
Choose a focus area for your Curriculum and Instruction master's degree
The MSE in Curriculum and Instruction-Instructional Leadership offer 14 focus areas to choose from. Most options are fully online, unless otherwise noted.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Estimated program cost
Credit hours: 36-42
Cost per credit hour: $378 (includes fees)
*Based on the current tuition rates for 2024-25. Does not include indirect costs. For more information on costs of graduate tuition, visit the Cost of Attendance page.
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Next term starts: March 17, 2025 (8-week spring session)
How to apply Request more info
Upcoming start dates:
- May 12, 2025 (8- and 13-week summer sessions available)
- June 2, 2025 (5- and 10-week summer sessions available)
- July 5, 2025 (5-week summer session)
- Aug. 18, 2025 (16-week fall session)
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.
Approved by the Nebraska Department of Education
Wayne State's educator preparation programs are approved by the Nebraska Department of Education.

Awards and Rankings
Recognized for excellence
Most Focused Curriculum and Instruction Master's Degree
WSC’s Curriculum and Instruction master's degree was recognized as a Top 50 Most Focused program in the U.S. for having teachers with deeper expertise, and more resources and opportunities devoted to the program.

Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees
Wayne State College was identified as having the No. 9 most affordable online master's degree program for 2025 out of more than 2,000 other colleges and universities in the U.S.

A Military Friendly® School
We are proud to be named a Military Friendly® School for our commitment in creating meaningful benefits for military students and veterans. For 2024-25, WSC received the Silver Award. Only a select group of institutions achieve this designation.

Education Department faculty

Jean Dorcey, MSE
Instructor
Jean Dorcey teaches special education courses at Wayne State College.

Carol Erwin, Ed.D.
Professor
Dr. Carol Erwin is a family and consumer sciences professor at Wayne State College. Erwin's teaching interests include online teaching and learning, nutrition and foods classes in FCS, and working with FCS teacher education students.

Carolyn Glackin, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Carolyn Glackin is an education professor at Wayne State College.

Joni Irlmeier, Ed.D.
Professor
Dr. Joni Irlmeier is an education professor at Wayne State College. Her teaching interests include literacy in K-8 school systems, as well as professional communication.

Christian Legler, Ph.D.
Special Projects Manager and Coordinator for the Special Education MSE and Teaching MAT programs
Dr. Christian Legler is currently serving as Special Projects Manager and coordinator for the MSE Special Education graduate program, and the Master of Arts in Teaching program.

Kevin Lein, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Kevin Lein is an education professor at Wayne State College. His experience includes 15 years as a K-12 administrator and coach at every level; 20 years as a collegiate instructor, coach, and administrator; and six years as a K-12 teacher. Lein has been involved in educational initiatives as a local, state, and regional leader and was also a school board member.

Lucas Munter, MSE
Instructor
Lucas Munter is an education instructor at Wayne State College, teaching undergraduate level courses focusing on special educational needs (SENs).

Kristina Nelsen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Kristina Nelsen is an education professor at Wayne State College. She teaches special education and education foundation courses.

Jenny Piening, DOT
Assistant Professor
Dr. Jenny Piening teaches in the School Administration graduate program.

Leigh Scruggs, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Leigh Scruggs is an education professor at Wayne State College. She teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses focusing on special educational needs (SENs) in person and online.

Michael Sieh, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor and Coordinator for the School Administration MSE and Ed.S. programs
Dr. Michael Sieh is an education professor at Wayne State College and oversees the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) program, and the MSE in School Administration.

Kim Snyder, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Kim Snyder is an education professor at Wayne State College, where she also serves as chair of the Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership.

Ben Vilkas, Ed.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Ben Vilkas is an education professor at Wayne State College, teaching courses focused on strategies for teaching English learners as well as courses on curriculum, assessment, and best instructional practices in the elementary school classroom setting.

Sara Walsh, Ed.D.
Professor
Dr. Sara Walsh is an education professor at Wayne State College. She has implemented the co-teaching during clinical practice model, serves as the contact for this program, and leads the training workshops.
Get in touch
Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership
Benthack Hall, Room 111
Phone: 402-375-7389
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