Elementary Education MSE Program – Wayne State College Nebraska

Elementary Education MSE program overview

Enhance your teaching, leadership, and classroom instruction skills for elementary education. 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 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.

Licensure: This program is designed for teachers who are already certified in this content area as an opportunity to go deeper into their specialty while simultaneously earning a master’s degree. This program does not meet initial certification/licensure requirements through the Nebraska Department of Education. It has not been determined if this program meets requirements for all other states. 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. 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

Elementary Education MSE program of study

Students must complete the MSE Curriculum and Instruction core, elementary education focus area courses, 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.

Elementary education focus area courses (15 credits)

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 course designed to enhance instruction and assessment of elementary and middle level students’ knowledge, skills, and dispositions in the social sciences to include anthropology, economics, geography, government, history, psychology, and sociology.
Credits: 3
Description: A course designed to enhance instruction and assessment of elementary and middle level students’ knowledge, skills, and disposition for scientific investigation.
Credits: 3
Description: A course designed to enhance instruction and assessment of elementary and middle level students’ knowledge, skills, and dispositions in mathematics.

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. This course may be used as three credit hours of electives to meet the 36 hour degree requirement. Complete descriptions of each research type may be found in the MSE Curriculum and Instruction Handbook. (For an emphasis that requires a thesis, the student completes 6 hours of EDU 699 Thesis in place of EDU 693 and one 3-credit-hour elective to meet the 36-hour degree requirement.)
Credits: 0-6
Prerequisite: Instructor, department chair, and dean approval.

Meet the professors

Education Department faculty

Jean Dorcey, MSE

Instructor

Carol Erwin, Ed.D.

Professor

Carolyn Glackin, Ed.D.

Assistant Professor

Joni Irlmeier, Ed.D.

Professor

Kevin Lein, Ed.D.

Assistant Professor

Lucas Munter, MSE

Instructor

Kristina Nelsen, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Jenny Piening, DOT

Assistant Professor

Leigh Scruggs, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Michael Sieh, Ed.D.

Assistant Professor

Kim Snyder, Ed.D.

Assistant Professor

Ben Vilkas, Ed.D.

Associate Professor

Sara Walsh, Ed.D.

Professor

Online Master's Degree in Elementary Education (MSE)

Advance your career with a master's in Elementary Education.

Elementary Education MSE program overview

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Next term starts: March 17, 2025 (8-week spring session)

Elementary Education MSE program of study

Curriculum and instruction core courses (12 credits)

Elementary education focus area courses (15 credits)

Education electives (9 credits)

Approved by the Nebraska Department of Education

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