Advance your career with a master's in English Education.
Learn the knowledge and skills needed to become a better English teacher, and prepare for impactful roles in today’s competitive marketing with an MSE in English Education.
Affordable
Among the lowest-cost master's degrees in the U.S.
High quality
Our graduate programs are nationally ranked for excellence.
Flexible
100% online. Eight- and 16-week terms available.
Attainable
No entrance exams. Complete in as little as two years or up to 10 years.
English Education MSE program overview
Enhance your teaching, leadership, and classroom instruction skills for English 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. The English Education program is broad. We encourage students to use the graduate program 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.
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.
Fast facts
Degree offered: Master of Science in Education (MSE) in Curriculum and Instruction – Instructional Leadership / English Education
Delivery format: Fully online
Program credit hours: 36
- Curriculum and instruction core courses (12 credit hours)
- English education focus area courses (24 credit hours)
Schools: Education and Behavioral Sciences, Arts and Humanities
Departments: Educational Foundations and Leadership, Language and Literature
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)
English Education MSE program of study
Students must complete the MSE Curriculum and Instruction core and English education focus area courses. 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.
Additional admission requirements:
- Submit to the graduate committee a writing sample of an academic essay of five or more pages and a letter of application specifying the applicant’s preparation and goals.
- Complete an interview by the graduate committee.
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.
English education focus area courses (24 credits)
Choose all English courses by advisement.
Approved by the Nebraska Department of Education
Wayne State's educator preparation programs are approved by the Nebraska Department of Education.

Related programs
Students interested in the English Education MSE may also be interested in:
English as a Second Language MSE
ESL supplemental endorsement
High Ability Education endorsement
Reading Specialist MSE
Reading Specialist endorsement
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.

Clubs and organizations for English Education master's degree students
Kappa Delta Pi (Kappa Beta Chapter) - The WSC chapter of the KDP international honor society in education
Sigma Tau Delta - International English honor society

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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