Master’s degrees at Wayne State College are among the lowest priced in the nation.
Curriculum and Instruction Master's Degree (MSE)
About the Program
Enhance your teaching, leadership, and classroom instruction skills with a master's degree in curriculum and instruction - instructional leadership. 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. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, the online master’s in curriculum and instruction – instructional leadership is a great way to further your career goals.
Endorsement Programs
If you already have a master's degree in education, you may add one of the following endorsements to your existing degree:
Early Childhood
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Information Technology
Reading Specialist (PK-12)
If want to follow an emphasis area not listed above, you will need to enroll in the full master's program and follow the prescribed program of study to obtain an additional master's degree.
Admission Criteria
- Apply for graduate study at WSC
- Complete and submit application materials, which will include certification history, transcripts, statement of purpose, and references.
More information on admission criteria
Transfer Credit
A maximum of 18 graduate credits, subject to evaluation by the Dean of Education and Counseling, may be transferred from another regionally accredited graduate institution and applied toward a degree. Graduate credit accepted must meet a minimum course grade of B and be an appropriate substitute for courses in a WSC program. Credit that has been applied toward a previously earned degree will not be accepted, except for the 9 credit hours that are a part of the professional education core. All classes within an MSE degree program must fit into a 10-year timeframe for degree completion.
Fast Facts
Degrees offered: Curriculum & Instruction-Instructional Leadership (MSE) (Master of Science in Education)
This program offers 14 emphasis areas (subjects) to choose from.
Delivery Method: Some emphases are fully online and others are a hybrid (a mix of online and face-to-face classes)
Credit hours required: 36-39
Cost: $378/credit hour ($13,608 - $14,472 for 36-39 credit hours, based on 2024-25 tuition rates)
Tuition and fees
Cost calculator
School: Education and Behavioral Sciences
Department: Educational Foundations and Leadership
Accreditation: Nebraska Department of Education
Curriculum and Instruction Master's Degree Emphasis Areas
In the curriculum and instruction master's degree program, you can specialize in the subject of your choice. Most of these emphases are available online.
Next start dates
Aug. 19, 2024
16-week fall semester courses
Registration opens Mar. 25, 2024.
Jan. 13, 2025
16-week spring semester courses
Registration opens Nov. 4, 2024.
May 12, 2025
3, 8, and 13-week sessions
Registration opens Mar. 24, 2025.
June 2, 2025
5 and 10-week sessions
Registration opens Mar. 24, 2025.
July 7, 2025
5 and 10-week sessions
Registration opens Mar. 24, 2025.
Questions? Contact:
School of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 402-375-7389
Recognized for Excellence
Wayne State College is continually recognized for incredible value, successful graduates, and innovative learning.
A "Top 50" School in the U.S.
Most Focused Curriculum & Instruction Master's Degree, 2023
College Factual
Most Focused Curriculum & Instruction Master's Degree, 2023
A "Top 50" School in the U.S.
College Factual
In a recent ranking of the Top 50 Schools for a Curriculum and Instruction Master's Degrees by College Factual, Wayne State College placed in the top 10% nationwide for 2023. If you're interested in the Curriculum and Instruction Master's Degree Program, It can be to your benefit to choose a school that is highly focused. You are likely to get teachers with deeper expertise, more resources devoted to your subject of study, and more opportunities in your field.
Three metrics measure how College Factual determines which colleges are the "Most Focused."
- Percentage of students studying a particular program - the higher the better. This is a signal from students at the college that they recognize the strength of the program, and also stands to reason that more resources are dedicated to departments with more students.
- Market share - We take it as a positive signal if a college is attracting a lot of students to a particular major. This usually means that a college has more income from tuition to further invest in the program.
- Post graduate resources - If a college has significant graduate and doctoral level programs, that indicates they are even more focused on a particular major. This can mean more resources available to all students.
College Factual, located in Troy, New York, is a leading source of college data analytics and insights, with a strong focus on student outcomes. Its mission is to help all types of students discover their best-fit college and major so they can enjoy their college experience and graduate with less debt. College Factual provides coverage for over 2,500 colleges and universities, 350 college majors, for students in over 160 countries.
No. 1 in Nebraska; No. 11 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Online School, 2023
Intelligent.com
Most Affordable Online School, 2023
No. 1 in Nebraska; No. 11 in the U.S.
Intelligent.com
Intelligent.com ranked Wayne State College as No. 11 in the U.S. in the category of cheapest online colleges and universities for 2022. For their 2022 online degree report, Intelligent.com reviewed over 250 institutions to determine which schools were the most affordable based on the cost-per-credit tuition rates. Tuition rates vary based on degree level, and not all schools offer all types of degrees. The list includes community colleges, which only offer associate degrees, as well as four-year institutions that grant bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. Schools on the list also have regional accreditation, which assures a high standard of quality.
In addition to cost, they evaluated these colleges on the basis of reputation, faculty, flexibility, and course strength. They then calculated the Intelligent Score for each school on a scale from 0 to 100.
Learn more about our online degree programs.
No. 3 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Online Master's Programs, 2023
EDsmart
Most Affordable Online Master's Programs, 2023
No. 3 in the U.S.
EDsmart
EDsmart's ranking of most affordable online master's programs is the most comprehensive and well-rounded to date.The ranking includes only fully accredited schools that offer a master's program online. Rankings are based solely on average in-state graduate student tuition as published in the National Center for Education Statistics database.
No. 5 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees
Great Value Colleges
Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees
No. 5 in the U.S.
Great Value Colleges
A master’s degree can mean as much as $400,000 in extra earnings over the course of a career compared to holders of bachelor’s degrees. Being able to earn that degree on a budget and at your own schedule while continuing to meet personal and professional responsibilities is a marvel of the modern era. These rankings were based on tuition, student-to-faculty ratio, and national recognition. View our online master's degrees.
Take the Next Step
Online classes are available throughout the summer, fall, and spring. Advance your career and get started today!