Master of Education - Curriculum and Instruction
The Curriculum and Instruction program at the master’s degree level prepares candidates to build upon their undergraduate preparation as teachers. Persons enrolled in this program are committed to the design, development, and delivery of classroom instruction. Courses prepare candidates
- to identify and use research-based practices in elementary, middle-level, or secondary schools;
- to design curriculum for a variety of levels; and
- to understand the broader functions of schooling in the United States.
The program is a blend of theoretical and practical knowledge that can be immediately applied to the classroom setting.
As visionary leaders in educational settings, graduate-level candidates integrate in their Curriculum and Instruction Program the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for success in communication, thinking skills, methodology, leadership, professionalism, assessment, and inclusive learning environments.
Student Learning Outcomes (Candidate Competencies)
Candidates for the MEd in Elementary and Secondary Curriculum and Instruction will provide leadership in the school setting.
Students graduating with the MEd in Curriculum and Instruction, aligned to InTASC Standards, will be able to:
- Develop and implement curriculum based on central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches; diverse learner needs and abilities; cognitive and developmental levels; and community and curricular goals. (Methodology, Inclusive Learner Environments)
- Develop and implement curriculum using a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students’ development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills. (Methodology, Thinking Skills)
- Design and facilitate a learning environment that encourages individual and group motivation, positive social interaction, and active engagement in learning. (Methodology, Professionalism, Assessment)
- Demonstrate cultural awareness, gender sensitivity, and racial and ethnic appreciation in fostering an inclusive learning environment. (Inclusive Learning Environments, Methodology)
- Communicate clearly using listening, writing, speaking, and media skills in a manner that is consistent with and responsive to the specific audience. (Communication, Professionalism)
- Utilize assessment strategies and data to improve student learning and social development at the individual and program level. (Assessment, Methodology)
- Improve instruction based on reflective practice and research-based “best practices.” The candidate will continuously seek to grow as a professional educator. (Professionalism, Methodology)
- Foster relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies of the larger community based on an understanding of the impacts of philosophy, sociology, political, and legal forces on public education. (Professionalism, Communication, Inclusive Learning Environments)
Master of Education - Curriculum and Instruction - Elementary – General Education Option
Note: This degree program does not lead to an Elementary Education Teaching Endorsement or Elementary Classroom Certification. This option is designed for elementary or middle school educators who desire to expand their breadth of knowledge at the K-8 level.
Courses
Listed below is the course work required by the Program:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Core Courses | ||
| EDCI 631 | RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS 1 | 3 |
| EDCI 633 | EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY | 3 |
| EDCI 635 | CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| EDCI 638 | SCHOOL LAW | 3 |
| EDUC 639 | ADVANCED METHODS OF PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT | 3 |
| SPED 630 | CHARACTERISTICS OF BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES | 3 |
| Required Elementary Performance Courses | ||
| EDCI 632 | IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION IN HEALTH AND SCIENCE IN ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOLS | 3 |
| EDCI 634 | IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION IN MATHEMATICS IN ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOLS | 3 |
| EDCI 636 | IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION IN SOCIAL STUDIES IN ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOLS | 3 |
| EDCI 637 | IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION IN LANGUAGE ARTS IN ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOLS | 3 |
| READ 531 | IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION IN READING | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select an Elective Course, Scholarly Project or Thesis | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 1
EDCI 631 RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS should be completed within the first 12 credits of a student's program of study.
Master of Education - Curriculum and Instruction - Elementary – Field Option (Concentration in a Subject Area)
Note: This degree program does not lead to an Elementary Education Teaching Endorsement or Elementary Classroom Certification, or to an Endorsement of certification in any of the field concentration areas. A student may pursue a master's in education with a field concentration consisting of 9 to 12 course credits to be selected in consultation with his or her advisor. Three to six course credits of the 36 total credits may consist of a scholarly project, thesis, action research, or practicum/internship. This option is designed for middle school educators or for elementary educators who desire to expand their breadth of knowledge of a particular field of concentration at the K-8 level.
Courses
Listed below is the course work required by the Program:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Core Courses | ||
| EDCI 631 | RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS 2 | 3 |
| EDCI 633 | EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY | 3 |
| EDCI 635 | CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| EDCI 638 | SCHOOL LAW | 3 |
| EDUC 639 | ADVANCED METHODS OF PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT | 3 |
| SPED 630 | CHARACTERISTICS OF BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES | 3 |
| Advisor Consultation Option | ||
| Select one of the following in consultation with advisor: | 3 | |
| IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION IN READING | ||
| IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION IN HEALTH AND SCIENCE IN ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOLS | ||
| IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION IN MATHEMATICS IN ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOLS | ||
| IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION IN SOCIAL STUDIES IN ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOLS | ||
| IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION IN LANGUAGE ARTS IN ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOLS | ||
| Field of Concentration | ||
| Select 15 credit hours in any of the following concentration areas: | 15 | |
Educational Technology | ||
Language Arts | ||
Mathematics | ||
Physical Education | ||
Science | ||
Social Science | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 2
EDCI 631 RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS should be completed within the first 12 credits of a student's program of study.
Master of Education - Curriculum and Instruction - Secondary
A student whose goal is to teach Dual Credit courses at the high school level must complete 18 hours of graduate course work in the desired subject area. Conversely, broad field content options will not lead to Dual Credit certification. Speak with your advisor if that is your purpose in seeking this degree.
Note: This degree program does not lead to an endorsement or additional certification in any of the Secondary Content Subject Areas. This option is designed for middle school educators or for secondary educators who desire to expand their breadth of knowledge in a particular content subject area at the 5-12 level.
Courses
Listed below is the course work required by the Program:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Core Courses | ||
| EDCI 631 | RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS 3 | 3 |
| EDCI 633 | EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY | 3 |
| EDCI 635 | CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| EDCI 638 | SCHOOL LAW | 3 |
| EDUC 639 | ADVANCED METHODS OF PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT | 3 |
| READ 532 | READING IN THE CONTENT FIELDS | 3 |
| SPED 630 | CHARACTERISTICS OF BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES | 3 |
| Content Area Courses | ||
| Select with advisors approval 15 credit hours from the following areas of specialization: | 15 | |
Business Education | ||
Career and Technical Education | ||
Mathematics | ||
Physical Education | ||
Science | ||
Social Science | ||
Special Education (Additional credit hours required - See section below) | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 3
EDCI 631 RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS, should be completed within the first 12 credits of a student's program of study.
Master of Education - Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education-Early Childhood Special Education (Birth – Kindergarten)
This program does lead to an added endorsement in Special Education-Early Childhood Special Education (Birth through Kindergarten). It requires that the candidate hold, or has held, a certificate with a teaching endorsement. The Praxis II test is required for graduation. Students seeking certification of this endorsement in Nebraska must reach the state minimum cut score required for Nebraska Licensure.
Courses
Listed below is the course work required by the Program:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Core Courses | ||
| EDCI 631 | RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS 4 | 3 |
| EDCI 635 | CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| EDCI 633 | EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY | 3 |
| EDCI 638 | SCHOOL LAW | 3 |
| Endorsement Courses | ||
| COUN 637 | ADVANCED HUMAN DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| FCS 520 | LOSS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| FCS 532 | PLAY BASED LEARNING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD | 3 |
| FCS 537 | FAMILY STRENGTHS | 3 |
| FCS 540 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES | 3 |
| FCS 690 | INTERNSHIP | 3 |
| SPED 538 | CONSULTION/COLLABORATION | 3 |
| SPED 539 | LANGUAGE AND LEARNING DISORDERS | 3 |
| SPED 630 | CHARACTERISTICS OF BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES | 3 |
| SPED 640 | ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS OF YOUNG CHILDREN | 3 |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
- 4
EDCI 631 RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS, should be completed within the first 12 credits of a student's program of study.
Title 92, Chapter 24: 006.59D2. This program shall provide applicants with supervised practicum/clinical experiences. The experience shall consist of a minimum of 250 clock hours with individuals with behavioral disorders. The 250 clock hours may be included in the 30 graduate semester hours requirement.
Praxis II exam in your content area is required for graduation. Students seeking certification of this endorsement in Nebraska must reach the state minimum cut score required for Nebraska Licensure.
Master of Education - Curriculum and Instruction –Reading Specialist (Grades PK-12)
This program does lead to an added endorsement in Reading Specialist. Two years of successful teaching experience is a prerequisite for certification. The Praxis II test for Reading Specialist is required for graduation. Students seeking certification of this endorsement in Nebraska must reach the minimum state cut score required for Nebraska Licensure.
Courses
Listed below is the course work required by the Program:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Core Courses | ||
| EDCI 631 | RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS 5 | 3 |
| EDCI 635 | CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| EDCI 638 | SCHOOL LAW | 3 |
| SPED 630 | CHARACTERISTICS OF BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES | 3 |
| Reading Endorsement Courses | ||
| READ 531 | IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION IN READING | 3 |
| READ 532 | READING IN THE CONTENT FIELDS | 3 |
| READ 533 | PHILOSOPHIES, APPROACHES, AND TECHNIQUES FOR TEACHING READING | 3 |
| READ 535 | READING AND THE AT-RISK STUDENT | 3 |
| READ 634 | LINGUISTIC FOUNDATIONS OF READING INSTRUCTION | 3 |
| READ 635 | DIAGNOSIS AND CORRECTION | 3 |
| READ 636 | PRACTICUM IN READING | 3 |
| READ 638 | SEMINAR IN READING: ISSUES, TRENDS AND PROGRAMS | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| READING AND WRITING IN THE MIDDLE/SECONDARY SCHOOLS | ||
| IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION IN LANGUAGE ARTS IN ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOLS | ||
| ADOLESCENT LITERATURE | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
- 5
EDCI 631 RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS, should be completed within the first 12 credits of a student's program of study.
Master of Education - Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education (Grades K-12)
Students may opt to complete the first 39 credits to earn a master's degree with an emphasis in special education. However, to also earn the endorsement for Special Education Generalist (SPED), twelve additional credits from the list below must be completed. This program leads to an added endorsement in Special Education Generalist (grades K-12). It requires that the candidate holds, or has held, a certificate with a teaching endorsement. The Praxis II test for Special Education is required for graduation. Students seeking certification of this endorsement in Nebraska must reach the minimum state cut score required for Nebraska Licensure.
Courses
Listed below is the course work required by the Program:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Core Courses | ||
| EDCI 631 | RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS 6 | 3 |
| EDCI 633 | EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY | 3 |
| EDCI 635 | CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| EDCI 638 | SCHOOL LAW | 3 |
| READ 635 | DIAGNOSIS AND CORRECTION | 3 |
| SPED Courses | ||
| COUN 637 | ADVANCED HUMAN DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| SPED 516 | CLINICAL EXPERIENCE IN APPRAISAL OF EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN | 3 |
| SPED 531 | PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION, AND MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| SPED 535 | ASSESSING INDIVIDUALS WITH MILD/MODERATE DISABILITIES | 3 |
| SPED 536 | ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL/SECONDARY METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR MILD/MODERATE DISABILITIES | 3 |
| SPED 538 | CONSULTION/COLLABORATION | 3 |
| SPED 539 | LANGUAGE AND LEARNING DISORDERS | 3 |
| SPED 630 | CHARACTERISTICS OF BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES | 3 |
| SPED Courses to Complete the Endorsement | ||
| SPED 555 | CHARACTERISTICS OF LEARNING DISABILITIES | 3 |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| SURVEY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION | ||
| READING AND THE AT-RISK STUDENT | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAMS IN CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION | ||
| Total Credits | 51 | |
- 6
EDCI 631 RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS, should be completed within the first 12 credits of a student's program of study.
The Praxis II test for Special Education is required for graduation. Students seeking certification of this endorsement in Nebraska must reach the state minimum cut score required for Nebraska Licensure.