Master of Education (M.Ed.), Elementary School Teaching.
This program is designed for a person with a bachelor's degree who is interested in earning an initial Nebraska teaching certificate to teach at the elementary level. This program is accredited/approved by state, regional and national accrediting agencies, including the National Council for Accreditation of Education Preparation Programs (CAEP), the Nebraska Department of Education, and the Department of Education at Creighton University. The endorsement certifies recipients to teach grades K-6 in public schools, grades K-8 in parochial schools. This program includes state-required courses shared with the undergraduate teacher-preparation program, graduate-only professional coursework, and a student teaching semester. Two undergraduate courses in elementary education must be completed in addition to this program. Many courses include field experience at an elementary school and the Creighton preservice teacher must arrange his or her own transportation. Prior to any education program coursework or field experience, the teacher education candidate must sign a Dispositions, Convictions, & Mental Health Statement (PDF) assuring that:
- he or she does not have a felony or misdemeanor conviction involving abuse, neglect, or sexual misconduct; and
- the teacher education candidate is in sound mental capacity.
The candidate must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher prior to student teaching. Also, prior to the first field experience, and again prior to student teaching, the preservice teacher must have a satisfactory background check through the Education Department.
Program Goals for M.Ed., Elementary School Teaching
Graduates will:
- Understand human development and appreciate diverse learners.
- Plan and use a variety of instructional strategies to accommodate diverse learners and help all students succeed and fulfill their potential.
- Plan and use a variety of assessment strategies to diagnose learner needs and evaluate learning outcomes.
- Collaborate with colleagues, parents, and community members to assist learners and to advance the school’s mission.
- Value and exhibit the Ignatian / Jesuit charisms of cura personalis (personal care), magis (excellence), men and women for and with others (service and justice), and contemplation in action (reflective ethical decision making).
- Learn how to communicate effectively and demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in diverse school settings.
- Develop the ability to think critically and apply critical thinking skills.
M.Ed. Elementary School Teaching Prerequisites
A bachelor's degree with at least six semester hours in each of these content areas for a minimum of 30 credit hours in the following areas (minimum of 6 hours in each area):
- Communication, including literature, composition and speech
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Science
There are two undergraduate courses that are also required to be completed prior to student teaching (3 credits each):
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 104 | Integration of Art, Music, and PE | 3 |
| EDU 131 | Literature for Children | 3 |
M.Ed., Elementary School Teaching Degree Requirements
This is a 44-hour program. Scholarships for 50% of tuition costs are available to qualified students. Courses required are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 500 | Literacy Assessment & Intervention | 3 |
| EDU 510 | Growth And Development | 3 |
| EDU 522 | Foundations of Education Seminar I | 1 |
| EDU 525 | Inclusion and Differentiation in the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| EDU 535 | Human Relations And Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| EDU 551 | Facilitating Student Learning | 3 |
| EDU 565 | Methods Of Teaching Language Arts In Elementary School | 3 |
| EDU 566 | Methods of Teaching of Elementary Reading | 3 |
| EDU 567 | Methods of Teaching Social Studies in Elementary School | 3 |
| EDU 568 | Engaged in Math: Effective Methodologies for Pre-Service Elementary School Teachers | 3 |
| EDU 569 | Methods of Teaching Science in Elementary School | 3 |
| EDU 583 | Facilitating Student Responsibility | 3 |
| EDU 584 | Advanced Instructional Practices | 3 |
| EDU 591 | Clinical Practice (Student Teaching) | 1-14 |
| EDU 593 | Clinical Practice (Student Teaching) Seminar | 1 |
| EDU 601 | Instructional Technology for the Classroom | 3 |
| Total Credits | 42-55 | |
Magis Catholic Teacher Corps - M.Ed., Elementary School teaching
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Summer I | ||
| EDU 535 | Human Relations And Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| EDU 551 | Facilitating Student Learning | 3 |
| EDU 583 | Facilitating Student Responsibility | 3 |
| Fall I | ||
| EDU 522 | Foundations of Education Seminar I | 1 |
| EDU 565 | Methods Of Teaching Language Arts In Elementary School | 3 |
| EDU 566 | Methods of Teaching of Elementary Reading | 3 |
| Spring I | ||
| EDU 523 | Foundations of Education Seminar II | 1 |
| EDU 568 | Engaged in Math: Effective Methodologies for Pre-Service Elementary School Teachers | 3 |
| EDU 569 | Methods of Teaching Science in Elementary School | 3 |
| Summer II | ||
| EDL 605 | Foundations of Catholic Education | 3 |
| EDU 510 | Growth And Development | 3 |
| EDU 601 | Instructional Technology for the Classroom | 3 |
| Fall II | ||
| EDU 104 | Integration of Art, Music, and PE | 3 |
| EDU 572 | Action Research and Assessment for Teachers | 3 |
| Spring II | ||
| EDU 525 | Inclusion and Differentiation in the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| EDU 685 | Magis Capstone: Forming lgnatian Educators | 3 |
| Total Credits | 44 | |