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 is one undergraduate course that is also required by the Nebraska Department of Education to be completed prior to student teaching. This course is required to be certified by the State of Nebraska, however it is not a requirement for earning the Master of Education in Elementary Teaching degree.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 104 | Integration of Art, Music, and PE | 3 |
M.Ed., Elementary School Teaching Degree Requirements: (35 Credits)
This is a 35 credit hour program. Scholarships for 50% of tuition costs are available to qualified students. Courses required are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 503 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDU 510 | Growth and Development | 3 |
| EDU 525 | Inclusion and Differentiation in the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| EDU 535 | Human Relations and Cultural Diversity | 1 |
| EDU 551 | Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment | 3 |
| EDU 565 | Methods of Teaching Language Arts In Elementary School | 3 |
| EDU 566 | Methods of Teaching Science of Reading in the Elementary School | 3 |
| EDU 567 | Methods of Teaching Social Studies in Elementary School | 3 |
| EDU 568 | K-8 Math Content and Pedagogy | 3 |
| EDU 569 | Methods of Teaching Science in Elementary School | 3 |
| EDU 583 | Classroom Management | 3 |
| EDU 591 | Clinical Practice (Student Teaching) | 1 |
| EDU 601 | Instructional Technology for the Classroom | 3 |
| Total Credits | 35 | |
Magis Catholic Teacher Corps - M.Ed., Elementary School teaching: (38 Credits)
M.Ed. Elementary School Teaching Prerequisites - Magis Catholic Teacher Corps
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 is one undergraduate course that is also required by the Nebraska Department of Education to be completed prior to student teaching. This course is required to be certified by the State of Nebraska, however it is not a requirement for earning the Master of Education in Elementary Teaching degree.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 104 | Integration of Art, Music, and PE | 3 |
M.Ed. Elementary School Teaching Prerequisites - Magis Catholic Teacher Corps Required Courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Summer I | ||
| EDU 535 | Human Relations and Cultural Diversity | 1 |
| EDU 551 | Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment | 3 |
| EDU 583 | Classroom Management | 3 |
| Fall I | ||
| EDU 565 | Methods of Teaching Language Arts In Elementary School | 3 |
| EDU 566 | Methods of Teaching Science of Reading in the Elementary School | 3 |
| Spring I | ||
| EDU 568 | K-8 Math Content and Pedagogy | 3 |
| EDU 569 | Methods of Teaching Science in Elementary School | 3 |
| Summer II | ||
| EDU 503 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDU 510 | Growth and Development | 3 |
| EDU 601 | Instructional Technology for the Classroom | 3 |
| Fall II | ||
| Students seeking Teacher Certification in the State of Nebraska should register for EDU 104 in addition to the graduate level courses. | ||
| EDU 572 | Action Research and Assessment for Teachers | 3 |
| EDU 591 | Clinical Practice (Student Teaching) | 1 |
| Spring II | ||
| EDU 525 | Inclusion and Differentiation in the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| EDU 685 | Magis Capstone: Forming lgnatian Educators | 3 |
| Total Credits | 38 | |