Online Curriculum and Instruction

Maximize learning for young children

With a concentration area in Early Childhood Education, you will focus on the development and assessment of curricula for instructing children ages 0-8. Advanced expertise can prepare you for leadership positions within infant toddler programs, 0-3 sixpence programs, early intervention, early Head Start, Head Start, preschools (public or private), early childhood special education and K-3 classrooms.

Strengthen your K-6 classroom teaching

This concentration will prepare you for developing the teaching and assessment methodologies that maximize learning effectiveness for students in grades K-6. With advanced expertise in this area, you will gain the skills to improve your own classroom teaching and lead in curriculum and instruction for your school.

Earn a degree and a supplemental endorsement

The ESL concentration area will prepare you to implement best practices for language acquisition and classroom instruction for English Language Learners. By completing the program’s foundational courses in curriculum and instruction and ESL concentration courses, you will add a supplemental endorsement for ESL PK-12 to your Nebraska teaching certificate.

Learn what makes teaching successful

This concentration focuses on educational theories that lead to the most effective student learning experiences. Through the program, you will understand, integrate and assess instructional best practices within curriculum development to enhance your classroom and become a valuable asset for your school or district.

Effectively teach struggling readers

Through a concentration in Reading/Special Education, you'll be equipped to diagnose and support students who struggle with reading or who have reading disabilities. The program focuses on developing and assessing curricula and instructional strategies to improve student skills and confidence in reading.

Lead within a school library

Develop curricula and resources to maximize student learning within school libraries. This concentration area combines effective teaching strategies with technological expertise to help you rise up in library leadership roles within PK-12 schools or districts.

This concentration leads to a School Librarian Endorsement, which has received recognition from the American Library Association (ALA) and the Council on the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

The mission statement of the UNK school librarian endorsement program is predicated on the philosophy and purpose of the national guidelines for school library media programs of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL): “to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information.” Successful candidates provide intellectual and physical access to materials in all formats to carry out that mission.  After completing the librarian curriculum, school librarians can also provide instruction to foster competence in student-centered learning and stimulate interest in reading, viewing, and ethically using information and ideas.

Strengthen your 7-12 classroom teaching

This concentration will help you develop advanced teaching and assessment methodologies for student success. With a concentration area in Secondary Education, you will be able to integrate the most effective instructional strategies and technology for the 7-12 classroom in a content area of your interest (Business, History, English, Math, Science, etc.). These courses will equip you to enhance your own middle school or high school classroom as well as lead in curriculum development within your school.

Lead in STEM classroom instruction

With a concentration area in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), you will be able to integrate these disciplines into the development and assessment of curricula, giving students a solid foundation to thrive within an increasingly STEM-focused world. This expertise can enhance your classroom while preparing you for STEM-related leadership roles within your school or district.

Earn a master’s and teaching certificate

This concentration is designed for students who have completed UNK's Post-Baccalaureate Transitional Certification Program and are looking to cap off their studies with a master's degree. The core courses in this concentration complement the coursework you have already completed, focusing on curriculum and instruction to help you develop advanced teaching techniques. Completing your teaching certificate along with a master's degree helps you move up on the salary schedule and propel your career as an educator.