On Campus
Elementary School Teaching MEd (Master of Education)
If you’re looking to make a difference in the world by advancing your career as a teacher, consider Creighton University’s Master of Education in Elementary School Teaching.
In this program, you’ll develop the ability to think–and teach–critically and creatively, learning a variety of teaching strategies to accommodate diverse learners. You’ll learn to collaborate with colleagues, parents and community members to help students reach their full potential.
“In the Master's of Elementary Education program, we put our students into the classroom right away. They work with students in real classrooms from day one, and that practical experience really sets them up for long-term career success.”
—Jean Hearn, EdD | Assistant Professor and Program Director, College of Arts and Sciences
Rooted in Jesuit values, Creighton’s elementary school teaching master’s goes far beyond the administrative aspects of teaching. You’ll learn to model Jesuit values such as the importance of compassion, relationship-building, reflection and humility in your work. Through hands-on, project-based learning experiences, you’ll also gain experience that will prepare you for a successful career in education.
A degree that moves at the speed of your life
You have the desire to make an impact on student’s lives—and with a growing need for skilled teachers, that’s a calling that can’t wait. Creighton’s master’s degree in elementary education is designed to be completed at an accelerated pace so that you can start making a difference as soon as possible.
This accelerated program can be completed in 18 months. With summer course offerings, you can start the program in May and finish by December the following year. Completing the program will position you for a Nebraska professional teaching certificate, so you’ll have a clear path to your own classroom after graduation.
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Jean Hearn, EdD | Associate Professor and Program Director, College of Arts and Sciences
“The culture of Creighton comes through in all of our online education courses. Our faculty are supportive and build relationships with their students, and they help students connect with each other too.”
Program Details
Program Goals and Curriculum
The Master of Education in Elementary School Teaching program is designed for students who have obtained a bachelor’s degree in something other than elementary school teaching. This accelerated program gives students the ability to advance their careers as teachers in less than two years.
To earn this master’s degree, you must complete at least 41 credit hours:
- Growth and Development of Children and Adolescents
- Procedures for Including Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities in the Regular Classroom
- Human Relations and Cultural Diversity
- Methods of Teaching Language Arts in Elementary School
- Methods of Teaching Elementary Reading
- Methods of Teaching Social Studies in Elementary School
- Engaged in Math: Effective Methodologies for Pre-Service Elementary School Teachers
- Methods of Teaching Science in Elementary School
- Literacy Assessment and Measurement
- Instructional Technology for the Classroom
- Management Practices for Classroom Teachers
- Action Research and Assessment for Teachers
- Clinical Practice (Student Teaching)
- Clinical Practice (Student Teaching) Seminar
There are two undergraduate courses that are also required to be completed prior to student teaching:
- Integration of Art, Music and PE
- Literature for Children OR Methods of Teaching Religion in Elementary School
Faculty
Creighton’s education programs are nationally recognized as excellent by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and by the Higher Learning Commission. This reputation is earned thanks to Creighton’s carefully designed program curricula and standards, as well as the talented faculty who apply Jesuit values to ensure student success.
Professional licensure requirements are determined solely by each state and may change without notice to Creighton. While our information is updated annually, Creighton cannot guarantee continuous accuracy. Current and prospective students can find program-specific PDFs on our Academic Regulations page or consult the appropriate licensing agency in the state where they plan to practice to confirm updated requirements for their program.
Creighton also cannot guarantee that any student will attain state-established licensure or certification in any field or jurisdiction.
Magis Catholic Teacher Corps Option
Applicants to the Master of Education in Elementary School Teaching program have the option to apply through Creighton’s Magis Catholic Teacher Corps. This specialized two-year, largely volunteer, experience is dedicated to the formation of enthusiastic, faith-filled and highly motivated teachers in direct service to Catholic schools. Applicants to this program through Magis must meet additional admission requirements.
Magis is a two-year volunteer experience built upon three pillars:
- Community — Teachers continue the sense of community fostered in college by living together on campus during the summer and in small communities throughout the school year.
- Spirituality — Teachers are encouraged to grow in their faith through ongoing formation and practice of Ignatian spirituality.
- Professionalism — While teaching for two years in Catholic schools, teachers are required to develop as professional educators by completing a rigorous master’s program.
Students accepted into the Magis Catholic Teacher Corps program receive a monthly stipend, fully subsidized tuition and fees, medical insurance, housing and summer meals. Magis teachers may also be eligible for student loan deferment or forgiveness.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Master of Education in Elementary School Teaching program, applicants must:
- Complete an application
- Possess a bachelor’s degree with 3.0 GPA or higher
- Include coursework in communication, literature, composition and speech, mathematics, science, and social science
- Provide official transcripts from all educational institutions attended. Read more about sending transcripts here
- Include a resume or curriculum vitae
- Submit a personal statement (see application for specific requirements)
- Submit three letters of recommendation from persons other than friends or family members
- Pass a background check (if offer of admission is extended)
- Submit felony convictions and mental capacity statements
A personal interview may be requested in addition to the above requirements. The interview may be conducted in-person or virtually.
Due to the specific features and requirements of this program, international students cannot be admitted. Unique situations may be discussed with your enrollment specialist.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition rates change in the fall of each year. Visit our financial aid site for more details.
Scholarships
Scholarships available for all educators. The scholarship will be applied per credit throughout the program.
Student Support Fund
Creighton’s Student Support Fund helps eligible students finance costs, outside of Creighton University tuition and fees, required of educators to be certified as a teacher, counselor or administrator in the state of Nebraska.
Once admitted, students with financial need may apply for funding for specific items required by the state of Nebraska or Creighton University. Funds may also be awarded for students in need for presentations at conferences or publishing in peer reviewed journals.
Financial Aid
To help make your graduate studies at Creighton University more affordable, we encourage you to file the FAFSA to apply for financial assistance. We also encourage you to apply for available graduate student scholarships and fellowships.
Still have questions? Email or call a friendly financial specialist at 402.280.2731 for any additional questions you may have.
Dates and Deadlines
The table below details the enrollment deadline and starting date of courses for the current academic year. If you have any questions about dates, deadlines, or application materials, please contact an admissions advisor for personalized assistance.
ON-CAMPUS
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START CLASSES IN |
APPLY BY |
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May |
April 1 |
IMPORTANT NOTE TO PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS & CURRENT STUDENTS: Each state is responsible for its own certification/licensure requirements, which may change without notice to NASDTEC or your university's certification officers or your state's office of certification. You must contact the office of certification in any state to which you may be relocating to get the most accurate information on certification requirements. The link will help you locate the web page for the entity in each state that is responsible for educator certification. One important guideline is that reciprocity is always easier if you completed the certification requirements and obtained your teaching credential in the state where you completed your program requirements.
