Curriculum & Instruction, MA Ed (Montessori - Elementary I)
Master of Arts in Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a Concentration in Montessori - Elementary Education
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Overview
Admissions and Requirements
Courses You’ll Take
Tuition & Fees
Program Overview
The online Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Arts in Education (MA Ed) with an emphasis in Montessori Elementary I program is designed for those with a passion for teaching via the Montessori Method to school-aged children. Through coursework, students gain:
- Foundational knowledge of a concept coined by Dr. Maria Montessori, which incorporates learning methods structured around a child's mind, body and soul.
- Greater expertise in the Montessori Method and how it nurtures student development.
- Credentials for career advancement. This program offers the following tracks:
This program offers the following tracks:
- Montessori Early Childhood (age 3-6, pre-K)
- Montessori Elementary I (age 6-9, grades K-3) Coursework information: Courses for the program are available online, with a required 3-week on-site training at an approved Montessori facility. Students must have access to a Montessori School for some courses for hands-on activities.
A practicum is required and must be completed at a Montessori-approved school or through a self-directed practicum experience at a school approved by the program administrators. To determine if a school in your area is an approved location for the practicum course, please contact the program coordinator.
Note: This program does not lead to the initial teacher certification needed to begin teaching in a public school in the state of Nebraska. Students pursuing certification in other states should check with their state Department of Education for certification requirements.
The University of Nebraska at Kearney is currently pursuing accreditation as an Applicant in Good Standing with the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE).
More about the Curriculum and Instruction, MA Ed Program: The Curriculum and Instruction program is designed to provide educators with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skill in the design, development and evaluation of school curriculum. The program requires four core courses covering areas of research, democracy, diversity and technology in accordance with the College of Education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
The Curriculum and Instruction, MA Ed program offers the following specializations:
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- English as a Second Language
- Instructional Effectiveness
- Montessori Early Childhood
- Montessori - Elementary I
- Reading/Special Education
- School Librarian
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Secondary Education
- Transitional Certification
Career Outlook: Curriculum specialists support teachers by providing foundation materials for courses and giving constructive feedback on how teachers are implementing those materials. Sometimes they are called instructional coordinators.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of instructional coordinators is projected to grow 11% between 2016 and 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. As states and school districts put greater emphasis on student achievement data, schools may increasingly turn to instructional coordinators to develop better curriculums and improve teachers' effectiveness.
Admissions and Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
A Bachelor's degree
2.75 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
Official transcripts from all previous schools
A professional biography
NOTE: This program is authorized, exempt, or not subject to state regulatory compliance and may enroll students from all 50 states
To apply to this program:
- Complete and submit the online application for admission
- Pay the $45 non-refundable application fee
Courses You’ll Take
Core Courses
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| TEMO 809P | Montessori Elementary I - Language/Grammar | 3 |
The primary goal of this course is to acquaint the student with the Montessori language/grammar methodology, rationale, scope and sequence of curriculum in the lower elementary classroom (ages 6-9 years). The student will develop, refine and demonstrate the skills necessary to become an effective Montessori teacher in the area of lower elementary Montessori language/grammar. Prerequisite: TEMO 803P. | ||
| TEMO 806P | Montessori Elementary I - Physical Science/Biology | 3 |
The primary goal of this course is to acquaint the student with the Montessori Physical Science/Biology methodology, rationale, scope and sequence of curriculum in the lower elementary classroom (ages 6-9 years). The student will develop, refine and demonstrate the skills necessary to become an effective Montessori teacher in the area of lower elementary Montessori Physical Science/Biology. Prerequisite: TEMO 803P. | ||
| TEMO 842 | Montessori Elementary I - Core Applications II | 3 |
The primary goal of this course is to prepare the student to develop, refine and implement the skills necessary to become an effective Montessori teacher in the area of History/Geography and Language and Grammar, at the Elementary I level and develop appropriate curriculum for these areas. Students will also be prepared to design, lead, and prepare art, music and movement within the Elementary Montessori classroom so children can express themselves through these modalities. Students will be introduced to Montessori's peace philosophy and guided activities that can be implemented into the Montessori classroom, and will develop leadership skills needed for effective advocacy and direction in the Montessori environment.
Prerequisite: TEMO 807P and TEMO 809P. Corequisite: TEMO 841. | ||
| TEMO 803P | Montessori - Philosophy and Child Development | 3 |
Students will study the basic theories, stages and areas of child development according to the major contemporaries. Students will become knowledgeable about the complex interaction between heredity and environmental factors (including school, home and neighborhoods). An introduction to the philosophical ideas (i.e., absorbent mind, sensitive periods, social-mathematical mind, spiritual and moral development) of Dr. Maria Montessori as they relate to the child, material, teacher and environment are presented. A background of the history of the Montessori Method, comparing and contrasting with alternate educational approaches is studied. An overview of the Early Childhood curriculum as the foundation of understanding for the previous and following levels of Montessori's curriculum, pedagogy and methodology are presented. | ||
| TEMO 843 | Montessori Practicum: Elementary I | 3 |
The function of the practicum phase is to provide for the student a supervised teaching/learning experience for children 6 to 9 years of age and a period of observation, internalization and further study, to bring together the theory and practice of Montessori Elementary I education. Prerequisite: TEMO 841 and TEMO 842. | ||
| TEMO 810P | Montessori Elementary I - Mathematics/Geometry | 3 |
The primary goal of this course is to acquaint the student with the Montessori mathematics/geometry methodology, rationale, scope and sequence of curriculum in the lower elementary classroom (ages 6-9 years). The student will develop, refine and demonstrate the skills necessary to become an effective Montessori teacher in the area of lower elementary Montessori mathematics/geometry. Prerequisite: TEMO 803P. | ||
| TEMO 841 | Montessori Elementary I - Core Applications I | 3 |
The primary goal of this course is to prepare the student to develop, refine and implement the skills necessary to become an effective Montessori teacher in the areas of Biology/Physical Science, and Math/Geometry at the Elementary I level and develop appropriate curriculum for these areas. Students will also support the development of Practical Life skills. Students will further refine their ability to observe, record and analyze a child's physical, motor, social-emotional and cognitive development for the child from 6 to 9 years of age and address the needs of the exceptional child in the Montessori classroom. Prerequisite: TEMO 806P and TEMO 810P. Corequisite: TEMO 842. | ||
| TE 800 | Education Research | 3 |
This introductory web-based course in educational research focuses on evaluating and interpreting educational research and applying its findings to educational practice. The course will provide opportunities for students to (a) define and differentiate between and among basic, applied, and action research and explain how each contributes to practice; (b) conduct and interpret preliminary, primary, and secondary sources of research in both online and hard copy formats; (c) compare and contrast various research designs, and (d) analyze qualitative and quantitative research methodology. This will include the use of statistical techniques and conditions to describe educational phenomena and to determine the validity and reliability of research methods, case studies, critical-theory, historical, and ethnographical methodology. | ||
| TE 804 | Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education | 3 |
Students learn to evaluate, create, and implement multicultural lesson plans, unit plans, textbooks, curriculum guides, classroom rules and regulations, and school policies. | ||
| TE 803 | Philosophy of Education | 3 |
Survey of the philosophical foundations of western culture and their relation to the development of earlier and contemporary educational philosophies. | ||
| TE 805P or TE 886P | Technology Tools for Teachers or Overview of Assistive Technology | 3 |
TE 805P: This course examines the applications of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities as it relates to teaching and learning. Existing research with students with special needs will be reviewed and new applications of existing and developing technology will be explored. TE 886P: This course will focus on using technologies in an instructional environment with an emphasis on ethical, human, legal and social issues, methods and skills appropriate to planning and designing learning environments, and instructional management methodologies using appropriate materials, methods, resources and curricula for integrating technology. | ||
| TEMO 807P | Montessori Elementary I - History/Geography | 3 |
The primary goal of this course is to acquaint the student with the Montessori Geography/History methodology, rationale, scope and sequence of curriculum in the lower elementary classroom (ages 6-9 years). The student will develop, refine and demonstrate the skills necessary to become an effective Montessori teacher in the area of lower elementary Montessori Geography/History. Prerequisite: TEMO 803P. | ||
Tuition & Fees
Nebraska Residents
Per Credit Hour
- Tuition
- $315.00
- Fees
- $52.25
- Total
- $367.25
3 Credit Hours
- Tuition
- $945.00
- Fees
- $156.75
- Total
- $1101.75
Out of State Residents
Per Credit Hour
- Tuition
- $444.00
- Fees
- $52.25
- Total
- $496.25
3 Credit Hours
- Tuition
- $1332.00
- Fees
- $156.75
- Total
- $1488.75
About Faculty
University of Nebraska online courses are taught by expert faculty who embody the qualities resulting from research experience and professional/field experience. Students learn from faculty with a variety of backgrounds, many of whom are published researchers in their fields. NU faculty who teach online do so in a way that optimizes learning within the online modality and because technology enables students to access education they may otherwise may not be able to pursue.
Application Deadlines
- Spring SemesterNov 11
- Fall SemesterJul 11
- Summer SessionApr 11
