Secondary Education, MS

Designed for those teaching in secondary schools across a variety of curricular areas, the secondary education program offers an integrated approach to developing the skills and dispositions needed for today's educational environments. Graduate students choose a program of study that explores content and pedagogy and that also supports their professional goals and standards of practice. 

The program is specifically designed around the pillars of: 

  • Implementing culturally responsive teaching practices
  • Engaging in research and assessment to inform instructional decision making 
  • Applying theoretical frameworks to guide teaching 
  • Using sound digital pedagogy

The master's degree in secondary education does not lead to initial teacher certification. 

Program Related Information

Program Contact

unotedgraduateprograms@unomaha.edu

Program Website

Unclassified Students

Students who are not planning to pursue a program leading to a graduate certificate or a master’s degree can be admitted to secondary education with unclassified status. Candidates holding a previous master’s degree in education who are seeking additional teaching endorsements may wish to choose an unclassified status. Unclassified students are allowed to take courses for which they meet the prerequisite. Successful completion of graduate courses as an unclassified student does not obligate the department to accept those courses for credit toward the fulfillment of degree requirements.

Formal advisement in an endorsement area is required.

  • Candidates should apply for endorsements as soon as they are eligible.  If a candidate applies 10 years or more after completing all coursework, a review is required to determine if more coursework is needed.
  • To add an endorsement 1/3 of the coursework must be completed at UNO in the endorsement area.

Fast Track Program

The Department of Teacher Education has developed a Fast Track program for highly qualified and motivated students providing the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in an accelerated time frame. With Fast Track, students may count up to nine (9) graduate hours toward the completion of their undergraduate program as well as the graduate degree program.

Program Specifics:

  • This program is available for undergraduate students pursuing BS in Education desiring to pursue a MS in Secondary Education.
  • Students must have completed no less than 75 undergraduate hours and successful completion of a significant number of undergraduate education courses.
  • Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5.
  • Students must complete the Fast Track Approval form and obtain all signatures and submit to the Office of Graduate Studies prior to first enrollment in a graduate course.
  • Students will work with their undergraduate advisor to register for the graduate courses.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduate coursework to remain in good standing.
  • Students remain undergraduates until they meet all the requirements for the undergraduate degree and are eligible for all rights and privileges granted undergraduate status including financial aid.
  • Near the end of the undergraduate program, formal application to the graduate program is required. The application fee will be waived, the applicant will need to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for a fee waiver code.
    • Admission to Fast Track does NOT guarantee admission to the graduate program. 
    • The admit term must be after the completion term of the undergraduate degree.

Admissions

General Application Requirements and Admission Criteria

Application Deadlines

  • Spring 2026: December 10
  • Summer 2026: June 1
  • Fall 2026: August 1

Other Requirements

  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • English Language Proficiency: Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the United States, OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a predetermined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement to be considered for admission. 
    • Internet-based TOEFL: 80, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 53, Duolingo: 110
  • Applicants working toward the master's degree must have a valid teaching certificate or application to a concentration that leads to certification (e.g. Teacher Academy Project concentration). Exceptions to this will be considered on an individual basis. If needed, please contact Chris Wilcoxen, the graduate program chair. Please note, a master’s degree does not lead to initial certification.
  • International students who do not intend to teach in the U.S. may be eligible for admission. 

Degree Requirements

Research/Data Driven Course3
The research/data driven course must be completed within the last nine hours of the program. Advisors will share the designated course associated with your selected concentration.
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING FOR EDUCATORS 1
ASSESSMENT FOR CLASSROOM TEACHER 1
Foundational Pedagogy Course3
A foundational pedagogy course must be completed within the first 18 hours of the program
LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND POWER
MULTILINGUAL STRATEGIES FOR PK-12 EDUCATORS
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS IN P-12 EDUCATION
TRAUMA INFORMED EDUCATION
MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
CRITICAL PEDAGOGY: TEACHING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Concentration27
Capstone3
Capstone is intended to be the last course taken and is an exit requirement. Students must receive a B or better to graduate.
PK-12 CAPSTONE
SECONDARY EDUCATION GRADUATE CAPSTONE
Total Credits36
1

TED 8250 is the only applicable research course for those students pursuing the TAP concentration. TAP students are also required to complete TED 8050.

Exit Requirements

Capstone TED 8900 or TED 8730. The professional project completed in this course takes the place of the comprehensive exam. Registration for the course is by permission only. This course is intended to be the last course in your program. A grade of B or better must be received to show satisfactory completion of the course and for program completion.

Concentrations

Bilingual Education Concentration

Core Pedagogy
TED 8140SPECIAL METHODS IN MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS EDUCATION: CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING FOR MULTILINGUAL 13
TED 8480FOUNDATIONS OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION 23
Concentration Courses
TED 8490SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS 23
TED 8020CONTENT, LANGUAGE, & BILITERACY: INTERDISCIPLINARY BILITERACY & TRANSLANGUAGING PEDAGOGY 3
TED 8980PRACTICUM: VARIOUS CONTENT AREAS 23
Select three hours from the following3
PRINCIPLES OF LINGUISTICS FOR EDUCATORS
LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND POWER
Select three hours from the following3
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES FOR TEACHING READERS
Select three hours from the following3
FOUNDATIONS OF MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS 3
HISPANIC BILINGUALISM
INTRODUCTION TO HISPANIC LINGUISTICS
HISPANIC SOCIOLINGUISTICS
SPANISH IN THE UNITED STATES
THE STRUCTURE OF SPANISH
SEMINAR: SECOND AND BILINGUAL LANGUAGE ACQUISITION THEORY
THEORY AND METHODS IN THE TEACHING OF HERITAGE LANGUAGES
Select three hours from the following3
SEMINAR:FL/TESOL RESEARCH
ASSESSMENT FOR CLASSROOM TEACHER
DATA VISUALIZATION AND MODELING FOR EDUCATORS
TECHNOLOGY FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS
INTRODUCTION TO INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING IN PK-12 EDUCATION
Total Credits27
1

TED 8140 requires a 25-hour field experience

2

Taught in Spanish

3

TED 8120 requires a 20-hour field experience

English Concentration

Additional Foundational Pedagogy Course3
LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND POWER
MULTILINGUAL STRATEGIES FOR PK-12 EDUCATORS
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS IN P-12 EDUCATION
TRAUMA INFORMED EDUCATION
CRITICAL PEDAGOGY: TEACHING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Core Pedagogy6
EDUCATIVE MENTORING IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS
ASSESSMENT FOR CLASSROOM TEACHER
EFFECTIVE TEACHING PRACTICES
INTRODUCTION TO INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING IN PK-12 EDUCATION
Concentration Courses
TED 8610TEACHING OF WRITING THROUGHOUT THE CURRICULUM3
TED 8660YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE3
TED 8800MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH3
Electives9
Select nine TED or ENGL graduate credits as approved by the advisor
Total Credits27

Multilingual Learner Concentration

Additional Foundational Pedagogy Courses6
LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND POWER
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS IN P-12 EDUCATION
TRAUMA INFORMED EDUCATION
MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
CRITICAL PEDAGOGY: TEACHING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Core Pedagogy
TED 8120FOUNDATIONS OF MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS 13
TED 8140SPECIAL METHODS IN MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS EDUCATION: CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING FOR MULTILINGUAL 23
Concentration Courses
TED 8160MULTILINGUAL STRATEGIES FOR PK-12 EDUCATORS3
Select three hours from the following3
PRINCIPLES OF LINGUISTICS FOR EDUCATORS
LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND POWER
ANTI-RACISM EDUCATION: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES
Electives9
Select nine hours from TED graduate-level courses or other disciplines, as approved by the advisor.
Total Credits27
1

TED 8120 requires a 20-hour field experience

2

TED 8140 requires a 25-hour field experience

Equity and Social Justice in Education Concentration

Additional Foundational Pedagogy Courses9
LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND POWER
MULTILINGUAL STRATEGIES FOR PK-12 EDUCATORS
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS IN P-12 EDUCATION
TRAUMA INFORMED EDUCATION
MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
CRITICAL PEDAGOGY: TEACHING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Core Pedagogy6
EDUCATIVE MENTORING IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS
ASSESSMENT FOR CLASSROOM TEACHER
EFFECTIVE TEACHING PRACTICES
INTRODUCTION TO INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING IN PK-12 EDUCATION
Concentration Course3
FOUNDATIONS OF MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS 1
SPECIAL METHODS IN MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS EDUCATION: CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING FOR MULTILINGUAL 2
ANTI-RACISM EDUCATION: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES
PRINCIPLES OF LINGUISTICS FOR EDUCATORS
Electives9
Select nine hours from TED graduate-level courses or other disciplines, as approved by the advisor.
Total Credits27
1

TED 8120 requires a 20-hour field experience

2

TED 8140 requires a 25-hour field experience

Instructional Technology Leadership Concentration

Additional Foundational Pedagogy Course3
LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND POWER
MULTILINGUAL STRATEGIES FOR PK-12 EDUCATORS
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS IN P-12 EDUCATION
TRAUMA INFORMED EDUCATION
MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
CRITICAL PEDAGOGY: TEACHING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Core Pedagogy
TED 8540DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP3
TED 8590TEACHING AND LEARNING IN DIGITAL ENVIRONMENTS3
Concentration Courses
TED 8370DATA VISUALIZATION AND MODELING FOR EDUCATORS3
TED 8530INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR STEAM EDUCATORS3
TED 8550TECHNOLOGY FOR CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING3
TED 8560TECHNOLOGY FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS3
TED 8580ONLINE TEACHING AND LEARNING3
Electives3
Select three hours from TED graduate-level courses or other disciplines, as approved by the advisor.
Total Credits27

Mathematics Concentration

Additional Foundational Pedagogy Course3
LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND POWER
MULTILINGUAL STRATEGIES FOR PK-12 EDUCATORS
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS IN P-12 EDUCATION
TRAUMA INFORMED EDUCATION
MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
CRITICAL PEDAGOGY: TEACHING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Core Pedagogy6
EDUCATIVE MENTORING IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS
ASSESSMENT FOR CLASSROOM TEACHER
EFFECTIVE TEACHING PRACTICES
INTRODUCTION TO INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING IN PK-12 EDUCATION
Concentration Courses9
DATA VISUALIZATION AND MODELING FOR EDUCATORS
IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION: SPECIAL TOPICS
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR STEAM EDUCATORS
OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR P-12 TEACHERS
OR any graduate level course with the following prefixes: STEM / TED / MATH / CSCI / MTCH
Electives9
Select nine hours from any graduate level course with the following prefixes: STEM / TED / MATH / CSCI / MTCH
Total Credits27

Middle Level Concentration

Additional Foundational Pedagogy Course3
LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND POWER
MULTILINGUAL STRATEGIES FOR PK-12 EDUCATORS
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS IN P-12 EDUCATION
TRAUMA INFORMED EDUCATION
MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
CRITICAL PEDAGOGY: TEACHING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Core Pedagogy6
EDUCATIVE MENTORING IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS
ASSESSMENT FOR CLASSROOM TEACHER
EFFECTIVE TEACHING PRACTICES
INTRODUCTION TO INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING IN PK-12 EDUCATION
Concentration Courses
TED 8376TEACHING AT THE MIDDLE LEVEL3
Select six hours from the following6
PRINCIPLES OF LINGUISTICS FOR EDUCATORS
APPLIED COACHING FOR EDUCATORS
DATA VISUALIZATION AND MODELING FOR EDUCATORS
ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTIONS OF PK-12 READERS
IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION: SPECIAL TOPICS
TRENDS AND TEACHING STRATEGIES IN SCIENCE EDUCATION
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR STEAM EDUCATORS
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
TECHNOLOGY FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS
TEACHING AND LEARNING IN DIGITAL ENVIRONMENTS
TEACHING OF WRITING THROUGHOUT THE CURRICULUM
OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR P-12 TEACHERS
YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE
OXBOW WRITING PROJECT
THEORIES, MODELS, AND PRACTICES OF LITERACY
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES FOR TEACHING READERS
Electives9
Select nine hours from TED graduate-level courses or other disciplines, as approved by the advisor.
Total Credits27

School Library Concentration

Core Pedagogy
TED 8520SCHOOL LIBRARY PRACTICUM3
TED 8830LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES3
Concentration Courses
TED 8540DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP3
TED 8650CHILDREN'S LITERATURE AND EDUCATION3
TED 8660YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE3
TED 8710RESEARCH AND INQUIRY3
TED 8740ORGANIZATION OF INFORMATION3
TED 8760MANAGING COLLECTIONS IN LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION AGENCIES3
Additional Concentration Courses3
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR STEAM EDUCATORS
TECHNOLOGY FOR CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING
TECHNOLOGY FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS
TEACHING AND LEARNING IN DIGITAL ENVIRONMENTS
Total Credits27

Science Concentration

Additional Foundational Pedagogy Course3
LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND POWER
MULTILINGUAL STRATEGIES FOR PK-12 EDUCATORS
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS IN P-12 EDUCATION
TRAUMA INFORMED EDUCATION
MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
CRITICAL PEDAGOGY: TEACHING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Core Pedagogy6
EDUCATIVE MENTORING IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS
ASSESSMENT FOR CLASSROOM TEACHER
EFFECTIVE TEACHING PRACTICES
INTRODUCTION TO INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING IN PK-12 EDUCATION
Concentration Courses9
DATA VISUALIZATION AND MODELING FOR EDUCATORS
TRENDS AND TEACHING STRATEGIES IN SCIENCE EDUCATION
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR STEAM EDUCATORS
OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR P-12 TEACHERS
ENGINEERING EDUCATION EXTERNSHIP
INVENTION & INNOVATION IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION
OR any graduate level course with the following prefixes: STEM / TED / AVN / BIOL / BIOI / CHEM / GEOG / GEOL / PHYS
Electives9
Complete nine graduate hours of advisor approved electives with the following prefixes OR any graduate level course with the following prefixes: STEM / TED / AVN / BIOL / BIOI / CHEM / GEOG / GEOL / PHYS
Total Credits27

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Concentration

Additional Foundational Pedagogy Course3
LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND POWER
MULTILINGUAL STRATEGIES FOR PK-12 EDUCATORS
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS IN P-12 EDUCATION
TRAUMA INFORMED EDUCATION
MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
CRITICAL PEDAGOGY: TEACHING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Core Pedagogy6
EDUCATIVE MENTORING IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS
ASSESSMENT FOR CLASSROOM TEACHER
EFFECTIVE TEACHING PRACTICES
INTRODUCTION TO INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING IN PK-12 EDUCATION
Concentration Courses9
DATA VISUALIZATION AND MODELING FOR EDUCATORS
IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION: SPECIAL TOPICS
TRENDS AND TEACHING STRATEGIES IN SCIENCE EDUCATION
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR STEAM EDUCATORS
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
TECHNOLOGY FOR CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING
TECHNOLOGY FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS
ONLINE TEACHING AND LEARNING
TEACHING AND LEARNING IN DIGITAL ENVIRONMENTS
OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR P-12 TEACHERS
ENGINEERING EDUCATION EXTERNSHIP
INVENTION & INNOVATION IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION
Electives9
Select nine hours from TED graduate-level courses or other disciplines, as approved by the advisor.
Total Credits27

Teacher Academy Project Concentration

Core Pedagogy
TED 8300EFFECTIVE TEACHING PRACTICES3
TED 8390CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT IN PRACTICE3
Concentration Courses
SPED 8030TEACHING STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONALITIES3
TED 8006SPECIAL METHODS IN THE CONTENT AREA3
TED 8050DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING FOR EDUCATORS3
TED 8310HUMAN DEVELOPMENT - CONTEMPORARY IMPLICATIONS FOR TEACHING & LEARNING3
TED 9110PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES FOR TEACHING READERS3
TED 9120GRADUATE IN-SERVICE TEACHING3
Select three hours from the following3
RESEARCH PROJECT
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
TECHNOLOGY FOR CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING
TEACHING AND LEARNING IN DIGITAL ENVIRONMENTS
Total Credits27

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Concentration

Additional Foundation Pedagogy Course3
LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND POWER
MULTILINGUAL STRATEGIES FOR PK-12 EDUCATORS
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS IN P-12 EDUCATION
TRAUMA INFORMED EDUCATION
MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
CRITICAL PEDAGOGY: TEACHING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Core Pedagogy6
EDUCATIVE MENTORING IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS
ASSESSMENT FOR CLASSROOM TEACHER
EFFECTIVE TEACHING PRACTICES
INTRODUCTION TO INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING IN PK-12 EDUCATION
Concentration Courses9
RESEARCH PROJECT
PRINCIPLES OF LINGUISTICS FOR EDUCATORS
APPLIED COACHING FOR EDUCATORS
DATA VISUALIZATION AND MODELING FOR EDUCATORS
TEACHING AT THE MIDDLE LEVEL
ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTIONS OF PK-12 READERS
IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION: SPECIAL TOPICS
TRENDS AND TEACHING STRATEGIES IN SCIENCE EDUCATION
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR STEAM EDUCATORS
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
TECHNOLOGY FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS
TEACHING AND LEARNING IN DIGITAL ENVIRONMENTS
TEACHING OF WRITING THROUGHOUT THE CURRICULUM
OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR P-12 TEACHERS
YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE
OXBOW WRITING PROJECT
THEORIES, MODELS, AND PRACTICES OF LITERACY
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES FOR TEACHING READERS
Electives9
Select nine hours from TED graduate-level courses or other disciplines, as approved by the advisor.
Total Credits27