Nebraska is ranked 9th among the Best State for Education by U.S. News & World Report, and much of this comes from the excellent accredited educational leadership degree programs in Nebraska colleges. Providing students of ages with high-quality education is a top priority in Nebraska, and this can only happen with excellent and high-quality educational leadership. Nebraska schools overall have an attendance rate of 94 percent and a drop-out rate of only 1 percent, which is also a testament to its excellent schools and educational leaders. Aspiring education leaders in Nebraska can choose from several schools and programs. Here are a few of the programs at the top colleges in Nebraska.
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Department of Education Administration
The Department of Education Administration is one of several departments in the UN’s College of Education. The Education Administration department offers online master’s degree programs as well as a non-degree education specialist program, and each of these programs is taught by excellent faculty members. Other than specific education prerequisites, all students need to complete these online programs is a computer with high-speed Internet access and a copy of Microsoft Suite. Students access their coursework and assignments through Blackboard, an online learning platform.
Master of Art in Education in School Principalship
UN’s online master’s degree in school principalship offers a K-8 and a 7-12 option and is aimed at education specialists who wish to work as school principals at any grade level. Each program requires completion of 36 credit hours, and both require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree and teaching certification. The intellectually stimulating and student-centered curriculum, complete with the latest technology, provides students with a learning experience that prepares them for any educational leadership position with a focus on principalship. Although the online programs allow students to learn at their own pace, most students can complete this program in 2 ½ to 3 years. Students may take the following courses.
- Assessment Leadership
- School Improvement
- Principles of Early Childhood Education
- The Junior High/Middle School
- Improvement of Instruction
- Curriculum Planning
The program also offers various specialization courses. Students complete a practicum course in an education setting and have access to outstanding internship experiences and field placements where they obtain real-life experience.
Education Specialist in School Superintendent
The online education specialist program is aimed at educational leaders interested in working as school superintendents. Applicants to this program must have a master’s degree in an educational field and administrative certification. Students must complete at least 69 semester hours of credit if they hold a bachelor’s degree or 33 credit hours if they have a master’s degree. The education specialist certificate can usually be completed in two years.
Courses in the education specialist program include:
- Administration Theory
- The Executive Administrator
- Current Issues in Education
- Activities Director
- Educational Facility Planning
- Public School Finance
- The School Administrator and the Law
Students complete research projects as part of required fieldwork experience. They also complete an internship working under one or several superintendents as mentors. The internship must be at least 135 documented hours. This is a requirement for superintendent certification. This program offers students the option of beginning in the fall, spring or summer.
Accreditations
- Nebraska Department of Education (NDE)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges & Secondary Schools (NCA)
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Contact
1516 W. 24th St, Room B149, Kearney, NE 68849
308-865-8844
edadmin@unk.edu
Website
University of Nebraska at Omaha
College of Education
The College of Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is dedicated to developing scholars, practitioners and educational leaders. They offer various programs and majors in six academic areas. Aspiring educational professionals seeking leadership positions can choose from a master’s degree in educational leadership or a doctoral degree in educational administration. The programs offered through the Department of Educational Leadership include not just coursework but also practicum courses, internships and field experiences. To ensure their students receive the utmost experience and variety through their fieldwork, they’re placed in 193 schools throughout the state as well as in 43 different school districts. One of the many positive results of their academic program is that teachers from UNO are prepared to teach in diverse settings.
M.S. in Educational Leadership
The Master of Science in Educational Leadership is a very popular accredited educational leadership degree program in Nebraska. This graduate program provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to become successful school leaders and obtain professional certification in administration. The program requires completion of at least 39 credit hours, which must be completed in 10 years. Of this number, 12 must be concentration classes; 21 must be required classes and six can be electives. The program can be completed through night and summer classes, so students can continue to work while earning the degree. Course topics include some of the following.
- Instructional Leadership
- Educational Policy
- School Community
- Special Education Leadership
- Leading Inclusive Schools
Candidates can complete internships in classrooms of varying grade levels. Students who pass the School Leadership Praxis II exam with a score of at least 145 obtain Principal and Special Education Leadership Certification in Nebraska. Graduates are prepared to seek work as curriculum supervisors, principals or special education leading and obtain certification from area schools.
E.D. in Educational Administration
The Doctorate in Educational Administration is aimed at educators who already have a foundation leadership and current administrative certification but wish to focus on a specific area of education. The program requires 96 semester hours of graduate credits, which also include 45 hours after being accepted. These 45 hours must be 12 hours of research; 9 hours of doctoral seminars; 12 dissertation hours and 12 hours of electives. Although students have 10 years to complete this program, it can typically be completed in three to five years.
The E.D. programs include evening and distance learning classes. If a student chooses courses and an internship focuses on superintendent work, he or she can obtain superintendent certification as well as the degree. Students who pass the School Leadership Praxis II – Superintendent exam with a score of at least 152 obtain the Nebraska State Superintendent Certification. Applicants to this program must already have an educational specialist or master’s in education degree and an administration certification.
Accreditations
• National State Department of Education
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
Roskens Hall
6001 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68182
402-554-2721
lesmith@unomaha.edu
Website
Related Resource: 15 Cheapest Online Programs in Educational Leadership and Administration
The importance of getting a good education has never been higher than it is today. Good education must begin as young as preschool age so students get the motivation they need to grow academically throughout their schools years right through college. Nebraska students wishing to pursue careers as education leaders can benefit greatly from several of the accredited educational leadership degree programs in Nebraska.
