School Details
In 1903, the Nebraska Legislature appropriated $50,000 to build a normal school in western Nebraska. “Normal Schools” were devoted to teacher preparation and students could enter after completing 8th grade. In addition to studying math, sciences and history the curriculum included art, language and literature, drama and music, domestic science and woodworking and agriculture. The school began granting four-year baccalaureate degrees in the liberal arts for teachers in 1921, and in 1963, it became Kearney State College, which signified that the institution had become more than a teacher education institution. In 1989, KSC was incorporated into the University of Nebraska system.
UNK offers a full range of degrees and certificates from various colleges. UNK offers the same quality online undergraduate and graduate degree programs and courses that are offered on the campus. Students benefit from small class sizes and credentialed full-time faculty who are dedicated to the academic success of each individual.
Accreditation & Licensing
University of Nebraska at Kearney is accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
Gain an understanding of the past and present, through this online BA in History. Offered through UNK’s eCampus, you can prepare for careers in law, education, public history and business. The program provides historical perspectives on the people, events, ideas and values that have shaped society. Alongside general studies and a language requirement, classes in this major include American History and Western Civilization. Students are required to choose advanced coursework in one of the following areas:
- US History
- European History
- Non-western History
This online Bachelor of General Studies, offered by UNK through its eCampus, is highly compatible with transfer credit. The flexibility of the curriculum enables students to more easily apply existing credit and therefore, complete their degree sooner. Academic advisors work with students to customize their degree that pulls from the following areas of specialization:
- Fine Arts
- Humanities
- Social Science
- Professional Studies
Whether you are a teacher or a student seeking to further your professional and personal development, consider this online MA in English from UNK’s eCampus. You’ll explore relevant texts and literary examples within the emphasis you choose to study. Cultural contexts will broaden your view, as you learn to structurally criticize works. A thesis option may be available, depending upon which concentration you choose:
- Literature
- Creative Writing
- Childhood & Youth Studies
- Composition, Rhetoric & Language
This online MA in History from UNK is available entirely through distance learning from the eCampus. There are thesis and non-thesis options, depending upon your individual goals. Whether you plan to teach history, or start a new career, this graduate degree can give you research and analytical skills to use across a number of industries. Major areas of study include:
- Early America
- Modern America
- Early Europe
- Public/Digital History
With a bachelor’s degree in music, you can combine your passion for music and a love of teaching with the Master of Science in Education / Music Education from UNK. This online music education master’s program provides the skills to create meaningful and effective learning experiences for your students.
Students learn advanced concepts, research, and pedagogy from dedicated faculty with backgrounds in musical performance and education. Graduates find success working as:
- Music teachers
- Band directors
- Choral directors
- Instrument tutors
¿Te gusta todo lo español? If you have a love for all things Spanish, then the Master of Science in Education / Spanish Education is your ticket. This online foreign language master’s program imparts such skills as:
- Advanced pedagogical strategies
- Linguistic fluency
- Cultural background
Students of this online foreign language graduate program expand their expertise by studying language acquisition and foreign language pedagogy. Graduates appreciate the professional development for higher salaries and the ability to teach AP-level courses.
Business
Prepare for an exciting career in business without completely disrupting your life with the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration online degree. This flexible program is ideal for working adults, providing the flexibility needed to earn a degree while juggling other commitments. Plus, online students receive the same high-quality education that is found in the traditional, on-campus program.
This online business administration degree provides a strong foundation is core business topics along with a solid understanding of the liberal arts. Topics covered include:
- Accounting
- Management
- Marketing
- Information Technology
- Supply Chain Management
All students will be required to choose a minor. Some minors are offered 100% online.
Finish your business degree with the Bachelor of Science in Organizational & Relational Communication. This online communications degree prepares you to communicate effectively in both personal and professional relationships, communicating your ideas clearly. Courses explore such topics as:
- Ways to nurture two-way conversations
- Coping with conflict
- Producing and sharing information
- Presenting ideas and concerns
Graduates understand issues facing modern organizations and have the critical thinking skills needed to craft effective messages from various perspectives, tailoring them for different audiences.
This online communications degree offers a number of benefits. For example, the online nature of this degree gives you the flexibility you need to learn around your job and personal life. At the same time, students enjoy interactive classrooms and experiential learning opportunities that improve the quality of the curriculum.
Learn more about marketing without earning a traditional degree with this Certificate in Professional Sales. An online marketing degree, this program allows all students, even those with careers or busy personal lives, to develop or enhance their overall sales knowledge. Courses focus on business-to-business sales, preparing students to utilize limited resources efficiently and effectively. You will also learn to understand and properly implement marketing strategies. Drawing from courses offered in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, this program covers the entire sales process, develops various effective sales techniques, and prepares students to know when to use these techniques in adaptive selling.
Customer Relation Management (CRM) software is also taught, along with customer service skills.
Advance your career with the Master of Arts in Public Communications degree online. This program can lead to advancement in a variety of fields, providing fundamental knowledge of communication theory and research. The curriculum also builds specialized skills to translate organizational expertise to the public. Graduates are able to craft nuanced and detailed messaging that will strengthen the relationship between organizations and the public.
This online communications degree is flexible. You will choose between a practicum experience or a thesis based on your career goals. This degree is designed to open doors to greater opportunities and higher salaries for ambitious, career-minded individuals with a full-time job or family life that makes it difficult to fit in classes.
The Master of Business Administration online degree prepares students for careers managing organizations or in other core areas of business. Courses blend synchronous virtual class meetings with online courses, creating an engaging, real-world educational experience. All MBA programs provide a foundational core of study in Economics, Accounting, Statistics, Marketing, and Management, but students then choose an area of concentration.
The Professional Track provides skills in leadership, critical-thinking, networking, and decision-making. Courses also cover such topics as:
- Strategic Analysis & Decision Making
- Marketing Management
- Managerial Economics
- Leadership & Organizational Behavior
- Managerial Operations & Supply Chain
Prepare for an exciting career in any number of organizations with this MBA with a concentration in Accounting degree online. Courses blend synchronous virtual class meetings with online courses, creating an engaging, real-world educational experience. All MBA programs provide a foundational core of study in Economics, Marketing, Statistics, Human Resources, and Management, but students then choose an area of concentration.
The Accounting Track provides skills in leadership, critical-thinking, networking, and decision-making. Courses also cover such topics as:
- Managerial Accounting
- Financial Administration
- Strategy & Decision Making
Prepare for an exciting career working with others with this MBA with a concentration in Human Resources degree online. Courses blend synchronous virtual class meetings with online courses, creating an engaging, real-world educational experience. All MBA programs provide a foundational core of study in Economics, Accounting, Statistics, Marketing, and Management, but students then choose an area of concentration.
The Human Resources Track provides skills in leadership, critical-thinking, networking, and decision-making. Courses also cover such topics as:
- Employment Law
- Labor Relations
- Compensation Management
- Issues & Ethics
Prepare for an exciting career in any number of organizations with this MBA with a concentration in Marketing degree online. Courses blend synchronous virtual class meetings with online courses, creating an engaging, real-world educational experience. All MBA programs provide a foundational core of study in Economics, Accounting, Statistics, Human Resources, and Management, but students then choose an area of concentration.
The Marketing Track provides skills in leadership, critical-thinking, networking, and decision-making. Courses also cover such topics as:
- International Marketing
- Marketing Research
- Consumer Behavior
Criminal Justice, Safety & Law
You can prepare for a rewarding and challenging career with the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The online criminal justice degree explores such topics as:
- The police service
- Correctional services
- Theories of crime and criminal law
- Criminal evidence, procedure, and the courts
Through the online criminal justice bachelor’s degree program, you learn from faculty with research expertise and real-life experience. All students participate in an internship to gain practical skills.
Education
University of Nebraska at Kearney offers an online Master of Arts in Education in Curriculum & Instruction. Offering various concentrations, this program maximizes an educator’s ability to reach their students through their curriculum design. Students can fully specialize their learning through one of the following tracks:
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- English as a Second Language
- Instructional Effectiveness
- Montessori – Early Childhood
- Montessori – Elementary
- Reading/Special Education
- School Librarian
- Secondary Education
- STEM
- Translational Certification
University of Nebraska at Kearney offers an online Master of Arts in Education in School Principalship, PreK-8 or 7-12. Students can choose one or the other concentration, but both programs allow skills to develop in administration and principalship. Leadership and mentorship are important components that administrators need to develop the children. This program can lead to certification in Nebraska.
University of Nebraska at Kearney offers an online Master of Arts in Education in Supervisor of Special Education. With this degree, students can join schools in supervisory roles, helping individuals with special learning needs gain the knowledge they need to be successful. The program meets the certification requirements in Nebraska, although students must hold a Special Education endorsement and 2 years of experience to enter the program.
You can earn your reading endorsement for PK-12 with the Master of Arts in Education / Reading PK-12 from UNK. This online reading and literacy master’s program trains you to facilitate instructional interventions for those struggling with reading.
Through the online reading and literacy graduate program, those with a bachelor’s degree and teaching certification learn methods, strategies, and skills to bring the gift of reading to their students. Graduates find success in such careers as:
- Reading specialists
- Reading tutors
- Literacy coaches
University of Nebraska at Kearney offers an online Master of Arts in Education in Special Education, with a specialization in Advanced Practitioner. This program prepares educators who already hold a certification in Special Education, and are seeking more career options. Students can choose form one of the 4 options of emphasis:
- Behavior Intervention Specialist
- Inclusion and Collaboration Specialist
- Assistive Technology Specialist
- Functional Academic Skills and Independent Living Specialist
You can train to meet the unique learning needs of your students with the Master of Arts in Education / Special Education – High Ability Education from UNK. This online gifted and special education master’s program offers customized instruction to align with your career goals.
Emphasis areas of this online gifted and special education graduate program include Advanced Practitioner and Special Education Generalist. You can enhance your effectiveness in the classroom while engaging all students in the curriculum.
Candidates choose from learning special education strategies for K-6 or 7-12 grade levels. The online coursework covers such topics as:
- Legal issues in special education
- Functional behavior analysis
- Social and personal skill development
Whether in museums or K-12 school systems, you can learn practical approaches to incorporate art into a curriculum. This online STEAM education master’s program brings art to such settings as:
- K-12 schools
- Museums
- Art studios
- Community centers
The online STEAM education graduate program provides training in painting and photography. Also, it looks at women in art and art history. Graduates move into such roles as art educators, creative directors, art museum curators, or children’s museum educators.
You can guide students towards rewarding college experiences with the Master of Science in Education / Higher Education Student Affairs from UNK. This online higher education master’s program provides expertise in student development and support services.
The highly experienced faculty of the online higher education graduate program share their extensive knowledge. Graduates find work in such areas as:
- Residence life
- Student health
- Career services
- Disability support services, and more.
You can become a valuable resource for your school or business with the Master of Science in Education / Learning, Design & Technology from UNK. This online instructional design master’s program equips you with technical knowledge for the classroom, business, or organization.
By learning to manage technology resources, you can share your expertise from this online instructional design graduate program with students, teachers, or business cohorts. Candidates can select a concentration area such as:
- Information technology
- Instructional technology
- Leadership in instructional technology
- School librarian
You can move your students to better fitness with the Master of Science in Education / Physical Education Master Teacher from UNK. This online physical education master’s program appeals to educators seeking to improve learning and inclusion for K-12 students through physical education.
With two concentration areas—online pedagogy or special populations, you can focus your career goals to match your interests. The online physical education graduate program leads you to impart healthy, active lifestyles to your students, regardless of their physical abilities. You may choose from such electives as:
- Activities director
- Sociology of sports activities
- Motor development and learning
- Physical education for students with developmental disabilities
You can become a more effective teacher with the Master of Science in Education / Science/Math Education from UNK. This online STEAM education master’s program imparts advanced pedagogical skills to enhance your classroom teaching for grades 7-12.
Students can customize their online STEAM education studies through both the integrated option and a major emphasis. Endorsement areas include:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Physics / physical science
Math & Science
You can broaden your knowledge of the life sciences with the Master of Science in Biology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. This online biology master’s degree program appeals to the following:
- Middle and high school teachers expanding their teachings
- Researchers and scientists
- Those preparing for professional schools or advanced degrees
Through the online biology graduate program, students can focus their studies on such topics as genetics, ecology, organismal biology, physiology, and more. You access your coursework through UNK Online, which offers student resources to help you achieve your goals.
Psychology & Human Services
Earn a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology online through University of Nebraska at Kearney. This program prepares students to enter the field of sociology with technical and analytical skills to move forward. Studies will cover topics including but not limited to:
- Organized crime
- Gender and social class
- Politics
Small class sizes allow for more individualized attention throughout this online program. Graduates with this degree are prepared for entry-level positions in human resources, government, education, healthcare, public policy, and more. Explore social psychology, as well as theory, perspectives and research in social issues through a high-quality program with UNK online.