Teaching Education Degrees in Nebraska

To teach in Nebraska you need at least a bachelor's degree and at least one endorsement in a specific subject and/or grade level. The state also requires that students complete a designated number of semester hours in various subjects.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are more than 20 accredited colleges and universities in Nebraska that offer teaching programs for individuals pursuing initial licensure or teachers interested in adding additional certifications to their teaching licenses. These programs satisfy the teaching requirements set by the Nebraska Department of Education.

• 3 teaching programs in Nebraska accredited by CAEP
• Consider an Online Bachelors, as there are 0 CAEP-accredited Bachelor's degrees
• 2 CAEP-accredited Master's degrees in Nebraska

Candidates for certification in Nebraska must complete test requirements, that include Praxis exams in Core Academic Skills and content-specific subject assessments, and education for licensure. All applicants that pursue teaching certification must have a Bachelor's degree that meets qualifications for a minimum of one endorsement and complete a teacher preparation program.

Requirements to Teach in Nebraska

Teacher preparation includes observations, student teaching, and internships. Courses in human relations training and special education are also required. A regency requirement states teacher preparation courses must consist of six hours within the five years before applying for certification.

Those who have not completed an approved teacher preparation program but have a Bachelor's degree may be eligible for an alternative Nebraska teacher certification. Online or out-of-state teacher preparation programs must have accreditation from one of six U.S. Department of Education regional accreditation organizations.

The Initial Certificate issued to those who meet the basic requirements for certification is renewable after five years. Teachers may upgrade to the Standard Teaching Certificate by teaching two consecutive years as at least a half-time teacher. The certificate is also renewable after five years. Teachers, earning a Master's degree in an endorsed area of content or education advance to the Professional Teaching Certificate that is valid for ten years.

Scholarships and Financial Aid Available

Sources of financial aid available are

• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants
• TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant)
• Grants for Priority Applicants
• Federal Work-Study

EducationQuest is a non-profit organization meant to improve access to Nebraska's higher education. It offers need-based college access grants and scholarship programs. A variety of resources are available to educate families about the process of applying for financial aid.

EducationQuest has a Reaching Your Potential Scholarship Program that provides renewable scholarships two times each year to low-income students in Nebraska who face obstacles in attending college. Schools statewide and community agencies refer candidates to the program. Recipients, attending a two-year college, are awarded $2900 each year. Those attending a four-year college are awarded $5900 annually.

Requirements to Qualify for In-State Tuition

Nebraska universities vary regarding residency requirements. For most Nebraska colleges, the status hinges on attending school. Most do not permit full-time attendance during the domicile year. Some do not allow attendance at all.

All Nebraska universities require employment in the state and proof that ties have been severed with the previous home state. Another factor is residence. Some universities allow living in the dorm during the domicile period; others disqualify those who live in a dorm from earning in-state status.

Employment in Nebraska is pretty much a requirement for all Nebraska colleges. In general, candidates

• Are willing to take a gap year and earn no more than six credit hours per term
• Are employed in Nebraska
• Commit to domiciliary requirements
• Intend to reside in Nebraska beyond college
• Live off-campus

Nebraska is a Midwest Student Exchange Program member that offers an agreement of limited regional reciprocity among the select states. Each school is different. Check with the school of interest for complete knowledge and understanding of the rules and regulations.

List of the Best CAEP Accredited Teaching Degrees in Nebraska

University of Nebraska At Kearney

Kearney

CAEP

• Masters in Library Media ALA
• Specialist or C.A.S. in School Psychology NASP

University of Nebraska At Omaha

Omaha

CAEP

• Masters in School Librarian, Master's ALA

Online Teaching Degrees in Nebraska

Chadron State College offers various options in online learning. For bachelor degree programs, CSC offers early childhood education endorsement, early childhood education inclusive and a teacher alternative certification program. These three programs are offered as hybrid programs because, while some courses are online, some courses must be completed on campus.

CSC does offer online master degree programs in curriculum and instruction and in educational administration. Both of these programs offer several areas on concentration.

Nebraska Teacher Certification & Specializations

Grace University offers students the opportunities to obtain field, subject and supplemental endorsements to increase the credentials on their teaching licenses. Field endorsement possibilities include elementary, elementary early childhood, middle school, music and secondary math or social science. Subject endorsements concentrations include early childhood, English, history or mathematics, among others. Coaching supplemental and English as a second language are concentrations offered with the supplemental endorsement. In addition to the baccalaureate programs at Nebraska Wesleyan University, they also offer supplemental certificates in English as a second language (ESL), theater or coaching.

Bachelor’s in Education Degrees in Nebraska

Chadron State College offers bachelor degree programs in education with endorsements in middle grades (4-9), elementary education (k-8) and special education (k-12). Chadron also has a post baccalaureate program for non-teaching degree holders to earn a bachelor’s degree in education. Nebraska Wesleyan University has several 4-year baccalaureate teaching programs including art (K-6 and K-12), elementary education, special education (K-6) and secondary education.

The secondary education program offers various endorsements such as basic business, mathematics, chemistry, health, science, and English language arts to name a few. Students in these programs complete at least six supervised practicum experiences before the even start their student teaching. Hastings College and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln both have several bachelor degree teaching programs and offers students internship and study abroad opportunities to get the maximum experience.

Masters in Education Degrees in Nebraska

Master degree programs in curriculum and instruction; educational administration; and school counseling are available at Chadron State College. In addition to the three majors, each program also offers students various areas of concentration from which to choose.

For instance, the curriculum and instruction program offers concentrations in elementary – general education; elementary field option with a subject area concentration; secondary education; PK-12 reading specialist; and K-12 special education.

Students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Education program at York College receive hands-on training and are placed in actual classrooms during the first semester. They also receive advice on choosing the most marketable endorsements an also have job placement assistance upon graduation.

The University of Nebraska – Lincoln offers master degree programs in child development/early childhood education; educational administration; special education; and speech-language pathology.