Teacher Education

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Teacher Education at UNO is dedicated to your success and the success of our region's children and teens. As an undergraduate student you will receive one-on-one guidance from an instructional coach who will give you meaningful feedback on your skills as you practice teaching in one of our many partner schools. This process will prepare you for the clinical practice experience and the real world of teaching upon graduation. As a graduate student in one of our award-winning programs, you'll experience blended learning with distance friendly classes taught by professors with PK-12 classroom experience.

Whether you want to teach kindergarten or high school math, whether you are a first-year student or an experienced educator seeking more skills, you will benefit from the unique network of support offered by our department, UNO and the schools of our city. You will receive the opportunities you need and the support you can rely on to become a dedicated practitioner, a reflective scholar and a responsible citizen.

Accreditation

For program accreditation information, please refer to this table.

Other Information

Praxis II Content Test:

All educator preparation candidates seeking certification are required to take a Praxis II content test in each endorsement area of their preparation prior to being awarded initial teacher certification through the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE).   It is recommended that candidates take the Praxis II content test the semester prior to their clinical practice semester.

This link will take you to the ETS website page for the Nebraska Department of Education requirements.  The page lists the Nebraska requirements for each endorsement area. 

Professional Education Sequence

All candidates in programs leading to teacher certification must complete the courses that constitute the professional education sequence.  The professional education sequence is composed of 15 credit hours organized into three courses of three credits each and one course of six credits:  TED 2100, TED 2200 or TED 2060, TED 2300 or TED 2380, and TED 2400 or MUS 3600 or TED 2410/ TED 2420.

TED 2100 and TED 2200 (Pre-professional Education Core) are open to all students on the UNO campus with a cumulative 2.0 GPA.  TED 2200, TED 2060, and TED 2400 meet the Nebraska Department of Education requirement for human relations.  To enroll in the other professional education sequence courses (TED 2300 or TED 2380 and  TED 2400), candidates must have successfully applied to the Educator Preparation Program and must satisfy any other prerequisites listed for the course.  Candidates who receive a grade below “C“,  “I” (incomplete), or a “W” (Withdraw) in a professional education sequence course may not continue in the professional course sequence until that grade is removed.

Note:  Candidates, who receive a grade below “C“ or an “I”; or who voluntarily withdraw from any practicum or field experience after being identified as a student in jeopardy; or who are withdrawn from any practicum or field experience must petition to continue in the program. 

Professional Dispositions Statement

Teaching is a profession that requires its potential candidates to be individuals of integrity. Prospective teachers must be able to demonstrate they are individuals of strong moral character who can make mature decisions for themselves and for the students whom they will teach. Teachers are responsible for the education, safety, and well-being of anyone in their charge. The University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences prepares future teachers who show a high degree of moral character and the ability to act responsibly inside and outside the classroom. These individuals must be able to serve as representatives of the College and the University and must demonstrate the personal and professional dispositions of the teaching profession.

Inappropriate behaviors on the part of the candidates, which in the College’s reasonable judgment, violate the University’s Student Code of Conduct, establish a lack of integrity or moral/ethical character, or demonstrate conduct or patterns of behavior inconsistent with the personal and professional dispositions expected in the teaching profession, shall be sufficient grounds for 1) denial of admission to or enrollment in educator preparation programs, 2) dismissal or removal from programs, courses, observations, field experiences, practica, clinical practice, and similar field-based experiences, and 3) withholding institutional recommendation for certification. Such behaviors could be evidenced within the University or PK-12 school environment, outside the University or PK-12 school environment, and/or in an electronic or digital context. Displays or patterns of behaviors may be established by any credible means including, but not limited to, the facts surrounding a record of arrests or convictions or information obtained by the University directly from a school or district official. Teacher candidates should note that the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences must provide a recommendation for certification in order for a student to obtain his/her teaching certificate. Accordingly, inappropriate behaviors by candidates could jeopardize not only their educational goals at UNO but also their professional goals including the ability to become a certified teacher.

Candidates who exhibit inappropriate behaviors may be referred for a Conference of Concern to formally identify the unsuitable behaviors, recommend corrective action(s), and determine the candidate’s suitability for continuing in educator preparation. Candidates who have convictions outlined in the Nebraska Department of Education’s Rule 20, Section 005.07A, will be allowed to continue in the educator preparation program or referred for certification only through an appeal to the Commissioner or State Board of Education.

Note:  In accordance with the Nebraska Department of Education, Rule 20, the following information must be provided to all persons who apply for admission to programs leading to teacher certification:  Persons who have felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions involving abuse, neglect or sexual misconduct are automatically rejected by the Nebraska Department of Education for certification.

Field/Clinical/Practicum/Clinical Practice Experiences

As part of their educator preparation program, candidates are required to complete various field, clinical, practicum, and clinical practice experiences.  In accordance with policies and procedures of the Nebraska Department of Education, and in compliance with the requests of cooperating school districts, no candidate will be permitted to participate in PK-12 classroom-based experiences (including clinical practice) until a signed statement of personal and professional fitness to teach has been completed.  The statement of personal and professional fitness is required as part of the admission application to an educator preparation program. 

Clinical Practice Policies

All candidates for Elementary, Middle level, Special education, or Secondary teacher certification will be required to complete one semester of full-day clinical practice for a total of 12 credit hours.  Candidates seeking an additional endorsement to the basic certificate will be required to complete additional clinical practice experiences in their endorsement area(s).  Clinical practice experiences will be completed in identified, local, metropolitan, area schools where placement and supervision are arranged through the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.

Admission to clinical practice is by application only.  Application for clinical practice must be made in the fall or spring term preceding the clinical practice semester.  Applicants cannot be considered for placement unless all application materials are submitted by the announced deadline: 

September 15 for spring clinical practice and February 1 for fall clinical practice.

Candidates must have satisfactorily completed all required coursework prior to clinical practice.

A minimum grade of "C" must be earned in all certification requirements, endorsements, and concentrations.  All grades of incomplete and any grades below "C" in these specific requirements must be removed prior to clinical practice.   Candidates are responsible for contacting their advisor regarding said grades.

Candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher in order to be eligible for clinical practice (3.0 GPA required for social science endorsement).

Special Note:  Candidates who are withdrawn from any clinical practice experience, or who voluntarily withdraw after being identified as a candidate in jeopardy, must petition if they wish to continue in their professional preparation program.

Certification

Upon successful completion of all coursework and clinical practice, candidates are eligible to apply and may be recommended for a State of Nebraska teaching certificate. Candidates may be recommended to NDE once all holds with UNO are cleared. If a candidate applies for certification 5 years or more after completing all coursework and clinical practice, a review is required to determine if more coursework is needed.

Information on application procedures can be obtained in the Office of Academic Advising and Field Experiences, Roskens Hall 204.  You may also email unocertification@unomaha.edu

Contact:

212 Roskens Hall
6001 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68182-0163
402.554.3666

Website

Students interested in becoming teachers must formally apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP).  

Admission policies can be found on the college website. Deadlines for applying are monthly on the first of every month. 

All students accepted into the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) must complete a background check.  The background check must be conducted in the time frame and by the vendor determined by the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.  The student is responsible for the cost of the background check.

Application for Admission to Educator Preparation Program (EPP)

Step 1:

The following requirements must be met prior to submitting an Initial Application to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP).

  • All candidates must apply to and be accepted to UNO
  • Candidates pursuing an Educator Preparation Program pathway (Elementary Education endorsement only) have the following application requirements:
    • Completion of UNO’s English Composition I or its transfer equivalents: ENGL 1140, ENGL 1150 or ENGL 1154 (C- or higher)
    • Completion or current enrollment in UNO's courses or their transfer equivalents:
    • Completion or current enrollment in UNO's course or their transfer equivalent:
      • Elementary Education, Elementary Special Education, Secondary Education, Secondary Special Education: TED 2100 (C or higher)
      • Early Childhood Inclusive: TED 2250 or TED 2100 (C or higher)
    • Established cumulative University of Nebraska System GPA of 2.50 or higher (12+ credit hours in the NU system) Transfer students with credit hours from institutions other than the NU System must have a minimum combined cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all attempted coursework.

Candidates pursuing a Paraprofessional Pathway have the following application requirements:

  • Completion of UNO’s English Composition I or its transfer equivalents: ENGL 1140, ENGL 1150 or ENGL 1154 (C- or higher)
  • Completion or current enrollment in UNO's courses or their transfer equivalents:
  • Established cumulative University of Nebraska System GPA of 2.50 or higher (12+ credit hours in the NU system) Transfer students with credit hours from institutions other than the NU System must have a minimum combined cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all attempted coursework.

Enrollment in classes must be posted before the electronic application is submitted: 

  • Monthly application deadlines: 1st of every month
    • Jan. 1, Feb. 1, March 1, April 1, May 1, June 1, July 1, Aug. 1: deadline for Fall term start
    • Sept. 1, Oct. 1, Nov. 1, Dec. 1: deadline for Spring term start

For any in-progress classes, final grades will be checked.  Students who do not meet minimum grade requirements or minimum GPA requirements cannot begin the Educator Preparation Program until the minimum grade is achieved.

Step 2:

The following requirements must be met for Formal Admission to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP).

  • Established cumulative University of Nebraska System GPA of 2.75 or higher.  Social Science endorsement candidates must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher. 
  • Completion of TED 2400 or TED 2410/ TED 2420 or MUS 3600 with a grade of “C” or better

The Office of Academic Advising will verify GPA requirements and passing grades for coursework. Students who are admitted to the Educator Preparation Program, but do not pass TED 2400 or TED 2410/ TED 2420 or MUS 3600 with a grade of “C” or better, or do not achieve the minimum 2.75 GPA requirement (or 3.0 GPA for social science endorsement candidates), will not be permitted to continue in the Educator Preparation Program course sequence until such grade(s) are received.

Those seeking the non-certification pathway must apply to the Non-Certification Program in order to take upper level education coursework.  The non-certification program does not lead to Nebraska Educator Certification and is designed for community-based work and careers supporting children, youth, adults, and families.  Application information can be found on the college website.
 

Application to Program

  • Admission to UNO

  • Completion of UNO’ English Composition I or their transfer equivalents: ENGL 1140, ENGL 1150, or ENGL 1154 (C- or higher)

  • Completion or in progress at the time of application of UNO's courses or their transfer equivalents:

  • GPA Requirements (UNO Students)

    • Currently enrolled UNO students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

  • GPA Requirements (Transfer Students)
    • Transfer students with 12 or more credit hours in the Nebraska System (UNL, UNK, UNO) must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all attempted coursework taken in the NU System.
    • Transfer students with credit hours from institutions other than the NU System must have a minimum combined cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all attempted coursework.
  • Grades must be posted before packet is submitted: fall semester grades for March 1 deadline, spring semester grades for June 1 deadline, and summer semester grades for October 1 deadline.

GPA Requirements (UNO Students)

  • Currently enrolled UNO students with 12 or more credit hours in the Nebraska System (UNK, UNL, UNO) must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50  for Initial Application and a minimum cumulative GPA of  2.75 for Formal Admission.
  • GPA Requirements (Transfer Students): Transfer students with 12 or more credit hours in the Nebraska System (UNL, UNK, UNO) must have a minimum cumulative NU system GPA of 2.50 for all attempted coursework for initial application and a minimum cumulative NU system GPA of 2.75 for formal admission.

Degrees Offered

Secondary Education Concentration

For more information and a complete listing of program requirements visit the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences website here.

Minor Offered

Endorsements Offered

Candidates seeking 6-12, 7-12 or PK-12 certification must complete one of the endorsements below.

Dual Endorsement Programs Offered

Candidates may elect to complete a second endorsement as part of their secondary education program. These dual endorsements require two semesters of clinical practice (student teaching) and result in two teaching endorsements on the Nebraska teaching certificate. The following dual endorsements are available.

Supplemental Endorsements Offered

Supplemental endorsements are content areas which can be added to a Nebraska teaching certificate in the presence of other earned endorsements. A supplemental endorsement cannot stand alone on an initial teaching certificate. The following supplemental endorsements are available.

For more information and a complete listing of program requirements visit the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences website

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Early Childhood Inclusive, Bachelor of Science

The early childhood inclusive education major is designed for students seeking Nebraska certification to teach in Birth - age 3 or age 3 through third grade in elementary schools. This major allows students to learn more about early childhood education policy, social-cultural understanding and the well-being of infants and toddlers.

Potential Career Opportunities/settings:

  • Preschool Teacher or Preschool Special Educator
  • Infant/Toddler teacher
  • Kindergarten – Grade 3 Teacher
  • Special Education Teacher (Kindergarten – Grade 3)
  • Early intervention home visitor
  • Head Start family educator

Elementary Education, Bachelor of Science

The elementary education major is designed for students seeking Nebraska certification to teach in K-6 elementary schools. This major allows students to explore developmental issues of children, learning theory, elementary school content, and teaching methods. One of the strengths of the preparation program is the field experiences with local school districts.

Potential Career Opportunities/settings:

  • Public School systems

  • Private School systems

Secondary Education, Bachelor of Science

The secondary education major is designed for students seeking Nebraska certification to teach in secondary content areas in grades 7-12, or in PK-12 settings in the areas of Art, Music, or Physical Education. This major allows students to explore developmental issues of children, learning theory, secondary content area(s), and teaching methods. One of the strengths of the preparation program is the field experiences with local school districts.

Potential Career Opportunities/settings:

  • Public School systems
  • Private School systems

Library Science, Bachelor of Science

UNO's College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences offers an undergraduate degree in Library Science that provides credentials and continuing education for those seeking employment in 21st Century library and information agencies.

Potential Career Opportunities/settings:

  • Special libraries
  • Public libraries
  • Academic libraries
  • Information Management