Teacher Certification (Initial)
Description
At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, individuals seeking Teacher Certification through the Nebraska State Department of Education may complete coursework requirements for many endorsements, detailed on Admissions.
Program Website
Applying for Admission
Standard requirements for all graduate programs
- Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee.
- Transcripts (unofficial): Uploaded as part of application form.
If International: Uploads must include all college- or university-level transcripts or mark sheets (records of courses and marks earned), with certificates, diplomas, and degrees plus certified English translations.
After admission: Official documents are required from all students who are admitted and enroll. Photocopies of certified records are not acceptable. International students enrolled in other U.S. institutions may have certified copies of all foreign records sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies by their current school’s registrar office.
- If applicant’s native language is not English, verification of English proficiency is required.
When sending TOEFL scores, our institution code is 6877 and a department code is not needed.
- If applicant is not a US citizen and expects an F or J visa: financial information.
- Applicants must also fulfill any additional requirements the department specifies at the time of application.
Additional requirements specific to this program
Renewal of Teaching Certification
- Application Requirements: N/A, no program-specific materials needed.
Endorsements associated with Child, Youth, and Family Studies
- Endorsements:
- Family and Consumer Sciences Occupational 6-12
- Application Requirements:
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statement
- Three letters of recommendation. Ensure that at least one reference letter is academic (e.g., instructor, advisor) and any non-academic letters are professional (e.g., relevant employer).
Endorsements associated with Educational Psychology
- Endorsements:
- School Counselor PK-8
- School Counselor 7-12
- School Psychologist PK-12
- Application Requirements: Students who wish to complete coursework at UNL for these endorsements must concurrently pursue a UNL Master of Arts in Educational Psychology.
Endorsements associated with Special Education and Communication Disorders
- Endorsements:
- Special Education: Early Childhood B-K
- Special Education Generalist K-6
- Special Education Generalist 7-12
- Speech Language Pathologist B-21
- Application Requirements:
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statement: Your statement should include the following: 1) Rationale for pursuing this endorsement; 2) Interests and specific experiences with individuals with disabilities; 3) Challenges you anticipate experiencing in graduate school (e.g., balancing work and/or family, time management); 4) Strategies you will use to overcome those challenges (i.e.; how you will monitor learning, at what stage you will determine you need to alter your approach to studying, and what would those changes entail); and 5) How do you plan to use this endorsement? Your answers will also be judged based on the quality of your writing.
- Academic Eligibility: "Special Education: Early Childhood B-K" applicants must have completed at least one Special Education course with a grade of B or better.
Endorsements associated with Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education
- Endorsements:
- Biology 7-12
- Chemistry 7-12
- English Language Arts 6-12
- Elementary Education K-6
- Secondary English 6-12
- Earth and Space Science 7-12
- Mathematics 6-12
- Physics 7-12
- Science 7-12
- Social Studies 6-12
- World Language: Arabic 6-12
- World Language: French 6-12
- World Language: German 6-12
- World Language: Japanese 6-12
- World Language: Spanish 6-12
- Application Requirements:
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statement
- Other Upload: Completed form for State of Nebraska required coursework for selected endorsement area. Additionally, for endorsements in "World Languages" (French, German, or Spanish), upload your ACTFL OPI certificate.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Concurrent program requirement: Students who wish to complete coursework at UNL for these endorsements must concurrently pursue a UNL Master of Arts in Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education.