Education & Human Sciences Secondary Education: English Language Arts

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Description

Students who complete this secondary education option, and are professionally admitted, are eligible to be endorsed to teach any English and direct curricular and co-curricular activities in composition/language, literature, speech, theatre, mass communication, journalism, and reading in grades 6 through 12.

General Information

The College of Education and Human Sciences has the people, the programs and a proven track record that stretches across three centuries. We are dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals, families, schools and communities and strengthening the relationships among them. CEHS is working collectively to enhance outcomes in early childhood, health and wellness, and communities. The College offers undergraduate programs leading to a bachelor of science in education and human sciences degree in a number of degree programs.  Degree programs in teaching areas, when completed qualify a student to be considered by the Nebraska Department of Education for a teaching certificate. 

Experiential learning and hands-on experiences are key components of degree programs in CEHS. Early field placement in public and private schools is a nationally recognized hallmark of the teacher education program in the College of Education and Human Sciences. While internships are a valuable enhancement to many students’ education, in the College of Education and Human Sciences, practicum experiences and student teaching are a critical and essential part of the teacher education curriculum and these must be successfully completed.

Teacher education programs (or majors) are divided into field endorsements and single-subject endorsements. Field endorsements certify the candidate to teach a broader range of courses compared to single-subject endorsements, which certify the candidate to teach in only one subject area. Consequently, a teacher holding a field endorsement may be more marketable than a teacher holding a single-subject endorsement. Candidates may also elect to complete course requirements to apply for supplemental endorsements; these are additional endorsements that can be added to a field or single-subject endorsement but cannot be taken alone. Supplemental endorsements require additional credit hours beyond those needed for the first endorsement (field or single subject). Teachers may increase their marketability by adding supplemental endorsements.

Admission

All education programs have a competitive admission process. At some point in time, after meeting specific education requirements, all students must formally apply to their particular education program.

Professional Education Status

All newly admitted students who are pursuing a teacher preparation program can be declared within their major. Studentswill apply for professional admission for upper-level classes in the specific Teacher Education Program they are completing.

Admission to Student Teaching

Students are required to student teach to complete the educator preparation program and qualify for a Nebraska Teaching certificate.  Students must complete the student teaching application by the published deadline each semester to be eligible for a placement. A student teaching placement requires a full-day, everyday experience for an entire semester. Admission to student teaching requires the following:

  1. Matriculation in a teacher education program in the College of Education and Human Sciences, the Graduate College, or dual matriculation in the College of Education and Human Sciences and another college.
  2. Admission to a specific teacher education program.
  3. Senior standing (89 hours or more) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
  4. Minimum grade point average of 2.5 in the endorsement area with no grade below C.
  5. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 in pre-professional and professional education courses and no grade below C in pre-professional education courses and no grade below a C+ in professional education courses.
  6. All endorsement, pre-professional and professional education coursework must be completed prior to student teaching. If necessary, no more than 6 hours of general education (ACE) or elective classes can be completed after the student teaching experience with advanced approval from the Office of Field Experience & Certification.
  7. No additional coursework can be taken during the student teaching semester unless prior approval is obtained from the Certification Officer, the Director of Field Experiences, or the Department Chair that oversees the program.

Praxis Content Exams

The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) may require passing a content examination. A listing of the required exams can be found at: http://www.ets.org/praxis/ne/requirements. Exam registration is available at http://www.ets.org.

Other

Student Teaching Placement

The Office of Accreditation, Placement, and Licensure is responsible for the placement of student teachers. Several factors are considered in assigning student teachers to a specific district and school, including the availability of a high-quality cooperating teacher and supervisor who meets the requirements of the Nebraska Department of Education and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Requests to student teach out-of-state are not guaranteed and require additional processes and extended timelines. Students wishing to request an out-of-state placement must meet with the Director of Field Experiences as early as possible to determine eligibility.

Removal from Field & Clinical Placements

Students participating in practicum or student teaching placements may be removed from their assigned schools if their performance does not meet required standards, if their conduct is unprofessional and/or threatens the well-being or learning of the students, or at the request of the school and/or district.   

Practicum Students: Any student who is removed from a practicum assignment may appeal that decision by submitting a written request to the appropriate Department Chair within 30 days of the removal.  The Department Chair will convene an appeals committee, request pertinent information from the student and CEHS personnel and notify the student seven business days in advance of the scheduled appeal meeting. Students are advised of their right to seek legal advice. The Committee’s decision will be forwarded in writing to the student, to the Director of Field Experiences, and to the Dean of the College.  

Student Teachers: Guidelines for professional behaviors required of all student teachers can be found in The Student Teaching Handbook located on the CEHS website. Removal from a placement may be requested by the cooperating teacher, the building or the district administrator, or the university supervisor. The Director of Field Experiences will gather information and document efforts to correct the situation prior to making a decision on continuation.  

Any student removed from the teaching assignment may appeal that decision by submitting a written request to Certification Officer within 30 days of the removal. The Certification Officer will convene an appeals committee, request pertinent information from the student, the advisor and the Director of Field Experiences, and notify the student seven business days in advance of the scheduled appeal meeting. Students are advised of their right to seek legal advice. The Committee’s decision will be forwarded in writing to the student, to the Director of Field Experiences, and to the Dean of the College. 

Application for a Nebraska Teaching Certificate

To actively engage in the teaching profession, a candidate must fulfill both the CEHS degree requirements and the professional certification requirements of the Nebraska Department of Education. Students may apply for a Nebraska teaching certificate at www.education.ne.gov/tcert/.  

Graduation Without Certification

In rare cases, permission may be granted for a student to graduate without a recommendation for teacher certification (GWC). Any student who pursues this option must have senior class standing and be within two semesters of student teaching. In addition, the student:
 

  • Must be unable to qualify for student teaching based on grades or other performance-based issues.
  • Be removed from student teaching by the Office of Accreditation, Placement, and Licensure. 
  • Be unable to complete all of the professional requirements in a teacher education program because of illness or another unusual situation.

If a student is unable to meet all of the requirements as described in the “Admission to Student Teaching” section, such as minimum course grade requirements for courses in the professional education sequence or in the content area, but still earns passing grades in those courses while maintaining the grade point average minimums, then the student may be eligible to GWC. A student should contact his or her advisor to determine eligibility and start the process, which includes the submission of a formal request to the College’s Certification Officer to be allowed to graduate without completing all certification requirements. If permission is granted, the student is expected to complete all remaining content area and professional education requirements except student teaching. The requirements include passing grades in all remaining courses while maintaining the minimum grade point averages as specified in the “Admission to Student Teaching” section. The student must still meet the ACE 10 general education requirement and a plan will be part of the GWC process.

Any student who graduates without a recommendation for certification will not be recommended for teacher certification in any state. If, at some future time, the student wishes to complete certification requirements, (s)he must first appeal for readmission to a teacher education program. At least one semester must pass after graduation before the appeal can be made unless the GWC plan incorporates specific timelines for re-entry. Students with extenuating circumstances (student athletes, health events, etc.) who receive approval from the Certification Office during the GWC application process will not be required to wait one semester before applying for readmission. If the appeal is granted, the student will be eligible to complete all requirements in effect at the time of re-entry and must earn passing grades in all methods courses.

Career Center

The CEHS Career Center, located in 105 Hezlik Hall,  is staffed by Career Coaches who can help CEHS students explore opportunities, gain experiences, and tell their story to make their dream career path a reality. Career Coaches can help with resume writing, planning for graduate school, finding employment during or after degree completion, and more! The CEHS Career Center partners with University Career Services to provide campus-wide career programming as well as career fairs.

Criminal History Background Check Requirement

The College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS) has the responsibility to ensure that all students who are in placements where they interact with children of all ages, served by schools or other public or private agencies, meet a high level of personal, professional and ethical behavior. These students must complete an official criminal history background check through the CEHS vendor prior to participating in a field experience or internship. Students are responsible for the cost of any required criminal history background checks. A background check is required prior to the first practicum placement or as part of a program’s application program.   

Students with felony or misdemeanor charges or convictions, as reported on the background check, may be contacted by the College. Depending upon the frequency and severity of the charges and/or convictions, students may be required to meet with the Director of Field Experiences. If any new charges or convictions are acquired after a background check has been completed, students are required to report those to the Director of Field Experiences immediately after the event occurs. Failure to disclose any new information concerning one's criminal history can lead to removal from the program. Continued participation in school or community field experiences in the College will be based on the type and number of convictions, the recency of those occurrences, and whether they violate the requirements of the Nebraska Department of Education and/or the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. If the convictions are deemed to be serious in nature, a student may be prohibited from participating in a field experience in a pre-school, school or public agency setting. The student may then be referred to the department chair for further disciplinary action.

Professional and Ethical Behavior: Avoiding Risky Behaviors

Students planning to enter professions in education or the human sciences must be able to demonstrate that they are individuals of strong moral character who can make mature decisions for themselves and others. Therefore, the College of Education and Human Sciences requires that its students show a high degree of moral character and the ability to act in a responsible manner. Students must consider how the College, the profession, an employer, or the community perceives or evaluates the impact of any questionable behavior. Students’ success in their profession is impaired by taking risks that are unacceptable for children, demonstrating a lack of professionalism and good judgment, and showing disregard for one’s personal reputation or the integrity of the College.

The College of Education and Human Sciences reserves the right to evaluate student fitness for the profession and deny entry to or dismiss a student from any program if, through the reasonable exercise of the judgment of its Certification Officer or the Director of Field Experiences, the College determines that the student’s behavior represents a lack of integrity, questionable moral/ethical character, or represents a risk to young persons. Such behaviors shall be adequate foundation to deny the student’s participation in any practicum or field experience to protect the interests and safety of children. The consequences of unprofessional, unethical, or risky behavior will depend upon the unique circumstances involved.

Appeal to the Dean

Should a student object to the determination made by the Certification Officer or the Director of Field Experiences with respect to criminal behavior or unprofessional behavior, the student may appeal to the Dean of the College, in writing, within ten days of the determination, requesting the Dean of the College to investigate and review the determination. The student’s written appeal shall clearly explain the basis for the appeal. The Dean will review the student’s basis for appeal and is authorized but not required to look into related concerns, whether or not such concerns are contained in the student’s written appeal. The Dean shall render a decision on the appeal as soon as reasonably possible, but in no case longer than 20 days following the initiation of the appeal. Once the Dean has completed the review and investigation, he or she shall deliver to the student and the Certification Officer or the Director of Field Experiences a written decision, which shall be final and not subject to further appeal or review with the University of Nebraska

Admission to a Teacher Education Program (TEP)

Admission to the College of Education and Human Sciences does not guarantee admission into a teacher education program. Admission to the advanced phases of teacher education is selective and, in some options, highly competitive. Students must satisfy the following requirements in order to be eligible to apply to the Teacher Education Program:

  1. A minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA.
  2. Must have earned a minimum of 42 credit hours of college credit.
  3. Completion and submission of the Teacher Education Program Application Form.
  4. Completion of TEAC 331 School and Society and EDPS 251 Fundamentals of Adolescent Development for Education or an approved transfer course, (must be taken prior to or be in progress, the semester in which you apply to the TEP) with a 2.50 cumulative average in the two classes, and no grade lower than C; TEAC 259 Instructional Technology (must also be taken prior to or be in progress, the semester in which you apply to the TEP).
  5. Faculty recommendations.
  6. Completion of a formal criminal history review, for CEHS, by the vendor approved by CEHS (fee required).
  7. Specific programs may have particular learning outcomes that students must address as part of the application process.

College Requirements

College Admission

Students accepted by the University must have an ACT of 20 or SAT of 950, a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average, or rank in the upper half of their high school graduating class and have the following high school preparation to be eligible for guaranteed admission to the College of Education and Human Sciences:
 

  • Four years of English that include intensive reading and writing experience.
  • Two years of one foreign language.
  • Four years of mathematics that include Algebra I, II, geometry, and one year that builds on a knowledge of algebra.
  • Three years of natural sciences that include at least two years selected from biology, physics, chemistry, and earth science and one year of laboratory instruction.
  • Three years of social studies that include at least one year of American and/or world history and one year of history, American government, and/or geography.

Transfer and Readmitted Students

Transfer students from universities or colleges outside of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and readmitted students seeking admission to the College of Education and Human Sciences must have an accumulated average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or above and no high school deficiencies. Students who do not meet these requirements must enroll as deciding students in the Exploratory and Pre-Professional Advising Center or in another college. Once they have completed 12 graded hours at Nebraska with a minimum 2.0 grade point average and have removed any high school deficiencies, University of Nebraska–Lincoln students may apply for admission to the College.

Transfer and readmitted students must meet the graduation requirements for the College of Education and Human Sciences as stated in the current catalog in effect at the time they enter or reenter the College.

Students who left the College on academic warning, or who were dismissed, may seek readmission to the College after two semesters by applying to the university’s Admissions Office. Readmission is not assured. However, the admissions committee is receptive to giving students a second opportunity to be successful. The committee is interested in knowing what the student has done in the intervening period that would suggest the student will be successful when readmitted. Successfully completing correspondence courses and/or community college courses is an effective way to demonstrate one’s commitment to academic success.

Transferring from Other Colleges within the University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Students transferring to the College of Education and Human Sciences from another University of Nebraska–Lincoln college or from the Exploratory and Pre-Professional Advising Center must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, be in good academic standing, and meet the freshman entrance requirements that exist at the time of their admission to the College of Education and Human Sciences. Students must fulfill degree requirements that exist at the time of their admission to the college, not at the time they enter the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

To remain current, College of Education and Human Sciences students must enroll in, and complete, at least one university course that will apply toward degree requirements during a 12-month period. Students who readmit following an absence of one year or more must meet all requirements in the Undergraduate Catalog in effect at the time of readmission and enrollment. Students who transfer to another University of Nebraska–Lincoln college and later return to the College of Education and Human Sciences will be considered readmitted students. Students who transfer out of a teacher education program, but continue their certification program while seeking a degree in another University of Nebraska–Lincoln college, are exempt from this policy.

International Students

The College of Education and Human Sciences welcomes undergraduate international students. As a part of admission to the College, international students must present a TOEFL score of 550 or higher and TSE score of 230 or higher.

Students seeking teacher education and state certification must meet the same requirements as any other undergraduate students. Students who have received a degree outside of the United States and are interested in teacher certification are required to have a transcript review completed by an approved agency not directly associated with the University of Nebraska. For more information, please contact the Student Services Center.

Removal of Deficiencies

Students admitted to the University with core deficiencies are expected to remove those deficiencies in a timely manner. Students with deficiencies are not eligible for graduation. The courses that students use to clear core deficiencies may also be used to meet ACE requirements or other graduation requirements. The Dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences will make the final decision concerning any problems or questions that may arise in satisfying requirements to remove deficiencies.

College Degree Requirements

Grade Rules

Minimum Grade Requirements

Grade requirements vary from major to major. Please see the appropriate major listing or check with your advisor regarding minimum grade requirements.

Pass/No Pass Option

CEHS students are allowed to take up to 12 hours of Pass/No Pass (P/N) credit. The college departments vary on P/N policies. Students should check with their advisor to be certain they qualify for the Pass/No Pass option.

Grade Appeals

Any student enrolled in a course in the College of Education and Human Sciences who wishes to appeal alleged unfair and prejudicial treatment by a faculty member shall present their appeal in writing to the Dean’s Office no later than 30 days after notice of the student’s final course grade has been mailed from campus.

Students may use and are encouraged to use the following sequential procedures to appeal the grade. The problem may be solved at any of the levels of the appeal procedure.

  1. Contact the instructor. Frequently, the problems can be solved at this point.
  2. Submit a request to the chair of the department.
  3. Take the case to the departmental Grading Appeals Committee. The Committee is contacted by the department chair.
  4. Take the case to the College Appeals, Retention and Certification Committee by contacting the Dean’s Office.

The complaint will be forwarded to a committee consisting of faculty and student representatives. After a hearing, the Committee will make a written recommendation regarding the appeal. The Committee’s recommendation is binding on the appealing student and faculty member.

Transfer Credit Rules

Acceptance of Transfer Grades

  • Grades earned at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, UNO, UNK
  • Grades of D-, D, D+, and C- satisfy requirements in all programs in the College unless specified otherwise. Students who receive a grade of D-, D, D+, C-, however, are encouraged to retake the course.
  • Grades earned outside the University of Nebraska system

The college will accept no more than 9 credit hours of grades less than a C from any program outside the University of Nebraska system. Grades below a C can only be applied to general education requirements and elective classes.

Maximum Number of Hours for Transfer

Transfer courses are evaluated by the University and by the College to determine University of Nebraska–Lincoln and College course equivalencies. The College determines which courses will be accepted and how they will apply toward degree requirements. Sixty (60) is the maximum number of hours that will be accepted on transfer from a two-year college. Ninety (90) is the maximum number of hours that will be accepted on transfer from accredited four-year colleges and universities.

Courses taken 10 years before admission or readmission to the College will be evaluated by the major department to determine if it is appropriate to accept those courses for transfer credit and for application to degree requirements. Specific courses will be reviewed in keeping with the guidelines specified by each department.

Transfer Credit from Technical, Non-Accredited and Foreign Institutions

Students who desire to transfer from these institutions must have each course evaluated by the appropriate departmental representative. All rules stated above in reference to grades and maximum credit hours apply. For additional information and guidance in this process, contact the Dean’s Office.

Transfer Agreements with UNO and UNK

Transfer agreements between the three institutions within the University System allow for a smooth transition for students interested in taking courses from UNO, UNK, and/or the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Although restrictions noted above on grades and maximum transfer hours still apply, there are some exceptions. For purposes of residency, courses from UNO and UNK fulfill these requirements. Students planning to major in a program in the college should read the specific requirements noted with individual programs. Questions about academic transfer should be addressed to the Advising Office.

Transfer Agreements with Community Colleges

Articulation agreements and “Transfer with Ease Programs” with Nebraska community colleges indicate how courses and programs will transfer to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the College of Education and Human Sciences. The same guidelines noted above on the acceptance of courses, grades, and hours also apply to these institutions. Students interested in transferring from a community college should consult with their school or the Student Services Center to determine which courses will transfer to fulfill specific College of Education and Human Sciences requirements.

Courses from accredited two-year institutions will generally not be substituted for 400-level human sciences classes in the College. The 300-level courses will be considered on an individual basis by the respective departments in the College of Education and Human Sciences.

Courses taken prior to course articulation agreements will be accepted contingent upon departmental validation of the credit.

Residency Rules

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours to earn a degree.

All students are expected to complete at least 30 of their final 36 hours of credit at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska Omaha, or University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Degree Application Process

Graduation Requirements

Students are expected to develop a clear understanding of degree requirements and to plan their course of study with a College advisor. Students requiring clarification of outstanding degree requirements should visit with a College advisor promptly.

Students should access their Degree Audit via MyRED at least once each term to review degree requirements and progress toward graduation. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure their Degree Audit accurately reflects their current College and program of study.

Students who believe their Degree Audit has errors or omissions should visit with a College advisor promptly. It is important that you resolve these matters as soon as practicable to avoid a delay in graduation.

Each student with MyRED access must submit an online Application for Graduation via MyRED for each degree to be received by:
 

  • The fourth Friday in January for May graduation
  • The second Friday in June for August graduation
  • The second Friday in September for December graduation

Students submitting an electronic Application for Graduation via MyRED will be billed a $25.00 per degree fee on their student account. Students without MyRED access may apply for graduation in person at Husker Hub in the Canfield Administration Building, or by mail. Applications for graduation submitted in person or by mail must be accompanied by a check or money order in the amount of $25.00 payable to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Failure to submit a timely Application for Graduation may preclude the awarding of a degree in the intended term.

Your Application for Graduation and required $25.00 fee are good only for the term marked on your application. Neither your application nor your fee are transferrable to another term. If you submit an Application for Graduation and pay the $25.00 fee for a specified term but do not complete your degree requirements in that term, you will need to reapply to graduate in a future term and incur another $25.00 fee.

Commencement ceremony information will be emailed to all degree applicants approximately one month before graduation. Each student who has applied for graduation must submit an online Commencement Attendance Form via MyRED, which will be available when the informational email is distributed.

Only those students who have applied for graduation, had the application accepted, and fulfilled all degree requirements as of the last day of the academic term may participate in the commencement ceremony for that term. Because the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has a commencement for each term, ceremony participation is allowed only in the term during which the student has properly and timely applied for graduation and fulfilled degree requirements.

Catalog Rule

Students are responsible for following the rules, policies, and requirements found in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Undergraduate Catalog for the academic year in which they were last admitted to a program in the College of Education and Human Sciences. Students must complete all program requirements from a single catalog year. In consultation with their advisor, a student may choose to move to and follow a subsequent catalog if it is in their best interest.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of secondary education/English language arts will be able to:

  1. Make content knowledge accessible to students.
  2. Create, implement, and assess instructional and curricular goals.
  3. Create and maintain a respectful and productive classroom learning environment.
  4. Integrate technology to enhance learning.
  5. Deliver instruction that is considerate of student development, diversity, and special needs.
  6. Design and implement instructional units using backwards design; integrate sound, student-centered pedagogies in their practicum and student teaching placements; prioritize the promotion of critical thinking in their own and in their students’ learning, and understand the ways in which social theories of learning translate to practice.
  7. Apply theory and research in literacy to reading, writing, speaking, and listening classroom practice.