Nebraska Teacher Certification
How to Become a Teacher in Nebraska
As is the case with other states, Nebraska has its own procedure for teaching candidates who wish to earn a Nebraska teacher certification. Candidates must complete educational and testing requirements to be considered for certification. In addition, individuals seeking an initial Nebraska certificate who have not been residents for the previous five years must submit fingerprints with their applications. Only after all requirements are met will the Nebraska Department of Education issue a teaching certificate.
- I want to be a teacher in Nebraska, but don’t have a degree: Earn an Education Degree
- I want to be a teacher and have a degree, but not in education: Learn about Nebraska’s Alternative Certification Process and Programs
- I have a teaching degree and am interested in more education: Learn about Master’s Degree Education Programs or Doctorate Education Programs and Information.
Spotlight School
Popular Programs:
- MS in Education (for Existing Teachers Grades K-12)
- MA in Teaching (for Aspiring Teachers Grades 5-12)
Nebraska Teacher Education Requirements
The first step toward Nebraska teaching certification is completing educational requirements. A four-year bachelor’s degree in education from an accredited school is necessary. There are no specific course hour requirements, but candidates must complete student teaching, observations, and internships. In addition, Nebraska statute requires human relations training as part of teacher preparation. Special education training is also needed and may be in the form of coursework or work experience.
Profiles of Well Known Schools
College of Saint Mary: The College of Saint Mary is an all-female Catholic institution located in Lincoln. The college was founded by the Sisters of Mercy and to this day remains steadfast in adhering to the principals of benevolence, servant leadership and integrity that the institution was founded upon. The College of Saint Mary’s department of education houses the entire undergraduate and graduate programs related to education including Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle level Education, Secondary Education, and Special Education. Students at all levels experience a mixture of theory and practice that helps build functional skills along with excellent pedagogy. The department is one of the largest on campus as education is a very popular major.
In January 2012, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Nebraska’s unemployment rate at 4.5%, significantly lower than the national average of 8.5% unemployment. The Occupational Supply and Demand System projects 1,666 annual job openings in education and library related fields in Nebraska through 2018. In 2008 and 2007 respectively, the National Center for Education Statistics reported 20,258 public school and 2,820 private school teachers employed throughout the state. The National Education Association estimates the average beginning teacher’s salary at $27,030 and the average overall teaching salary at $47,368, the 35th highest average among states. The NEA lists teaching shortages in middle and high school special education, math and science, especially in rural areas. For specific information regarding certification and specialization programs, please contact local teaching and education schools. The Nebraska State Education Association is another great source for current news and information for educators in Nebraska.
Nebraska Teacher Testing Requirements
Besides completing an educator preparation program, individuals seeking Nebraska teaching certification must also pass two assessments. The first is the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills test, which assesses basic skills of first-time teachers in Nebraska. Those who have taught for at least three years at an approved or accredited school in another state and hold a valid certificate in that state after completing a teacher preparation program are exempt from the Praxis I requirement.
The second testing requirement in Nebraska is the Praxis II content test. A teacher candidate must pass the Praxis II in his or her specialty area before being granted a Nebraska teaching license.
Nebraska Teacher Salary and Jobs
| Type | Number Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool Teachers | 1,590 | $27,420 |
| Kindergarten Teachers | 1,270 | $45,220 |
| Elementary School Teachers | 9,760 | $46,390 |
| Middle School Teachers | 3,150 | $48,810 |
| Secondary School Teachers | 6,700 | $46,810 |
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.
School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in Nebraska
Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools
Popular Programs:
- M.A. in Education/Early Childhood Ed.
- M.A. in Education/Secondary Teacher Education
- B.S. in Education / Elementary Education
- A.A. in Elementary Education
- And more...
Popular Programs:
- Early Childhood Education (Certification Only)
- Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
- MA in Teaching: Advanced Studies in Secondary Education- National Board Preparation
- Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (SLE)
- And more...
Popular Programs:
- Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Math
- Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Literacy
Popular Programs:
- B.S. in Early Childhood Education (Birth - 5 Years)
- M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction: Curriculum & Instruction: Early Childhood Education
- Special Education (Early Childhood/Elementary)
- Educational Administration: (EDD)
- And more...
Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in Nebraska
Chadron State College
1000 Main St
Chadron, NE 69337-2690
(308) 432-6000
College of Saint Mary
7000 Mercy Rd.
Omaha, NE 68106
(402) 399-2400
www.csm.edu/Future_Students/Admissions_Information/
Concordia University-Seward
800 N Columbia Ave
Seward, NE 68434-1556
(800) 535-5494
www.cune.edu/admission
Dana College
2848 College Dr
Blair, NE 68008
(402) 426-9000
Grace University
1311 S 9th St
Omaha, NE 68108-3629
(402) 449-2800
www.graceuniversity.edu/admissions/admissions.cfm
Hastings College
710 N Turner Ave
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-2402
www.hastings.edu
Midland Lutheran College
900 N. Clarkson
Fremont, NE 68025
(402) 721-6394
www.mlc.edu/midlandlutheran.aspx?pgID=873
Nebraska Wesleyan University
5000 St Paul Ave
Lincoln, NE 68504-2794
(402) 466-2371
www.nebrwesleyan.edu/admissions
Northeast Community College
801 E Benjamin
Norfolk, NE 68702-0469
(402) 371-2020
www.northeast.edu
Peru State College
600 Hoyt Street
Peru, NE 68421-0010
(402) 872-3815
www.peru.edu/admissions
Union College-Lincoln
3800 S 48th
Lincoln, NE 68506
(402) 486-2600
University of Nebraska at Kearney
905 W 25th St
Kearney, NE 68849-1212
(308) 865-8441
www.unk.edu/admissions/index.php
University of Nebraska at Omaha
6001 Dodge St
Omaha, NE 68182-0225
(402) 554-2800
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
14th and R St
Lincoln, NE 68588
(402) 472-7211
admissions.unl.edu/
Wayne State College
1111 Main St
Wayne, NE 68787
(402) 375-7000
www.wsc.edu/admission/
Western Nebraska Community College
1601 E 27th St
Scottsbluff, NE 69361-1899
(308) 635-3606
York College
1125 E 8th St
York, NE 68467-2699
(402) 363-5600
Page edited by Charles Sipe.
