Nebraska Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs
Alternative teacher preparation programs, or non-traditional programs, are designed for those with a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to either a certificate or master’s degree. These alternative pathways to teacher licensure in Nebraska aim to attract career professionals to classrooms in high-demand subjects or underserved areas. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can pursue alternative teacher certification at multiple Nebraska schools. You can read more about these alternatives below. If you don’t yet have your bachelor’s degree, visit our guide to traditional certification in Nebraska.
Table of Contents
- Nebraska Alternative Certification Requirements
- Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
- Testing Requirements
- Licenses From Another State
- Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
- Best Alternative Certification Programs
- Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
- Additional Resources
Requirements for Alternative Certification
All candidates for alternative teacher certification in Nebraska must have at least a bachelor’s degree. These candidates will typically need to pass the same exams as traditional pathway educators, but can teach in a classroom as they work toward full certification. Alternative teacher certification programs can be completed in as little as one year for a graduate certificate or longer for a master’s degree in teaching, education, or a core subject that includes an approved certification program.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Nebraska
Each pathway to alternative teaching licensure in Nebraska requires different education and work experience. These programs are typically designed for those with a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than education.
Alternative Program Teaching Permit
The Alternative Program Teaching Permit is for candidates who wish to teach in the Nebraska school system while they complete the requirements of a regular teaching certificate. To qualify for this permit, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree. The college or university where they are completing an alternative program must submit the Alternative Program Teaching Permit form, detailing the coursework remaining for a regular teaching certificate. The school superintendent where the candidate will teach must submit a written request for the permit, which is good for one year. Explore the specific pathways and requirements for the Alternative Program Teaching Permit on the NDE’s Teaching Program Alternative Permit page.
Career Education Teaching Permit
The Career Education Teaching Permit allows holders to teach career and technical education (CTE) subjects in cases where a regularly qualified teacher for specific courses cannot be hired or there is not a formal teaching education program for the subject. The permit is limited to career education subjects in grades nine to 12. To qualify, candidates must have completed a prescribed course of study at the postsecondary level, five years of practice in the career, an apprenticeship in the career, or an approved competency test. Candidates must also complete the human relations training required of all teacher candidates and a background check. This permit is valid for three years.
Postsecondary Teaching Permit
The Postsecondary Teaching Permit is an option for those teaching college courses at a postsecondary (college or career preparatory) school in Nebraska resulting in both high school and college credit. Candidates for this pathway must also meet the human relations training requirement and pass a fingerprint background check. You can review the requirements and applicant guide on the NDE’s website.
Provisional Teaching Permit
Another alternate route to teaching in Nebraska is the Provisional Teaching Certificate. This option is available to those who have completed a bachelor’s degree, teacher preparation program, and human relations training but have not yet completed all of the college or employment experience requirements for a regular certificate. Candidates must meet the human relations training requirement and pass a background check. This license can be renewed annually provided the candidate completes at least one additional requirement.
Transitional Teaching Permit
The Nebraska Transitional Teaching Permit is offered to career-changers and recent college graduates who wish to become teachers. The Transitional Certification Program (TCP) offered at the University of Nebraska Kearney (UNK) is one pathway leading to this permit. To qualify, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with 75% of an endorsement requirement completed, submit a written request, along with a written plan for mentoring and supervision, from your school system of choice, complete an approved pre-teaching seminar, and submit a written agreement with a Nebraska teacher education program for supervisory visits. An applicant guide is available on the NDE’s website.
Testing Requirements for Nebraska Alternative Certification
In most cases, Nebraska alternative teacher certification candidates must pass the Praxis Subject Assessment for their grade level and endorsement areas. Refer to the Educational Testing Service (ETS) Praxis website for the exams required and registration information.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
Educators who hold valid credentials from other states may be able to transfer their certification to Nebraska. The NDE evaluates each application on a case-by-case basis. Applicants can apply for the Alternative Program Teaching Permit while they complete the requirements for a regular teaching certificate. You can learn more about these requirements through our interstate reciprocity guide.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Nebraska
To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the NDE for the preparation of teachers.
| State-Approved School | Accreditation | Program Type(s) | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4 | Net Price5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chadron State College | CAEP | Second Bachelor’s, Master’s | — | — | — | $15,156 |
| Creighton University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $32,355 |
| Hastings College | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $20,804 |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University | AAQEP | Certificate | — | — | — | $26,576 |
| University of Nebraska-Kearney* | CAEP | Alternative, Certificate | 137 | 49 | 100% | $16,570 |
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $13,314 |
| University of Nebraska-Omaha* | AAQEP | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $17,341 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
- *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.
Best Alternative Teacher Certification Programs in Nebraska
We used overall pass rates on the teacher licensing exams to identify the best alternative teacher certification programs in Nebraska. The following schools reported 100% pass rates for alternative and master’s program graduates.
- University of Nebraska-Kearney (Alternative, Certificate)4
Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Nebraska based on the shortest possible time to completion. Shorter alternative certification programs are often more affordable since they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.
- Hastings College (12 months)
- Nebraska Wesleyan (12 months)
- University of Nebraska-Omaha (12 months)
- Creighton University (14 months)
Additional Resources
- Nebraska Department of Education (NDE): Provides detailed guidelines and requirements for prospective Nebraska educators, as well as support resources for current educators.
- NDE Teach in Nebraska: Official database of job listings in education and administration across Nebraska.
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- Nebraska Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
References:
1. Nebraska State Department of Education: https://www.education.ne.gov/
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/