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How to become a teacher in Nebraska
Steps drawn from the state's data
- Earn a bachelor's degree. At least one initial credential requires one.
- Complete a teacher preparation program. Nebraska has 16 Title II providers.
- Complete clinical experience such as student teaching.
- Pass the tests the state requires (Title II reports that tests are required, not which ones).
- Apply to Nebraska Department of Education for an initial credential, such as Career Education Teaching Permit; Initial Teaching Certificate; Postsecondary Teaching Permit.
- Career changers can use one of 1 alternative routes instead of a traditional program.
Teacher preparation providers in Nebraska
| Provider | Program types | Enrollment | Completers |
|---|---|---|---|
| BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY | Traditional | 84 | 15 |
| Chadron State College | Traditional | 382 | 102 |
| College of St. Mary | Traditional | 68 | 14 |
| Concordia University | Traditional | 328 | 54 |
| Creighton University | Traditional | 43 | 26 |
| Doane University | Traditional | 86 | 51 |
| Hastings College | Traditional | 58 | 36 |
| Midland University | Traditional | 135 | 65 |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University | Traditional | 107 | 32 |
| Peru State College | Traditional | 453 | 108 |
| Union Adventist University | Traditional | 26 | 7 |
| University of Nebraska - Kearney | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 812 | 314 |
| University of Nebraska - Lincoln | Traditional | 892 | 260 |
| University of Nebraska - Omaha | Traditional | 625 | 231 |
| Wayne State College | Traditional | 561 | 164 |
| York University | Traditional | 66 | 8 |
About teacher preparation in Nebraska
There are sixteen (16) approved teacher education programs in Nebraska. In addition to the requirement that all Nebraska institutions successfully complete the state program approval process, thirteen (12) institutions have also attained national accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and one by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
All sixteen (16) institutions that prepare teachers in Nebraska are members of the Nebraska Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (NACTE) and are also represented on the Nebraska Council on Teacher Education (NCTE), an advisory body to the State Board of Education. NCTE consists of equal representation from educators, educator preparation administrators, and governance representatives which work in partnership to assure high standards for Nebraska educator preparation and quality education for PreK-12 students statewide.
Section 79-318(5)(g) of the Nebraska Revised Statutes (R.R.S.) requires the State Board of Education to approve teacher education programs conducted in Nebraska post-secondary educational institutions designed for the purpose of certificating teachers, administrators, and special services providers. Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) regulations and guidelines relating to educators, administrators and special services providers are contained in the following Chapters:
Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code (NAC), Chapter 20, Regulations for the Approval of Teacher Education Programs, provides the procedures for the approval of teacher education programs conducted in Nebraska post-secondary educational institutions designed for the purpose of certifying teachers and administrators and other professional school personnel requiring certification. State Board-approved guidelines that accompany Chapter 20 further inform institutions of teacher preparation program expectations.
Title 92, NAC, Chapter 21, Issuance of Certificates and Permits to Teach, Provide Special Services, and Administer in Nebraska Schools, provides procedures for the issuance of teaching, administrative, and special services certificates and permits for use in accredited or approved Nebraska school systems. Candidates for endorsements on Nebraska certificates are required to pass the appropriate test for certification as of September 1, 2015. In 2015 certain certificates were renamed to more clearly distinguish between full certification (certificates) and permits (generally indicating deficiencies or limitations). A new permit provides additional flexibility to consider individuals who have completed alternative certification programs in other states to gain certification in Nebraska.
Title 92, NAC, Chapter 24, Regulations for Certificate Endorsements, contains regulations for obtaining endorsements indicating grade levels and areas of specialization on Nebraska teaching, administrative, and special services certificates. State Board-approved guidelines that accompany Chapter 24 further inform Nebraska post-secondary educational institutions of teacher preparation program expectations. Chapter 24 is updated on an annual basis to reflect revisions to endorsements that are reviewed on a rotation.
Each teacher education institution is required to submit to the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) an annual request for approval of its teacher education programs which will be offered the following academic year. These requests are reviewed for compliance with Chapters 20 and 24 and submitted to the State Board of Education for consideration. Approval of these programs is immediate upon approval by the State Board of Education.
In addition to the annual approval of its teacher education programs by the state, each Nebraska institution must undergo a comprehensive state approval process of its educator preparation program every seven (7) years during which a review is conducted of the institution’s compliance with the requirements of Chapters 20 and 24 for PreK-12 school personnel preparation programs. The review includes two components: an off-site review of program folios (program information and data) by teams made up of NCTE members, content experts, and NDE representatives; and an on-site visit, conducted in conjunction with national accreditation visit if applicable, by a team made up of NCTE members and NDE representatives. Upon the conclusion of the state approval components, a report is compiled and submitted for review to NCTE which, in turn, makes a recommendation to the State Board of Education to grant, deny, or revoke approval of the institution’s teacher education program.
A multi-step process is in place for institutions to correct any deviations or areas of non-compliance that may be determined during the approval process. It is expected that institutions immediately move forward with correcting any deficiencies identified during the approval process. Chapter 20 provides that an institution is given the opportunity to correct program deficiencies or deviations prior to the State Board of Education taking probationary action.