Nebraska

Nebraska Teacher Preparation Programs

State Licensing OfficeLicensure RequirementsTeacher Preparation ProgramsAlternative ProgramsOnline Programs

Nebraska Department of Education
301 Centennial Mall South
P.O. Box 94987
Lincoln, NE 68509

(402) 471-0739

www.nde.state.ne.us/tcert

To obtain a Nebraska license in any subject area individuals must complete a teacher licensure program. Programs are available at the graduate and undergraduate level. There are also alternative programs available that allow individuals to teach full time while completing teacher licensure requirements.

Substitute Teaching
Substitute teaching is encouraged as it allows individuals to network while gaining an understanding of various schools, districts and subject areas. Nebraska issues two types of substitute certifications. A five year certificate is available to individuals who previously held a regular teacher or administrator license. A three year local substitute certificate is available to those who have previously held a license. To obtain a three year certificate individuals must apply through a Nebraska school district as the district is required to request the substitute certificate from the Nebraska Department of Education. For more information on substitute teaching in Nebraska click here.

Testing Requirements
Nebraska requires the Basic Skills Competency exam administered through Educational Testing Service (ETS) for all teacher and administrative certificates (excluding substitute certificates). For more information on the exams required by Nebraska click here. Individuals can register for the tests and order study materials at www.ets.org.�

Directory of Approved Teacher Preparation Programs

This directory provides a listing of Nebraska state approved programs for the preparation of professional educational personnel. This publication is intended to be a source of information regarding available educator preparation programs in Nebraska institutions of higher education.�

The Temporary Teacher Certificate or the One Year Provisional Teaching Certificate allows candidates to be hired in a high need public school prior to completing licensure requirements. Candidates are typically paid a salary during this period if employed.

For complete information on the Temporary Teacher Certification, go to page 11 of the First Time Applicant Manual; for information on the One Year Provisional Teaching Certificate go to page 12 of the manual (http://www.nde.state.ne.us/TCERT/pdfs/Manual.pdf).

Online degree programs are accepted by the state of Nebraska for gaining a new certificate or renewal of an existing certificate from the following institutions.

Abilene Christian – Texas – All

Benedictine – Illinois – E, S, Sped, EP, SP

Boise State - Idaho - All
Boston University - All
California State - Northridge - EP, SP, Supt.
Concordia University - California - E, S, EP, SP, Supt.

Creighton - Nebraska – E, S, EP, SP
Cumberland University - Tennessee - All

Drexel – Pennsylvania – E, S, EP, SP, Supt.
Fort Hayes State - Kansas - E, S, EP, SP, Supt.
George Washington University - All
Grand Canyon – Arizona – E, S, Sped
Jones International University - Colorado - E, S, EP, SP
Kaplan University, Iowa - E, S
Le Tourneau University – Texas – PS, E, S
Lesley University - Massachusetts - All
Liberty - Virginia - E, S, EP, SP

Nova Southeastern – Florida – PS, E, S, EP, SP
Regis University - Colorado - PS, E, S, Sped
Roosevelt University - Illinois -All

Saint Xavier – Illinois – PS, E, S, EP, SP
University of Maryland - All
University of Massachusetts - All
University of Nebraska - Kearney - EP, SP, Supt.
University of New England - Maine - PS, E, S
University of Phoenix - Arizona - E, S, Sped, EP, SP
University of Southern California - All
University of St. Mary - Kansas - E, S
University of the Southwest – New Mexico – E, S, Sped

Western Governors – Utah – E, S

Key:
E = Elementary teacher
EP = Elementary principal
PS = Preschool
S = Secondary teacher
SP = Secondary principal
Sped = Special education
Supt. = Superintendent