For degrees: You must apply to both the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders and the Graduate College . This entails a letter of intent, an application form, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores and three letters of recommendation. Contact Jill England for application materials and answers to questions. It would be wise to get a program of study outlined and questions answered before applying. Contact: Dr. Chris Marvin
For endorsements: You need to "apply"only to the department by completing the application form.
You must however apply to the Graduate College as a "non-degree" student by sending them your undergraduate transcripts. Contact: Graduate Studies. In addition, you will need a program of study on file with the certification office at UNL. You can mail your letter of intent and a copy of your undergraduate transcripts (If UNL grad, send ID# in lieu of transcripts) to Dr. Marvin for review and filing.
For initial teaching certificates: You will need to apply for the degree program as well as have a program of study for the certificate outlined. See above.
I am an out-of-state student. Can I complete the program via distance education?
Out-of-state students are welcome. However, not all the required courses will be available from UNL via distance technologies. Depending upon your goals, and program of study, you may find necessary courses at a distance from other institutions or from a local campus. For the masters degree, 51% of the program MUST be completed with UNL courses. The rest can be transferred in. For the endorsement, all the methods courses MUST be completed through UNL (SPED 861, 862, 882). The following Special Education courses, often included in the ECSE degree and endorsement program, are available to distance students: SPED 860, 861, 862, 863, 882, 960, 804
Other required courses may be available at a distance through UNL's other departments.
Are all the courses online?
Yes and no. This term "online" is used to mean many things to students. Here at UNL the term refers to web-based courses. All our courses are organized on the web through Blackboard at: my.unl.edu and may utilize email, video-streaming, chat rooms and web-casting broadcasts. However, some courses require additional technologies or contacts with instructors/classmates. For example, phone-based conferences, interactive TV, and periodic, weekend-on-campus class sessions may be required. See description of technologies utilized for each course and discuss options with the instructor.
How can I get information about what courses I should register for first?
It helps to have a program of study outlined before you take any courses. Some courses may have prerequisites or infrequent schedules. Contact Dr. Marvin for an appointment (by phone or in person) to discuss your career goals. Forward a copy of your transcript to Dr. Marvin at 202 Barkley Memorial Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0732. She can outline both a program of study and a sequence of courses for you. Tell her if you want to attend classes part-time or full-time and she can show you what your academic life will look like for the next couple of years! Most full-time students (9 cr. per term, 6 cr. during summer) complete the program/degree in 2 years. Part-time students (3 cr. per term, 6 cr. during summer) complete the program in 4 years.
I need a Provisional Endorsement in ECSE. Can I get one from UNL? How many credits will I need?
A Provisional Endorsement is a one-year special certificate awarded by the Nebraska State Department of Education at the request of a school administrator and prospective teacher. UNL helps process these requests through our Teacher Certification Office (105 Henzlik Hall) by reviewing the necessary application materials and the teacher's credentials/transcripts. Contact Diane Sealock for instructions. Generally, the Provisional Endorsement in ECSE (birth to grade 3) requires a valid teaching certificate, completion of 3 credits in Special Education and an outlined program of study for the ECSE endorsement. Dr. Marvin or Ms. Diane Sealock can review your credentials and advise you as to the needed courses before a Provisional Endorsement can be applied for.
Are there any scholarships or assistantships available to help me financially?
Scholarships and graduate assistantships and fellowships are sometimes available (See financial assistance, ECSE). However, most are restricted for full-time, degree-oriented students. (See scholarship information on left webpage sidebar) For part-time and non-degree students , you might want to explore opportunities through UNL's Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. If you are pursuing an initial teaching certificate but not a degree, ask your adviser to sign this form to permit your application for financial aid.
Which Early Childhood Endorsement should I / can I pursue?
The Nebraska Department of Education has four teaching credentials that specify preparation for work with young children with disabilities. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has programs that once completed, will permit students to apply for one or more of these credentials. Some are available at the undergraduate level only and some at the graduate level only and some at either level.
1. Preschool Disabilities (Birth thru Kindergarten) (NDE Rule 24 sec 006.46):
Additional Endorsement for the candidate with a valid teaching certificate and endorsement in Special Education, Speech-Language Pathology or Middle / Secondary Education.
Required: 30 credits including practicum with infants, preschoolers and kindergarten-age transitions
2. Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-3rd grade (NDE Rule 24 Sec 006.55);
Additional Endorsement for the candidate with a valid teaching certificate and endorsement in either Elementary (K-6) or Early Childhood Education (Pre-3), or Inclusive (Unified) Early Childhood Education (Birth to grade 3). 27 credits including practicum with infants and preschoolers with disabilities.
3. Early Childhood Education (P-3rd grade) (NDE Rule 24 sec 006.13)
For the candidate with a valid teaching certificate in Elementary Education; if teaching certificate is 7-12 the student must be able to attend classes during the day to pick up the needed undergraduate El. Ed. courses. 30 semester hours including student teaching with birth to age 5 populations (and K-3 if not El. Ed. already.)
1. Preschool Disabilities (Birth thru Kindergarten) (NDE Rule 24 sec 006.46)
Initial Teaching Certificate + M.A. for the candidate with a Bachelors Degree but no teaching credential. Candidates who had undergraduate majors in Speech-Language Pathology, Child Development, Psychology, etc. may find this initial teaching credential program attractive. The candidate must be accepted into the UNL Graduate College and the Masters Degree program in Special Education in order to pursue this credential. 36 credits minimum, includes 27 credits ECSE courses and practicum with infants, preschoolers and kindergarten transitions, plus other special education and general education courses.
Undergraduate Initial Teaching Certificates (Advisor: Susan Goodrich)
1. Early Childhood Education (P-3) and Elementary Education (K-6) Dual Major (Rule 24 sec 006.13 and 006.17 (K-6)
This Initial Teaching credential prepares students for employment in the public schools in Kindergarten thru Grade 6 programs and any public school-based preschool education programs such as Head Start, Title I, 4-yr Kindergarten, etc.
2. Unified Early Childhood (Birth thru grade 3) (Rule 24 sec. 006.14) The Undergraduate Inclusive Early Childhood Education Program at UNL aims to prepare undergraduates for the Nebraska Unified Early Childhood Endorsement (Birth to grade 3). Initial Teaching Credential
prepares students for employment in the public schools to work with children birth thru Grade 3 and without disabilities. These students can be employed in the schools as early childhood education or early childhood special education staff or Elementary school staff for K-3 programs (not elementary special education).
Non-Certification Program
Child Development: through the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. (Advisor: Dr. Churchill) No teaching credential awarded. Prepares students for work in social services, child care, Head Start, child life programs.
