B D Endorsement (K-12)
Teaching Endorsement and/or Masters Degree Program
The Need
Behavior, discipline and classroom management are three of the biggest issues facing schools. Better knowledge and skills about these topics, and specifically about students who have emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD) can assist all teachers and child care workers.
Preparation is Essential
All teachers and child care worker need to be able to better manage student behavior, and to work with students with serious behavioral challenges. This program provides opportunities for classroom teachers and child care workers to learn more about behavior and students with EBD, and also permits teachers to earn a teaching endorsement in working with students with EBD. Individuals who want to work specifically with these students also need specialized preparation for their work in school and agency settings. The program will prepare professionals for working with students with EBD in a variety of settings, including public schools, day treatment programs, residential facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and juvenile corrections.
Behavior & Various Diagnoses
Because of the growing number of youngsters in schools with mental illness, the program also emphasizes knowledge and skills about depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, to name a few. The program provides those enrolled with a broad, multidisciplinary perspective as well as specific knowledge and skills. The program does not assume predominance of one philosophical approach to treatment or education of children with EBD.
The Program Curriculum
The curriculum is consistent with the skills and knowledge of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (CCBD) and the program is NCATE accredited. The program is designed to teach and improve the instructional, management and communication abilities of educators and care workers and will provide opportunities to apply skills in real world settings.
General Program Competencies
Graduates of the programs will develop competencies related to working with a range of agencies serving children and youth with EBD:
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Characteristics, assessment and identification of children with EBD
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Creating environments where learning and positive behavior are supported and encouraged in general and special education settings
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How to teach students pro-social behaviors and mental health skills in various settings
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Managing and effectively responding to inappropriate behavior when it does occur by implementing effective behavior management techniques
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Working effectively with different organizations that serve children with behavioral disorders
Who Should Consider This Program?
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Teachers or child care workers needing continuing education credits or certificate renewal
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Child care workers, administrators, teachers and other human service providers in various schools, programs and agencies
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Educators seeking positions as behavioral consultants or specialized teachers in school districts
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Other independent, self-motivated individuals with a strong commitment to lifelong learning and children
Any teacher or care worker may take any of these graduate courses (check for prerequisites) in the program for purposes of continuing education and certificate renewal. A teaching certificate (in any field or level) is required if a student seeks to add a Nebraska teaching endorsement in Behavior Disorders K-12.
Will I be able to get a job?
Schools and agencies have a strong need for their teachers and staff to understand and be able to work with children and youth with emotional or behavioral disorders. Having knowledge and skills will make you more employable.
There is also a severe shortage of endorsed teachers in this field, both in Nebraska and nationally. Qualified teachers with this endorsement have no difficulty in finding teaching positions!
Method of Delivery
The courses in this program and the EBD teaching endorsement can be taken entirely on-campus or partially via distance education.
Distance Courses
Distance courses (five courses, 15 credit hours) are delivered via the Internet through Blackboard software to any location. In Blackboard both distance and on-campus students participate together in asynchronous group discussion, various learning modules specific to each course, and other Web-based activities. Students complete written assignments, some requiring classroom or school visits or projects with children and youth. In addition, most distance courses will require approximately eight conference calls with the on-campus sections of the courses to participate in discussion and hear guest speakers. Generally, students will not need to be at their computers during these times, although they may wish to have handouts available that will be mailed or can be printed out in advance. Call dates and times will be included in the schedule materials for each course and distance students will be provided a toll-free number for the phone bridge. Information about textbook purchase and directions to access the Blackboard course site is provided to students upon course registration.
All of these courses may also be taken in the traditional on-campus format.
Remaining courses
Remaining courses are not yet available for distance delivery, but more may be offered by distance in the future. Students should watch for announcements regarding new distance courses. Students may fulfill Nebraska teaching endorsement requirements as well as the remaining masters degree requirements through any of the following options:
a. Taking the courses on the UNL campus during summer term(s)
b. Taking equivalent courses at other campuses and transferring them to UNL
c. Taking equivalent courses via distance education programs at UNL, or elsewhere and transferring them to UNL.
Advisors will assist students in making these choices.
Computer Requirements for Distance Students
Minimum computer requirements include:
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PC: Windows 98 or XP, Pentium processor, 600MHz or higher
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MAC: Mac OS 9.0 (OS X preferred), PowerPC processor 600MHz or higher
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Minimum requirements for both platforms: 128MB of RAM, 20GB of hard disk space, high-speed Internet connection encouraged
A note to AOL users: Most versions of the AOL Web browser will not work well with the Blackboard software used at UNL The UNL Help Disk cannot assist AOL users.
How Many Credits?
The teaching endorsement requires coursework which entails 36 graduate credit hours. A person completing the endorsement will also be able to complete a Master of Education degree at the same time as the endorsement with appropriate guidance from an advisor.
How Long Will it Take?
As a part-time student, taking one course (3 credits) per semester and two courses (6 credits) during summers, the program can be completed in as little as three years.
As a full-time student (taking some on-campus courses) the program can be completed in as little as one year (two semesters and one summer if starting in the fall).
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