Endorsement and Certification

Almost every state requires licensing of teachers. In Nebraska, these licenses are called certificates and are issued to persons who complete approved teacher preparation programs at the graduate or undergraduate level. Once a person has obtained a basic teaching certificate, it is possible to add additional specialization areas (called endorsements) to one ís basic teaching certificate.

Students With Current Teaching Certificate

Teachers already holding a standard teaching certificate (early childhood, elementary or secondary) can pursue additional teaching endorsements with the Nebraska Department of Education once they have completed the approved programs of study. The Division of Special Education offers the following teaching endorsement programs at the graduate level for teachers already holding a standard teaching certificate:

Behavioral Disorders (K-12)   See Dr. Reece Peterson, Dr. John Maag, Dr. Michael Epstein
Deaf Education (Pre-12)   See Dr. Malinda Eccarius
Early Childhood Special Education (Birth to age 5)   See Dr. Chris Marvin
Learning Disabilities (K-12, K-6, 7-12)  See Dr. Stan Vasa, Dr. Joan Erickson or Dr. Bob Reid
Severe Disabilities (Pre-12) See Dr. Ellin Siegel
Visually Impaired (Pre-12)  See Dr. Ellin Siegel 
Supervisor of Special Education See Dr. Reece Peterson
School Transition Specialist-Special Services Certificate See Dr. Stan Vasa or Dr. Gary Meers

To receive certification as a school administrator requires an administrative certificate parallel to those for teachers.  Administrative Certificates are offered through UNL's Department of Educational Administration.  The administrative certificate program, Supervisor of Special Education, may be completed concurrently with a graduate degree in Special Education.  This program requires application and admission to both of the departments. Each of these eight programs may be completed concurrently with, or independent of, the requirements for a Master's degree at UNL.  Each of these is described in more detail in the Masters Handbook.

Students Without Current Teaching Certificate

Persons who do not hold a standard teaching certificate can complete requirements for such a Teaching Certificate in special education in one of four areas:

* Early Childhood Special Education (Preschool Handicapped) Certificate
* Mildly/Moderately Disabled (7-12) Certificate, and Behavioral Disorders (K-12) Endorsement
* Mildly/Moderately Disabled (7-12) Certificate, and Learning Disabilities (K-12) Endorsement
* Severe Disabilities (Pre-12) Certificate

The Mild/Moderate Certificate Program is combined with another endorsement program to permit a person to obtain both the initial standard teaching certificate as well as a special education endorsement on that certificate. These programs are also described in more detail in the Masters Handbook.