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Steps to Admission

Non-Degree Nebraska Teachers


Teaching and administrative certifications and endorsements are granted by the Nebraska Department of Education, not by UNL. Upon your completion of the course of study, your UNL transcript will state that you are eligible to be recommended to the Department of Education for one of the following credentials:
  • Teaching Certificate - Initial
  • Teaching Certificate - Renewal
  • Administrative Certificate - Initial
  • Administrative Certificate - Renewal
  • Adding endorsement(s) to one of the above certificates

Alternatively, if none of the Department of Education options above fit your current objective, you may want to apply for admission in the basic Non-Degree, Post-Baccalaureate category and/or consider the Teach Nebraska program.

Some endorsement areas require admission into a master's degree program.

For initial teaching certification, some endorsement areas are available to students pursuing master's degrees and unavailable to non-degree students.

We encourage potential non-degree applicants to review the College of Education and Human Science's Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Programs or consult an advisor before applying for admission toward initial teaching certification.

  1. Submission of Application and Materials
    Submit the following to the Office of Graduate Studies:
    • Online Application for Graduate Admission
      Select "Nebraska Department of Education Certification" and your specific objective.
      If renewing a certification and adding endorsements simultaneously, select the renewal option.
    • $50.00 non-refundable application fee
    • One transcript showing the receipt of a bachelor's degree or another higher post-secondary degree, uploaded to MyRED — see Transcripts for requirements and instructions
    • Official verification of English proficiency, if your native language is not English
  2. Graduate Studies Review

    Your file will be reviewed by an admissions evaluator. You will be contacted if additional information is needed by Graduate Studies.

    Once all materials have been received, allow 3 to 5 business days for this step.
  3. Admission

    You will be notified by email and mailed your Certificate of Admission along with other important information for incoming students.

    You will be eligible to enroll for the entry term indicated on your Certificate of Admission. Enrollment beyond the first term requires submission of official transcripts. The deadline for submitting official transcripts is the end of the first week of classes. Admission may be rescinded if discrepancies exist between unofficial and official documents.

    Register for classes through MyRED. Consult the Academic Calendar for registration dates, the Graduate Bulletin for course descriptions, and the Schedule of Classes for course times and locations. Our Arriving on Campus and Relocating to Lincoln may also help you prepare for your journey.

Teach Nebraska

If you already have a teaching certificate and are employed by a school in Nebraska, you are eligible to participate in the Teach Nebraska program.

Contact Info

For more information on eligibility and procedures for Department of Education certifications:

Tom Wandzilak
Certification Officer, College of Education & Human Sciences
twandzilak1@unl.edu
402-472-8626