Department/Program:
Education (Undergraduate)
Majors, Minors & Degrees:
Majors
Nebraska Wesleyan's Education department offers two departmental majors: Elementary Education and Special Education. Additionally, interdepartmental majors are available, as well as certification endorsement programs.The departmental majors may be earned with a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. The choice of a B.S. or B.A. may be dependent on the student's area of study or second major. The B.A. for elementary and special education majors requires two years of college-level foreign language. Students majoring in music earn a Bachelor of Music degree.
Nebraska Wesleyan’s education programs are approved by the Nebraska Department of Education and accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Higher Learning Commission.
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
2010 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 500
Washington, D.C. 20036-1023
202.466.7496
www.ncate.org
Department Learning Outcomes
Majors will be able to:
- Pass Praxis I Exam at required standards listed in NDE Rule 20.
- Pass Praxis II Exam at required standards listed in NDE Rule 24
- Achieve and maintain a 2.75 overall gpa as required in NDE Rule 20 for student teaching
Application to Teacher Education Program
Students who have completed at least one course in Education may make formal application to the Teacher Education Program. Applicants must pass the Praxis I Core Academic Skills for Educators at the standards established by the State Board of Education. Students must have a 2.75 or higher GPA for all college courses and a 2.75 GPA or higher in Education courses an courses in the endorsement area. Consult with the education department for other application requirements and details.
Teacher Certification Requirements
All students who expect to be recommended for teacher certification must become candidates in the department’s Teacher Education Program. Once a student has applied for candidacy in the program, the student must schedule coursework with an adviser in the education department and in the student’s teaching subjects or field. After a student fulfills the requirements or a degree for graduation and for the Teacher Education Program, the student may be recommended for a teaching certificate by the certification officer in the Education Department. The Career Center assists prospective teachers in securing teaching contracts but does not guarantee employment.
Nearly every state requires teaching seeking certification in to have passed a content-specific test with a state specified score. Nebraska requires all persons seeking a certificate on or after September 1, 2015 to take the appropriate Praxis II test and achieve a score at or above the minimum required by the state. NWU students will be required to take the Praxis II in their senior year.
Teaching Endorsements
Teaching endorsements are divided into three categories: subject, field, and supplementary. Candidates must complete at least one subject endorsement or one field endorsement to become certified.
Subject Endorsement
Candidates who are preparing for a subject endorsement should choose from the following list: Biology (7-12); Chemistry (7-12); History (7-12); Physical Education (K-6, 7-12); Physics (7-12); Secondary English (7-12); Special Education Generalist (K-6); Vocal Music (PK-12); and World Language (French, German, Spanish) (K-8, 7-12, K-12). See the education department for details.
Field Endorsement
To be certified, a candidate who is preparing for a field endorsement must choose one of the following fields: Art (PK-12); BMIT (Business, Marketing and Information Technology) (6-12); Elementary Education (K-6); English Language Arts (7-12); Health and Physical Education (7-12); Mathematics (6-12); Music (PK-12); Science (7-12); and Social Science (7-12). See the education department for details.
Supplementary Endorsement
The department offers the following supplementary endorsements for students who are completing at least one subject or field endorsement: Coaching (7-12); and Theatre (7-12). See the education department for details.
Pass/Fail Policy
Education department courses are not offered on a Pass/Fail basis except for a field experience.
Supervised Teaching
A variety of supervised teaching (commonly called student teaching) opportunities are offered for students in education. These individuals may student teach in the Lincoln Public Schools, neighboring communities, in Chicago’s urban schools, or abroad. A minimum of 14 semester hours of supervised teaching is required for graduation.
Supervised Teaching Abroad
Nebraska Wesleyan’s supervised teaching program allows students to complete eight weeks of their student teaching requirement in Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Germany, Spain, England, Ireland, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Italy, Tazmania, Scotland, Wales, or India. Students interested in teaching abroad should apply to the department one year in advance. Students should contact the department chair for details.
Supervised Teaching through the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture
Student teaching in an urban environment in Chicago may be available as part of the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture. Along with student teaching, students attend seminars that introduce them to the city. Students should contact the department chair for details.