Requirements for ECE Teacher Certification in Nebraska

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the need for preschool teachers is going to increase by 10% through the year 2026. Nebraska is one of the states that are in need of teachers. They’re so in need they are creating salary packages that place them in the top five highest paying states for preschool teachers, with the Grand Island metropolitan area’s preschool teachers being the highest paid in the country. If you're interested in teaching preschool and early childhood education in the Cornhusker state, you could be on your way to a fulfilling and financially secure career.

Nebraska Steps to Follow for Teachers

For those who enjoy working with young children, a career as an ECE preschool teacher is a promising option. ECE preschool teachers get to lay the educational groundwork for young students. To do this requires a special skill set, patience, and the desire to mold young minds. As an ECE teacher, you’ll be tasked with planning and executing learning activities, managing a classroom of young children, supervising aids and assistants, and monitoring the progress of the students. Assessing, identifying, and adapting to the specific needs of young learners is also a requirement.

The process to become an ECE preschool teacher in Nebraska is outlined below:

Step 1. Earn Your Degree

Those wishing to become an ECE preschool teacher in Nebraska must attain a bachelor’s degree in education, preferably with the early childhood education specialization, from a state recognized college or university. Most schools require students to apply for admission into its education program after completing their second year of undergraduate study. If you are admitted into the school’s education department, it is then that you can select early childhood as your specialization and gain a certificate to teach in Nebraska. Candidates must also receive an endorsement in either early childhood education, unified early childhood education, preschool disabilities, or early childhood special education.

Step 2. Pass Your Exams

Once students have completed all required degree coursework, they are required to sit for the Praxis I examination (Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics) to test their core competency skills. Early Childhood Education is also considered a subject, so students who earned a degree in ECE must take and pass the Praxis II to demonstrate understanding in their particular field of education.

Step 3. Human Relations and Special Education Training

Nebraska has a couple specific requirements for their teachers. These include a course in Human Relations and one in Special Education. You must complete these courses in order to attain a teaching certification in Nebraska. If the course was taken during the course of your degree program, then this requirement will be considered fulfilled. Otherwise, the course must be taken separately.

Step 4. Apply for Certification

Anyone who wants to teach in Nebraska that has not been a resident of the state for the previous five years must submit either LiveScan or ink fingerprint cards. LiveScan is available at all Nebraska State Patrol locations by appointment. There are also other locations throughout the state including several County Sheriff’s departments. If a student prefers to submit fingerprint cards, the kit can be requested from the Nebraska Department of Education after the application for a certificate has been submitted and the application fee has been paid.

Once all of these steps have been completed, candidates can submit their entire application package to the Nebraska Department of Education with the required fee:

  • $40 for non-public school certificate

  • $90 for non-public school certificate plus fingerprint cards

  • $55 for all school certificate

  • $105 for all school certificate plus fingerprint cards

Non-public schools are childcare agencies which offer preschool programs and private schools that aren’t part of the Nebraska school districts. An ‘All-School Certificate’ permits candidates to teach at both public and non-public schools and entities.

Step 5. Maintain and Upgrade Licensure

After holding an initial teaching certificate for 2 years, you can upgrade to the Standard Teaching License. You’ll need to verify your employment experience and fill out the application. You can also attain a higher level license in Nebraska, but you will need to have either a master’s degree, National Board Certification, or a specialist’s certificate and verify 2 years’ experience within the last 5 years.

Popular Career Choices

  • Preschool Teacher

  • Kindergarten Teacher

  • Elementary School Teacher

  • Special Education Teacher

Accredited Nebraska Programs

Nebraska Teaching Certificates

ECE teachers in Nebraska can be awarded either a Regular certificate or a temporary certificate.

  • Those who have met all the qualifications set forth by the state for certification receive a regular certificate.

  • Those who have met all the requirements except for the human relations or special education course receive a temporary certificate. Once they have completed the course and submitted a transcript as proof, the temporary certificate will be replaced with a regular certificate.

Nebraska Teaching Permits

For those who want to teach young children in Nebraska but lack more than one core requirement, teaching permits can allow these people to pursue a teaching career while working toward certification. For ECE teachers, the Military, Provisional, and Transitional teaching permits are available.

Military Teaching Permit

Members of the military and their spouses who want to teach in Nebraska can get a five-year permit. To qualify, candidates must submit the following:

  • Transcripts showing a bachelor’s degree in the area where they want to teach, in this case in early childhood education

  • Verification of prior teaching experience

  • Completion of the Human Relations course requirement

  • A signed statement of current military service from a military supervisor (if applicable)

  • A letter from the school district verifying an offer of employment

  • Proof of residence or submission of either LiveScan fingerprint cards or two ink rolled fingerprint cards.

Provisional Teaching Permit

If a person wants to teach ECE in Nebraska but is missing certain elements to attain the certification, a provisional teaching permit can be issued. The permit lasts for two years and is non-renewable. Candidates for provisional permits are usually missing one or more of the following:

  • Praxis I and II examination scores

  • Special Education Training

  • Do not meet the recency requirement

Once the candidate has met all the requirements, they can apply for a teaching certificate.

Transitional Teaching Permit

A transitional teaching permit allows those who have non-education degrees to teach while working to attain state certification. The program is offered through the University of Nebraska at Kearney and is available online. To qualify candidates must:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree, 75% of which must be early childhood related.

  • Submit a transcript review request through the Transitional Certification Program.

  • Complete three professional education graduate courses and six graduate credit hours of student teaching. The student teaching credits can be earned while teaching.

  • Follow a transition plan created by a UNK program that leads to certification within three years teaching.

  • Complete six credits of continuing education annually to qualify for renewal.

Accredited Early Childhood Educator Teacher Preparation Programs

Choosing the right school to suit your needs can be daunting, especially when you are seeking a specific degree such as Early Childhood Education. Nebraska has several colleges and universities that offer this program as well as the required Human Relations and Special Education program courses needed to attain the teaching certificate. When selecting a school, you’ll want to ensure it is accredited by an accreditation board the state of Nebraska and the US Department of Education recognizes. If you get a degree from a non-accredited school, you will not be permitted to apply for your certificate to teach.

Colleges and Universities Offering Early Childhood Education Programs

  • University of Nebraska - Lincoln

  • Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education - Unified

  • Bachelor’s with Elementary Education (K-6)

  • Bachelor's in Early Care and Education Birth - Kindergarten

Accredited By:

  • The Higher Learning Commission

  • The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

  • Wayne State College

  • Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education - Unified

  • Bachelor’s with Elementary Education / Early Childhood Education Endorsement

Accredited By:

  • The Higher Learning Commission

  • The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

  • College of Saint Mary

  • Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education - Unified

  • Bachelor’s with Elementary Education / Early Childhood Education Endorsement

Accredited By:

  • The Higher Learning Commission

  • Chadron State College

  • Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education - Unified

  • Bachelor’s with Elementary Education / Early Childhood Education Endorsement

Accredited By:

  • The Higher Learning Commission

  • The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

  • University of Nebraska - Kearney

  • Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education

  • Offers the Transitional Teaching Permit Online Program

Accredited By:

  • The Higher Learning Commission

  • The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Research shows that the far more education as well as training very early therapy and education and learning specialists have, the far much better the treatment along with education and learning and discovering young people will certainly receive, and likewise this includes in more favorable short as well as also long-term results for youngsters. Currently, Nebraska needs managers of really early young people programs to have a high school diploma or GED in order to work in certified early youth programs.

Nevertheless, there are an option of credentials as well as level choices offered in Nebraska that can help prepare people to collaborate with youngsters as well as also their family members as well as elevate their making possibility. For any kind of individual thinking about a job in the very early youth area, strategy ahead, talk with others, consisting of: colleagues in the area, organizers at the Early Childhood Years Educating Center, a scholastic therapist as well as additionally the chair of the scholastic division of the college you intend to sign up in to ensure that you select the work alternative that will absolutely work best for you.

The introduction includes information on the numerous features in the early childhood years location, wage along with profits information, as well as choices for boosting education and discovering. Download as well as set up the December 2011 Nebraska Early Youth Job Advising Overview. In the very early youth treatment in addition to the education field, there is a specialty area called very early treatment. Individuals who work in very early therapy manage children from birth to age 3 with unique needs and/or handicaps.

For perfect cause seeing this video, you will definitely call for a high-speed Web link, adequate memory to download and install the video, as well as a media customer, such as Real Player.: Twelve clock hrs is the minimal training need of Health and also wellness as well as Human Being Provider Licensing. (Licensing is needed of all centers as well as household childcare programs in addition to kindergartens supplying greater than 3 young people from one home for settlement).

Early Youth CEUs are provided when training is arranged/brokered with entities which fulfill demands of the Council on Specialist Acknowledgement in Washington, DC. In Nebraska, the only approved entity presently is the Very early Youth Years Training Center (ECTC), a statewide expert development task of the Nebraska Division of Education And Learning. CEUS are needed to bring back a Youngster Improvement Affiliate Credential.

No credential is fastened to this option. The coursework will certainly supply pupils a basic understanding of kid growth fads, curriculum planning, teacher-family interaction, and additionally program layouts. The range of credit rating record hrs needed for the certification varies based upon the college in addition to whether they hop on a term or quarter system.

However, take into consideration exactly how your professional objectives may alter with time when considering this level selection as a variety of the credit scores obtained from an A.A.S. level numerous not move or count need to you choose to continue your education and learning to get a Bachelor's degree at a four-year university or college. (A.S. or A.A.): Partner in Science/Arts degree can be made at Nebraska's area colleges.

Because this degree presently does not bring about state educator qualification, organizations utilizing this degree might stay in a much better position to accept extremely early youth or education courses in transfer from identified two-year colleges. Consider your expert goals and additionally the sort of work you prepare to go after when considering this degree program.

The state of Nebraska is always looking for new teachers. For more than five decades, there have been an abundance of opportunities available to teachers seeking career advancement. The job outlook in the state of Nebraska is excellent and if you are interested in teaching children, then you may want to consider a career teaching children in this state.

What does it take to become a preschool teacher in Nebraska? Well, many states require you to be licensed. If you are a teacher who has never had any experience working with children, then you will have to take classroom training and attend a teacher training school. Many school districts and teachers' unions also require that you are a licensed teacher, but you will have to complete additional training in order to meet the requirements.

The requirements to teach in Nebraska are fairly similar to those of other states. In order to get into the profession, you will need to pass a certification test. There are also many educational requirements that you will have to meet in order to become a certified teacher in Nebraska.

Once you are certified as a preschool teacher in Nebraska, you can work your way up through the ranks by taking on more difficult courses. You will also be required to get a Master's degree in Education if you want to work in higher level settings. A Master's degree can take several years, depending on the type of course that you take and the number of credits that you take.

You will also be expected to gain experience by teaching at a preschool before you can become a licensed and certified preschool teacher in Nebraska. This will allow you to practice your skills under the watchful eye of a professional. In order to teach at a preschool, you will need to complete a certification program, and that will likely be held at the preschool facility where you want to teach.

Most states do not require you to have an education or licensing in order to teach children, but some Nebraska schools do expect you to have some form of educational training. They will want to know that you are someone who can be effective in teaching children at a young age, as well as someone who has the ability to teach at various educational settings. In addition to having the required training, you will also be required to pass the state teacher evaluation and interview process.

Once you are certified as a preschool teacher in Nebraska, you can work your way up in the ranks of the department by working in the public school system or even at a private or parochial school. As a teacher, you may also decide to go on to become a school counselor or a school psychologist, so that you can help students who struggle in school. In order to become a school counselor, you must meet state-mandated testing and counseling requirements. A teacher psychologist will work with troubled students as a school psychologist, but he or she will also perform clinical assessments and treatments.

To become a preschool teacher in Nebraska, you will need to go through a rigorous educational program. This program will prepare you for your career and give you valuable skills and experience in the classroom. It will also give you a good foundation to build upon in your career. These programs will not only prepare you for your career, but also provide you with the tools that you will need in order to be a good preschool teacher in Nebraska.

Career Options and Salary Info for Teachers

Teaching children in Nebraska can happen in a variety of settings. Some of the places where early childhood education occurs include:

Public Schools -

This is the most common setting as all school districts offer preschool and kindergarten programs for children between the ages of three and five.

Private Childcare-

Some parents might want to provide an early childhood education for their children but might not feel comfortable putting their children in a public-school setting. With an early childhood education certification, you can provide private childcare and the education element parents are seeking.

Private Schools -

Schools which offer a religious or non-traditional educational environment still need teachers who are state-qualified to teach their students.

Head Start Programs -

A preschool program for low-income families, early childhood educators will teach students and get them ready to start school.

Community-Based Programs –

Before- and after-school programs, childcare centers, preschools, and other community outreach programs need certified teachers to help with children of all ages.

Faith-Based Programs -

Preschools and childcare programs run by churches and religious centers hire certified teachers to teach and run educational programs at their centers.

Military Programs –

On-base military schools use state-certified teachers to teach the children of their servicemen and servicewomen.