Office of Educator Certification

Admission requirements and the Teacher Education application are furnished to students in TE 100GS and TE 831P. Transfer students who have taken the equivalent of TE 100GS elsewhere receive an application at Transfer Day. Students are urged to work closely with their advisors in order to qualify for admission in a timely manner. Most students should plan on being admitted by the middle of the their sophomore year. Transitional Certification Students should be admitted while enrolled in TE 831P or TE 832.

• Requirements for Admission
• Requirements for Admission for Transitional Certification Program (TCP) students
• Praxis

"Persons who have felony convictions, or misdemeanor convictions involving abuse, neglect, or sexual misconduct, as defined in Section 005.07A, are automatically rejected by the Department [of Education, Nebraska] for certification, and may only be considered for certification, or participation in pre-student teaching field, laboratory, and classroom experiences or student teaching with the approval of the Commissioner or the Board" (Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 20). Additionally, "All applicants shall not have an emotional or mental incapacity to practice the profession as evidenced by a legal adjudication or determination thereof by other lawful means" (Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 21).

Students are required to attend a student teaching workshop two semesters before they plan to student teach. Multiple workshops are offered in November and April. (Fall student teachers attend one November workshop; spring student teachers attend one April workshop.)

• Pre-Student Teaching Workshops
• Student Teaching Application
• Student Teaching Handbook
• Student Teaching FAQs

• How to apply for a teaching or administrative certificate
• Institutional Verification Consent forms
• Praxis--Overview of Nebraska Testing Requirements
• Nebraska Department of Education--Certification

"Persons who have felony convictions, or misdemeanor convictions involving abuse, neglect, or sexual misconduct, as defined in Section 005.07A, are automatically rejected by the Department [of Education, Nebraska] for certification, and may only be considered for certification, or participation in pre-student teaching field, laboratory, and classroom experiences or student teaching with the approval of the Commissioner or the Board" (Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 20).  Additionally, "All applicants shall not have an emotional or mental incapacity to practice the profession as evidenced by a legal adjudication or determination thereof by other lawful means" (Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 21).

The Praxis Core exam is required for certification in Nebraska and is part of all undergraduate education programs at UNK.  On September 1, 2014, the Praxis I PPST exam was replaced with the Praxis Core exam. If you have passed the Praxis I PPST, you are not required to take the Praxis Core.

The Praxis II content exams are required for initial certification and additional endorsements effective September 1, 2014. 

To register for an exam, visit https://www.ets.org/praxis/ne?WT.ac=praxishome_states_121126, which will give you an overview of the Nebraska testing requirements.  After you have identified the test you need to take, you may register by clicking the "Register Now" button.

For more Praxis information, follow the links below:

Praxis Core Overview
Praxis Core FAQs
Praxis II FAQs

Individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree may enter a post-baccalaureate program in order to qualify for initial teacher certification.

"Persons who have felony convictions, or misdemeanor convictions involving abuse, neglect, or sexual misconduct, as defined in Section 005.07A, are automatically rejected by the Department [of Education, Nebraska] for certification, and may only be considered for certification, or participation in pre-student teaching field, laboratory, and classroom experiences or student teaching with the approval of the Commissioner or the Board" (Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 20).  Additionally, "All applicants shall not have an emotional or mental incapacity to practice the profession as evidenced by a legal adjudication or determination thereof by other lawful means" (Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 21).

Individuals seeking an additional endorsement should establish a program through the Educator Certification Office. Call 308-865-8264 or send an email to ECO@unk.edu.

Transfer students will meet with a representative from the Educator Certification Office on Transfer Day. Students transferring in TE 100 should go to the Educator Certification Office to complete an application to the Teacher Education Program.

Practicum experiences are arranged with the Director of Field Experiences. Click here for more information on renewal and additional endorsement practicums.

• Registrar's Office (transcript request)
• Praxis score release consent form
• Academic and Career Services (credential files)
• Teacher Education Department
• Tuition Information
• Financial Aid Office
• Nebraska Department of Education/Certification
• Nebraska Department of Education/Jobs
• ETS.org/Praxis (Nebraska requirements and registration)