The Educator Certification Office serves as a resource center for future educators. Students are assisted as they apply to the Teacher Education program, gain admission to the program, are placed to student teach, and apply for certification. Transfer students are urged to visit with Educator Certification Office representatives on Transfer Day or at any time.
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.
"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.)
All individuals requiring institutional verification from UNK must complete an institutional verification consent form. Information on applying for certification is provided to students during their final student teaching semester.
"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 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).
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.
Nebraska's Attracting Excellence to Teaching Program (AETP) provides forgivable loans to eligible students who are working toward initial certification. The next application period will open at UNK by October 1. Please check back over the next few weeks for more information.
Ann Knipping, Director of Field Experiences and Educator Certification Office
308-865-8416
Jenny Jansky, Certification Officer and Assistant Director of Educator Certification Office
308-865-8266
Mary Frew, Office Associate
Admission to Teacher Education | Student Teaching
308-865-8937
Kristy Buchmeier, Office Associate
Certification | Post-baccalaureate Programs
308-865-8264
Educator Certification Office
COE Bldg. Room C128 | 1615 W. 24th Street | Kearney, NE 68849
Phone: 308-865-8264 | Fax: 308-865-8854
