Ready to start your teaching career?
The University of Nebraska at Kearney’s online Post-Baccalaureate Transitional Certification Program (TCP) is your pathway to becoming a certified teacher in Nebraska, even if your bachelor’s degree is not in education. If you already have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, this flexible, online program allows you to earn your Initial Teaching Certificate while balancing your personal and professional commitments.
The TCP is designed for motivated individuals who are eager to make a difference in the classroom. Through this program, you’ll receive the specialized training and support you need to meet Nebraska’s certification requirements. Many students can begin teaching right away!
Currently, UNK offers certification through two pathways:
Pathway 4
- Baccalaureate degree
- Offer of employment at a NE School
- Passed appropriate Subject Assessment Praxis exam
Pathway 5
- Baccalaureate degree
- Completed 75% of endorsement-specific coursework (NDE Rule 24)
- GPA of at least 2.75 in the endorsement area coursework
Ready to become a teacher and earn your teaching certificate?
Follow these steps:
- Request information about the program
- Connect with a program coordinator
- Complete a transcript review
- Start the program
"I always had an interest in teaching, but I just wasn’t sure if it was the perfect fit. And then as I was getting ready to finish my college degree, my undergrad, I started subbing part time and I was like, ‘Okay, I really love teaching.’ So, I decided I did want to get that education portion and that was how I found UNK’s Transitional Certification Program. - Rachel Tagtmeyer, now a fully certified teacher "
Benefits of a Master's Degree
With just four more classes, you can combine the coursework you completed for your Transitional Certification into a Curriculum & Instruction M.A.Ed. degree. A master's degree allows you to hone your teaching skills and also move up on the pay scale. Early-career teachers with a master's degree earn up to 18% more than those with only a bachelor's, according to data from the National Education Association .
