Teacher Education

 

The Teacher Education Department offers graduate degrees in elementary education, reading, and secondary education. These degrees will enhance current certification but are not intended to lead to initial teacher certification. Graduate concentrations are available leading to certification or endorsement in library media, early childhood, reading, gifted education, information technology, ESL, reading and writing. The gifted education endorsement is offered through a cooperative program with the University of Nebraska at Kearney. In addition, graduate certificates are offered in instructional technology and instruction in urban schools.

The department does not offer a minor in teacher education (TED) or in any of the majors within the department.

Admission Requirements

Master's Program

All candidates to a master's program are admitted provisionally based on the following criteria:

  • a valid teaching certificate
  • an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or above
  • completion of undergraduate deficiencies
  • for students whose language of nurture is not English, a minimum TOEFL score of 550 paper (213 if computer based; 79-80 if internet based).

Candidates to a master's program are admitted provisionally until completion and successful evaluation of the selective retention materials. Selective retention replaces the admission exam. A faculty panel will review these materials and determine if the candidate's status will be changed to unconditional.

Unclassified students

Candidates who are not planning to pursue a program leading to a graduate certificate or a Master's degree can be admitted to Elementary Education, Reading, or Secondary Education as unclassified. Based on approval from their graduate advisor, they are allowed to take courses for which they meet the prerequisite. Normally, no more than six hours taken as an unclassified student may be transferred into a graduate certificate or degree program. Formal advisement is strongly encouraged. Students admitted as unclassified are not eligible for financial aid.

Admission is based on the following criteria:

  • a valid teaching certificate
  • an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or above
  • completion of undergraduate deficiencies
  • for international students, a minimum TOEFL score of 550 paper or 213 computer, or internet based.

Non-degree-seeking students

Candidates who are not planning to pursue a program leading to a graduate certificate or Master's program and plan to complete 12 graduate hours or less can be admitted to the university as graduate non-degree students. These candidates do not have an official advisor within the department; however, they may take courses for which they meet the prerequisites. Students in this category are not eligible for financial aid. If the candidate decides to apply for a graduate certificate or degree program, normally no more than six hours taken as a graduate non-degree student may be transferred into the graduate certificate or degree program.

 

Application Process

  1. Submit the Application for Graduate Admission to the UNO Office of Graduate Studies which includes two official transcripts for all previous college work and an application fee. (Non-degree students do not need to submit transcripts.)
  2. Submit to the department the TED Departmental Graduate Admission form that describes the current certification level and emphasis and indicates the intended focus of your graduate studies.
  3. Contact your advisor after you receive a confirmation letter from the Office of Graduate Studies.