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Bachelor of Science in Education - Elementary Education (K–6)
Build the foundation of your teaching career at UNO
The Elementary Education major at UNO prepares you to become a confident, caring, and effective teacher in Nebraska elementary schools (grades K–6). You’ll master essential instructional strategies, understand how children grow and learn, and gain real classroom experience through field placements with partner schools.
Why Choose UNO Elementary Education?
- Gain classroom experience that begins your first semester — You'll apply what you're learning in real classrooms throughout your entire program, starting day one.
- Benefit from our strong local partnerships — You'll learn alongside master teachers and their students in school districts throughout the Omaha area.
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Receive personalized advising and mentoring — work closely with award-winning academic advisors and faculty coaches who support your progress and help you reach certification milestones.
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Expand your teaching qualifications with endorsements — add specializations that broaden your career options and strengthen your impact in the classroom.
Hands-On Teacher Preparation
- Built-in classroom experiences throughout your courses — gain hands-on practice in real elementary classrooms as you move through the program.
- Capstone student teaching semester —spend your final semester teaching full time in an Omaha-area school, putting everything you’ve learned into practice with your own students.
- 120 credits with focused teacher preparation — gain the depth, practice, and confidence needed to enter the classroom prepared on day one.
Program Overview
Our Elementary Education Program is designed to meet Nebraska Department of Education requirements for teacher licensure. In a program built around child development, learning theory, content knowledge, and evidence‑based instructional methods, you’ll develop the skills needed to make a difference in young learners’ lives.
A minimum of 120 credits hours with a minimum GPA of 2.75 are required to graduate from the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.
Working as a paraprofessional? Check out our two-year Para-to-Teacher Pathway offered for those working as paraprofessionals and seeking teacher certification in elementary education.
Interested in teaching Elementary Special Education? Learn about the program offered through the Special Education & Communication Disorders Dept.
Academic Advising
From your first semester through graduation, you’ll work closely with dedicated, award-winning academic advisors who specialize in teacher education. Our advising team is known for its personalized support and plays a key role in student success and retention across the college. Advisors help you plan your coursework, navigate program requirements, and stay on track for certification—so you can focus on becoming an excellent teacher.
Field Experiences
You’ll begin gaining classroom experience early in the program through field experiences and practicums built directly into your education courses. These hands-on opportunities allow you to observe, assist, and teach alongside expert master teachers—so you can connect what you’re learning in class to real elementary school settings.
Learn more about field experiences for teacher candidates.
Clinical Practice (Student Teaching)
Clinical practice is the capstone experience of the Elementary Education program. During this all-day, full-semester placement, you’ll teach in an Omaha metropolitan area school and take on the role of a classroom teacher—with guidance and support from a master teacher, experienced mentor-coaches, and award-winning UNO faculty.
Learn more about the clinical practice experience.
Ready to Get Started?
Start your UNO application or contact our Office of Academic Advising to connect with an advisor: unocoeadvising@unomaha.edu or 402.554.2717.
Admission Requirements
Admission to Elementary Education is a two-step process.
Step 1: Apply to the University
First-year and transfer students apply to the University of Nebraska at Omaha and indicate education as their intended major on the Undergraduate Application for Admission.
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First-year students must meet UNO’s assured admission criteria.
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Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
Undergraduate Application for Admission
Step 2: Apply to the Educator Preparation Program
After completing key coursework—typically by the sophomore year—students apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program. Admission requires meeting course and GPA benchmarks, including a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.
Educator Preparation Admission
Certification & Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education (BSED) is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and approved by the Nebraska State Department of Education. The BSED degree in Elementary Education allows UNO to recommend graduates for Nebraska licensure (K- 6).
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