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Bachelor of Science in Education* - Secondary Education (7–12; PK–12)
Teach what you love and inspire the next generation of learners
The Secondary Education major at UNO prepares you to become a confident and effective teacher in middle and high school classrooms (grades 7–12), or PK–12 in select content areas such as Art, Music, or Physical Education. You’ll build strong content knowledge in your subject area, develop effective teaching strategies, and gain real classroom experience through field placements in partner schools.
*Certification tracks vary by content area; consult advisor for options.
Why Choose UNO Secondary Education?
- Gain classroom experience early in your program — apply what you’re learning in real middle and high school classrooms throughout your coursework, starting early in your degree.
- Benefit from our strong local partnerships — learn alongside experienced secondary teachers and their students in school districts across 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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Prepare for a wide range of teaching pathways — earn certification in content areas such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, and more.
Hands-On Teacher Preparation
- Content-focused coursework paired with teaching methods — develop deep expertise in your subject area while learning how to teach it effectively to adolescent learners.
- Built-in classroom experiences that lead to student teaching — gain hands-on practice in secondary classrooms throughout the program, culminating in a full-semester student teaching experience where you take the lead with support from mentor teachers and faculty.
- 120 credits with focused teacher preparation — gain the depth, practice, and confidence needed to enter the classroom prepared on day one.
Program Overview
The Secondary Education Program is designed to meet Nebraska Department of Education requirements for teacher licensure in your chosen content area. Built around content mastery, instructional methods, adolescent development, and classroom practice, the program prepares you to succeed in today’s secondary schools.
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.
Interested in teaching Secondary 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 secondary school settings.
Learn more about field experiences for teacher candidates.
Clinical Practice (Student Teaching)
Clinical practice is the capstone experience of the Secondary 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 Secondary 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 Secondary 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 certificate in Secondary Education allows UNO to recommend graduates for Nebraska licensure (5-9, 7-12, PK-12) in secondary content areas such as Social Studies, English Language Arts, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, etc.
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