The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) oversees public PreK-12 education in the Cornhusker State including setting quality standards, complying with relevant laws, and providing resources. The Commissioner of Education, an official appointed by the State Board of Education, leads the NDE.
Nebraska’s PreK-12 public education system consists of 244 school districts governed by local school boards and superintendents (2022). More than 328,700 students were enrolled in 1,036 schools that employed over 23,750 teachers (1:14 teacher-to-student ratio).
Nebraska spends $12,741 per student per year; on average, K-12 schools in the US spend $12,612 per pupil per year (2024). The Cornhusker State ranks 22nd among all 50 states and the District of Columbia in this regard.
In terms of its accomplishments in the public preK-12 sector, Nebraska takes pride in its high graduation rates in comparison with the national average. Innovative programs that support academic success among students are credited for their success in this area. These include the Nebraska Career Academy with its emphasis on career-aligned education and the strong emphasis on STEM education.
Furthermore, Nebraska recognizes that teachers and educators are at the heart of success in its PreK-12 schools. As such, the state provides a wide range of professional development opportunities. Teachers and educators can then stay on top of the latest teaching strategies and best practices.
Of course, Nebraska hasn’t escaped the persistent challenges that other states continue to experience. Teacher shortages are common in the Cornhusker State, too, particularly in specialized subjects, rural areas, and low-income schools. Issues with funding disparities, achievement gaps, and technology access are also present.
Fortunately, Nebraska is staying on top of things. Now is the best time to consider earning the credentials to become a licensed teacher or to advance your teaching career with the appropriate degree. Here’s what you need to know.
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Requirements for Teaching Licensure in Nebraska
The Nebraska Department of Education is also the state agency in charge of the teacher licensure process. The following are the general requirements for teacher licensure based on its current standards. If you have more questions, feel free to ask the NDE.
Complete undergraduate education.
Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree in education from a regionally or nationally accredited postsecondary institution. This is the best route since accredited bachelor’s degrees in education programs already have a state-approved teacher preparation program in their curriculum. A teacher preparation program consists of didactic courses, supervised student teaching experience, and classroom observations, among others.
Besides the traditional route, interested individuals can also consider alternative pathways toward teaching licensure, as discussed below. A popular alternative pathway is earning a master’s degree in education for individuals with a non-education bachelor’s degree.
Achieve passing scores on certification examinations.
Nebraska requires applicants for teacher licenses to pass mandatory Praxis Subject Assessments based on their preferred grade level and subject/content area. Earning qualifying scores in the Praxis Core Test is also a must for teacher licensure.
Note that the qualifying scores and fees in the Praxis Subject Assessments differ depending on the content area. If you want to be certified in Agricultural Education, these are 147 and $130, respectively. Other content areas include Art, Biology, Business, Marketing, Information Technology (BMIT), Chemistry, and Early Childhood Inclusive.
File an application.
Applicants must create their account at the Nebraska TEACH portal to start the application process. You must enter your email address since you will receive your teaching certificate (i.e., in PDF form) in an email.
For first-time applicants, check the “Initial” button from the dropdown box. Required information includes your:
- Choice between an all-school certificate or a nonpublic school certificate
- Personal information and consent to receive notifications
- Academic record, including official transcripts from colleges attended
- Personal and professional fitness
- Testing scores
- Fingerprint
- Electronic signature
Fees must be paid in full for your application to move forward.
Nebraska has two pathways toward teacher licensure. First, the traditional pathway requires the abovementioned credentials – a bachelor’s degree, completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program, and passing scores in the teacher certification exams.
The traditional pathway leads to one of these teacher licenses.
- Initial Teaching Certificate
First-time applicants who want to teach in all Nebraska schools should apply for an Initial Teaching Certificate; a nonpublic teaching certificate is also available. This is a five-year license with application requirements that include:
- TEACH application and fee
- Fingerprints (i.e., if you’ve lived outside of Nebraska in the past five years)
- Official transcripts
- Content test
- Human Relations Training
- Special Education Training
- Standard Certificate
Applicants must have completed two consecutive years of teaching experience in the last five years and hold a regular teaching license. This is also a five-year license that requires a verification of employment experience, among other requirements. Praxis Content test scores must be submitted when adding new endorsements. Human Relations Training and Special Education Training are also required.
- Professional Certificate
This is a 10-year license for advanced practitioners. Applicants must:
- Hold or qualify for a Standard Teaching Certificate or taught half-time or more for two consecutive years while holding the Standard Certificate; and
- Have earned a master’s degree in Educational Technology, Curriculum and Instruction, Special Education, or in a specific content area OR a doctorate or specialist degree
- Career Education Permit
The 3-year license is for aspiring and current teachers in career and technical education areas.
- Postsecondary Permit
This is also a 3-year license for educators teaching college courses to high school students, particularly in dual-credit courses.
Second, the alternative pathways include:
- Military Teaching Certificate
- Alternative Teaching Permit
- Nebraska Entry Teaching Permit
If you’re a senior high school student planning on a teaching career, the traditional pathway is your best choice. This is also true for professionals who want to shift careers.
Online Education Program Admission Requirements
The typical admission requirements for online bachelor’s degrees in education programs are:
- Completed online application form and application fee proof of payment
- High school diploma or GED equivalent for 4-year programs OR an associate degree for degree completion programs
- Official transcripts
Besides relevant work experience and a valid initial teaching license in many graduate programs, the typical admission requirements include:
- Completed online application form and application fee proof of payment
- Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree
- Official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate coursework
- Professional resume or CV
- Letters of recommendation or reference
- Statement of purpose or personal essay
- Standardized test scores (e.g., GRE/GMAT), if required
Non-licensure programs usually don’t require a valid teaching license for applicants to be considered for admission.
Average Annual Salaries For Common Educator Roles in Nebraska
- Elementary School Teachers $61,662
- Middle School Teachers $62,290
- High School Teachers $62,400
- Special Education Teachers $59,548
- Superintendents $168,747
- School Administrators $113,037
- Principals $111,993
- Assistant Principals $91,774
- Curriculum Development Specialists $64,106
- Instructional Coordinators $70,744
Scholarships for Future Educators in Nebraska
- The TEACH Early Childhood Nebraska program provides undergraduates pursuing a degree in early childhood education with financial aid.
- The Future Educator Scholarship provides scholarships to seven graduating seniors in Omaha public schools who want to pursue bachelor’s degrees in elementary or secondary education.
- The UNL Teacher Scholars Academy awards $10,000 per academic year for up to four years to students in a CEHS teacher preparation program.
The 5 Best Online Education Degree Providers in Nebraska
These five universities were chosen for these attributes:
- Have regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Offer state-approved teacher preparation programs
- Provide a wide range of choice in online education programs
- With a track record of academic excellence
- Provide satisfactory student support and career development services for online students
University of Nebraska Kearney
Known previously as the Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney and the Nebraska State Teachers College, UNK has established a reputation for excellent teacher preparation programs.
- BAE in Early Childhood Inclusive
The 120-credit program is an excellent step toward achieving your dreams of becoming a teacher in the PreK-8 settings.
- MA in Education – Art Education with a Classroom Education Emphasis
Students learn practical strategies and best practices in incorporating art into classroom lessons.
- MA in Education – Curriculum and Instruction
If you’re interested in becoming a better teacher, you should consider this program. Choose from concentration areas in:
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- English as a Second Language
- Instructional Effectiveness
- Montessori – Early Childhood
- Montessori – Elementary
- Reading/Special Education
- School Librarian
- Secondary Education
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
- Transitional Certification
- MA in Education: School Principalship
The 36-credit program prepares students for leadership positions in one of these areas:
- PreK-8
- 7-12
Check out these online programs, too.
- MA in Education: Supervisor of Special Education
- MS in Education Higher Education Student Affairs
- MS in Education Learning, Design and Technology with concentrations in:
- Information TechnologyInstructional TechnologyLeadership
- School Librarian
- MA in Education Music Education
- MA in Education Physical Education with emphasis on:
- Pedagogy
- Special Populations
- MA in Education Reading PK-12
- MS in Education School Counseling Elementary PK-8 or Secondary 7-12
- MA in Education Spanish Education
- MA in Education Special Education: Advanced Practitioner with concentrations in:
- Behavior Intervention Specialist
- Inclusion and Collaboration Specialist
- Functional Academic Skills and Independent Living Specialist
- Generalist
- MS in Education: STEM Education
- EdS Educational Administration Specialist: School Superintendent
- In-state Tuition: $8,270
- Online Education Degrees: 15
- Homepage
University of Nebraska Omaha
UNO, a public research university, offers online education programs through its Department of Educational Leadership, particularly its College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.
- MS in Educational Leadership
The 36-credit program enables candidates to earn professional certification in administration. Concentrations are in:
- School Administrator
- Teacher Leadership
- MS in Elementary Education
Candidates hold an Initial Teacher Certification and choose from concentrations in:
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Equity and Social Justice in Education
- Instructional Technology Leadership
- Language and Learning
- School Library
- MS in Literacy
Candidates tackle a literacy pedagogy-centric, 36-credit curriculum. There’s an option to earn a Reading Specialist Endorsement (PK-12).
- MS in Secondary Education
Candidates hold an Initial Teaching Certificate and choose from concentrations in:
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
- English
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Equity and Social Justice in Education
- Instructional Technology Leadership
- Middle Level
- School Library
Check out these online programs, too.
- BS in Education – Library Science
- MS in Special Education with concentrations in:
- Accelerated Special Education Program
- Behavior Intervention Specialist
- Dyslexia Specialist
- Generalist
- EdD in Educational Administration
- EdS in Educational Administration and Supervision
- In-state Tuition: $8,136
- Online Education Degrees: 8
- Homepage
University of Nebraska Lincoln
UNL, a public land-grant research university, also has a strong tradition of excellent teacher preparation programs.
- BS in Early Childhood Education in a Mobile Society
Candidates prepare for success as early childhood education teachers for military and immigrant families, among other highly mobile families.
- MA in Educational Administration
The 30-credit program prepares candidates for effective leadership in postsecondary settings. Concentrations available are in:
- Community Colleges
- Higher Education
- MEd in Special Education in Early Childhood Special Education
Candidates can choose to pursue an initial teaching certification while earning a master’s degree in the ECSE field.
Other online and hybrid programs are:
- MEd in Special Education in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- EdD in Educational Administration with concentrations in
- Community Colleges
- Higher Education
- P-12 System Level School Leadership
- PhD in Education Studies – Educational Leadership and Higher Education with concentrations in:
- Community Colleges
- Higher Education
- P-12 Educational Leadership
- MEd in P-12 School Leadership (Principal Endorsement)
- MEd and MA in Special Education with Visual Impairment emphasis
- In-state Tuition: $10,108
- Online Education Degrees: 8
- Homepage
Wayne State College
WSC, a public college, started as a normal school and teachers’ college. Indeed, its wide range of online education programs is CAEP-accredited, a testament to its tradition of academic excellence.
- MS in Education in Curriculum and Instruction
Candidates complete 36-39 credits depending on their choice of concentration:
- Business and Information Technology Education
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- Family and Consumer Sciences Education
- Industrial Technology Education
- Math Education
- Music Education
- Reading Specialist (PK-12)
- Social Sciences
- MS in Education in School Administration
Concentrations available are in:
- Athletic Administration
- School Administration (7-12)
- School Administration (PK-8)
- School Administration (PK-12)
- Special Education Supervision
- MS in Education in Special Education
Candidates choose from three options:
- Special Education Initial Certification
- Special Education Generalist
- Special Education Advanced
- In-state Tuition: $7,923
- Online Education Degrees: 3
- Homepage
Concordia University Nebraska
CUNE, a private Lutheran university, offers CAEP-accredited online teacher preparation programs, too. Note that CUNE was once known as Concordia Teachers College. It was among the first schools with NCATE accreditation.
- MEd in Curriculum & Instruction
The 30-credit program includes a 45-hour practicum.
- MEd in Early Childhood Education
This is a 30-credit program where candidates learn best practices for having a positive impact on learning among young children.
- MEd in Early Childhood Education Birth–3rd Inclusive
The comprehensive 57-credit program includes direct field experience and student teaching experiences.
- MEd in Early Childhood Special Education
This 36-credit program includes a 100-hour direct field experience requirement.
- MEd in Educational Administration
Like every CUNE academic program, the MEd in Educational Administration program emphasizes the integration of Christian values and modern thinking.
Other online graduate degree programs in education are:
- MEd in Educational Administration for Christian Schools
- MS in Family Life Education
- MEd in Literacy/Reading Specialist
- MA in School Counseling
- MEd in Special Education
- MEd in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
- In-state Tuition: $39,330
- Online Education Degrees: 11
- Homepage
Directory of Online Education Degree Providers in Nebraska
Bellevue University
- Location: Bellevue, NE
- Number of Online Education Degrees: 1
- Accreditation: HLC
- Average Tuition and Fees: $8,790
- MA in Teaching
Chadron State College
- Location: Chadron, NE
- Number of Online Education Degrees: 4
- Accreditation: HLC
- Average Tuition and Fees: $7,834
- BS in Education – Secondary (6-12, 7-12, PK-12, K-12)
- BS Education – Middle Level Education (5-9)
- BS in Education – Elementary Education (K-8)
- BS in Education with a Field Endorsement in Special Education (K-12)
College of Saint Mary
- Location: Omaha, NE
- Number of Online Education Degrees: 1
- Accreditation: HLC
- Average Tuition and Fees: $23,340
- Doctor of Education
Creighton University
- Location: Omaha, NE
- Number of Online Education Degrees: 5
- Accreditation: HLC
- Average Tuition and Fees: $47,000
- MS in School Counseling
- MEd in Secondary School Teaching
- MS in Educational Leadership
- MS in Educational Specialist Areas
- EdD in Interdisciplinary Leadership
Midland University
- Location: Fremont, NE
- Number of Online Education Degrees: 4
- Accreditation: HLC
- Average Tuition and Fees: $38,300
- MEd in Leadership in Teaching and Learning Computer
- MEd Principal Endorsement
- MS in Special Education
- EdD in Leadership and Innovation
Peru State College
- Location: Peru, NE
- Number of Online Education Degrees: 1
- Accreditation: HLC
- Average Tuition and Fees: $7,920
- MS in Education Curriculum and Instruction
York University
- Location: York, NE
- Number of Online Education Degrees: 2
- Accreditation: HLC
- Average Tuition and Fees: $20,900
- MA in Education with concentrations in:
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Educational Leadership
- Social-Emotional Leadership
- Sports Administration
- Early Childhood Education Endorsement PK – 3rd Grade
- MA in Education: Principal Endorsement
