Teacher education at Wayne State
If you have a passion for knowledge and sharing it to build a better world, then a career in education is a good fit for you. When you choose to pursue a teaching degree from Wayne State, you are following in the footsteps of thousands before you who heeded the same call. We build outstanding education professionals for schools in Nebraska and around the world. In fact, 1 in 10 Nebraska teachers has at least one degree from Wayne State.
We provide many avenues for you to gain an edge on other teacher candidates by ensuring you have quality, hands-on work experience before graduation. Our faculty work with you in a personalized setting, delivering classwork and field experiences that will introduce you to classroom management and curriculum development before you take on your first teaching position. You can also earn multiple teaching endorsements in four years. When you pair subjects like ESL, reading and writing, and special education with other endorsements, you’ll have an advantage over other job candidates for teaching positions that are in high demand.
If you have a passion for home-related functions such as family living, consumer economics, foods and nutrition, clothing and textiles, child development, and parenting, consider a Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) degree from Wayne State College. Our FCS programs include Interior Design, Fashion Merchandising, and Foods and Nutrition. With fashion, design, and food labs housed in Benthack Hall, you’ll be able to develop your artistic, interpersonal, and management skills. A teaching program is also available for Family and Consumer Sciences Education.
Get in touch
Educational Foundations and Leadership Department
Benthack Hall, Room 111
402-375-7389
Becoming a Teacher
The grade levels and subjects you want to teach are called endorsements. You can pick either one field endorsement or two subject endorsements to meet initial teacher certification requirements in Nebraska. Supplemental endorsements can be added on to your chosen field or subject endorsements to provide additional expertise in a particular area.
Field endorsements
- Art (K-12)
- Business, Marketing, and Information Technology (6-12)
- Early Childhood Inclusive (Birth – Grade 3)
- Elementary Education (K-6)
- English Language Arts (6-12)
- Family and Consumer Sciences Occupational (6-12)
- Health and Physical Education (PK-12)
- Math (6-12)
- Music – Vocal and Instrumental (PK-12)
- Science (7-12)
- Skilled and Technical Sciences (6-12)
- Social Studies (6-12)
- Special Education Generalist (K-12)
Admission to Wayne State College does not guarantee entry into its educator preparation programs. Students planning to pursue professional education must undergo a background check along with meeting other requirements (benchmarks) and advance through three levels of preparation required to become a teacher.
Certification refers to licensure to teach. The state of Nebraska requires that teacher candidates have successfully completed an accredited education preparation program at a four-year institution. The educator preparation programs at Wayne State are state approved, nationally recognized programs designed to prepare students for initial teacher certification in Nebraska.
If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Nebraska, please check that state's licensing board to determine their licensing requirements. Even in those states having reciprocity with the state of Nebraska, students must apply for teacher certification to that respective state to be issued a teaching certificate by that respective state in accordance with that state’s laws.
Wayne State offers several graduate programs, some of which offer additional endorsement options. We offer programs in the areas of curriculum and instruction (includes several different emphasis or endorsements), special education, school administration and education specialist, and school counseling. View all MSE options.
Curriculum and Instruction - Instructional Leadership (MSE)
In this master’s degree program, you will explore instructional theory and new approaches to curriculum design that meet the needs of today’s elementary and secondary schools.
- Business and Information Technology Education
- Community of Learning
- Cross-Curricular Education
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- English Education
- ESL Education
- Family and Consumer Sciences Education
- Math Education
- Music Education
- Reading Specialist (PK-12)
- Skilled and Technical Sciences Education
Curriculum and Instruction (MSE) Program
School Administration (MSE)
This fully online 36- to 48-hour program offers different options to help prepare you for school leadership roles.
- Athletic Administration
- School Adminstration (7-12)
- School Administration (K-6)
- School Administration (K-12)
- Special Education Supervision
School Administration (MSE) Program
Special Education (MSE)
Wayne State's fully online master’s degree in special education is designed to help professionals and districts meet the needs of students with exceptionalities, and their families.
- Special Education (Initial Certification)
- Special Education Generalist
- Special Education - Advanced Study
- Special Education Subject Endorsement - Non-teaching
Special Education (MSE) Program
Education Specialist (Ed.S.)
Advance your career with our online education specialist degree in school administration.
CAEP Accreditation
WSC's educator preparation programs are nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), providing assurance that our programs meet rigorous standards of excellence.


The education programs here are designed to provide you with a variety of experiences in and outside the classroom. You also have the opportunity to complete practicum hours at a school to gain experience and receive feedback. The NENTA program also allows you to become certified as a substitute teacher in Nebraska. Experiences like these are unique to Wayne State, and they are what prepare you to lead a classroom of your own.
Travis Rudloff
Clearwater, Nebraska
Majors: Elementary Education, Special Education (K-6), Early Childhood Education (PK-3)



The education programs here are designed to provide you with a variety of experiences in and outside the classroom. You also have the opportunity to complete practicum hours at a school to gain experience and receive feedback. The NENTA program also allows you to become certified as a substitute teacher in Nebraska. Experiences like these are unique to Wayne State, and they are what prepare you to lead a classroom of your own.


Travis Rudloff
Clearwater, Nebraska
Majors: Elementary Education, Special Education (K-6), Early Childhood Education (PK-3)
Department faculty

Jean Dorcey, MSE
Instructor
Jean Dorcey teaches special education courses at Wayne State College.

Carol Erwin, Ed.D.
Professor
Dr. Carol Erwin is a family and consumer sciences professor at Wayne State College. Erwin's teaching interests include online teaching and learning, nutrition and foods classes in FCS, and working with FCS teacher education students.

Carolyn Glackin, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Carolyn Glackin is an education professor at Wayne State College.

Joni Irlmeier, Ed.D.
Professor
Dr. Joni Irlmeier is an education professor at Wayne State College. Her teaching interests include literacy in K-8 school systems, as well as professional communication.

Kevin Lein, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Kevin Lein is an education professor at Wayne State College. His experience includes 15 years as a K-12 administrator and coach at every level; 20 years as a collegiate instructor, coach, and administrator; and six years as a K-12 teacher. Lein has been involved in educational initiatives as a local, state, and regional leader and was also a school board member.

Lucas Munter, MSE
Instructor
Lucas Munter is an education instructor at Wayne State College, teaching undergraduate level courses focusing on special educational needs (SENs).

Kristina Nelsen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Kristina Nelsen is an education professor at Wayne State College. She teaches special education and education foundation courses.

Jenny Piening, DOT
Assistant Professor
Dr. Jenny Piening teaches in the School Administration graduate program.

Leigh Scruggs, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Leigh Scruggs is an education professor at Wayne State College. She teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses focusing on special educational needs (SENs) in person and online. She is also the advisor for the MSE Special Education graduate program.

Michael Sieh, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Michael Sieh is an education professor at Wayne State College and oversees the Education Specialist graduate program.

Kim Snyder, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Kim Snyder is an education professor at Wayne State College, where she also serves as chair of the Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership.

Ben Vilkas, Ed.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Ben Vilkas is an education professor at Wayne State College, teaching courses focused on strategies for teaching English learners as well as courses on curriculum, assessment, and best instructional practices in the elementary school classroom setting.

Sara Walsh, Ed.D.
Professor
Dr. Sara Walsh is an education professor at Wayne State College. She has implemented the co-teaching during clinical practice model, serves as the contact for this program, and leads the training workshops.
Continue ExploringDepartment facilities and opportunities
Your teaching career starts here

Where you'll learn
Benthack Hall is home to WSC’s programs for teacher education, human services and counseling, and FCS.

Scholarships for math and science teachers
Receive scholarship funding to pursue math and science teaching careers in Nebraska.

Substitute teach while earning your degree
Work as a substitute teacher before you graduate, and get paid at the same time.