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.

Department goals and philosophy

Educator Preparation

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.

Learn more about endorsements

    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.

    Benchmarks and Levels of Educator Preparation

    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.

    Education Specialist (Ed.S.) Program

    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.

    CAEP accreditation

    Continue ExploringDepartment facilities and opportunities

    Your teaching career starts here

    Benthack Hall at Wayne State College

    Where you'll learn

    Benthack Hall is home to WSC’s programs for teacher education, human services and counseling, and FCS.

    Students use microscopes in a science lab

    Scholarships for math and science teachers

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

    A WSC student teaches at an elementary school

    Substitute teach while earning your degree

    Work as a substitute teacher before you graduate, and get paid at the same time.