Nebraska Teacher Certification

All coursework for renewal of a certificate must be completed within five years of the date you renew your certificate.

My certificate has not expired or expired less than five years ago, and I have not taught half time or more for one school year during the past five years. (6 Credit Hour Renewal)

To get started:

1. Apply for admission to Wayne State – Be sure to select non-degree seeking. When asked if seeking a teaching certificate, select “yes” and then select the “Certificate Renewal” option.
2. Select a course - If the 6-hour renewal, review the current course schedules to select a graduate course that you have not previously taken.
3. Apply for certificate renewal - Upon completion of the 6 credit hours, you must apply for certificate renewal online through the Nebraska TEACH system and pay the associated fee.
4. Request official transcripts - Once your grades have been posted, you must request an official transcript from WSC to be sent to NDE. See instructions for how to send transcripts to the NDE. No additional paperwork is required from WSC.

Please allow 4-6 weeks for NDE to process your application. Once NDE processes all of your application materials, you will be contacted with instructions on printing your teaching certificate.

Helpful tips:

• Choose 6 hours of graduate-level coursework from education courses OR your content area. Most students utilize the Learner's Edge courses for their 6-credit-hour renewal
• Choose your 6 hours conscientiously. Ask yourself if the coursework addresses your needs as a teacher and/or the needs of your students or future students. For example, if you are teaching in a region that has Spanish-speaking students, a Spanish course would be an excellent choice. With the use of computer technology in schools, almost any computer course would be a good choice. In contrast, Principles and Practices of Real Estate may be a course that has personal appeal to you because you are interested in buying a home, but the course would not relate to an elementary classroom or the needs of students in a secondary English classroom.

My certificate expired more than five years ago. (15 Credit Hour Renewal)

To get started:

1. Apply for admission to Wayne State – Be sure to select Non-Degree Seeking. When asked if seeking a teaching certificate, select “yes” and then select the “Certificate Renewal” option.
2. Complete the 15-Hour Certificate Renewal Application and Personal and Professional Fitness Form and submit to Amy Lambrecht at [email protected]. Amy will work with you to determine what courses you will take and how you will fulfill the practicum requirement. The NDE requires that you complete:
   • A course on instructional techniques (3 credits)
   • A course on current issues in education (3 credits), such as special education, gifted education, reading and writing in the content area, or school law.
   • Coursework directly related to the applicant’s area of endorsement (6 credits). For early childhood and elementary teachers this includes content areas taught in the elementary school (math, reading/language arts, science, or social studies). For middle grades or secondary teachers, this includes courses specific to the content area or specialty of endorsement (e.g., business, family and consumer sciences, health and physical education). Regardless of level, any courses in child development or classroom management would be appropriate. If you have not yet been approved in human relations training, EDU 557 Human Relations in a Pluralistic Society should be taken. Note that everyone applying for a Nebraska certificate must meet the requirement for human relations training if they have not already been approved.
   • A practicum consisting of 100 clock hours of contact with students in the classroom setting at the level of previous certification (administrative certificate renewals do not require a practicum). EDU 628: Recertification Practicum fulfills this requirement. Appropriate paperwork must be filed with the Director of Education Services for placement to be made.
     Note: A maximum of 6 credits of graduate transfer coursework may be used, but must be approved by the Director of Education Services. The practicum is typically completed at the end of completing the 12 credits of coursework.
3. Apply for certificate renewal - After you’ve completed the 15 credits approved by the Director of Education Services, you must apply for certificate renewal online through the Nebraska TEACH system and pay the associated fee.
4. Request official transcripts - Once your grades have been posted, you must request an official transcript from WSC to be sent to NDE. See instructions on how to send transcripts to the NDE. No additional paperwork is required from WSC.
5. Institutional verification process - Once you submit your certificate renewal application, email Brook Jech at [email protected] to request the institutional verification form be submitted.

Please allow 4-6 weeks for NDE to process your application. Once NDE processes all of your application materials, you will be contacted with instructions on printing your teaching certificate.