Becoming a teacher
Field experience and clinical practice
As a student pursuing a teaching career in psychology, you’ll complete field experiences and clinical practice. Some field experiences are embedded within the coursework of WSC’s educator preparation programs. Once you’ve completed the initial field experience requirements, you’ll then complete a semester of clinical practice (student teaching) in a school district chosen with the help of your adviser. During this semester, you’ll work closely with an experienced teacher to gain classroom experience.
Learn more about clinical practice
Northeast Nebraska Teacher Academy (NENTA)
Student teaching is a requirement for teacher certification in all 50 states and provides you with critical real-life experience before gaining a classroom of your own. Only Wayne State College adds to this experience through the Northeast Nebraska Teacher Academy (NENTA), a program that allows you to substitute teach as a junior and get paid, all while still earning your degree.
Student learning outcomes
Psychology programs
- Describe facts, concepts, theories, and issues of the discipline of psychology
- Use research methods and statistics to demonstrate critical thinking, reasoning, and analytical skills
- Create written and oral communication that reflects the principles of psychology
- Apply ethical standards of the discipline to psychological research
Education programs
Teacher candidates who successfully complete an education preparation program at Wayne State will be able to:
- Create environments that support individual and collaborative learning using knowledge of how students grow and develop, along with individual differences and diverse cultures. (InTASC Standards 1-3)
- Plan for instruction by applying content knowledge, a variety of instructional strategies, and multiple methods of assessment to connect concepts for learners in real-world applications. (InTASC Standards 4-8)
- Engage in ongoing professional learning and use evidence to reflect on and adapt practice to meet the needs of each learner. (InTASC Standard 9)
- Seek leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with stakeholders, and to advance the profession. (InTASC Standard 10)
Topics covered
Psychology topics covered
- Human behavior, abnormal behavior, and social behavior
- Theories of personality, psychology, and schools of thought
- Research and methods of experimental psychology
- Principles, theories, and research on learning and behavior
- Issues in human cognition, learning, and memory
- Relationship between the nervous system and behavior
Education topics covered
- Developing psychology curriculum for grades 7-12
- Teaching as a profession
- Human learning processes and behavior
- Instructional design methodologies, implementation, and evaluation
- Educational collaboration and equitable learning opportunities
- Classroom management
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.
Level One - Preparing for Teacher Candidacy
In this level, students apply for educator preparation and complete some of the preliminary coursework of the program. Students will need to pass an initial background check as well. View all Level One benchmarks.
Level Two - Preparing for Clinical Practice
In Level Two, students will prepare for student teaching by passing the required courses, meeting evidence to show their readiness, and pass a complete background check. View all Level Two benchmarks.
Level Three - Clinical Practice
Level Three is the final level and includes the successful completion of clinical practice and meeting the degree requirements for graduation from Wayne State. Students will also register to take the Praxis Exam. Passing the Praxis Exam is not a graduation requirement; however, it is required to earn a teaching license for the state in which you want to teach. View all Level Three benchmarks.
Teacher certification
After successfully completing a teacher education program at Wayne State, you’ll submit your application to become a licensed teacher in Nebraska.
State licensure disclosure
Wayne State's Psychology Education program is designed to prepare students for teacher licensure or certification in Nebraska. It has not been determined if these programs meet requirements for all other states.
If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Nebraska, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before beginning an academic program.
Psychology Education Licensure Disclosure for All States About State Authorization and Licensure
Graduates with a degree in Psychology Education teach in schools using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College.
Career possibilities:
- Middle school psychology teacher
- High school psychology teacher
- College/university psychology instructor
- Community college instructor
- Education consultant or researcher
- Psychology textbook author
job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey
Approved by the Nebraska Department of Education
Wayne State's educator preparation programs are approved by the Nebraska Department of Education.
Transfer to Wayne State
Our generous transfer credit policy will allow you to get credit for what you've already earned.
- If you've taken courses at other institutions, you can transfer those credits to Wayne State.
- Already have an associate degree? Seamlessly transfer your full degree through one of our transfer pathways.
- Military or veteran student? You may be able to get credit for your military experience and training.
Department faculty
Marianna Baykina, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Dan Miller is a psychology professor at Wayne State College. Miller's teaching interests include learning; experimental, sports, positive, and general psychology; history and systems; behavior modification; and life span development.
Jeff Shelton, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Jeff Shelton is a sociology professor at Wayne State College. Shelton's teaching and research interest are in medical sociology, research methods, the study of work and professions, and social policy.
Dr. Monica Snowden is a sociology professor at Wayne State College. She teaches introductory sociology, social problems, race and ethnic relations, social theory, environmental sociology, and social inequalities.
Shane Westfall, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Shane Westfall is psychology professor at Wayne State College. He is an active researcher and enjoys working with students to help them develop their own research ideas.
Student clubs for psychology and education majors
NSEA Aspiring Educators - A professional organization for all education majors
Pi Gamma Mu - An honor society that recognizes excellence in the social and behavioral sciences
Psi Chi - International honor society for psychology
Psychology/Sociology Club - Participates in activities relating to psychology and sociology
Best Social Sciences Colleges in Nebraska
Wayne State was recognized as a 2025 Best College in Nebraska for a Social Sciences degree by Universities.com.
A Top Public College in the Midwest
WSC was identified as one of the top public universities in the Midwest for 2025 by U.S. News & World’s Best Colleges ranking report.
A Top Education College of Distinction
Wayne State was recognized as a Top Education College for excelling in our commitment to educating future teachers.
Accredited by CAEP
WSC’s educator preparation programs are nationally accredited by CAEP, providing assurance that our programs meet rigorous standards of excellence.
