Early Childhood Education Licensure and Certification

The following early childhood education programs at Wayne State are designed to prepare students for initial teacher licensure or certification in Nebraska:

• Early Childhood Inclusive Education (Birth-Grade 3 field endorsement)
• Early Childhood Education (PK-3 undergraduate supplemental endorsement)
• Early Childhood Education (PK-3 graduate supplemental endorsement)
• Early Childhood Education MSE

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. For a list of licensing entities, please visit NC-SARA's professional licensure directory.

Also, be sure to notify the Director of Education Services at WSC to check for authorization and licensure eligibility requirements if you relocate during the course of a program.

Arkansas early childhood teacher certification

• The Early Childhood Inclusive Education (Birth - Grade 3) field endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood/Special Education Integration B-K endorsement in Arkansas.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) undergraduate supplemental endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood Pre-K endorsement in Arkansas. Must take Arkansas history course and Foundations of Reading test.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) graduate supplemental endorsement may certify you for the Early Childhood Pre-K endorsement in Arkansas. Must take Arkansas history course and Foundations of Reading test.
• The Early Childhood MSE graduate program at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood Pre-K endorsement in Arkansas. Must take Arkansas history course and Foundations of Reading test.

Must receive Nebraska certification first. You must have three years of teaching experience, or you must pass identified Praxis exams. Certain endorsements also require an Arkansas history course.

For more information on licensure requirements in Arkansas, contact the Arkansas Department of Education.

California early childhood teacher certification

• The Early Childhood Inclusive Education (Birth - Grade 3) field endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood Special Education endorsement in California.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) undergraduate supplemental endorsement at Wayne State has no comparable endorsement in California.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) graduate supplemental endorsement has no comparable endorsement in California.
• The Early Childhood MSE graduate program at Wayne State has no comparable endorsement in California.

Must receive Nebraska certification first. California has a two-tier credential structure. A preliminary credential is the first document issued after an individual meets basic credential requirements. The preliminary credential is issued for a maximum of five years. A clear credential is issued when all credential requirements have been completed. 

For more information on licensure requirements in California, contact the California Department of Education.

Colorado early childhood teacher certification

• The Early Childhood Inclusive Education (Birth - Grade 3) field endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood Special Education Ages 0-8 endorsement in Colorado.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) undergraduate supplemental endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood Education Age 0-8 endorsement in Colorado. 
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) graduate supplemental endorsement may certify you for the Early Childhood Education Age 0-8 endorsement in Colorado.
• The Early Childhood MSE graduate program at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood Education Age 0-8 endorsement in Colorado.

Must meet content competency requirements, through Praxis exam, endorsement worksheet or Multiple Measures of Competency. May be granted interim authorization while fulfilling additional requirements.

For more information on licensure requirements in Colorado, contact the Colorado Department of Education.

Florida early childhood teacher certification

• The Early Childhood Inclusive Education (Birth - Grade 3) field endorsement at Wayne State has no comparable endorsement in Florida.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) undergraduate supplemental endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Pre-K-Primary Age 3-3rd endorsement in Florida.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) graduate supplemental endorsement may certify you for the Pre-K-Primary Age 3-3rd endorsement in Florida.
• The Early Childhood MSE graduate program at Wayne State may certify you for the Pre-K-Primary Age 3-3rd endorsement in Florida.

Can obtain a temporary certificate while completing any needed requirements while teaching.

For more information on licensure requirements in Florida, contact the Florida Department of Education.

Iowa early childhood teacher certification

• The Early Childhood Inclusive Education (Birth - Grade 3) field endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Birth-Grade 3 Inclusive Settings endorsement in Iowa.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) undergraduate supplemental endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the PK-K Teacher endorsement in Iowa. 
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) graduate supplemental endorsement may certify you for the PK-K Teacher endorsement in Iowa. 
• The Early Childhood MSE graduate program at Wayne State may certify you for the PK-K Teacher endorsement in Iowa. 

No Praxis exams required. If candidates do not obtain a Nebraska license first and seek reciprocity, they must go through a transcript review, which could identify deficiencies. Iowa also requires a certificate from Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training.

For more information on licensure requirements in Iowa, contact the Iowa Department of Education.

Kansas early childhood teacher certification

• The Early Childhood Inclusive Education (Birth - Grade 3) field endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood Unified B-3rd endorsement in Kansas.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) undergraduate supplemental endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the EC EC endorsement in Kansas.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) graduate supplemental endorsement may certify you for the EC EC endorsement in Kansas.
• The Early Childhood MSE graduate program at Wayne State may certify you for the EC EC endorsement in Kansas.

Must receive Nebraska certification first. School Administration must have passed Praxis or have taught for the year prior to application.

For more information on licensure requirements in Kansas, contact the Kansas Department of Education.

Minnesota early childhood teacher certification

• The Early Childhood Inclusive Education (Birth - Grade 3) field endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood Special Education Birth - Age 6 endorsement in Minnesota.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) undergraduate supplemental endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood B-3rd endorsement in Minnesota with the completion of 80 hours of early childhood practicum experience.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) graduate supplemental endorsement may certify you for the Early Childhood B-3rd endorsement in Minnesota with the completion of 80 hours of early childhood practicum experience.
• The Early Childhood MSE graduate program at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood B-3rd endorsement in Minnesota with the completion of 80 hours of early childhood practicum experience.

Additional endorsements require at least 80 practicum hours within that content area. K-12 must student teach at elementary, middle, and high school.

For more information on licensure requirements in Minnesota, contact the Minnesota Department of Education.

Missouri early childhood teacher certification

• The Early Childhood Inclusive Education (Birth - Grade 3) field endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Eartly Childhood Education B-3rd and Early Childhood SPD endorsements in Missouri.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) undergraduate supplemental endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood Education B-3rd endorsement in Missouri.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) graduate supplemental endorsement may certify you for the Early Childhood Education B-3rd endorsement in Missouri.
• The Early Childhood MSE graduate program at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood Education B-3rd endorsement in Missouri.

An applicant who completed a teacher education program in another state and possesses a valid professional certificate in that state may be granted a Missouri certificate in an area most closely aligned to the certification if Missouri issues such certificate. If an educator is completing or has completed a teacher education program in another state (either on campus or online), it would be beneficial to obtain that state's certificate whether one plans to reside in that state or not. In most cases, a Missouri certificate is issued with no further coursework or test requirements. If an area of certification is not equivalent, an educator may be evaluated based upon Missouri's current requirements for the most closely aligned certificate.

For more information on licensure requirements in Missouri, contact the Missouri Department of Education.

Nebraska early childhood teacher certification

• Early Childhood Inclusive Education (field endorsement): Wayne State's field endorsement in Early Childhood Inclusive Education (Birth-Grade 3) is designed to prepare students for teacher licensure or certification in Nebraska. Prior to being issued a teaching license in Nebraska, students must meet required benchmarks.
• Early Childhood Education undergraduate supplemental endorsement: Wayne State's supplemental endorsement in Early Childhood Education (PK-12) is designed to prepare students for teacher licensure or certification in Nebraska. A supplemental endorsement cannot exist by itself on a teaching certificate, but is added to a teaching certificate in the presence of other endorsements, which may be earned concurrently or acquired earlier. Prior to being issued a teaching license in Nebraska, students must meet required benchmarks.
• Early Childhood Education graduate supplemental endorsement: The Early Childhood Education endorsement for graduate students is designed to prepare students for licensure or certification in Nebraska, and can only be added to a valid Elementary Education certificate.
• Early Childhood Education (MSE in Curriculum and Instruction focus area): Wayne State's Early Childhood Education graduate program is designed to prepare students for teacher licensure or certification in Nebraska.

Nebraska Department of Education Teacher Certification

South Dakota early childhood teacher certification

• The Early Childhood Inclusive Education (Birth - Grade 3) field endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood SPD Birth-Grade 3 endorsement in South Dakota.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) undergraduate supplemental endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood Birth-Grade 3 endorsement in South Dakota.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) graduate supplemental endorsement may certify you for the Early Childhood Birth-Grade 3 endorsement in South Dakota.
• The Early Childhood MSE graduate program at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood Birth-Grade 3 endorsement in South Dakota.

All candidates must complete an approved Native American History course but may receive a provisional certificate valid for one year while completing this course.

For more information on licensure requirements in South Dakota, contact the South Dakota Department of Education.

Wisconsin early childhood teacher certification

• The Early Childhood Inclusive Education (Birth - Grade 3) field endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood Special Education B-3rd endorsement in Wisconsin. 
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) undergraduate supplemental endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood endorsement in Wisconsin. It can be added after four semesters of teaching within PK-3 and content tests are passed.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) graduate supplemental endorsement may certify you for the Early Childhood endorsement in Wisconsin. It can be added after four semesters of teaching within PK-3 and content tests are passed.
• The Early Childhood MSE graduate program at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood endorsement in Wisconsin. It can be added after four semesters of teaching within PK-3 and content tests are passed.

Must have a 3.0 GPA in content area or pass a designated content test. All applicants applying for a Wisconsin teaching license in early childhood, elementary education (PK-5), special education, or reading are required to pass the Foundations of Reading Test for Wisconsin, a test of reading instruction knowledge and skills administered by Pearson Education, Inc. Out-of-state teacher license applicants, except those pursuing a license via reciprocity, must verify that they have met all coursework requirements that fulfill all Wisconsin statutory requirements, including training on science-based reading and language arts instruction.

For more information on licensure requirements in Wisconsin, contact the Wisconsin Department of Education.

Wyoming early childhood teacher certification

• The Early Childhood Inclusive Education (Birth - Grade 3) field endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood/Special Education endorsement in Wyoming.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) undergraduate supplemental endorsement at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood endorsement in Wyoming.
• The Early Childhood Education (PK-3) graduate supplemental endorsement may certify you for the Early Childhood endorsement in Wyoming.
• The Early Childhood MSE graduate program at Wayne State may certify you for the Early Childhood endorsement in Wyoming.

A Praxis test is required for the Elementary Education and Secondary Social Studies. Application process includes a 20-question multiple choice tes for the U.S. and Wyoming constitutions, with a 75% passing scoring required (can be retaken until passed). A provisional license can be issued to candidates who have been hired but have not passed the Praxis (good for one year).

For more information on licensure requirements in Wyoming, contact the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board.