Special Education Licensure and Certification

Wayne State's Special Education programs are designed to prepare students for teacher licensure or certification in Nebraska. Wayne State's Special Education graduate program (MSE) and Special Education graduate endorsement also offer pathways for special education certification/licensure requirements through the Nebraska Department of Education.

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.

Arkansas special education teacher certification

• The Special Education Generalist (K-12) field endorsement and Special Education Generalist (K-8 or 6-12) subject endorsements at Wayne State may certify you for the Special Education K-12 endorsement in Arkansas. Foundations of Reading test required.
• The MSE in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the Special Education K-12 endorsement in Arkansas. Foundations of Reading test required.
• The non-degree graduate endorsement in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the Special Education K-12 endorsement in Arkansas. Foundations of Reading test required.

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 special education teacher certification

• The Special Education Generalist (K-12) field endorsement and Special Education Generalist (K-8 or 6-12) subject endorsements at Wayne State may certify you for the Special Education Mild/Moderate endorsement in California.
• The MSE in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the Special Education Mild/Moderate endorsement in California.
• The non-degree graduate endorsement in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the Special Education Mild/Moderate 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 special education teacher certification

• The Special Education Generalist (K-12) field endorsement and Special Education Generalist (K-8 or 6-12) subject endorsements at Wayne State may certify you for the Special Education Generalist Ages 5-21 endorsement in Colorado. 
• The MSE in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the Special Education Generalist Ages 5-21 endorsement in Colorado. 
• The non-degree graduate endorsement in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the Special Education Generalist Ages 5-21 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 special education teacher certification

• The Special Education Generalist (K-12) field endorsement and Special Education Generalist (K-8 or 6-12) subject endorsements at Wayne State may certify you for the Exceptional Student Education K-12 endorsement in Florida.
• The MSE in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the Exceptional Student Education K-12 endorsement in Florida.
• The non-degree graduate endorsement in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the Exceptional Student Education K-12 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 special education teacher certification

• The Special Education Generalist (K-12) field endorsement and Special Education Generalist (K-8 or 6-12) subject endorsements at Wayne State may certify you for the K-8 and 5-12 Instructional Strategist I: Mild/Moderate endorsement in Iowa.
• The MSE in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the K-8 and 5-12 Instructional Strategist I: Mild/Moderate endorsement in Iowa.
• The non-degree graduate endorsement in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the K-8 and 5-12 Instructional Strategist I: Mild/Moderate 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 special education teacher certification

• The Special Education Generalist (K-12) field endorsement and Special Education Generalist (K-8 or 6-12) subject endorsements at Wayne State may certify you for the SPD PK-12 and High Incidence K-6 or 7-12 endorsements in Kansas.
• The MSE in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the SPD PK-12 and High Incidence K-6 or 7-12 endorsements in Kansas.
• The non-degree graduate endorsement in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the SPD PK-12 and High Incidence K-6 or 7-12 endorsements 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 special education teacher certification

• The Special Education Generalist (K-12) field endorsement and Special Education Generalist (K-8 or 6-12) subject endorsements at Wayne State may certify you for the Special Education: Academic and Behavioral Strategist (MM only) K-Age 21 endorsement in Minnesota. 
• The MSE in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the Special Education: Academic and Behavioral Strategist (MM only) K-Age 21 endorsement in Minnesota. 
• The non-degree graduate endorsement in Special Education may certify you for the Special Education: Academic and Behavioral Strategist (MM only) K-Age 21 endorsement in Minnesota. 

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 special education teacher certification

• The Special Education Generalist (K-12) field endorsement and Special Education Generalist (K-8 or 6-12) subject endorsements at Wayne State may certify you for the Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorial Disabilities K-12 endorsement in Missouri.
• The MSE in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorial Disabilities K-12 endorsement in Missouri.
• The non-degree graduate endorsement in Special Education may certify you for the Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorial Disabilities K-12 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 special education teacher certification

• Special Education Generalist (undergraduate programs): Wayne State's Special Education Generalist field and subject endorsements are designed to prepare students for teaching licensure or certification in Nebraska. Prior to being issued a teaching license in Nebraska, students must meet required benchmarks.
• Special Education (graduate programs): Wayne State's Special Education (MSE) and the non-degree endorsement in Special Education are designed to prepare students for teacher licensure or certification in Nebraska.

Nebraska Department of Education Teacher Certification

South Dakota special education teacher certification

• The Special Education Generalist (K-12) field endorsement and Special Education Generalist (K-8 or 6-12) subject endorsements at Wayne State may certify you for the K-12 Special Education endorsement in South Dakota. If you have the K-8 certification, you must pass the state-designated pedagogy test for the secondary level or teach at least one year at the secondary level to obtain K-12 certification.
• The MSE in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the K-12 Special Education endorsement in South Dakota. If you have the K-8 certification, you must pass the state-designated pedagogy test for the secondary level or teach at least one year at the secondary level to obtain K-12 certification.
• The non-degree graduate endorsement in Special Education may certify you for the K-12 Special Education endorsement in South Dakota. If you have the K-8 certification, you must pass the state-designated pedagogy test for the secondary level or teach at least one year at the secondary level to obtain K-12 certification.

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 special education teacher certification

• The Special Education Generalist (K-12) field endorsement and Special Education Generalist (K-8 or 6-12) subject endorsements at Wayne State may certify you for the Special Education (Cross-Categorical) K-12 endorsement in Wisconsin.
• The MSE in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the Special Education (Cross-Categorical) K-12 endorsement in Wisconsin.
• The non-degree graduate endorsement in Special Education may certify you for the Special Education (Cross-Categorical) K-12 endorsement in Wisconsin.

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 special education teacher certification

• The Special Education Generalist (K-12) field endorsement and Special Education Generalist (K-8 or 6-12) subject endorsements at Wayne State may certify you for the Exceptional Specialist - Generalist K-12, K-6, or 6-12 endorsements in Wyoming.
• The MSE in Special Education at Wayne State may certify you for the Exceptional Specialist - Generalist K-12, K-6, or 6-12 endorsements in Wyoming.
• The non-degree graduate endorsement in Special Education may certify you for the Exceptional Specialist - Generalist K-12, K-6, or 6-12 endorsements 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.