TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM INFORMATION

Admission to Teacher Education

UNK students who are pursuing a program/degree that leads to initial teacher certification will begin the application process for admission to the Teacher Education Program during the semester that they complete Teacher Education 100 (TE 100GS). Transfer students who have taken the equivalent of TE 100GS elsewhere will apply during their first semester at UNK. The Application for Admission Form is available in the Educator Certification Office located in the College of Education Building C-128 and the phone number is (308) 865-8937.

Students must:

  1. Complete all of the following courses with a grade of "C" (2.0 GPA) or better:
  2. Establish and maintain an overall UNK grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
  3. Successfully complete the basic skills test (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics) required by the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE). Minimum scores mandated by NDE must be attained.
  4. Obtain approval by the department(s) offering the proposed endorsement(s) (a minimum of one field endorsement or one subject endorsement is required).
  5. Declare a teaching program(s) at the Academic and Career Services Office.
  6. Provide evidence of the absence of any criminal conviction (misdemeanor or felony) that would prevent a student from qualifying for a teaching certificate.
  7. Provide evidence of the absence of emotional and mental incapacity that would prevent a student from qualifying for a teaching certificate.

Application Procedures

The student must apply for admission to the Teacher Education program while enrolled in TE 100GS. Transfer students who have taken the equivalent of TE 100GS must apply during their first term at UNK. Applications are available in the Educator Certification Office, C-128 College of Education, phone (308) 865-8264.

The student shall be responsible for securing the application form and initiating the procedure for processing this form.

The application and advisor approval forms shall be routed confidentially throughout the entire procedure and shall be returned for action to the Educator Certification Office Director, phone (308) 865-8937.

The Director of the Educator Certification Office will determine the procedure and action to be taken on each application and will either (1) approve the applicant for the Teacher Education Program; (2) disapprove the applicant. Decisions of the Director may be appealed in writing and by the student to the Director of the Educator Certification Office, who will make the recommendation to the Dean of the College of Education who will make the final decision regarding approval of the application.

Students will not be allowed to enroll in "blocked" 300-400 level education courses until they have been admitted to the Teacher Education program (enrollment in a limited number of "unblocked" 300-400 level courses will be permitted in the Early Childhood Unified, Elementary Education, Middle Level, Special Education Mild/Moderate K-6, and Special Education Mild/Moderate 7-12 programs).

Student Teaching

Arrangements are made for students who qualify to complete their student teaching requirement in schools located in Nebraska and other states. Most pre-student teaching and student teaching field experiences take place in schools that are members of UNK Network of Partner Schools. UNK teacher candidates will complete a minimum of 16 weeks (12 credit hours) of all-day student teaching. Some teacher candidates who pursue more than one endorsement will be required to complete 20 weeks of student teaching (17 credit hours) or more, depending on the endorsement.

Teacher candidates planning to student teach in the fall semester should apply for student teaching by the first Tuesday in February. Teacher candidates planning to student teach in the spring semester should apply by the first Tuesday in September. The first step, participation in a Student Teaching workshop, is mandatory. This workshop will outline the application and placement process. A number of workshops will be scheduled throughout the fall and spring semesters. Students can contact the Educator Certification Office to request a schedule for the workshops.

All UNK student teachers under this program are obligated and pledge themselves to observe local rules and regulations. Any student teacher may be removed at any time upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools or his designated representative.

All student teachers will be required to return to campus for the Student Teaching Seminar during their student teaching semester. Student teaching is graded credit/no credit. Students must follow the rules and regulations outlined in the College of Education's Student Teaching Handbook.

Teaching candidates must meet all of the following requirements for admission to student teaching:

  1. Admittance to teacher education.
  2. An overall UNK grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
  3. A grade of C (2.0 GPA) or higher in TE 204 and TE 206.
  4. Satisfactory performance on the Individual Lesson Plan Case Study Common Assessment and a C or better in the course delivering the Common Assessment. Students whose performance is unsatisfactory will receive an incomplete in the course that delivers the assessment. The course instructor will provide a remediation plan. Within each program, a specific teaching methods course or field experience will be assigned responsibility for this assessment.
  5. Satisfactory performance in all pre-student teaching field experiences. The Pre-student Teaching Field Experiences Assessment Rubric will document performance. The Rubric includes an assessment of teaching dispositions. All education majors will complete a minimum of two credit hours of pre-student teaching field experiences. Students who perform unsatisfactorily will receive an incomplete in the field experience. The supervisor for the field experience will provide a remediation plan. Within each program, a specific field experience(s) will be assigned responsibility for this assessment.
  6. Advisor approval.
  7. A background check performed just prior to student teaching.

Application and Approval Procedures

Questions about any facet of student teaching should be directed to the Director for Field Experiences. The Director's office is located in the Educator Certification Office in the College of Education Building C-128 and the phone number is (308) 865-8937.

The Director for Educator Certification Office will determine whether a student is approved or denied admission to student teaching. Decisions of the Director may be appealed in writing and by the student to the Director of the Educator Certification Office, who will make the recommendation to the Dean of the College of Education who will make the final decision regarding the approval of the application.

Advising of Students in Teacher Education

UNK provides academic advising as an integral part of the educational process. Establishing a friendly and honest relationship with an advisor will be an advantage to the student both personally and educationally.

All students are assigned an advisor in their major.

The Educator Certification Office provides advisory services to students concerning the Praxis tests, admission to Teacher Education, admission to student teaching, and post-baccalaureate programs of study.

Although faculty advisors are important for providing information regarding degree requirements, class selections, and career direction, it is necessary for students to realize that the ultimate responsibility is their own. The UNK catalog is the official source of information on these matters.

Endorsements

The following endorsement programs have been established at UNK:

Teaching and Administration Certificates

Applications for all teaching and administrative certificates are filed through the Educator Certification Office. The institutional recommendation for certification and/or endorsement is based on admission to and successful completion of the respective programs.

24 May 2016

ugradcatalog@unk.edu