The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's graduate Special Education Generalist Endorsement program prepares teachers to educate students with disabilities at either the K-6 or 7-12 grade levels. Our program is based on current research that is focused on behavior and instructional interventions for students with disabilities. Applicants to this program can choose to pursue either an initial teaching license in special education or add a special education generalist endorsement to a current teaching license. Our program provides flexibility for full- or part-time enrollment with courses offered both on campus and via distance education.
For More Information
Sue KempProfessor of Practice
353 Barkley Memorial Center (BKC)
sue.kemp@unl.edu
Full Sue Kemp bio
Contact Dr. Kemp prior to beginning the application process or enrolling in classes to discuss potential course transfers or substitutions in creating your own individualized course plan.
Initial Certification in Special Education Generalist - K-6
| Professional Education Courses Required for Initial Certification | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| TEAC 259 or 880A - Instructional Technology | 3 |
| TEAC 800 - Inquiry Into Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| TEAC 861 - Education for a Pluralistic Society | 3 |
| EDPS 4/854 - Human Cognition & Instruction | 3 |
| EDPS 4/850 - Child Psychology | 3 |
| Foundational Special Education Courses all courses must be successfully completed before enrolling in the Professional Courses for the Certification Program below |
|
| SPED 201 - Characteristics of Exceptional Persons | 3 |
| SPED 212 - Assessment Techniques for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| SPED 454 - Behavior Management | 3 |
| SPED 814 - Mathematics Instruction for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| Professional Courses for the Certification Program | |
| SPED 815 & 815A - Reading and Writing Disabilities-Elementary & Lab | 2 each |
| SLPA 960 - Family and School Collaboration in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 882 - Specialized Instruction for Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities | 3 |
| TEAC 811 - Reading Processes and Practice | 3 |
| SPED 876 - Language Development for Teachers | 3 |
| SLPA 886 - Assistive and Alternative Communication | 2 |
| SPED 824 - Functional Behavior Assessment | 3 |
| SPED 895 - Directed Field Experience | 3 |
| SPED 897 - Student Teaching, K-6 | 6 |
The Nebraska State Department of Education requires students to have a minimum of 42 credit hours with at least 30 of those hours being in special education in order to acquire an endorsement in special education to teach students with disabilities in Nebraska.
Initial Certification in Special Education Generalist - 7-12
| Professional Education Courses Required for Initial Certification | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| TEAC 259 or 880A - Instructional Technology | 3 |
| TEAC 800 - Inquiry Into Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| TEAC 861 - Education for a Pluralistic Society | 3 |
| EDPS 4/854 - Human Cognition & Instruction | 3 |
| EDPS 4/851 - Psychology of Adolescence | 3 |
| Foundational Special Education Courses all courses must be successfully completed before enrolling in the Professional Courses for the Certification Program below |
|
| SPED 201 - Characteristics of Exceptional Persons | 3 |
| SPED 212 - Assessment Techniques for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| SPED 454 - Behavior Management | 3 |
| SPED 814 - Mathematics Instruction for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| SPED 808 - Issues in Secondary Education for Students with Disabilities Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Secondary Level | 3 |
| Professional Courses for the Certification Program | |
| SPED 806 & 806A - Reading and Writing Disabilities-Adolescent & Lab | 2 each |
| SLPA 960 - Family and School Collaboration in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 882 - Specialized Instruction for Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 876 - Language Development for Teachers | 3 |
| SLPA 886 - Assistive and Alternative Communication | 2 |
| TEAC 841 - Content Area Reading | 3 |
| SPED 895 - Directed Field Experience | 3 |
| SPED 897 - Student Teaching, 7-12 | 6 |
The Nebraska State Department of Education requires students to have a minimum of 42 credit hours with at least 30 of those hours being in special education in order to acquire an endorsement in special education to teach students with disabilities in Nebraska.
Adding a Graduate Special Education Endorsement to an Existing Teaching Certificate
| Foundational Special Education Courses one of these courses must be successfully completed before enrolling in the Professional Courses for the Certification Program below | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| SPED 212 - Assessment Techniques for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| SPED 454 - Behavior Management | 3 |
| Professional Courses for the Endorsement | |
| SPED 4/806 & 4/806A - Reading and Writing Disabilities-Adolescent & Lab | 4 |
| OR | |
| SPED 4/815 & 4/815A - Reading and Writing Disabilities-Elementary & Lab | 4 |
| SPED 808 - Foundations of Secondary Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 814 - Instructional Methods for Students with Mathematics Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 876 - Language Development for Teachers | 3 |
| SPED 960 - Family and School Collaboration in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 882 - Specialized Instruction for Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities | 3 |
| SLPA 886 - Assistive and Alternative Communication | 2 |
| SPED 4/897 - Student Teaching, at grade level | 3 |
Students who currently hold a teaching license at the elementary level but want to add on an endorsement at the secondary level must take EDPS 4/851, and those endorsed at the secondary level adding elementary must take EDPS 4/850.
How to Apply
Visit the Office of Graduate Studies website and submit the following:
- Online application
- Transcripts
- TOEFL scores (International students only) (Institution code = 6877)
- Financial Resource Certification (International students only)
You must also enter or upload the following:
- Resume/vita
- Personal statement, addressing the following: (1) Rationale for pursuing this endorsement; 2) Interests and specific experinces with individuals with disabilities; 3) Challanges you anticipate experiencing in graduate school (e.g., balancing work and/or family, time management); 4) Strategies you will use to overcome those challanges (i.e.; how you will monitor learning, at what stage you will determine you need to alter your approach to studying, and what would those changes entail); and 5) How do you plan to use this endorsement? Your answers will also be judged based on the quality of your writing.
- Prerequisite courses
- Names and contact information for three references of your choosing. (The system will automatically email the specified people and request that each upload the recommendation.)
References should be able to write letters attesting to the applicant’s academic ability to successfully complete graduate school. Letters should be signed by the reference and submitted on letterhead. These references likely hold a master's or more advanced degree, and should not have any family connection to the applicant. - Assistantship / Fellowship Application (optional)
- Writing Sample (Optional)
Deadline for Applicants
Master of Arts (M.A.)/Master of Education (M.Ed.) – Jan. 15, May 1 (Summer/Fall/Spring admission), ADDITIONAL ONE-TIME APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 7, 2023
Endorsement/Graduate Certificates – Jan. 15, May 1 (Summer/Fall/Spring admission), Oct. 15, ADDITIONAL ONE-TIME APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 7, 2023