World Language Education (Grades 6–12) Initial Teaching Certification

Required Coursework

A study abroad experience with a language learning component is strongly recommended for students pursuing this endorsement.

Application Requirements

• Complete the ‘Teacher Certification (Initial) – World Language (French/German/Spanish 6-12)’ application, including transcripts and fees, prior to the department application deadline.
• Resumé/CV
• Personal Statement*
• Three Recommenders**
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Successfully complete a Background Check***
• Completed Prerequisite Courses Form (‘Other Upload’)
• Digital file of ACTFL OPI certificate

International Applicants

• TOEFL score of at least iBT 79; all subscores must be at least in the Intermediate/Fair range. If the IELTS is taken in place of the TOEFL, all subscores must be a minimum of 6.5.Applicants taking the TOEFL or the IELTS may be asked to take part in an online interview.
• The equivalent of at least one year of full-time teaching experience is required for consideration

Personal Statement and Recommenders

The Graduate Admissions Committee will review for the following evidence:

• Academic strengths and readiness to do graduate study
• Professional and academic goals and whether these align with the goals of the Department

In addition to the minimum requirements listed above, transcripts and resume, the Graduate Admissions Committee closely examines your letters of recommendation and your personal statement.

*Personal Statement. The Graduate Admissions Committee looks closely at the applicant's goals inthe personal statement essay for further evidence of your meeting the admissions criteria. A well-written essay is crucial to admissions decisions. This personal statement is a concise statement in which you address clearly why you want to pursue this graduate program at the University ofNebraska-Lincoln. In this essay you should address clearly:

1.Your academic and/or professional goals and how this graduate program will enable you to meet these goals.

2.Your academic strengths, with specific attention to your background in higher education and how this qualifies you for graduate study at a major university.

3.Any professional experience, knowledge, and skills you possess and how these further qualify you for graduate study at a major university. This statement should be between 700-1000 words.

**Recommenders. The application requires three letters of recommendation. The Graduate Admissions Committee considers letters an important part of any application. You should solicit Recommenders that can directly address your readiness and qualification to do graduate study in Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education. Letters should come from those who are familiar with your academic and professional work, such as former professors, employers or administrators. Do not include letters from friends, family members, or your own high school teachers. Each of these will be disregarded in the review and detract from your application.

Within your application, you will input the contact information of your Recommenders. After submitting their information, your Recommender will be sent an email, with a link where they can upload your letter of recommendation. 

***The Nebraska Department of Education and Nebraska school districts require that College of Education and Human Sciences students who plan to pursue a degree in an education-related field, athletic training majors, and any other UNL students who enroll in CEHS courses that involve practicum experiences in the schools are required to undergo a formal screening process related to criminal history through One Source. Consequently, a background check is a pre-requisite for application to our programs.

Only completed application files will be considered for admission. It is the applicant's responsibility to be certain that all materials are submitted and received prior to the deadline dates.

Apply at go.unl.edu/gradapp.

Contacts

Faculty Contact

Dr. Theresa Catalano, Ph.D.

tcatalano2@unl.edu

Program Contact 

Joelle Tangen, Graduate Project Associate

230E Carolyn Pope Edwards Hall

jtangen2@unl.edu