Graduate Endorsements: The Choice is Yours - Be Exceptional!

Graduate Endorsement Options

• Bilingual Education
• Early Childhood Education
• Multilingual Learner (ESL)
• Information Technology
• Instructional Technology Leadership
• Reading Specialist (PK-12)
• School Library

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Bilingual Education

Persons with this endorsement may teach in a bilingual program in the grade levels for which they are prepared (K-6, 4-9, 7-12). This endorsement requires a minimum of 12 semester hours of coursework related to methodology, content instruction, and content literacy in bilingual education programs which includes nine (9) credit hours of coursework taught in the target language.

Courses will cover the following

1. proficiency in the target language at the Advanced Low Level of Proficiency based on criteria identified by the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
2. history, policies, programs, and research on the effectiveness of bilingual education and bilingualism in the United States
3. design and deliver developmentally appropriate instruction aligned to the PK-12 content standards using the target language
4. teach listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the target language across the content areas
5. developmentally appropriate formative and summative assessments in the target language
6. the role of family and community engagement in bilingual education

Candidates must complete a 45 clock hour practicum in a bilingual education program taught in the target language at the grade level(s) of the endorsement being sought.

• Several courses are taught exclusively in Spanish.
• Nebraska Department of Education requires the ESL endorsement before applying for the Bilingual Education endorsement, but it does not impede applicants from registering for bilingual education endorsement courses.

View a plan of study.

For more information contact Dr. Sandra Rodriguez-Arroyo.

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Early Childhood Education

Persons with this endorsement may teach children from prekindergarten through grade 3. This endorsement requires a minimum of 8 semester hours of coursework specific to early childhood education that address preschool and kindergarten.

Courses will cover the following:

1. child development and learning
2. family and community relationships
3. young children and families
4. developmentally effective approaches
5. ontent knowledge to build meaningful curriculum
6. becoming a professional
7. early childhood field experiences.

Candidates must complete a 45 clock-hour practicum working with preschool (prekindergarten) children.

View a plan of study.

For more information contact Dr. Amanda Steiner.

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Multilingual Learner (ESL)

Persons with this endorsement may teach English as a Second Language (ESL) in the grade levels for which they are prepared. This endorsement shall require a minimum of 15 semester hours of coursework in the following topics:

• Second Language Acquisition
• English Language/Linguistics
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• Methods/Curriculum Design in English as a Second Language
• Assessment and Evaluation of English Language Learners (ELL)

Courses will cover the following

1. the major theories and research related to the structure and acquisition of language to help English Language Learners’ (ELLs) develop language and literacy and achieve in the content areas
2. major concepts, principles, theories, and research related to the nature and role of culture and cultural groups to construct supportive learning environments for ELLs
3. evidence-based practices and strategies related to planning, implementing, and managing standards-based ESL and content instruction
4. understanding of issues and concepts of assessment and use standards-based procedures with ELLs
5. new instructional techniques, research results, advances in the ESL field, and education policy issues and demonstrate knowledge of the history of ESL teaching.

Candidates must complete a 45 clock hour practicum working with ELL students at the grade level(s) of the endorsement being sought.

View a plan of study.

For more information contact Dr. Sandra Rodriguez-Arroyo.

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Information Technology (PK-12)

Persons with this endorsement may teach information technology courses in prekindergarten through grade 12.

This endorsement requires a minimum of 15 semester hours in information technology courses that cover the following:

1. knowledge of ethical, human, legal and social issues, which may include privacy, accessibility, copyright, intellectual property, plagiarism, and information validity
2. knowledge of classroom and instructional management methodologies using appropriate materials, methods, resources, and curricula for teaching information technology
3. knowledge of methods and skills appropriate to planning and designing learning environments,
4. knowledge and application of basic programming concepts
5. knowledge in the areas of selection, installation, management, and maintenance of infrastructure for information support and services
6. knowledge of interactive media
7. knowledge of network systems

View a plan of study

For more information contact Dr. Michelle Friend.

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Instructional Technology Leadership (PK-12)

Educators with an Instructional Technology Leadership endorsement may assist in and/or facilitate the development of technology programs for students in prekindergarten through grade 12.

The Instructional Technology Leadership endorsement consists of 15 credit hours with a focus on:

1. The study of school and district level technology integration into curriculum areas for instructional improvement
2. The study of research and best practices of technology integration to address school improvement efforts,
3. The study of education leadership for collecting, analyzing, reporting, and using data for instructional improvement.

View a plan of study

For more information contact Courtney Pentland.

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Reading Specialist (PK-12)

Persons with this endorsement may teach, provide leadership for professional development in the area of reading, and assess and interpret data to determine and implement instructional options for teaching students in prekindergarten through grade 12. This endorsement requires a minimum of 30 graduate semester hours in reading and related courses.

In addition, this endorsement requires clinical experiences appropriate for the endorsement level. Courses will cover the following

1. foundational knowledge
2. curriculum and instruction
3. assessment and evaluation
4. diversity
5. literate environment
6. professional learning and leadership

An applicant for this endorsement shall have the following:

• a regular teaching certificate and
• two (2) years of teaching experience.

View a plan of study.

For more information contact Dr. Jennifer Lemke.

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School Librarian (PK-12)

Educators with a School Librarian endorsement may direct the services, resources, instruction and programming in school library serving prekindergarten through grade 12. The School Librarian endorsement consists of 30 credit hours of library science, literacy, diversity and technology coursework.

Library science courses will cover:

1. teaching for learning
2. literacy and reading
3. information and knowledge
4. advocacy and leadership
5. program management and administration

View a plan of study.

For more information contact Courtney Pentland.