CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Teachers Certification
Completion of the Initial Certification at the Advanced Level Program prepares students for the Standard Teaching Certificate in Nebraska. This certificate is valid for teaching in all Nebraska school systems. In addition to completing the Doane program, candidates for a Nebraska certificate must meet all requirements as outlined in the Nebraska Department of Education Rule 21, 20 and 24 which include the following:
- Completing a three-credit hour course in special education that meets state guidelines.
- Completing an accepted course in human relations training.
- Submitting an acceptable Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests.
- Students who apply for certification must comply with the request for information regarding convictions and mental capacity as defined in Title 92 Chapter 20.
As required by the State of Nebraska, each student is required to affirm under oath that he or she does not have an order or determination currently in effect by a court or any other governmental body which finds the student to be any of the following: a mentally ill and dangerous person, mentally incompetent to stand trial, acquitted of criminal charges because of insanity, an incapacitated person in need of a guardian, or unable to manage his/her property due to mental illness, mental deficiency, chronic use of drugs or chronic intoxication; or is currently an inpatient or resident in a mental health facility due to a determination by a qualified mental health professional. In compliance with this rule, each student must affirm yearly, prior to student assisting or teaching in any practicum methods class or student teaching experience, that he/she has not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. Furthermore, it is the student’s responsibility to report any change in his/her status regarding this rule. Students not meeting this standard are not allowed to participate in K-12 activities until they have received permission to proceed by the State Board.
Adding an Endorsement to a Student’s Teaching Certificate
Students should check the web site for the Nebraska Department of Education and follow the directions listed there for adding an endorsement to a current teaching certificate.
Content Testing
Effective September 1, 2015, candidates applying for any initial endorsement(s) to be placed on a Nebraska certificate must provide evidence they have passed the required Praxis II content test for the endorsement. Students can check the ETS web site for the particular test required for each endorsement and the qualifying score.
Principal Certification
Completion of the Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership prepares students for the Standard Administrative Certificate in Nebraska. This certificate is valid for teaching and administration in all Nebraska school systems, except for the position of superintendent of schools. There are two forms of review prior to recommending certification.
1. Nebraska Department of Education Rule 21 and Rule 24 requirements are as follows:
- Complete at least two years of teaching in a K-12 school.
- Hold or qualify for a Nebraska standard or professional teaching certificate or its equivalent.
- Complete a three-credit hour course in special education that meets state guidelines.
- Complete an accepted course in human relations training.
- Affirm that there are neither felony convictions nor any misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude.
- Affirm that there is no court order or determination currently in effect which finds the student to be mentally unhealthy as determined by Title 92, Rule 20 of the NAC. As required by the State of Nebraska, each student is required to affirm under oath that he or she does not have an order or determination currently in effect by a court or any other governmental body which finds the student to be any of the following: a mentally ill and dangerous person, mentally incompetent to stand trial, acquitted of criminal charges because of insanity, an incapacitated person in need of a guardian, or unable to manage his/her property due to mental illness, mental deficiency, chronic use of drugs or chronic intoxication; or is currently an inpatient or resident in a mental health facility due to a determination by a qualified mental health professional.
2. Recommendation for certification for Doane University for the Administrative Endorsement will be determined by the student’s potential as indicated by the following:
- Completion of all Nebraska Department of Education requirements.
- Successful completion of all coursework for the Master of Education in Educational Leadership.
- A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher for all courses leading to the degree.
- Completion of the Certification Tracking form and application for degree form.
- Successful completion of the Portfolio and project requirements.
The Dean of Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership recommends to the Certification Officer of the University (at Doane, this is the Chairperson of the Education Division) those students who should be certified. The Certifying Officer then recommends those students to the Graduate Faculty in Education for their approval.
Content Testing
Effective September 1, 2015, candidates applying for any initial endorsement(s) to be placed on a Nebraska certificate must provide evidence they have passed the required Praxis II content test for the endorsement. The test for principal certification is the Educational Leadership Administration and Supervision test code 5411.
Superintendent Certification
Completion of the Education Specialist degree prepares students for the Standard Administrative Certificate with an endorsement for the Superintendency. Candidates for the endorsement of the superintendency must also meet the state requirements for the human relations course and a Special Education course. Individuals who have Standard Administrative Certificates with endorsements for the principalship have met the state standards for the human relations and special education courses. Candidates with certificates in administration from other states may have to complete the two required courses if certification in Nebraska is sought. There are two forms of review prior to recommending certification.
1. Nebraska Department of Education Rule 21 and Rule 24 requirements are as follows:
- Completion of a minimum of 60 graduate semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree and a one-semester practicum in an approved or accredited school system.
- The applicant must have a valid regular teaching certificate or an administrative and supervisory certificate (Principal, Curriculum Supervisor) and at least two years of teaching experience in a K-12 school.
- Complete a three-credit hour course in special education that meets state guidelines.
- Complete an accepted course in human relations training.
- In compliance with this rule, each student must affirm that he/she has not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor or entered a plea of guilty or no contest to a felony or misdemeanor in any criminal, drug, or juvenile court.
- Affirm that there is no court order or determination currently in effect which finds the student to be mentally unhealthy as determined by Title 92, Rule 20 of the NAC.
As required by the State of Nebraska, each student is required to affirm under oath that he or she does not have an order or determination currently in effect by a court or any other governmental body which finds the student to be any of the following: a mentally ill and dangerous person, mentally incompetent to stand trial, acquitted of criminal charges because of insanity, an incapacitated person in need of a guardian, or unable to manage his/her property due to mental illness, mental deficiency, chronic use of drugs or chronic intoxication; or is currently an inpatient or resident in a mental health facility due to a determination by a qualified mental health professional.
2. Recommendation for certification for Doane University for the Superintendent Endorsement will be determined by the student’s potential as indicated by the following:
- Completion of all Nebraska Department of Education requirements.
- Successful completion of all coursework for the Education Specialist degree.
- A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher for all courses leading to the degree.
- Completion of the Certification Tracking form and application for degree form.
- Successful completion of the Portfolio and project requirements.
The Dean of Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership recommends to the Certification Officer of the University (at Doane, this is the Chairperson of the Education Division) those students who should be certified. The Certifying Officer then recommends those students to the Graduate Faculty in Education for their approval.
Content Testing
Effective September 1, 2015, candidates applying for any initial endorsement(s) to be placed on a Nebraska certificate must provide evidence they have passed the required Praxis II content test for the endorsement. The test for certification as a superintendent is the School Superintendent Assessment test code 6021.
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