Post Baccalaureate Certification in Secondary Education

The Called to Teach: Secondary Teaching Certificate is an online licensure program designed for working adults who have a bachelor's degree in a content area and desire a secondary teaching certificate. This online program makes the most of students' previously learned content by combining it with the skills and methods needed for a successful teaching career. The carefully designed schedule of courses fully prepares students for the demands of a teaching career.

Benefits: Students who successfully complete the program will be eligible to apply for an initial Nebraska Teaching Certificate and teach grades K-12 in physical education or 7-12 in the secondary teaching areas of art, business, biology, chemistry, English, foreign language (Spanish), history, mathematics, natural science and social science.

Skills: The program guides students through coursework and field-based experience that is active and reflective. Upon program completion, students will know how to plan effective instruction, build learning communities, and model professional development.

Quality and Convenience: Midland's Teacher Education Department received the highest praise during its most recent review by the Nebraska Department of Education
All teacher education courses are offered online in eight-week sessions, except for the field-based experiences in schools. These hands-on experiences provide opportunities for students to practice teaching skills in authentic settings.

*Depending on the previous coursework and current content requirements, students may have completed all of the required courses or may need to take additional content/endorsement courses.

Growth Potential: Enrollment in public and private schools is projected to increase, which means the nation will need 300,000 new teachers between now and 2013 (Ryan & Cooper, 2007). The seminar course offered during the student teaching experience assists students with finding jobs through carefully selected seminar topics.

Job Opportunities: At the present time, some teaching fields face a severe shortage. Scholarship money may be available to students who teach high-need subjects such as math, science, and foreign languages. Aid is available for retired military personnel who pursue a career in teaching. Additionally, many schools now offer hiring bonuses to those with a teaching certificate in a high-need area. With the skills acquired in the Called to Teach: Secondary Teaching Certificate courses, a wide variety of careers are also available to students trained as teachers.

Program Requirements and Information:

• Admission to this program requires completion of a bachelor's degree in one the following areas: art, business, biology, chemistry, English, history, mathematics, natural science, physical education, and social science. Foreign language may also be completed but will require overseas classes and additional time.
• This program includes completion of 48 credit hours. Additional hours, determined on an individual basis, may need to be completed in the endorsement area.
• The Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) must be completed with passing scores prior to enrollment in EDU 300 or 400 level classes. Fees associated with this test are the teacher candidate's responsibility.
• A cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required prior to enrollment in EDU 300 or 400 level classes, with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 prior to student teaching.
• 100 hours of field-based experience (FBE) is required prior to student teaching.
• All endorsement courses and courses listed below, including student teaching, must have a passing grade of C- or higher.
• All 100 and 200 level courses must be completed before taking 300 and 400 level courses.
• A background criminal history check must be completed prior to any FBE; the teaching candidate is responsible for the cost.
• The candidate must complete a successful interview with the Teacher Education Committee (TEC) prior to enrollment in EDU 300 or 400 level courses.
• Satisfactory completion of this program allows a person to apply for the Nebraska Initial Teaching Certificate.

Course Outline: 48 credit hours