Bellevue University Addresses Teacher Shortage with Launch of Master of Arts in Teaching Program
Program Offers Path to Individuals Seeking Teaching Licenses in Nebraska
As the demand for teachers continues to rise, Bellevue University will launch a Master of Arts in Teaching program for the fall of 2024. The program is designed for professionals and aspiring educators who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education and for those who desire to become a licensed teacher in the state of Nebraska.
Certification Officer Cassandra Schroeder, explained how the program helps to address a severe teacher shortage in Nebraska. A survey by the Nebraska Department of Education found that over 900 positions in public and non-public schools were vacant or unfilled with a qualified person for the 2023-24 school year.
“As a result of the increase in teachers enrolling in our program who are teaching under alternative certificates, we realized we needed to create an efficient, thorough, and speedy way for them to learn the essential teaching skills in order to help students in K-12 schools across the state,” said Program Director Erin McDonnell-Jones.
The Master of Arts in Teaching program, which can be completed in as little as 14 months, prepares future educators to earn an initial teaching license from the Nebraska Department of Education for a K-12 classroom. To enroll in this graduate program you must have completed a bachelor’s degree.
McDonnell-Jones encouraged those who may be interested in leading a classroom, but who are currently working in another field, to check out the new graduate program. “Students will gain the skills they need to one day manage a classroom and to be able to encourage and support students of their own so they can be successful,” she said.
McDonnell-Jones added that students will get a personalized review of their transcripts in order to determine the most efficient path forward in the program.
“The bulk of our classes will have practicum, or field work experiences, embedded in the course. So, as the students are learning the pedagogy of teaching, they are able to apply it immediately to a real-life experience.”
For more information about the Master of Arts in Teaching, visit https://www.bellevue.edu/degrees/master/teaching-ma/.
Founded in 1966, Bellevue University is a non-profit university with more than 70,000 graduates worldwide. The University is a recognized national leader in preparing students for lifelong success with career-relevant knowledge and skills, while making college affordable. Routinely ranked among the nation’s top military and accessible institutions, the University serves residential students at its main campus in Bellevue, Nebraska, and everywhere online with more than 85 degree programs uniquely designed for working adults. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org).