Education

Train future generations.


#6
most satisfying job

Teachers serve as leaders within the educational team to plan lessons, support school administration, communicate with parents and lead students in a lifelong journey of learning. 

Certified teachers are needed throughout the country to teach in a variety of classroom and school settings, or even to serve in administrative or support staff roles.

Why become a teacher?

  • Teaching is an opportunity to change lives.
  • Teachers are needed, in both public and private schools, to be caring, passionate educators.
  • Be a lifelong learner.

The first year of teaching was exhausting. When one of my education professors came to visit, I almost burst into tears. It means the world for her to continue to support me even after I graduated.

Debbie Campos
2017 graduate teaching at Buena Vista Adventist School in Washington.
photo Debbie Campos

In-classroom experiences helps confirm your calling

If you love seeing the light of understanding ignite in a child’s eyes and want to dedicate your life to strengthening that spark into a passion for learning, then the education program at Union College may be the perfect fit for you.

Why study at Union College?

  • You focus on the elementary grades or you choose one or two subject endorsements to teach at the high school level
  • At George Stone Elementary, a one-of-a-kind lab school right on campus, you’ll have the opportunity to start observing, assisting and teaching classes in a multi-grade classroom environment.
  • As an education major, you will complete more than 100 hours of in-classroom experience at local Adventist and public schools before you even begin student teaching during your senior year.
  • Graduates of the education program earn both Nebraska and North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (NAD) teaching certificates, allowing you to teach at a public or private school in Nebraska, or at an Adventist school anywhere in North America. Having a Nebraska state teaching license helps you to be eligible to acquire a license in other states (the reciprocity is strong).
  • The education program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), ensuring a high standard of quality.

As a Union student, I saw how education can be a powerful tool for touching lives with Christ’s love. I learned to be a practical Christian and live my calling through teaching. I want my students to find a college where they can grow on their journey with Christ and learn from their mistakes along the way. I bring students to visit Union every year because that’s the place Union was for me.

Loralee Mendez
2000 graduate teaching at Great Lakes Adventist Academy in Michigan.
photo Loralee Mendez

Majors and minors

Union College offers the following four-year education degrees:

Field Endorsements

Subject Endorsements

Elementary Education
K-6, K-8 self-contained classroom 
Degree completion guide

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Language Arts Education
Degree completion guide

Secondary English Education
Degree completion guide

Mathematics Education
Degree completion guide

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Bachelor of Music
Emphases in instrumental or keyboard for K-12
Degree completion guide

Vocal music education for K-12
4-year bachelor of science
Degree completion guide

Bachelor of Music 
Emphasis in vocal for K-12 
Degree completion guide

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Science Education
Degree completion guide

Biology Education
Degree completion guide

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Chemistry Education
Degree completion guide

Social Studies Education
Degree completion guide

History Education
Degree completion guide

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Religious Education 
Degree completion guide

All education endorsements offered by Union College are approved by the State of Nebraska and CAEP. Learn about Education licensure in other states.

Your career options

Elementary school teacher

Instruct young students in basic subjects, such as math and reading, in order to prepare them for future schooling.

Job outlook
7% growth (average)

Median pay
$56,000

School principal

Your education degree from Union, plus experience and even graduate school work in administration, can help prepare you to be a principal. Coordinate curriculums, oversee teachers and other school staff, and provide a safe and productive learning environment for students.

Job outlook
8% growth (average)

Median pay
$94,000

Meet the team