Department of Educator Preparation

Preparing teachers who are able to meet the challenges of today's classrooms.

The Educator Preparation department is committed to preparing teachers who are able to meet the challenges of today’s classrooms. The faculty provides an educational program that enables students to: develop a strong foundation of knowledge about teaching and learning; display a love of learning; value democracy and pluralism; and engage in reflective practice about ones growth as a teacher.


Program Areas


Research & News

A child sitting with a caregiver and pointing at pages in a book.

Innovative study reveals literacy strategies for teaching children who are deafblind

Study uses Constant Time Delay in teaching sight words to students with dual sensory impairments

Carolyn Silva

Carolyn S. F. Silva selected for American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education Fellowship

National fellowship supports Latina/o/x faculty

Children in a classroom looking toward an American flag.

What does the U.S. Department of Education actually do?

Professor Shanon Taylor discusses the role of the U.S. Department of Education


Bachelor Degrees

Integrated Elementary Teaching

This innovative program prepares you to be an elementary teacher in Nevada for grades K-8. In addition, you earn an additional license or endorsement that enables you to be effective and prepared for today’s diverse classrooms: (1) early childhood education, (2) special education, and/or (3) English as a second language.

Also Available:

  • Developmental Disabilities Minor
  • Special Education Minor

PackTeach

PackTeach is for anybody interested in teaching secondary art, history, Spanish, social sciences, or English and anyone interested in adding an extra career option to their liberal arts degrees.

Secondary Education

The Secondary Education Program is committed to preparing teachers who are able to meet the challenges of today's classrooms.


Master Degrees

Elementary Education

The education program enables students to develop a strong foundation of knowledge about teaching and learning, display a love of learning, value democracy and pluralism, and engage in reflective practice about one's growth as a teacher.

Master of Education in Elementary Education (MEd)

Master of Science in Elementary Education (MS)

Secondary Education

The Secondary Education Program is committed to preparing teachers who are able to meet the challenges of today's classrooms.

Master of Secondary Education (MEd) - First-time Licensure

Master of Secondary Education (MEd) - Continuing Educator Improvement (Online) 

Special Education

Special Education trains undergraduate and graduate-level teachers in working with students with a variety of disabilities.

Master of Special Education (MEd)

Nevada Department of Education Alternate Route to Licensure (ARL) in Special Education


Ph.D. Degrees

Ph.D. in Education: Curriculum and Instruction

This emphasis area is for students interested in developing expertise in teaching and teacher education, curricular development and implementation, subject specific areas (e.g., English, social studies, science, mathematics, and other areas), and/or issues in pre-K through college education.

Ph.D. in Education: Special Education and Disability Studies

Study in this area of emphasis on issues of disability as they apply to education and human service agencies. Students may focus broadly across disability areas and age ranges, or they may focus more narrowly. Courses are available in the categorical areas of learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, autism, intellectual disabilities and severe multiple disabilities, and early childhood special education. Cross-categorical courses are also offered, as well as special topics courses related to key contemporary issues in special education.

Ph.D. in Education: STEM Education

This emphasis area explores the effective teaching of math and science, as well as applications of various technologies in these fields and their impact on society.  Students may focus on math or science education specifically, but will have a broad exposure to the MSTS area.



Call for Third-Party Comment

On Oct. 28-30, 2024, the University of Nevada, Reno, will host an accreditation visit by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). In preparation for the visit, the AAQEP Quality Review Team is soliciting public comment about the quality of educator preparation provided by the University of Nevada, Reno. All comments must be submitted by Sept. 30, 2024, through the AAQEP website.
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