Wayne State College: A Legacy of History, Academics, and Community Engagement

Wayne State College (WSC) in Nebraska stands as a testament to the power of community commitment and a dedication to providing accessible, high-quality education. From its humble beginnings as a normal college to its current status as a comprehensive state college, WSC has consistently prioritized regional and community service, particularly to the rural areas of Northeast Nebraska. With a wide array of academic programs and a focus on preparing students for diverse careers, Wayne State continues to shape the future of its students and the surrounding region.

The Genesis of Wayne State College

The story of Wayne State College began with the vision of the citizens of Wayne, who dedicated significant time and resources to establish an institution of higher learning in their community. In September 1891, James Pile, a math professor from Fremont, and the citizens of Wayne founded Nebraska Normal College. The school opened its doors with a four-person faculty and a student body of seven. By the turn of the century, the college had grown exponentially; nearly two decades later, more than 1,000 students were attending the school each year. Recognizing its importance to the region, the school became a state college in 1910, expanding its mission to serve the wider Northeast Nebraska community. Regional and community service has been central to the mission of Wayne State ever since. And because Northeast Nebraska is primarily a rural area, serving a small town, rural constituency with a unique set of needs and characteristics has been one of the college’s main strengths and responsibilities.

Academic Programs: A Pathway to Passion

Wayne State College offers a diverse range of academic programs, with more than 130 programs of study designed to cater to various interests and career aspirations. These programs are housed within four academic schools:

School of Arts and Humanities: Home to the departments of Art and Design; Communication Arts; Language and Literature; History, Politics, and Geography; and Music.
School of Business and Technology: Home to the departments of Business and Economics, Computer Technology and Information Systems, and Technology and Applied Science.
School of Education and Behavioral Sciences: Home to the departments of Counseling, Educational Foundations and Leadership, and Psychology and Sociology.
School of Science, Health, and Criminal Justice: Home to the departments of Criminal Justice; Health, Human Performance, and Sport; Life Sciences; and Physical Sciences and Mathematics.

Whether students have a clear sense of their academic path or are still exploring their options, Wayne State provides the resources and support to help them discover their passions and achieve their goals.

Social Sciences: Understanding Human Behavior and Shaping the Future

Within the School of Arts and Humanities, the Department of History, Politics, and Geography offers programs that delve into the complexities of human behavior and societal structures. Studying behavioral patterns and what has happened in the past can help you prepare for the future. The social sciences are concerned with studying the behavior of humans - individually and as part of societal groups. At Wayne State, the Social Sciences degree programs include Geography, History, and Political Science. All three involve how people interact, including between themselves and in response to their surroundings and circumstances.

Read also: Affording Wayne State University

Geography: Exploring the Where and Why of Places

Geographers study the where and why of places. With a Geography degree from Wayne State, you’ll be ready to take on a variety of careers with your understanding of the world and how people relate to the environment.

Degree offered: B.A. or B.S. in Social Sciences/Geography
Program credit hours: 42 or 48

Geography Program Courses: A global survey of the geographic interrelationships between people and their environments.

History: Unraveling the Past, Understanding the Present, Shaping the Future

Historians are storytellers. Studying the past helps us understand our present and shape the future. In the History degree program, you’ll learn history as well as skills like analyzing data, solving problems, and communicating effectively. A History degree from Wayne State College will prepare you to analyze data, solve problems, and communicate effectively - highly-sought skills for employers.

Degree offered: B.A. or B.S. in Social Sciences/History
Program credit hours: 42 or 48

History Program Courses: This course surveys the world’s cultures and their interactions from the rise of civilization through the age of European expansion; This course surveys the world’s cultures from the age of the European voyages of discovery to the twentieth century; A comprehensive survey of American History from the Pre-Columbian Period to the beginning of the Mexican-American War, including a survey of Pre-Columbian cultures, the Colonial Era, the American Revolution, the Early National Period, and Antebellum America. This course focuses on studying the diversity of America by analyzing and interpreting the role of gender, class, race, and ethnicity in history. Students will engage in historical research using multiple historical and contemporary sources to investigate, interpret, and analyze the events of the time under study and the persistent issues that have compelled this dynamic nation forward; A comprehensive survey of American History from 1845 to 1945, including a survey of Western expansion, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and World War II. The course focuses on studying the diversity of America by analyzing and interpreting the role of gender, class, race, and ethnicity in history. Students will engage in historical research using multiple historical and contemporary sources to investigate, interpret, and analyze the events of the time under study and the persistent issues that have compelled this dynamic nation forward; A survey of America in the latter half of the century. Topics include World War II, Industrialism, the Cold War, and changes in American domestic and foreign policies; HIS 425 History of the British Empire (3 credits) - This course examines the culture, economy, and politics of the British Empire from the loss of the American colonies in the late 18th century through the 20th century. It will examine the reciprocal relationship between Great Britain and two types of colonies: those of conquest in such areas as the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia, and those of settlements such as those in North America and the Antipodes; HIS 447 Warfare and Society in World History (3 credits) - This course examines the role of class, race, and gender in warfare, from the earliest recorded wars to the most recent conflicts through a broad range of readings; HIS 451 American Indian History (3 credits) - This course will teach the history of Native American peoples from the Pre-Columbian Period to the 21st century. This class will explore the historical implications of the contradictions between American Indian institutions and beliefs and Euro-American institutions and beliefs, and the events and policies that governed the conflict. The focus will be on understanding the diversity of native civilizations and cultures in the Western hemisphere and the varied responses to contact with European culture; HIS 405 Mind-Altering Substances in World History (3 credits) - This course examines how human societies have conceptualized the meanings associated with mind-altering substances through time. It also examines the influence of these material goods on culture, economics, and politics; HIS 423 History of Spain, 1469-Present (3 credits) - This course is a discussion-oriented seminar on the history of Spain and its empire, focusing particularly on how the experience of Spain both reflects and departs from the general European experience. The intersection of religion, politics, and culture will be considered, especially as they relate to regional, national, and ethnic identity; HIS 443 Topics in World History (3 credits) - Current or special issues in world history will be examined. The course offers students the opportunity to study important issues in global history; HIS 444 Topics in American History (3 credits) - Current or special issues in American history will be examined. The course offers students the opportunity to study important issues in American history; HIS 300 The Ancient World (3 credits) - A survey of the ancient Near East, Greece, and Rome, from the Neolithic Revolution to the decline of the Roman Empire in the West, circa 10,000 B.C. to 400 A.D; HIS 319 The Two World Wars, 1914-1945 (3 credits) - This course surveys the major contours and problems in the history of World War I, the interwar period, and World War II from a global perspective; HIS 335 History of India (3 credits) - This course provides a broad introduction to the history and culture of India, which also includes the modern states of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh; HIS 345 History of Empire through Film (3 credits) - This course examines how the effects of empire, colonialism, and postcolonialism are manifested in key films from around the world; HIS 370 The New Nation, 1789-1815 (3 credits) - Traces American history from the establishment of the Constitution in 1789 to the end of the War of 1812; HIS 385 America, 1945 to Present (3 credits) - A survey of America in the latter half of the century; HIS 476 Recent American Culture (3 credits) - An examination of the main themes and issues in American culture in the 20th century; HIS 490/590 Geography and History of Nebraska (3 credits) - A history and geography of Nebraska focusing on principal people, events, and themes in the state’s history. Also listed as GEO 490/590.

Graduates of our History degree program understand the past that brought us into the modern world. Because history gives you a broad, solid foundation, your career opportunities are countless. A History degree will prepare you well to face the future in a wide variety of career paths. You could teach, work in a museum, go on to study law, or even find success in business.

Political Science: Understanding Government, Politics, and Policy

The Political Science program focuses on government operation, political behavior and theory, public policy, and international relations. This degree can prepare you for additional study in law, economics, geography, and social sciences.

Degree offered: B.A. or B.S. in Social Sciences/Political Science
Program credit hours: 42 or 48

Political Science Program Courses: POS 355 Politics of the Supreme Court (3 credits) - This course focuses on the political forces that shape the Supreme Court’s decision-making process. Landmark cases will be closely examined and placed in their political, cultural, and historical context; POS 425 Rights and Liberties (3 credits) - A study of the Bill of Rights and the impact of the Supreme Court’s interpretations on its provisions; POS 445 Public Administration and Management (3 credits) - Concepts of public administration and management processes, introduction to administrative processes of personnel, budgeting, and program management; analysis of public bureaucracy’s function from a public policy perspective.

Social Sciences Core Courses

Students pursuing degrees in Geography, History, or Political Science must also complete social sciences core courses: SSC 490 Social Sciences Research Seminar (3 credits) - A study of the techniques of historical and Social Sciences research and writing. Students will complete a major research project on a topic of their choice and present the results to the seminar; 395 Independent Study (3 credits) - Advanced reading and research in special problems, resulting in written evidence of quality work completed. Prerequisite: 3.3 cumulative GOA; 499 Senior Honors Colloquium (3 credits) - Seminar presentations. Students present senior project during honors colloquium presentations on campus either in spring or fall term.

History Education: Shaping the Minds of Tomorrow

The History Education endorsement at Wayne State prepares students for teaching careers in grade levels 6-12. The study of history helps us gain a broad understanding of what happened in the past and what it can teach us. The discipline encompasses past and present civilizations and studies aspects of their political, social, economic, and intellectual development. It’s an important subject to be taught in school. The grade levels and subjects you want to teach are called endorsements, and depending on the type of endorsement, you are required to choose one or more in order to obtain your teaching certificate/license. The History Education program at Wayne State is a subject endorsement, so you must choose another subject endorsement or a field endorsement to pair with this program.

Preparing Future Educators

As a student pursuing a teaching career in history, you’ll complete field experiences and clinical practice. Some field experiences are embedded within the coursework of WSC’s educator preparation programs. Once you’ve completed the initial field experience requirements, you’ll then complete a semester of clinical practice (student teaching) in a school district chosen with the help of your adviser. During this semester, you’ll work closely with an experienced teacher to gain classroom experience.

Read also: Diverse Careers via Wayne State

Northeast Nebraska Teacher Academy (NENTA)

Student teaching is a requirement for teacher certification in all 50 states and provides you with critical real-life experience before gaining a classroom of your own. Teacher candidates who successfully complete an education preparation program at Wayne State will be able to:

Create environments that support individual and collaborative learning using knowledge of how students grow and develop, along with individual differences and diverse cultures. (InTASC Standards 1-3)
Plan for instruction by applying content knowledge, a variety of instructional strategies, and multiple methods of assessment to connect concepts for learners in real-world applications. (InTASC Standards 4-8)
Engage in ongoing professional learning and use evidence to reflect on and adapt practice to meet the needs of each learner. (InTASC Standard 9)
Seek leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with stakeholders, and to advance the profession. (InTASC Standard 10)

Topics Covered in History Education

The History Education program covers a wide range of topics, including:

History topics covered: World history and the rise of civilization through the 20th century; Comprehensive study of American history; Institutions and processes of American national government
Education topics covered: Developing history curriculum for grades 6-12; Teaching as a profession; Human learning processes and behavior; Instructional design methodologies, implementation, and evaluation; Educational collaboration and equitable learning opportunities; Classroom management

Admission and Program Requirements

Admission to Wayne State College does not guarantee entry into its educator preparation programs. In this level, students apply for educator preparation and complete some of the preliminary coursework of the program. Students will need to pass an initial background check as well. In Level Two, students will prepare for student teaching by passing the required courses, meeting evidence to show their readiness, and pass a complete background check. Level Three is the final level and includes the successful completion of clinical practice and meeting the degree requirements for graduation from Wayne State. Students will also register to take the Praxis Exam. Passing the Praxis Exam is not a graduation requirement; however, it is required to earn a teaching license for the state in which you want to teach.

History Education degree program courses

Students must complete the social sciences core courses, history content area courses, and professional educator core courses. A total of 120 credit hours are needed to graduate from WSC.

Professional Educator Core Courses: Students are introduced to teaching as a profession through the historical, cultural, and philosophical foundations of educational systems. Students will explore various aspects of education, as well as their beliefs and values about teaching and learning through the exploration of professional knowledge, practice, and values. This course may include a field experience; This course is designed for students in Level 1 of WSC’s educator preparation programs who are progressing into Level 2. Students will receive valuable information including, but not limited to, admission, program progression, degree and certification requirements, the use of portfolio software, professional dispositions for success, etc; Students construct a conceptual basis for understanding the growth and development of learners. Theories of physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development are explored in order to better understand the importance of the nurturing role of the teacher in human development and learning. Students begin to understand the human learning process and individual differences in how learners think and behave based on their unique characteristics. Students study theoretical models and the integration of models for planning and facilitating effective and differentiated experiences for diversified learners. This course will include field experience; Students will practice instructional design methodologies or analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. To explore and learn to recognize their biases, including but not limited to sexism, racism, prejudice, and discrimination, students will develop an awareness of the impact such biases have on their interpersonal relations. Students will be challenged to reflect on how they can relate more effectively to other individuals and groups in a pluralistic society in order to promote equitable approaches to instructional design. This course fulfills the human relations component established by the Nebraska Department of Education. This course may include a field experience; This course outlines the essentials of the reading processes and skills necessary for secondary students to become proficient learners of content, the incorporation of reading instruction into content delivery, and examination of the Nebraska Language Arts standards. The course also provides candidates with a solid foundation in educational assessment; This course examines the essential knowledge, skills, dispositions, and innovative applications of content needed for effective teaching in the 21st century. Specific content-area topics include instructional planning for differentiated instruction; effective strategies, techniques, materials, and assessment methods; reading and writing in the content area; classroom management; and the relationship of the content area to standards-based curriculum. To be taken concurrently with EDU 414 Content Area Practicum Experience; This 80-clock hour minimum content specific clinical experience (60 hours in classroom plus 20 hours in activities related to teaching) is designed to induct students into classroom teaching and develop an awareness of the many roles of a professional educator. Under the mentorship of a practicing K-12 educator, students will assist/co-teach/teach. Students will also actively participate in school-related activities commonly encountered by professional educators; This course is designed for graduate students in Level 2 of WSC’s educator preparation program who are progressing into Level 3 and those completing clinical practice to change endorsement levels. Two virtual sessions will be held at the beginning of each academic session for graduate teacher candidates planning to student teach in the following semester. Graduate teacher candidates will attend one of the two virtual sessions to receive valuable information including, but not limited to, how to apply for Clinical Practice, an overview of Clinical Practice requirements, rules regarding placement choices and department approval requirements; A semester course of full-day learning experiences in a secondary setting under the supervision of a cooperating 7-12 classroom teacher, a supervisor from the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, and a faculty member from the appropriate content area. On-campus seminars will be offered periodically throughout the semester. This is the culminating experience of the secondary pre-service educator preparation program. Students in the Career Scholars Program will enroll for 3 credit hours in their first semester and 12 credit hours in their second semester (this course may be repeated by residency students only). All other students will enroll in 6 or 12 cre…

Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

Wayne State College provides students with opportunities to enhance their learning experience through internships, research projects, and participation in conferences. The Career Services Office assists students in finding internships and career opportunities. Students recently completed internships at the following locations: History Nebraska.

Additionally, the Rural Law Opportunities Program (RLOP) offers selected students full tuition and automatic acceptance into the Nebraska College of Law. Designed to meet the state’s need for attorneys in rural areas, RLOP recruits and educates students from rural Nebraska to become lawyers who will return to rural communities and practice law. This special partnership between Wayne State and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln also includes the opportunity to attend guest lectures and special court proceedings, observe classes at Nebraska Law, participate in an internship between your junior and senior year, and be mentored throughout the program by Nebraska Law administrators and representatives.

Affordable Education and Financial Aid

Wayne State College is committed to making education accessible and affordable. WSC is ranked the No. 1 least expensive four-year college in Nebraska and is recognized among the Top 10 most affordable colleges in the nation for out-of-state students. With the same tuition rates for in- and out-of-state students, a tuition guarantee, and generous scholarship opportunities, WSC makes earning a degree both accessible and affordable. In fact, the average remaining annual cost of attendance for 2024-25 is just $2,268 for undergraduate students after financial aid and scholarships. The estimated annual cost of attendance is Tuition: $6,057; Fees: $2,351; Food plan: $4,830; Housing: $4,870; Total: $18,108.

Faculty: Guiding Students Towards Success

Wayne State College boasts a dedicated faculty committed to providing students with a high-quality education. The Department of History, Politics, and Geography is home to several distinguished professors:

Dr. Randy Bertolas is geography professor and chair of the History, Politics, and Geography Department.
Dr. Joe Blankenau is a political science professor at Wayne State College. He teaches a wide range of course including political theory, American and world politics, public administration, political institutions, and state/local government.
Dr. Eric Colvard is a history professor at Wayne State College. Colvard’s interests include colonial South Asia, the British Empire, and globalization.
Dr. Phillip D. Fox is a history professor at Wayne State College. He teaches a wide variety of courses in world and European history from the ancient past through the 20th century.
Dr. Jenny Miller is a political science professor at Wayne State College. Her teaching interests include conflict and conflict resolution, criminal justice, human rights and human security, political systems, public policy, and research methods.
Dr. Lesli Rawlings is a geography professor at Wayne State College. Her teaching interests are GIS and computer mapping, urban geography, economic geography, world regional geography and geography of Europe.
Dr. Brian Trump is a history professor at Wayne State College.

A Foundation for the Future

Wayne State College provides students with a solid liberal arts education and prepares them for a wide variety of careers. Students who pursue degrees in history, political science, or geography go on to careers in fields such as teaching, law, politics, public service, foreign services, urban planning, military, and government. Many of our students have successfully furthered their education in graduate or professional school. After graduating from Wayne State College, recent grads pursued advanced degrees at the following schools: History (M.A.) - University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Lincoln, Neb.); Library and Information Science (M.S.) - University of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Wis.).

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