The Nevada Educator Preparation Institute & Collaborative (NV-EPIC) is committed to the intentional recruitment, meaningful engagement, and long-term retention of Nevada educators through community-focused and research-informed approaches drawing on accelerated pathways to licensure coupled with meaningful mentoring and induction. NV-EPIC supports both the UNLV College of Education’s Paraprofessional Pathways Project (PPP) and an accelerated offering of the alternate route to licensure Master of Education program (A-ARL). NV-EPIC is able to achieve its mission through generous funding support from the Nevada Department of Education.
WHY THIS WORK MATTERS
The journey of becoming a teacher can be complicated, emotional, and often a convoluted endeavor. This journey may be even more treacherous for those looking to enter the education workforce later in life, after pursuing another career, as well as for those individuals who have been historically marginalized. Understanding this, NV-EPIC supports the UNLV College of Education’s curricular programming through carefully cultivated partnerships that recognize and celebrate the varying backgrounds that have shaped our students’ experiences, and draw on the richness of Nevada’s many educational partners.
NV-EPIC’s Impact in the state
Since its inception, NV-EPIC has supported more than 235 future educators with fellowships and accelerated programming to obtain a bachelor’s or master’s degree so they can lead classrooms of their own. More than 70% of NV-EPIC students are from historically underrepresented backgrounds and enter the program with an average of 2.7 years of teaching experience.
Mission
Supporting existing accelerated pathways to licensure offered by UNLV through fellowship funding and wraparound approaches.
Vision
Support the intentional recruitment, meaningful engagement, and long-term retention of Nevada educators.
In addition to supporting UNLV’s licensure pathway programs, NV-EPIC also offers the following:
Microcredentialing & PD
Not everything will be learned in the classroom—UNLV’s or your school’s. NV-EPIC offers world class professional development to give you new perspectives and ideas about how teachers move Nevada forward. NV-EPIC, in partnership with CCSD, also offers free microcredential courses designed to provide you with the tools and resources needed to be effective in a constantly evolving educational landscape.
CONTINUED MENTORING & SUPPORT
Developed in partnership between the Clark County Education Association (CCEA), the Public Education Foundation (PEF), CCSD, UNLV, and other partners, NV-EPIC supports PPP and A-ARL students with mentoring and induction support for your first three years as a classroom teacher after the program ends. Why? Because your success as a teacher moves all Nevadans forward.
FUNDING AVAILABLE
Costs never seem to stop rising. Gas prices, grocery bills, and even the price of your morning cup of coffee are skyrocketing. Thanks to funding from the Nevada Department of Education, 75% or more of your cost can be covered to complete this program.
*In combination with Federal entitlements and other awards.
You may be a good fit for one of UNLV’s NV-EPIC supported programs if:
Graduate-Level A-ARL
Undergrad-Level PPP
NV-EPIC Programs in the News
KVVU Las Vegas • Fox 5 News
UNLV program helps fast track dozens of support staff into teaching positions at CCSD
New funding opened a program at UNLV last year to attempt to make a dent in the teaching shortage at the Clark County School District. The first cohort graduated from the Professional Pathways Project this summer and are now teachers at the school district. Maria Romero was among the 36 graduates of the program and is now a first grade teacher at Harris Elementary School…
Las vegas review-journal
UNLV program helps paraprofessionals become teachers
Maria Romero has always wanted to be a teacher, but after her son was diagnosed with autism, her focus was on meeting his needs. Years later, she’s now realizing her career dream thanks to a UNLV program that helps those already working in schools earn a bachelor’s degree and become a licensed teacher…
KLAS Las Vegas • 8 News Now
UNLV program helps paraprofessionals become teachers
Staffing issues continue to plague the Clark County School District but there is a program at UNLV that is attempting to help fill the gap. UNLV’s Paraprofessional Pathways Project is helping new educators transition to a full-time teaching career…
Telemundo Las Vegas
UNLV gradúa Maestros en solo un año
Ante la falta de maestros en las escuelas del estado, la Universidad de Nevada ha creado un programa de licenciatura para los ayudantes de instrucción y personal de apoyo.
KTNV Las Vegas • 13 Action News
UNLV offers fast-track teaching program to assist with teacher shortages
In an effort to combat the current teacher shortage in the valley, UNLV has created a program to get more teachers into schools throughout Clark County.
“I have never had a life-changing experience like this one because this really opens the opportunities for people like me,” said Maria Romero, program coordinator for Nevada Graduates…