Graduate Teaching Licensure Program (GTL) with Optional Master of Science degree

Program Philosophy
The College of St. Scholastica's Graduate Teaching Licensure Program is an innovative program designed to provide professional preparation of teachers for elementary, middle and secondary licensure. The program is focused on student learning; is well grounded in research and best practices; collaborative with the K-12 community; and committed to integrating diverse perspectives and educational technology. We seek to prepare committed teachers who are firmly grounded in the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to promote student learning. The varied courses and field experiences enable students to develop mastery of the Standards of Effective Practice for beginning teachers.

Program Description and Format
The Graduate Teaching Licensure Program (GTL) offers students an initial teaching license that leads to a master of science in teaching degree. It is designed for those who have completed an accredited baccalaureate degree in a field other than education, or for certified teachers who wish to add another endorsement to their license. The program is designed for flexibility and offers a hybrid model of online and on-site learning. There are three to four onsite sessions held each eight-week term. Most sessions meet Saturdays, with some evening courses. Field experiences occur in a variety of school settings and require some school day hours. Students can complete the program in as little as 18 months providing they have the necessary content area requirements. The program is standards-based and emphasizes active, results-oriented learning. The program is designed around four major strands; content integration, reflection and professional development, diversity, and technology. Faculty model best practices in each of the strand areas throughout the program.

Students may work toward licensure in elementary (K-6) or secondary licensure (5-12) in the areas of communication arts and literature, social studies, life science, chemistry, and mathematics.

Admissions Requirements
The Graduate Teaching Licensure Program will consider applicants who:

• Submit a completed Graduate Admissions Application form.
• Have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
• Submit all official transcripts of baccalaureate and graduate coursework.
• Have earned a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.8.
• Submit a complete Graduate Teaching Licensure Application Essay.
• Submit two completed Graduate Recommendation forms from someone who has observed your interaction with children and someone who has observed your leadership skills.
• Submit a completed Student Immunization form.
• Submit a TOEFL examination or the Michigan Test score which is required of all international applicants and applicants whose primary language is not English. The minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test or 213 on the computer-based test is required. The minimum Michigan Test score of 80 is required.

Note: Meeting minimal entrance requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission. Exceptions to minimum criteria may be made at the discretion of the admissions committee. The admissions committee may choose to interview applicants.

Prerequisites
Students must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

Application Deadline
See the GTL website or call the Graduate Admissions office for admissions due dates. The web address is http://grad.css.edu/ or call (218) 723-6285.

The Graduate Teaching Licensure Program grants acceptance in the following categories:

• Full Acceptance: granted to those students who meet all admission requirements.
• Provisional Acceptance: granted to those students who have not submitted all required materials but who otherwise have met the admission requirements. Students are allowed one semester to submit remaining credentials and are not eligible for Financial Aid until Full Acceptance is attained.
• Probational Acceptance: may be granted to those students with cumulative GPA below the 2.8 requirement, but have strong Graduate Recommendations, and a strong Application Essay. The student must then achieve a 3.0 after completion of their first term to receive financial aid.

Transfer Credits
Students may transfer graduate credits they have earned from an accredited college or university toward completion of their St. Scholastica program. A maximum of six transfer credits can be applied towards the master's degree. The College of St. Scholastica will consider transfer credits from students who:

• Submit an official transcript sent from the accredited institution;
• Submit the course syllabus, catalog or other pertinent descriptive information;
• Demonstrate that course content is applicable to the program enrolled;
• Earn a course grade of "3.0" or better; and
• Complete the course within seven years prior to graduating from the St. Scholastica program.
• Students are advised to get pre-approval for before registering for courses they intend to transfer.

Graduation Requirements
The master's degree requires completion of 34 graduate-level credits. If students need additional graduate level credits they may take electives from our other graduate programs, our professional development courses, or a maximum of 6 graduate credits transferred in from another accredited institution.

Chair of Graduate Programs in Education: Chery Takkunen, Ph.D.
Duluth Program Coordinator: Gail Gaetz, M.L.S.
St. Cloud Program Coordinator: Jesse Hinrichs. Ed.D.
St. Paul Program Coordinator: Doreene Langason, M.Ed.

The Master of Science degree requires completion of 34 graduate-level credits. Graduate-level licensure courses and seven credits in educational research are required to complete the degree. Students have seven years to complete the Master of Science degree. If students need other graduate-level credits, elective credits are available through our Master of Education program. Up to 6 graduate credits can be transferred in from another accredited institution with program approval.

EDU 6180 Understanding & Evaluating Educational Research, 3 cr.
EDU 6190 Using Data to Improve Student Learning, 4 cr.

Graduate Teaching Licensure Program Requirements

Educational Foundation Coursework for All Licensure Areas
EDU 5110 Reflection & Professional Development I 0 cr. $200 course fee
EDU 5111 Reflection & Professional Development II 1 cr.
EDU 5115 Foundations of American Education 1 cr.
EDU 5125 Diversity in the Classroom 1 cr.
EDU 5130 Learning & Development 2 cr.
EDU 5135 Exceptionality & Inclusion 2 cr.
EDU 5220 Classroom Assessment 2 cr.

Elementary (K-6) Methods and Field Experience Coursework
EDU 5250 Field Experience & Classroom Management Seminar I 1 cr. $50 course fee
EDU 5310 Visual & Performing Arts (elementary) 1 cr.
EDU 5320 Elementary Physical Education & Health Methods 1 cr.
EDU 5325 Elementary Reading I 2 cr.
EDU 5330 Elementary Reading II 2 cr.
EDU 5340 Elementary Social Studies Methods 2 cr.
EDU 5350 Field Experience & Classroom Management Seminar II 2 cr. $50 course fee
EDU 5360 Elementary Mathematics Methods 2 cr.
EDU 5370 Elementary Science Methods 2 cr.
EDU 5450 Field Experiences & Classroom Management Seminar III 2 cr. $50 course fee

Secondary (5-12) Methods and Field Experience Coursework
Methods coursework will vary depending on licensure area
EDU 5240 Secondary Drug & Health Ed. 1 cr.
EDU 5250 Field Experience & Classroom Management Seminar I 1 cr. $50 course fee
EDU 5331 Middle Com Arts & Lit 2 cr.
EDU 5332 Secondary Com Arts & Lit 2 cr.
EDU 5335 Secondary Content Reading Area 2 cr.
EDU 5341 Middle Social Studies Methods 2 cr.
EDU 5342 Secondary Social Studies Methods 2 cr.
EDU 5350 Field Experience & Classroom Management Seminar II 2 cr. $50 course fee
EDU 5361 Middle Mathematics Methods 2 cr.
EDU 5362 Secondary Mathematics Methods 2 cr.
EDU 5371 Middle Science Methods 2 cr.
EDU 5372 Secondary Science Methods 2 cr.
EDU 5450 Field Experiences & Classroom Management Seminar III 2 cr. $50 course fee

Student Teaching: Required for all Licensure Areas
EDU 5500 Student Teaching Internship 8 cr. $150 course fee
EDU 5510 Student Teaching Internship Seminar 1 cr.

 Course Descriptions
EDU 5110: Reflection & Professional Development I
$125 course fee; 0 credits
College transcript(s) are evaluated along with relevant past experiences. Students meet with program faculty to construct an individualized program plan. General content area requirements are reviewed with students and if needed, recommendations for courses to fulfill the content area requirements are made. Student questions and/or concerns are addressed. Students are given an opportunity to be orientated to the Blackboard course environment. This course directly follows the application to the program process.

EDU 5111: Reflection & Professional Development II
$62 course fee; 1 credit
The course introduces students to the concept and practice of professional reflection. Students develop skills with writing instructional outcomes and the lesson planning process that will be used throughout the program. The course provides an introduction to the licensure portfolio. The course also provides students opportunities to be actively engaged in learning about the four program strands; reflection & professional development, technology, diversity, and content integration. The course readings, course assignments, and seminar reflect these four program strands. Prerequisites: EDU 5110.

EDU 5115: Foundations of American Education
1 credit
Provides students with grounding in the philosophical and historical roots of education as well as knowledge of the current theories, structures, and practices. Students analyze major topics including the relationship between schools and society, educational responses to the increasing diversity in today's classrooms, and the current and evolving process of teaching and learning. Through online and on-site activities, students synthesize the knowledge of theories, structures, and practices to develop an understanding of the American system of education, empowering them to make informed decisions about their careers.

EDU 5125: Diversity in the Classroom
1 credit
Provides students with an understanding of the diversity that is in our classrooms today and explores ways in which classrooms and schools can become more inclusive. This course also explores learning strategies, personal and professional philosophies, and research that will help meet the educational needs of diverse learners. The topics include multicultural education, gender equity, English language learners and cultural diversity.

EDU 5130: Learning & Development
2 credits
Provides educators with a solid grounding in cognitive/educational psychology. Students examine children's and adolescent's cognitive, social and emotional growth and development as a function of their social and cultural context. The context of the schools that serve students with diversity of needs and backgrounds will frame the discussion of specific topics including: motivation, learning styles, moral development, personality development, general theories of intelligence, and theories of cognitive development and their effects on the educational process.

EDU 5135: Exceptionality & Inclusion
2 credits
Exceptionality and inclusion addresses the social construction of disability, types and characteristics of exceptionalities, and requirements of disability legislation. Students are prepared apply to professional practice the principles of inclusion, differentiation, universal design for learning, and collaboration.

EDU 5220: Classroom Assessment
2 credits
An inquiry into the essence of the assessment process. The purpose and process of assessments investigated from a theoretical experiential perspective. Topics include formative and summative assessment, backward design, standardized tests, underlying assumptions driving our assessment practices, the forms, purposes and effects of assessment used in classrooms today and new directions for assessment being advocated.

EDU 5240: Secondary Drug & Health Education
1 credit
Secondary Drug & Health Education takes a holistic approach to adolescent health issues and problems including: depression, suicide, eating disorders, violence in school, family and relationships issues, drug abuse, sexual abuse, and STD's. Students identify how risk factors in a student's environment outside of school, including family circumstances, community environments, health and economic conditions, may influence the quality of student life and learning. Prevention, intervention and follow-up approaches are emphasized.

EDU 5250: Field Experience & Classroom Management Seminar I
$50 course fee; 1 credit
Apply theory, reflect, and develop professionally as students work in a K-12 classroom setting. Students use methods, concepts, and theories related to foundations of education. The focus of the 30 hour field experience is on creating productive learning environments and managing student behavior. The seminar and electronic discussion components of the course provide students with opportunities to actively explore central educational issues and key concepts related to classroom management. Classroom management is studied as a discipline, as an approach, and as instruction.

EDU 5310: Visual & Performing Arts
1 credit
Examines the arts as a basic and essential form of human communication. Explores and analyzes integration of the arts as a way to increase student achievement. Students learn to integrate literature, art, drama, dance, and music throughout the curriculum by gaining a basic knowledge of the arts, reasons for integration, and integration strategies and principles. Students examine research and current school programs that integrate the arts across the curriculum. The course provides opportunities for active involvement in the arts through online and in-class activities.

EDU 5320: Elementary Physical Education & Health Methods
1 credit
Examines and integrates principles associated with physical education and health at the elementary level. Students analyze and learn to apply physical education and health content and pedagogy. Attitudes and habits related to healthful living are explored and current trends in physical education and health pedagogy are stressed. Issues of mood altering chemicals and their effects on the individual, the family and society are addressed along with the ten common content areas of health education. School and community resources as they relate to the content are explored.

EDU 5325: Elementary Reading I
2 credits
Through instruction that is grounded in methodologically sound research, students will develop the knowledge base needed to design an effective reading/language arts program. In this first of two courses, students will engage in analysis of current reading philosophies and receive extensive instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Theory and practice will merge as students design lessons, analyze case studies, and view and assess classroom video clips. Students will use a variety of assessment tools and experience interpreting results that inform instruction.

EDU 5330: Elementary Reading II
2 credits
Second of the Reading /Language Arts Methods classes, students will continue to build their knowledge base and skills in teaching reading as well as examine strategies to integrate the areas of language arts (reading, writing, listening, speaking) and children's literature. Comprehension and vocabulary strategy instruction will focus on content area reading.  Students will build and develop a knowledge base of children's literature and multiple genres, writing approaches and assessment techniques, and approaches to teaching spelling.   Theory, modeling, and practice will provide students with a thorough grounding in reading and language arts which will prepare them to provide a comprehensive program of instruction.

EDU 5331: Middle Com Arts & Lit
3 credits
Provides students with an understanding of the theories and practices emphasized by teaching an integrated approach of reading, writing, listening, speaking and thinking skills at the middle and high school levels. Students analyze and evaluate best practice lessons, and write composition, literature, and skills lesson plans. Students reflect, respond, and participate in online discussion groups and on-site seminars. Topics include strategies for teaching grammar, comprehension, literature, and skills instruction.

EDU 5332: Secondary Com Arts & Lit
2 credits
Provides students with an understanding of the theories and practices emphasized by teaching an integrated approach of reading, writing, listening, speaking and thinking skills at the middle and high school levels. Students analyze and evaluate best practice lessons, and write composition, literature, and skills lesson plans. Students reflect, respond, and participate in on-line discussion groups and on-site seminars. Topics include strategies for teaching grammar, comprehension, literature, and skills instruction.

EDU 5335: Secondary Content Area Reading Strategies
2 credits
Looks at a balanced approach between student-centered and teacher-directed instructional approaches, focusing on describing, illustrating, and applying strategies for content area literacy in the middle and secondary grades. The course will explore content literacy within the context of multiple literacies. Through modeled practices and activities, participants will acquire strategies to nurture the skills needed by their future secondary students to understand and learn content. In addition to analyzing text structure and vocabulary of texts in their content discipline, students will examine research data and explore internet resources.  This course follows the recommendations of and supports the policies set forth by the National Reading Panel.

EDU 5340: Elementary Social Studies Methods
2 credits
This course focuses on fundamental social studies teaching methods for elementary learners. Candidates learn appropriate methods of inquiry, curriculum development, instructional planning strategies, and assessment in social studies. An understanding and application of the research base for and the best practices of elementary social studies education is the framework for the course.

EDU 5341: Middle Social Studies Methods
3 credits
Examines and integrates a variety of best practice teaching techniques and methods useful to social studies instruction within the middle school classroom. The course combines theoretical and practical learning experiences that can be applied within the broad field of social studies. Special emphasis is placed on designing lessons for middle school students, reading strategies for social studies content, middle school philosophy, examining standards- based education and learning a broad scope of best practice techniques

EDU 5342 Secondary Social Studies Methods
2 credits
Examines and integrates a variety of best practice teaching techniques and methods useful to social studies instruction within the secondary classroom. The course combines theoretical and practical learning experiences that can be applied within the broad field of social studies. Special emphasis is placed on designing unit lessons, on inquiry, examining standards -based education, integrating technology into social studies instruction and learning a broad scope of best practice techniques.

EDU 5350: Field Experience & Classroom Management Seminar II
$50 course fee; 2 credits
Apply theory, reflect, and develop professionally as students work in a K-12 classroom setting. The focus of the 30-hour field experience is on creating productive learning environments, managing student behavior, and learning activities. Observation and evaluation by CSS faculty is an essential component of the field experience. The seminar and electronic discussion components of the course provide students with opportunities to actively explore central educational issues and key concepts related to best practice in the teaching of the content areas and to opportunities to actively explore central educational issues and key concepts related to classroom management.

EDU 5360: Elementary Mathematics Methods
2 credits
Focuses on best practices and current research trends that enable learners to be successful teachers of mathematics in the K-6 classroom. Learners analyze and evaluate current research, teaching strategies and philosophies related to teaching K-6 mathematics. Helps future teachers build a basic foundation concerning pedagogy, standards based instruction, technology use, and equity issues. Special attention is given to teaching practices that can help ALL K-6 students be successful in mathematics.

EDU 5361: Middle Mathematics Methods
3 credits
Designed to provide students with a knowledge base that enables them to become effective middle mathematics teachers. Students are involved in analyzing and evaluating effective teaching strategies, philosophies and theories related to the teaching of mathematics. Emphasis is on current national and Minnesota mathematics standards, use of technology to teach mathematics, use of manipulatives to teach mathematics, lesson and unit planning, assessments, and current trends in teaching mathematics.

EDU 5362: Secondary Mathematics Methods
2 credits
Designed to provide students with a knowledge base that enables them to become effective secondary mathematics teachers. Students are involved in analyzing and evaluating effective teaching strategies, philosophies and theories related to the teaching of mathematics. Emphasis is on current national and Minnesota mathematics standards, use of technology to teach mathematics, use of manipulatives to teach mathematics, lesson and unit planning, assessments, and current trends in teaching mathematics.

EDU 5370: Elementary Science Methods
2 credits
Prepares the teacher candidate to teach science in elementary and middle schools. Emphasis is on use of standards, teaching science as inquiry, and use of a variety of strategies to teach science concepts. Students examine, analyze, and apply best practices for teaching and learning science. Students examine and discuss recommendations for science teaching from research and national science organizations, and justify the use of particular methods for teaching science in the elementary and middle school classroom.

EDU 5371: Middle Science Methods
3 credits
This is a pre-practicum course for individuals planning to teach middle school science. Major topics include needs of young adolescents; integrating an understanding of the academic specialty with an understanding of pedagogy, students, learning, classroom management, and professional development; reading in science; planning and assessing science instruction using a variety of methods and educational technologies.

EDU 5372 Secondary Science Methods
2 credits
This is a pre-practicum course for individuals planning to teach high school science. Major topics include exploration and application of best practices, safety in the high school science classroom, unit and yearly planning. 

EDU 5450: Field Experiences & Classroom Management Seminar III
$50 course fee; 2 credits
Apply theory, reflect, and develop professionally as students work in a classroom setting. Students use methods, concepts, and theories related to the teaching of the content areas. The focus of the 30-hour field experience is on creating productive learning environments and managing student behavior. Observation and evaluation by CSS faculty is an essential component of the field experience. The seminar and electronic discussion components of the course provide students with opportunities to actively explore central educational issues and key concepts related to classroom management.

EDU 5500: Student Teaching Internship
$150 course fee; 8 credits
Provides students with a practical teaching experience in a local school, under the supervision of a licensed teacher. The experience includes formal observation, planning of teaching units, participation in school activities, working with students with diverse learning needs, communicating effectively with parents/guardians, and working with school support personnel. Interns are supervised and observed by college faculty. In addition to the actual student teaching experience, students must also register for and attend internship seminars. The purpose of the seminars is to assist students to reflect on and deal with situations encountered in their student teaching experience. The intern will be placed in either an elementary, middle, or high school classroom for this experience. Please note that the student teaching internship is a full-time, ten week experience.

EDU 5510: Student Teaching Internship: Seminar
1 credit
Address issues and experiences the intern encounters during their first classroom internship. It also includes models and strategies of effective classroom management.

EDU 6180 Understanding & Evaluating Educational Research
3 credits
Students evaluate various types of educational research relevant to classroom practice by analyzing sample studies for effective research questions and research designs; sampling, data collection and data analysis methods; and validity, reliability, and ethical issues. Students then locate credible peer-reviewed research on a topic of concern in their professional practice and write a synthesis of the literature. Three sessions (may alternate between Duluth and St. Paul and/or may include Wimba sessions, depending on location of enrolled students).

EDU 6190 Using Data to Improve Student Learning
4 credits
Students examine the various kinds of assessment data collected in schools, the purposes for which the data are used, and the techniques for analyzing and interpreting standardized, curriculum-based, and performance assessment data. Students write analyses of two data sets (provided) and develop instructional action plans based on their analyses. The school-wide data project is done in Professional Learning Communities; the classroom data project is done individually. A capstone seminar is held in which students discuss key issues identified in their data projects and provide recommendations. Four sessions (may alternate between Duluth and St. Paul and/or may include Wimba sessions, depending on location of enrolled students).