Careers in Education

Students who graduate with an Education degree from The College of St. Scholastica will have a competitive edge in today's job market. The College has a reputation for developing high quality teachers. A shortage of qualified teachers exists in many parts of the U.S., with this region expected to see shortages in this decade, as large numbers of current teachers retire.

Program Overview

The Education department prepares students to teach at the elementary/middle (K-8) and middle/secondary levels (grades 5-12). Licensure programs are also available in K-12 library media specialist, music education, and school social work. A program in Ojibwe language and culture prepares individuals to teach American Indian students. Courses to prepare individuals for coaching are also available.

Middle/Secondary licensure programs are available in Communication Arts and Literature; Social Studies, Mathematics; Life Science (biology) and Chemistry.

The department's curriculum is designed to correspond to the Minnesota licensure standards, which are based on the Standards of Effective Practice for Beginning Teachers. All CSS licensure programs are approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching and are designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and dispositions characteristic of highly effective teachers.

The CSS Education program emphasizes reflective practice, integration of content areas, and a diversity-rich curriculum. Faculty model best practices in small classes and foster pre-service teachers' development of the dispositions needed to promote a positive learning environment. The program requires significant field experience in school settings, beginning in the freshman year and throughout the student's program. The teacher education program enjoys strong collaborative partnerships with the K-12 schools in the Duluth area, which provide practical experience for CSS students.

Licensure Program Requirements

Elementary/Middle Education Major

The elementary/middle education major requires successful completion of the following courses:

Freshman year: Introduction to Teaching, Introductory Field Experience.

Sophomore year: Child in the Classroom, Human Relations, Drug and Health Education I, Phy. Ed Methods, Communications, and Field Experience in Communications - Classroom Management.

Junior year: Reading Methods, Special Needs Education, Middle School Models and Methods, Classroom Assessment, Art Methods, Music Methods, Content Area Learning, and Field Experience in Content Areas/Classroom Management.

Senior year: Student Teaching and Student Teaching Seminar.

In addition, elementary/middle education majors are expected to complete an academic specialty which qualifies them to teach grades 5-8 in one of the following academic areas: communication arts and literature, social studies, mathematics, or science.

Middle/Secondary Education Major

Middle/Secondary licensure requires completion of a teacher preparation major in one of the following areas: English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Biology or Chemistry. In addition to this major, students are required to take the following courses:

Freshman year: Introduction to Teaching, Introductory Field Experience

Sophomore year: Child in the Classroom, Human Relations, Drug and Health Education I & II, Classroom Environment, Middle Level Field Experience

Junior year: Special Needs Education, Teaching Process, High School Field Experience, and the methods course for the major field.

Senior year: Student Teaching, Student Teaching Seminar.

Ojibwe Language & Culture Education Major

Elementary/middle and middle/secondary students can prepare for teaching American Indian students by completing a second major in Ojibwe Language and Culture Education. Students are placed in bilingual -bicultural settings for pre-student teaching and student teaching whenever possible.

Program requirements: See Ojibwe Teacher Education Fact Sheet. This is not a licensure program. Students must also get a K-8 or 5-12 license if they wish to teach.

Educational Media and Technology Major (Library Media Specialist Licensure)

The educational media and technology major prepares library/media professionals to work in school media centers. Designed to provide a wide variety of experiences in theory and practice, the program trains the media specialist to meet demands placed on the school media program and leads to Minnesota licensure as a K-12 Library Media Specialist.

Requirements: See Educational Media and Technology Fact Sheet.

Music Education Licensure

The music education licensure program prepares students to teach vocal or instrumental music in K-12. Requirements: Completion of a teacher preparation major in Music plus the middle/secondary education licensure sequence.

School Social Worker Licensure

Graduates of the St. Scholastica Social Work Program, which is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, are able to secure School Social Worker licensure. Program requirements: See Social Work Fact Sheet.

Admission and Retention Procedure and Policies

The Education department uses a progressive admissions policy. A student applies for initial admission in the sophomore year. During the junior year, the student applies for admission to student teaching. The criteria for admission to the major include:

• Completion of Praxis I Exam (PPST).
• Documentation of experiences working with children. Fifty hours of recent experience outside of St. Scholastica courses are required.
• Successful completion of General Education essay.
• Completion or a plan for completion of all prerequisite coursework.
• A minimum overall and EDU GPA of 2.8 and a minimum of "C" in all coursework required for the major.
• Before enrolling in EDU 3451 and 3452 (Art & Music Methods), elementary/middle education students are advised to take MUS 1001 or ART 1105 if they do not have prerequisite skills in one of these areas.
• Before enrolling in EDU 3500, students are advised to take at least one each of the required math and science courses.
• Acceptance to EDU program prior to enrolling in any EDU course numbered 2500 or higher.

The criteria for admission to student teaching include:

• Completion or a plan for completion of all prerequisite coursework.
• A cumulative St. Scholastica and EDU GPA of 2.8, and a grade of "C" or better in all coursework required for the major.
• Successful completion of all field experiences.
• Attainment of licensure standards as described by course competencies.
• Completion of or registered for Praxis II Pedagogy and Content Area exam(s).

For Further Information

If you would like more information about our program or financial aid contact:

Admissions Office
The College of St. Scholastica
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, Minnesota 55811
(218) 723-6046 or 1-800-447-5444
TTY/TDD (218) 723-6790
e-mail: admissions@css.edu

Visitors are always welcome! To help us best plan for your visit, please call us in advance.

The College of St. Scholastica is an equal opportunity educator and employer.