School of Education

Licensure Program Requirements | Nonlicensure Program Requirements | School Policies

Students who graduate with an Education degree from The College of St. Scholastica have a competitive edge in today's job market. The College has a strong reputation for developing highly effective teachers. A shortage of qualified teachers exists in many parts of the U. S. with an increased shortage expected in this decade as large numbers of current teachers retire. The College of St. Scholastica's Teacher Education Program is nationally accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC).
The School of Education, which prepares students to teach at the elementary, middle, and secondary levels in public and private schools, supports the general mission of the College by stressing intellectual and moral preparation for responsible living and meaningful work. The Education faculty views the education of pre-service and practicing teachers as a holistic and reflective integration of all that is necessary to be a humane, effective teacher in a diverse and changing society. Students who complete the Education Program have a firm foundation in the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to promote student learning. An important component of the program is the opportunity for early and extended field experiences in local classrooms prior to the required student teaching experience. We strive to continually enhance our programs by being focused on student learning; well-grounded in research and best practices including assessment; collaborative with the K-12 educational community; and committed to integrating diverse perspectives.
The Minnesota Board of Teaching has approved The College of St. Scholastica to offer the Teacher Licensure Program. Licensures are available in elementary (grades K-6) and middle/secondary (grades 5-12) education, as well as in library media specialist (grades K- 12), instrumental and vocal music (grades K-12), and Spanish (K-12). Middle/secondary licensure programs (grades 5-12) are available in communication arts/literature (English); social studies; mathematics; life science (biology); chemistry; and general science (grades 5-8). The School of Education also offers an interdisciplinary major (not currently a teaching license) in Ojibwe Language and Culture Education.
Dean: Jo Olsen, Ed.D.
Program outcomes reflect the six components of the School of Education's conceptual framework: critical reflective practice, content knowledge, best practices, diverse perspectives, appropriate dispositions, and collaborative partnerships. Students who complete an Education Program at The College of St. Scholastica will:

1. Practice critical reflection in the analysis and improvement of their teaching.
2. Demonstrate a sound foundation of content knowledge in the subject areas they teach.
3. Understand and implement best practices in their teaching.
4. Demonstrate the dispositions critical to effective teaching.
5. Practice responsive teaching that meets the diverse needs of all students in their classrooms.
6. Collaborate effectively with stakeholders (e.g. parents, K-12 administrators, community members) to enhance student learning.

Licensure Program Requirements

Elementary Education major

The major requires successful completion of the following courses: First year: EDU 1540, 1505; sophomore year: EDU 2210, 2215, 2240, 2260, 2300, 2270, 2271, 2275; junior year: EDU 3250, 3610, 3615, 3620; senior year: EDU 3710, 3715, 4500, 4510; first year or sophomore year: MTH 1113 and 1114 or MTH 1116; PSC 1201, PSC 1202, and BIO 1104. (All EDU courses numbered 3000, or higher, require acceptance to the appropriate School of Education Program.) The Elementary Education major is a bachelor of science degree program.
It is recommended that all Elementary Education students have a minor in an area of their interest. All students planning to major in Elementary Education should have an advisor from the School of Education.
Undergraduate Chair: Valerie Tanner, M.A.

Middle/Secondary Teacher Licensure

Middle/secondary licensure requires completion of a teacher preparation major offered by one of the following departments: English (Communication Arts and Literature), History (Social Studies), Mathematics, Biology or Chemistry. Music (Instrumental or Vocal) education follows the Middle/Secondary Education Program sequence resulting in a K-12 license including Classroom Music. Spanish education follows the Middle/ Secondary Education Program sequence resulting in a K-12 license. In addition to their major, students are required to take the following courses: First year: EDU 1505, 1540; sophomore year: EDU 2102, 2210, 2215, 2300, 2800, and 2805; junior year: EDU 3250 and 3800; senior year: EDU 4700, 4710. Each student also needs to take the methods course and its corresponding field experience required for her/his particular academic major. All EDU courses numbered 2500 or higher require acceptance to the appropriate EDU Program.
All students planning to major in a content area and complete the Middle/Secondary Education Program should have an advisor in their content major.
Undergraduate Chair: Valerie Tanner, M.A.

Educational Media and Technology (Library Media Specialist Licensure)

The Educational Media and Technology major prepares the student to assume the role of a K-12 school library media specialist. It provides a wide variety of experiences in theory and practice, educating the student to integrate information literacy and technology into the media program and the school curriculum. The Educational Media and Technology major is a bachelor of science degree program.
Education requirements:
EDU 1540, 1505, 2102, 2210, 2215, 2300, 2800, 2805, 3250, 3800, and 4710. Educational Media requirements: EDM 3220, 3222, 3224, 3226, 4228, 4230, 4232, 4235 and 4555.
If the student wants to obtain an additional license in elementary or middle/secondary education, see the program director for requirements. All EDU courses numbered 2500 or higher require acceptance to the appropriate EDU program.
Program Director: Marie Kelsey, Ph.D.

Nonlicensure Program Requirements

Native Teacher Program (Ojibwe Language and Culture Education major)

This baccalaureate program can be taken in conjunction with the Elementary, Middle/Secondary Education Program, the Social Work Program, the Educational Studies major or as a stand-alone major for those who wish to pursue graduate studies. This academic major prepares students to be proficient in the Ojibwe language; to establish a solid foundation in Ojibwe culture, traditions and history; and to understand effective teaching strategies and curriculum materials for working with American Indian children. The Ojibwe Language and Culture Education major as a bachelor of arts degree program.
Program requirements
Ojibwe language courses (16 cr.) OJB 1111, 1112, 2101, 2102, 3101, 4101, proficiency exam; Ojibwe language and culture core courses (12 cr.) EDU 3300 and 4300; Eng 4430; American Indian Studies courses (INS) (8 cr.); any INS course except INS 1101.
Program Director: William Howes

Educational Studies major and minor

Students completing this major/minor will have the opportunity to complete coursework with Education majors and students enrolled in licensure programs while completing coursework in other areas. This major is not a licensure track. It supports career exploration for those following a field of study allied with education. This may include students who have a desire to run children's homes, in-home day cares; healthcare students who's profession involves educating patients and their families; students who plan to be involved in the ministry of religious education; individuals who hope to learn how to effectively home school their children; those who aspire to be college professors; and international students who may have different needs when teaching in a different country.
Program requirements
Major
EDU 1540, 1505, 2102, 2200, 2300, 3250, 3400; Teaching methods courses (8 credits); Upper-division coursework through the School of Education (16 credits).
Minor
EDU 1540, 1505, 2200; one teaching methods course; 8 credits of upper division SOE course work.
All students planning to major in Educational Studies should have an advisor from the School of Education.
Undergraduate Chair: Valerie Tanner, M.A.

Coaching coursework

School districts have the authority to hire anyone whom they judge to have:

1. The knowledge and experience necessary to coach a sport.
2. Six semester credits or the equivalent, or 60 clock hours of instruction in first aid and the care and prevention of athletic injuries.
3. A coaching methods or theory course.

Students can prepare themselves to coach by fulfilling these requirements. See Exercise Physiology and Physical Education for a listing of courses offered at St. Scholastica.

School Policies

Admissions

he School of Education utilizes a progressive admissions policy. A student must apply for initial admission. If accepted, the student must exhibit satisfactory performance in both course work and field experiences. During the junior year, the student must apply for admission to student teaching. The criteria for admission to the Elementary Education major or Middle/ Secondary Education Licensure Programs include:

1. Completion of Minnesota Teacher Licensure Basic Skills Exam (MTLE).
2. Completion or a plan for completion of all prerequisite coursework. Reference the School of Education's Undergraduate Student Handbook or application to major/program form for details about prerequisite courses. Both are available on the School of Education web site. (In most cases, the following are required for admission: EDU 1540, EDU 1505, EDU 2240 and EDU 2260 or EDU 2102, EDU 2210, EDU 2215, and EDU 2300)
3. Cumulative CSS and EDU GPA of 2.8, and a grade of "C" or better in all coursework required for their program.

The criteria for admission to student teaching include:

1. Senior standing and full admission to the School of Education Program.
2. Completion of, enrollment in, or have planned for completing all required courses prior to student teaching (methods and content courses).
3. A cumulative CSS and EDU GPA of 2.8, and a grade of "C" or better in all coursework required for the program. Middle/Secondary applicants must have a positive recommendation from faculty in their content major department.
4. Approval of program faculty.
5. Demonstrate satisfactory progress toward achievement of Standards of Effective Practice through portfolio development and course assessments.
6. Take all applicable MTLE Pedagogy and Content Exams.
7. Must have positive and acceptable Professional Behaviors Evaluations.
8. Provide proof of liability insurance.

For more information see the School of Education Handbook at the SOE website.

Portfolio/license application

Before applying for licensure, students are required to: (a) ensure their transcript is up-to-date and contains all required courses, (b) complete and present a portfolio documenting achievement of the licensure standards, biography, and the four philosophy statements, (c) pass the MTLE test (pedagogy test and content area test(s) in addition to the basic skills test), and (d) complete the verification form. Upon completion of all requirements, students may apply to the Minnesota Department of Education for the appropriate teaching license(s). Most current application information is available on the Minnesota Department of Education's website.

Liability insurance

Students may be required to provide proof of liability insurance prior to participation in tutoring, field experiences or student teaching. Such coverage can be obtained through membership in the Education Minnesota Student Program through Education MN's website. Student teachers are required to provide proof of liability insurance prior to the beginning of their student teaching experience.

Background check

The SOE requires a criminal background study prior to students entering field experiences or courses that require field experiences. MN law also requires that applicants for licensure complete a similar criminal background study. The criminal background study will be made at the initiation of field coursework utilizing:

• Conduct Review Statement (provided by the SOE).
• Verified Credentials (a private firm that does nationwide background checks).
• At the printing of this catalog, the student incurs a $50 fee for this process and each following year utilizing:
  • Conduct Review Statement (provided by the SOE).
  • Minnesota Criminal History review through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
  • Country or state criminal background check through the appropriate entity where student resided.

Some schools may require students to be fingerprinted for national criminal background checks prior to field experience or student teaching placements. This background check requires the student to obtain a fingerprint card and take it to a law enforcement agency to have the fingerprinting completed. There is a fee for this service. Should this be a requirement of the field experience placement, details will be discussed in the appropriate methods courses.

Assessment information required by Title II of the Higher Education Act

All teacher education programs are required to publish their students' test results and other information about their education programs. See the School of Education's website for the most up-to-date information available on the results of St. Scholastica's students.