Teacher Education

School of Education

Minneapolis Opus Hall (MOH) 207, (651) 962-4980

Debbie Monson, PH.D. (Chair), Liz Fogarty, Ph.D., Lucy Payne, Ph.D., Chelda Smith, Ph.D., Muffet Trout Ph.D.

Note: The University of St. Thomas School of Education programs are in alignment with Minnesota state licensure regulations. Changes in state regulations could affect the programs described below. Please maintain contact with the Department of Teacher Education for the most current information.

The University of St. Thomas School of Education offers a full range of undergraduate and graduate programs for persons who wish to teach in elementary, middle, and secondary school settings. Candidates who become educators through the Department are part of a proud tradition that goes back over three-quarters of a century, completing programs that embrace the liberal arts, emphasize ethical practice, and prepare creative, reflective educators dedicated to the success of all learners. Current programs are offered within the School of Education's mission:

Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas School of Education educates practitioners to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely and work skillfully to advance the common good.

Programs are designed to meet or exceed Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board licensure requirements.

Because of the number of required courses and the options available, it is suggested that students considering an education degree contact a department adviser as early as possible in their college career. Ongoing state licensure rule changes make careful planning particularly important. Current Teacher Education students can view specific policies on department Canvas site.

Students apply for admission to the program while enrolled in EDUC 210. Criteria for admission to the education program include:

• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 for all credits earned at UST

Students accepted into the program must:

• Maintain a 2.75 GPA
• Earn a grade of C or better in all education courses
• Earn a grade of C- or better for all content area and allied content courses required for licensure
• Demonstrate ability to consistently exhibit all professional dispositions
• Show evidence of satisfactory field experiences
• Successfully complete program Assessments at Transition Points

The department reserves the right to dismiss candidates from the licensure programs based on violations of the professional dispositions standards or unsatisfactory progress toward meeting state-mandated licensure standards.

In order to take Block 4 courses and participate in Clinical Practice, a candidate needs the following: senior status; successful completion of Assessments at Transition Points; satisfactory completion of all education courses in Blocks 1, 2, and 3 and licensure-related content courses; and satisfactory demonstration of all Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice. World Languages candidates must arrange to pass the Oral Proficiency Interview (based on ACTFL Guidelines). For information regarding this, contact the Field and Clinical Placement Manager in the School of Education.

With Departmental approval, candidates may be able to complete half of their Clinical Practice in an international setting.

Following completion of all program requirements, a candidate may apply for Minnesota state licensure. Many other states offer reciprocal entry licenses for candidates completing our program requirements. Since all states’ requirements are unique, any candidate planning to teach in another state is strongly advised to check with that state in advance to satisfy those requirements.

• Elementary Education (B.S.)
• Middle/Secondary Level & K-12 Education
• Special Education (B.S.)

Some students who cannot complete the entire Teacher Education licensure program in four years may decide to complete the coursework to meet the requirements of the content major and come back to complete their licensure requirements on the graduate level. Declaring a minor in Teacher Education would designate this on their transcript and also be beneficial for them as they seek employment. All courses must be a 2.75 GPA or higher. This minor is also available to any undergraduate student who completes the required courses with the approval of the Chair of Teacher Education. While the minor alone does not complete the requirements for teaching licensure, the remaining courses, field experience, and clinical practice may be completed at the graduate level through the Department of Teacher Education.

• Special Education Exceptionalities Minor (20 cr)

Undergraduate majors who wish to become a licensed special education teacher must complete a Teacher Education minor. The courses in the Teacher Education minor cover the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practices standards. Note: EDUC 210 part of SPUG Major and EDUC Minor)

• EDUC 210 Education Issues and Policies (4 credits)
• EDUC 329 Diversity and Cultural Competence (4 credits)
• EDUC 330 Psychology for Teaching & Learning (4 credits)
• EDUC 332 Field Experience II (0 credits)
• EDUC 350 Language Development, Literacy & Literature or EDUC 355 Reading for the 5-12 Teacher or (4 credits)

One elective (4 credits) selected from the following list or another course pre-approved by the department chair:

• COMM 220, Interpersonal Communication or COMM 370 Intercultural
  Communication
• EDUC 327 Engineering in the P-12 Classroom
• EDUC 370 Language Development, Literacy & Literature II
• PSYC 200, 202 or 203 Developmental Psychology Courses
• SOCI 110 Social Problems
• SPUG 250 Fundamentals of Special Education: Exceptionality, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Note: *As systems update you may see discrepancies in course titles. Please refer to course prefix and number when registering.

*Please note, this minor is no longer accepting new students.

The number of people in the United States whose first language is not English is increasing rapidly. Those who are seeking teaching licensure, whether at the elementary, middle/secondary or K-12 level, may choose a minor in ESL Education to provide a base of knowledge in how to work with students who are learning English.

This minor may also be useful for those pursuing other people/service related majors, such as social work, psychology, English, communications, etc., since these fields may also require work with people whose first language may not be English.

Courses required in this minor:

• EDUC 358 Additional Language Acquisition for Diverse Learners (4 credits)
• EDUC 361 Language and Culture for Academic Development (4 credits)
• EDUC 363 Introduction to Linguistics for Teachers of Diverse Learners (4 credits)
• EDUC 364 Literacy and Oral Language Development for Diverse Learners (4 credits)
• EDUC 368 Testing and Assessment for Diverse Learners (2 credits)
• EDUC 378 Grammar Instruction for Diverse Learners (4 credits)