Upon declaring an education major a student will be classified as a pre-education major. Each student is assigned an education advisor. With the assistance of an advisor, each student should plan a program of study and work toward Level One Admission to Teacher Education.

All students seeking admission to the undergraduate education program for initial educator license are required to apply to the Department of Education for Admission to Teacher Education.

Student Teacher Practicum
Candidates seeking to be recommended for an educator license through the Teacher Education Program at Montana State University-Northern must successfully complete a teaching practicum in their senior year. The candidate must apply and have acquired Final Admission to Level Two of the Teacher Education Program prior to enrolling in EDU 495EL Student Teaching K-8, EDU 495ES Student Teaching K-12, or EDU 495SE Student Teaching 5-12. In addition, the candidate must have completed all professional education courses. The teaching practicum is a full time responsibility; therefore, the candidate will not be allowed to enroll in additional courses during this time. Candidates wishing to student teach must apply by mid-term the semester before they plan to student teach. Dates are posted for each semester's application deadline. A $200 fee is assessed to all candidates enrolled in any of the EDU 495 courses.

Teacher Education Prerequisites
Credits identified as Teacher Education Program prerequisites should be completed during the freshman and sophomore years and prior to making application for Level One Admission to Teacher Education and enrollment in specific upper division teacher education courses.

Professional Education
Professional education courses are designed to prepare students to apply their academic training to their interactions with students, parents, colleagues, and administrators in the K-12 schools and may be taken after receiving Admission to Teacher Education. This portion of the degree requirement is designed to help students plan and prepare instructional experiences, develop insight into how children learn and grow, and provide actual experience with the manner in which K-12 schools are organized and operated.

Teacher Education graduates who complete an approved program of study and meet high academic standards (cumulative GPA of 2.5) are eligible to apply for an educator’s license. Students must make application for licensure through Montana State University-Northern’s Teacher Certification Officer to the Office of Public Instruction. Because of current review of licensure by the Office of Public Instruction, eligibility requirements from the college may change. All applications for licensure will be reviewed on the basis of the rules under which the license is issued.