Montana State University-Northern: Education Department

Education	Degrees	Minor	Other
Art (K-12)
Elementary Education (K-8)	BSEd
English (5-12)	BSEd
General Science (5-12)	BSEd
Health and Physical Education (K-12)	BSEd
Industrial Technology (teaching option)	BSEd
Mathematics (5-12)	BSEd
Reading Specialist (K-12)
Social Science (5-12)	BSEd
Traffic Education (K-12)

Montana State University-Northern’s education programs are accredited by the Montana Board of Public Education.

Advising Information

Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor at the beginning of each semester to confirm their plan of study and make any necessary adjustments. Due to course scheduling changes, staff assignments, and other conflicts, it may not be possible to follow the suggested plans exactly. Meeting with an advisor before registering for classes each semester will allow students to plan a schedule that will meet their needs and assist them in completing requirements in an efficient manner.

Undergraduate Teacher Education

The undergraduate Teacher Education Program contains four broad areas of emphasis:

Providing a comprehensive general education background;
Developing an in-depth background in one or more academic areas commonly taught in the public schools;
Completing professional preparation focusing on pedagogy, consisting of on-campus courses and K-12 school practicum's that lead to a recommendation for educator licensure;
Participating in community and campus wide extra-curricular experiences and/or elective courses that will enhance the prospective teacher’s personal development.

Requirements for Admission to the Teacher Education Program

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 EDUC 400 Elementary Teaching Practicum and Seminar, EDUC 450 Secondary Teaching Practicum and Seminar, or EDUC 475 Elementary and Secondary Teaching Practicum and Seminar. 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 EDUC 400, EDUC 450, or EDUC 475.

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.

Requirements for Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Licensure Requirements

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.

Licensure Requirements