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.
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 practicums 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 candidate’s personal development.
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. Candidates 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.
Students completing Montana State University-Northern’s Elementary Teacher Education Program will be recommended for a Standard Class II Educator License which qualifies holders to teach kindergarten through grade eight (K-8). Students completing one of Montana State University-Northern’s Secondary Teacher Education Programs will be recommended for a Standard Class II Secondary Educator License, which qualifies holders to teach their subject area in grades 5-12 or K-12, depending on the program completed.
In addition to their general professional education requirements, secondary education majors will complete an academic major with no minor or a combination of a regular major with a minor. Individuals obtaining a Montana Class II Educator License will be licensed in their major and minor areas. Candidates who complete majors with no minor (40-60 credits) will be licensed to teach subjects within the area encompassed by that discipline. Candidates who complete a regular major (30-39 credits) and a minor (20-29 credits) will be licensed to teach in the two areas. Areas of Concentration, an option that is available in some programs, do not lead to licensure or endorsement in that area of concentration.
Candidates for initial licensure in Elementary Education must successfully complete the Praxis II examination.
The University-wide General Education Requirements and Teacher Education Program pre-requisites provide Elementary Education majors with 50 hours of broadly-based subject matter background. In addition, Elementary Education majors must select either one K-12 licensure minor with a minimum of 20 credits, or two non-licensure areas of concentration with a minimum of 14 credits each. K-12 licensure minors are available in Art, Health and Physical Education, Traffic Education and Reading. There are 12 possible subjects in which areas of concentration can be developed. These areas of concentration are developed in consultation with the advisor and may be selected from the following: art, biology, early childhood, English, general science, health and physical education, history and social science, mathematics, music, physical science, reading and science. Additional areas of teaching concentration may be planned on an individual basis and is subject to the Dean’s approval. Although all elementary majors will receive the same license and grade level endorsement, it is recommended that students planning to teach in the upper grade levels include the addition of minors in their program. This is especially desirable for teaching in grades seven and eight. Students desiring added licensure should consider a K-12 minor.
Accreditation standards of Montana middle and secondary schools identify the particular endorsements, and in many instances, the number of credit hours of subject matter candidates must possess. Candidates should consult with the Dean of Education, Arts and Sciences, and Nursing if there are questions regarding the middle and/or high school courses which their major or minor will permit them to teach.
Several majors and minors (Art, General Science Broadfield, Health and Physical Education, Industrial Technology, Traffic Education, Reading Specialist, Social Science-Broadfield) lead to a K-12 license. This license makes possible a teaching assignment in the specific subject in all grades from kindergarten through grade 12. Candidates seeking this type of licensure must plan course work and field experiences at both the elementary and the secondary grade levels.
Graduates of all Montana State University-Northern Teacher Education Programs will be eligible for a recommendation for a Standard Class II Educator License. However, prospective teachers who plan to teach selected high school career and technical education subjects in technical schools, community colleges, junior colleges, or other programs where state licensure is a requirement for federal or state reimbursement programs must also complete specific career and technical education course work and meet appropriate on-the-job work experience requirements. The evaluation of an individual’s on-the-job work experience is completed by personnel in the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Candidates seeking to teach in a reimbursed career and technical education program should check with their advisor early in their program.
Upon declaring an education major, candidates will be classified as a pre-education major. All candidates are assigned an education advisor. With the assistance of an advisor, all candidates should plan a program of study and work toward Level One Admission to Teacher Education.
All teacher education candidates 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.
Level One. Admission to Teacher Education is required of all candidates prior to their enrolling in any professional education core courses at the 300 level or above. After admission to Level One, they will be referred to as candidates and be classified as education majors.
The following General Education Core courses have to be completed with a “C-” or better before application to Level One Teacher Education:
Demonstration of ability to communicate verbally in a fluent and understandable manner
Recommendation by the candidate’s major advisor
Submission of references from supervisors or faculty
Background check
Candidate insurance required
Educational Philosophy
Admission to Level One of the Teacher Education program is granted by the Teacher Education Admission and Retention Committee after a thorough evaluation of the student’s application. The application packet is available in the Education Office and online.
Candidates progress in the program is closely monitored by the department faculty. All candidates’ performances are reviewed each semester by a faculty committee. Decisions for suspension and retention are forwarded to the Dean.
In addition, the following applies:
No required professional education major, minor, or area of concentration courses may be taken on a pass-fail basis (except EDUC 400 and EDUC 450 and EDUC 475).
Candidates not admitted to the program, candidates who do not have the required prerequisites, or are suspended from the program who are registered for EDUC courses above the 300 level may be administratively withdrawn from the course(s).
Grades below C- are not accepted in required professional education courses, or in courses included in the major, minor, or areas of concentration.
Coursework five (5) years or older will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for matriculation into the program.
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. Candidates 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, candidates 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. Student teaching candidates must apply by mid-term the semester before they plan to student teach. Dates are posted for each semester’s application deadline. A $100 fee is assessed to all candidates enrolled in EDUC 400, EDUC 450, or EDUC 475.
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.
The Elementary Education Core requirements consist of the following:
EDPY 215 Introduction to Education Psychology EDPY 350 The Education and Psychology Exceptional Children EDUC 100 Foundations of Education EDUC 300 Introduction to Curriculum Planning and Practice* EDUC 302 Methods of Teaching Elementary Mathematics* EDUC 304 Methods of Teaching Elementary Science* EDUC 306 Methods of Teaching Elementary Social Studies* EDUC 308 Methods & Materials of Teaching Elementary and Secondary Art* EDUC 334 Methods of Teaching the Integrated Language Arts* EDUC 335 Fundamental and Corrective Strategies in the Elementary Reading Program* EDUC 336 Integrated Field Experiences* EDUC 351 Diversity and Technology in the Classroom EDUC 353 Health Enhancement for Elementary Education EDUC 376 Assessment in Education* EDUC 380 Classroom Environment and Management* EDUC 430 Integrating Indian Education for All Across the Curriculum EDUC 448 Reading Materials for the Elementary Child EDUC 455 Advanced Practicum in Education* HPE 235 Principles of Health and Wellness PSYX 230 Developmental Psychology EDUC 400 Elementary Teaching Practicum and Seminar* EDUC 475 Elementary and Secondary Teaching Practicum and Seminar*
*Upon Admission to Teacher Education, prescribed courses must be taken in sequence (blocks).
The Secondary Education Core requirements consist of the following:
EDPY 215 Introduction to Education Psychology EDPY 350 The Education and Psychology Exceptional Children EDUC 100 Foundations of Education EDUC 300 Introduction to Curriculum Planning and Practice EDUC 321 Integrating Technology into Education EDUC 376 Assessment in Education EDUC 445 Teaching Reading, Writing and Critical Thinking Skills Across the Curriculum EDUC 450 Secondary Teaching Practicum and Seminar EDUC 455 Advanced Practicum in Education HPE 235 Principles of Health and Wellness PSYX 230 Developmental Psychology
VOED 350 Principles of Industrial/Technology Education, VOED 360 Analysis and Preparation Lab Management, and VOED 370 Methods of Teaching Industrial/Technology Education are suggested for Industrial Technology majors who plan on being able to verify appropriate work experience through the Office of Public Instruction and who want to qualify for vocational approval to teach in a state or federally reimbursed program.
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