Education

Debrah Fordice (acting department head)

Teacher Education Programs—K–6 Elementary, 5–12 Secondary, K–12 Art, K–12 Music, K–12 Health and PE

For complete information regarding the education programs and licensure requirements at Luther, consult the education department website, education.luther.edu. Changes in state requirements appear periodically, so printed material may be out of date; the education department endeavors to keep the departmental website updated. You may also wish to consult the Education Department Handbook and the Field Experience Handbook, available through the education office, or the Music Student Guidelines available at luther.edu/music/curriculum. All students pursuing licensure in education must be aware that their course selections will have an impact on the length of their programs and their certification. For this reason, it is important that these students maintain regular contact with their education advisors and with the education department staff. Secondary and K–12 students with advisors in other departments should also seek regular consultation with the education department staff and faculty.

Important information for all students interested in the teacher education program:

• Students must be approved for the Teacher Education Program before they are permitted to register for 300-400 level courses in the education department. Transfer students should see Jennifer Olufsen.
• Candidates' completed applications are due October 1 and March 1 for admission. Students need to submit a completed application in advance of these dates.
• The education department and all teaching area departments review teacher education candidates.
• Students may not transfer methods courses at the 300 level or above from another institution.

To be licensed to teach, a student must successfully complete the education program at Luther College. There are three levels of approval within the Teacher Education Program: admission to teacher education, approval for the professional semester, and approval for licensure.

A. Admission to the Teacher Education Program

1. 2.75 minimum overall GPA.
2. Satisfactory completion of EDUC 185/215 (Clinical Experience I in the Schools) or 217 (Introduction to Music Education).
3. Three recommendations from faculty and staff.
4. Passing scores on one of two approved Basic Skills Exams:

   a. Praxis I (PPST) exam: reading (175), writing (174), mathematics (173). Praxis exams are given on Luther College's campus several times a year. See ETS.org.

   b. Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exam: reading (240), writing (240) and mathematics (240). See the MTLE website at the Minnesota Department of Education. (Minnesota-bound students only).

5. Approval of the candidate by all teaching-area departments and the education department.
6. Satisfactory completion of the introductory portfolio.

B. Approval for the professional semester (student teaching)

All K-12 education minors are required to student teach both at the elementary and secondary grade levels. Elementary majors are required to student teach in a [K-2] and a [3-6] grade level. All education majors and minors are required to have a practicum that includes students from diverse backgrounds.

1. Approval by all teaching-area departments, and the Education department.
2. A 2.75 minimum overall GPA and 2.75 minimum GPA in all teaching areas including education department coursework. (Exceptions include modern languages at 3.00 and mathematics/biology/chemistry at 2.50). We incorporate all transfer course grades for this purpose.
3. Removal of all incompletes and completion of the foundation courses, EDUC 185/215 (Clinical Experience I in the Schools) or EDUC 217, 220, and 221.

   • Elementary Education majors completion of their mathematics and science courses plus EDUC 223, 320, 321, 322, 325, 326, 328, and EDUC 329 before the student teaching semester.

   • Secondary Education minors completion of methods coursework in their field of study plus 90 percent of their major requirements before the student teaching semester.

   • K–12 Art, Music, Health and PE majors completion of methods coursework in their field of study plus 90 percent of their major requirements before the student teaching semester.

4. Attend a professional semester application meeting that is appropriate for your professional semester:

   • Fall student teachers' meeting: The year BEFORE you wish to student teach—the second Tuesday in September.

   • Spring student teachers' meeting: The year BEFORE you wish to student teach—the first Tuesday in March.

5. Satisfactory completion of a developing portfolio.

C. Approval for licensure after completion of the teacher education program, professional semester, and graduation from Luther College.

Luther College prepares students to be eligible for licensure in the state of Iowa. Luther students are also eligible to receive a preliminary license in most states. Each state regulates certification rules for teacher licensing. These rules change often; therefore, for licensure outside Iowa, the best source for information is the state department of education website for your preferred state. All students must complete the Luther College program and meet the Iowa requirements, irrespective of the state in which the student plans to eventually teach, in order to be approved for licensure. Check with the education department on your particular program. Requirements are:

1. Completion of bachelor of arts degree, a 2.75 minimum final overall GPA and 2.75 minimum final GPA in all teaching areas—including education department coursework (Exceptions include modern languages at 3.00 and mathematics/biology/chemistry at 2.50).
2. Completion of all program requirements in elementary, secondary, or K–12 programs, including successful completion of all required practica.
3. If required by your state, successful completion of pre-licensure examinations, such as the Praxis II test or the MTLE. All elementary majors must successfully complete Praxis II (test 0114) for licensure in the State of Iowa.
4. Required by all states: criminal background check, fingerprinting.
5. Successful completion of an Advanced Portfolio (note: elementary majors must present the professional portfolio as the senior project).
6. Approval of your student teaching practicum by your student teaching supervisor AND the Education department.

Elementary Education (K–6)

Required for a major: EDUC 185/215 (Clinical Experience I in the Schools), EDUC 220, 222, 223, 320, 321, 322, 325, 326, 328, 329, 376, 486, 490 or 493, PAID 450 (Making Decisions for U.S. Schools); ART 229, MUS 227, PE 229; HIST 101 and 126; MATH 123; two lab science courses (one biological science and one physical science).

The elementary major requires an academic endorsement or a special endorsement. If more than one endorsement is selected, please speak with your advisor about regarding the length of student teaching required. A ninth semester may be necessary for completion of the program.

At least 76 semester hours (19 course equivalents) must be completed outside of the education (EDUC) discipline.

EDUC 325-329 should be taken within one year of student teaching.

Secondary Education Minor (in conjunction with an academic major, grades 5–12)

Requirements for certification in English, foreign language, health, mathematics, science, and social studies: EDUC 185/215 (Clinical Experience I in the Schools), EDUC 220, 221, 252, 352 or 353 (language majors only), 366, 367 (or EDUC 468 for certification in health), EDUC 278 (content only, no practicum), EDUC 486; PAID 450 (Making Decisions for U.S. Schools).

Second Teaching Area: In the state of Iowa, students majoring in one subject may take fewer semester hours in another subject and be granted an endorsement to teach that subject. This is not transferable to other states. It only applies to students wishing to teach in the state of Iowa. Please check the education department website for specific requirements for second teaching areas.

K–12 Teaching Minors: Art, Physical Education, Health

Required for licensure (in addition to the major in art, physical education, or health): EDUC 185/215 (Clinical Experience I in the Schools), EDUC 220, 221, professional semester (EDUC 486); PAID 111; PAID 450 (Making Decisions for U.S. Schools).

Each major has specific methods requirements: for art: ART 228 (for 4 hours) and EDUC 352; for physical education: EDUC 365; and for health: EDUC 252, EDUC 278 or 378, and HLTH 468.

K–12 Teaching Minor: Music

Required coursework: Completion of Luther College general requirements and the music major plus EDUC 217, 220, 221, 360, 361, 462, and 486; MUS 351 or 353; PAID 450 (Making Decisions for U.S. Schools).

Students who wish to pursue vocal music education must additionally complete EDUC 460 and 466. Students who wish to pursue instrumental band education must also complete EDUC 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, and EDUC 464. Students who wish to pursue instrumental orchestra education must also complete EDUC 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, and EDUC 468.

Students who wish to pursue both vocal and instrumental (either band or orchestra) must complete EDUC 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, 460, 464 or 468, 466, and four semesters of lessons on their secondary instrument (either primary or secondary instrument must include voice). Students electing to complete both band and orchestra must complete both EDUC 464 and EDUC 468. Students electing to student teach in any two areas must student teach for 18 weeks.

1. Additional criteria for applying for admission to the teacher education program (teaching minor: K–12 Music): (Admission to the teacher education program is a prerequisite to enrolling in education courses above 300). See also general requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program.
   1. Satisfactory completion of EDUC 217, MUS 121, 121L, and one instrumental methods course (instrumentalists only).
   2. Successful completion of piano proficiency or enrolled in MUS 117 during the semester of TEP application.
2. Criteria for admission to the professional semester (student teaching): See also general requirements for admission to the professional semester.
   1. Successful completion of piano proficiency.
   2. Completion of EDUC 217, 220, 221, (instrumentalists: EDUC 255, 260, 265, 270, 275), EDUC 360, 361, 462, and either 460 and 466 (vocal), 464 (band), or 468 (orchestra).
   3. Requirements listed above must be completed by the professional semester. Check the education department website for specific dates. If any requirement is incomplete by the professional semester application due date, the student must delay student teaching until the following approval cycle (one semester).
3. Other states may require music majors to take EDUC 278 or 378 including the practicum requirement.