Education

James Langholz (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 Changes in state requirements appear periodically, so printed material may be out of date; the education department endeavors to keep the departmental website updated.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 are approved for admission to teacher education once each semester: October 1 and March 1. Students need to submit 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. Sophomore standing (completion of 27 semester hours).
4. Three recommendations from faculty and staff.
5. 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).

6. Approval of the candidate by all teaching-area departments and the education department.
7. 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 primary [K-2] and an intermediate [3-5] 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.
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).
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 will have completed (before the student teaching semester) their mathematics and science courses plus EDUC 223, 320, 321, 322, 325, 326, 328, and EDUC 329.

   • Secondary Education minors will have completed methods coursework in their field of study plus 90 percent of their major requirements.

   • K–12 Art, Music, Health and PE majors will have completed methods coursework in their field of study plus 90 percent of their major requirements.

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 (tests 0114 or 0111) 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).

Elementary Education (K–6)

Required for a major: EDUC 185 or 215 (Clinical Experience I in the Schools), EDUC 220, 221, 222, 223, 320, 321, 322, 325, 326, 328, 329, 486, plus two courses from MUS 227, EDUC/ART 228, and EDUC 229; PAID 111, 112; PAID2 450 (Making Decisions for U.S. Schools); two semesters of laboratory science (one biological science and one physical science); MATH 123. At least 19 course equivalents (76 hours) must be completed outside of the education (EDUC) discipline. Note: EDUC 325-329 must be taken within one year of student teaching.

The elementary major requires an academic endorsement or a special endorsement. If more than one endorsement is selected, a ninth semester may be necessary for completion of the program.

1. Academic endorsement requirements (K–8): Prescribed coursework in one discipline (see education department website for requirements in specific disciplines).

   OR

2. Special endorsement requirements: If you elect a special endorsement you must also complete an academic concentration. This is 12 semester hours in a single discipline outside of the elementary major. Students may also elect a social science general concentration (12 hours in any social science coursework) or science general concentration (12 hours in any science coursework).

• Instructional Strategist II: Behavior Disorders and Learning Disabilities (K–12): Required courses for this endorsement include: EDUC 240, 242, 245, 246, 344, 347, and student teaching in a classroom with students at both elementary and secondary levels, who have learning and/or behavior disorders.
• Early Childhood (preK–K): Required courses for this endorsement include: EDUC 330, 331; SCI 130; SOC 101 and SOC 347 or EDUC 240; PE 342 or PSYC 240; student teaching in kindergarten and pre-kindergarten.
• Reading (K–8): Required courses for this endorsement include: EDUC 223, 320, 326, 347, 376, 378; one of LING 131, 242 or ANTH 103; COMS 132; a minimum of four weeks of student teaching in a reading resource classroom/program.
• English Language Learners/English as a Second Language (ESL K–12): Required courses for this endorsement include: EDUC 240, 323, 324, 340, 345, LING 241, COMS 350; EDUC 223 and EDUC 320 (or EDUC 378 and ENG 334); one of LING 131, 242 or ANTH 103; COMS 132 or 236; two semesters of one foreign language or proficiency at the intermediate level; student-teaching experience in elementary and secondary ELL/ESL classrooms.
• Middle School (5-8): The middle school endorsement will require that students take a core of required courses and two "specialty" areas. This may be any combination within the disciplines of mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies. Minnesota-bound students seeking middle school licensing should consult with Jennifer Olufsen in the education department.

  Core courses: EDUC 332, 333, and EDUC 278 or 378, and a student teaching practicum. In addition, two of the following specialty areas must be completed:

  Mathematics Specialization: 12 semester hours in mathematics to include one of the following: MATH 140, 141, or MATH 151.

  Science Specialization: 12 semester hours in science, to include coursework in life science, earth science, and physical science. The life and physical science courses will apply toward this specialization in the same way that they do for the elementary education major. Earth science would include either SCI 123, ENVS 133, or ENVS 134.

  Language Arts Specialization: 12 semester hours in language arts to include coursework in composition (PAID 111 and 112), language usage (LING 131), speech (COMS 132), young adult literature (ENG 334), literature across cultures, (PAID 111 and 112, ENG 130, 147, 240, 251, or any upper level literature course).

  Social Studies Specialization: 12 semester hours in social studies to include coursework in U.S. history/government (HIST 101), world history (any non-U.S. history course offered by the history department), and geography (HIST 126).

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, 366, 367 (or EDUC 468 for certification in health), EDUC 278 (content only, no practicum), EDUC 486; PAID2 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 (listed under academic programs).

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; PAID2 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, and 486; MUS 351 or 353; PAID2 450 (Making Decisions for U.S. Schools).

Students who wish to pursue vocal music education must additionally complete EDUC 460, 462, and 466. Students who wish to pursue instrumental band education must also complete EDUC 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, 280, and 464. Students who wish to pursue instrumental orchestra education must also complete EDUC 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, 280, and 468. (Band and orchestra education students will need EDUC 462 for licensure in surrounding states. With EDUC 462, 280 is not needed.)

Students who wish to pursue both vocal and instrumental (either band or orchestra) must complete EDUC 217, 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, 280, 360, 361, 460, 462, 464 or 468, 466, the advanced conducting course of their choice, 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 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, 122, 122L, and one instrumental methods course (instrumentalists only).
   2. Successful completion of piano proficiency or currently enrolled in piano study (studio or class).
2. Additional 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, 280 or 462), EDUC 360, 361.
   3. Requirements listed above must be completed by the professional semester application due date. 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.