The Teacher Certification Officer for Luther College is Jennifer Olufsen.  She will assist you through the licensure process.  You will start certification paperwork during your student teaching semester but this is an area that requires your attention as you plan your program.  We will supply you with application forms for the states of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. 

Each state has a licensure office attached to its Department of Education.  This office grants licensure based on statutes and rules from that state.  As such, some requirements differ from state to state.  Luther College’s Teacher Education Program follows requirements for the State of Iowa.   Luther College students traditionally have received licensure in most states.  When we learn about stipulations that states have put on students’ licenses [you usually have a year to comply], we have passed that information on to our students.  For example, to be a teacher in the State of WI, you need to have taken coursework about Native Americans from the State of Wisconsin.  While this is not a course offered at Luther College, there is an assignment available in Education 221:  Diverse and Exceptional Learner that will fulfill this requirement. Students are advised to review the website for the licensing agency in the state in which he or she plans to teach.  Learning more about the requirements will enable you to incorporate the appropriate coursework and make efficient use of your time and resources while preparing to become a teacher at Luther College.

It is important to note that the rules and regulations that apply to teacher licensure are constantly being reviewed, updated and changed.  We make every attempt to stay current with these changes, but states other than Iowa do not advise Iowa colleges, in advance, of changes.  Most states will give out-of-state applicants time to comply with their regulations and rules.

Some tips for students planning to teach in the State of Wisconsin:

• You will need to have 18 weeks of student teaching (Fall or Spring Term + a January Term).
• Elementary and Social Studies 5 – 12 teachers will need to have completed “coursework” regarding Native Americans from the state of Wisconsin. 
• Elementary teachers should incorporate an Environmental Science as his or her life science.
• Students should not plan to be endorsed in Reading K – 8 as the WI license is for a master’s level reading specialist.
• Elementary students will not be licensed to teach Kindergarten unless you have taken the Early Childhood Endorsement at Luther College and student taught in Kindergarten.
• Elementary majors need to have an academic minor in addition to their Elementary major and the Middle School courses OR have an Early Childhood Endorsement.
• The Middle School Endorsement is content specific:  Math/Language Arts/Science/Social Studies.
• Music Majors will need to have Education 278 or 378:  Reading in the Content Area.

Some tips for students planning to teach in the State of Minnesota:

• Students planning to teach social studies at either the middle school or high school level should note that you need to have coursework across a broad selection of social studies coursework including Anthropology, History, Geography, Sociology, Economics, Political Science (American Government topics) and Psychology. 
• Elementary Majors will NOT be eligible to teach Kindergarten UNLESS they have taken Education 330: Introduction to Early childhood Education AND student taught at the Kindergarten level.
• Students should not plan to be endorsed in Reading K – 8 as the MN license is for a master’s level reading specialist.
• English majors planning to teach at the 5-12 level should check with their advisor about additional courses required for MN 5-12 English/Language Arts.

Licensure Application Forms

• Iowa
• Minnesota
• Wisconsin