Program Highlights
Accredited Program
Luther College is accredited by the state of Iowa. This state approval ensures that we prepare you to know your subject and your learners. Often, school districts and states more readily grant licensure to graduates from accredited education programs.
Exploratory Practicum in Area Schools
Experience teaching as a first-year student. Luther’s introductory practicum takes place during your first January Term. You’ll be able to determine early on if teaching is right for you.
Diverse Student Teaching Placement
You have the option to student teach locally, nationally, and internationally. Our staff works with you to find the perfect fit.
What It's Like to Be an Education Major at Luther
"The Education Department does a great job of making sure that you're getting experience in different types of environments," says Lilah Gray '24.
What You’ll Learn
As a Luther education major, you’ll work with real students in real classrooms. “Try on” teaching in your first year. You’ll spend several weeks observing teachers and experiencing the functions of the classroom. Later, you’ll put your skills to work teaching a unit in a monthlong practicum. Finally, a full semester of student teaching will combine your knowledge and experience.
Elementary Education Major (K–6)
If you are planning to become an elementary teacher, you will major in elementary education. You must complete the core program in elementary education plus an academic or special endorsement.
Academic Endorsements:
- English/Language Arts (K–8)
- History (K–8)
- Math (K–8)
- Music (K–8)
- Science (basic) (K–8)
- Social studies (K–8)
Special Endorsements:
- English language learners (ESL) (K–12)
- Middle school specialist (5–8)
- Reading (K–8)
- Special education instructional strategist II: Behavior Disorders and Learning Disabilities (K–12)
Secondary Education Minor
If you are planning to become a teacher at the secondary level, you will major in the content area you plan to teach. You will also minor in secondary education. This will prepare you to teach grades 5–12.
Content areas may include:
- Political science
- History
- English
- Mathematics
- Natural sciences
Careers and Outcomes
Take your Luther education degree anywhere! Luther graduates teach in small to large districts throughout the US and around the world. In addition to teaching, Luther education graduates go on to be successful in a wide variety of occupations. Industry positions that Luther education graduates obtain include—but are not limited to—technology, sales and marketing, healthcare, and nonprofits.
K-12 Career Fields
- Teacher
- Administrator (principal or superintendent)
- School guidance counselor
- Curriculum director
- Instructional coach
- Librarian
- Teacher leadership
- Coaching
Other Career Fields
- Camp/youth director
- Corporate trainers
- Professional tutor
- Museum educator
- Advising
- Public relations
- Activities director
- Speech and language therapist
- Educational consulting
- Human resources
- Event planning
Building an Educational Curriculum
Megan Priest ’23 participated in a student/faculty collaborative research project, focusing her work on building a new type of educational curriculum.
“This research has encouraged me to go into curriculum development and instruction. I’ve decided that I’m going to go to grad school to continue doing research on this because I am so passionate about it.” —Megan Priest ’23
Achieve Licensure
By completing Luther’s education program, you will earn your license to teach in the state of Iowa. There are three levels of approval within our Teacher Education Program:
- Admission to teacher education
- Approval for the professional semester
- Approval for licensure
