School of Education

Programs in education at NDSU are administered by the School of Education. Our graduates are prepared to be teachers, counselors, and school administrators ans assume various additional roles in education and throughout the community. Program graduates are capable of working effectively with diverse populations. Through course work and field experiences, students come to an appreciation of - and commitment to - cultural diversity and the elimination of inequitable instructional and institutional practices.

All programs leading to teacher licensure or the school administrator credential with the School of Education are reviewed and accredited at the undergraduate and graduate levels by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and are approved by the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB), while graduate programs in counseling are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Program accreditation assures that graduates of the respective programs may be certified/licensed as teachers, counselors, or school administrators in other states, and also assures that the programs offered through the NDSU School of Education are high quality.

Degrees Offered

  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Teaching Specialties - Undergraduate Programs of Study

  • Agriculture Education
  • Art Education
  • Biological Sciences Education
  • Chemistry Education
  • Comprehensive Science Education
  • Earth Science Education
  • Elementary Education (VCSU) & Human Development and Family Science (NDSU)
  • English Education
  • Extension Education (minor only)
  • Family & Consumer Sciences Education
  • French Education
  • Health Education
  • History Education
  • Mathematics Education
  • Music Education (Instrumental & Vocal)
  • Physical Education
  • Physics Education
  • Social Sciences Education
  • Spanish Education

Human and Community Education

State approved programs for the preparation of vocational education teachers are grouped under Human and Community Education (H&CE). Curricula in two areas are offered: Agricultural Education and Family and Consumer Sciences Education.

Agricultural Education

NDSU is designated by the State Board for Career and Technical Education as the recognized institution for preparing teachers of agricultural education. Programs are offered to prepare students for teaching agricultural education at the secondary, post-secondary, and adult levels. Graduates also secure employment in other agricultural occupations such as Cooperative Extension, government services, and agribusiness.

Upon completion of the program, students are eligible for certification to teach agricultural education in North Dakota and may be qualified for certification/licensure in a number of other states.

Family and Consumer Sciences Education

The Family and Consumer Sciences Education program at NDSU has been approved by the State Board for Career and Technical Education for the preparation of family and consumer sciences teachers. Thus, graduates are qualified to teach family and consumer sciences classes in vocational or non-vocational school programs at junior and senior high school levels. Graduates also are qualified to teach in adult education programs and to serve as extension educators. Alternate career opportunities include positions with utility companies, health and human service agencies, and retail establishments. In addition to fulfilling teacher certification/licensure requirements for North Dakota, graduates may be qualified for certification/licensure in a number of other states.

K-12 Certification/Licensure for Physical Education and Music Education Majors

Certification/licensure for kindergarten through 12th grade programs (K-12) is available for students majoring in Physical Education or Music Education. Students must enroll in HDFS 230 Life Span Development or PSYC 250 Developmental Psychology, Elementary Teaching Methods, and student teach at both the elementary and secondary levels, as well as meet the specific requirements for each major department.

Admission to the School of Education

Application forms and instructions for admission to the School of Education are available at the Teacher Education Office, 155 E. Morrow Lebedeff Hall. Students should check the School of Education web site or contact the School of Education office for updates in procedures and requirements.

Students should apply for admission to the School of Education the semester following successful completion of the introductory professional education course, EDUC 321 Introduction to Teaching. Applications deadlines are February 15 and September 15 of each year. A late application may delay completion of the program and graduation requirements. All applications to the school will remain valid for five years from the date of approval or until completion of the baccalaureate degree, whichever comes first. Candidates must earn a grade of 'C' or better in all education (EDUC prefix) courses.

The Council for Teacher Education reviews and acts upon completed applications. The Council is the body within the School of Education with jurisdiction over such matters as admission, retention, student teaching, and certification/licensure. The Council informs the students of its action. For questions about admission policies, contact the Teacher Education Office.

Admission of Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students may gain admission to the School of Education by meeting the following requirements:

  1. Provide evidence of maintaining a minimum grade-point average of 2.75 in the student’s total academic program, teaching specialty courses and professional education courses. Transfer students shall complete a minimum of one semester’s work and obtain a 2.75 institutional grade-point average at NDSU before their applications are processed.
  2. Provide evidence of achieving passing scores on the Praxis I test of basic skills or passing scores or the Core Academic Skills test. (The student is responsible for registering for the test and paying the appropriate fee.)
  3. Provide a letter of recommendation.
  4. Complete 20 hours working with youth within 24 months of application.
  5. Submit completed curriculum guide.
  6. Provide up-to-date transcripts of all college work (including transfer credits).

Admission of Post-Baccalaureate Students

Students with college degrees seeking teacher certification/licensure should contact the School of Education certification officer for more information. NDSU students who continue in school after graduation or who resume their education within one year following graduation will be considered on the same basis as undergraduates.

Students whose undergraduate academic average was below 2.75 shall increase their overall undergraduate grade-point average to 2.75 or achieve and maintain an average of 3.00 on post-baccalaureate course work while meeting the following conditions:

  1. Obtain 24 approved credits in two contiguous semesters, or equivalent.
  2. Take each course for a grade other than pass/fail.
  3. Obtain approval of all courses from the Teacher Education program.

Post-baccalaureate students must submit an application showing evidence of meeting the requirements listed under “Admission of Undergraduate Students.”

Note: These policies refer to admission to Teacher Education for purposes of certification/licensure and are not recommendations for admission to Graduate School.

Student Teaching

Prior to student teaching, student teachers must meet all School of Education requirements including completion and submission of the verification of requirements form (available from the Teacher Education Office). Because student teaching is a full-time experience, students shall not participate in extracurricular activities on campus or participate in employment that detracts from student teaching and shall not be registered for course work other than student teaching EDUC 487 Student Teaching, EDUC 488 Applied Student Teaching and EDUC 485 Student Teaching Seminar. A student teaching course fee will be assessed during the student teaching semester.

Undergraduate Graduation Requirements

Graduation requirements for all students desiring teacher certification/licensure, secondary or K-12, include three basic parts: general education requirements, professional education requirements, and teaching specialty requirements. Upon exiting the program, students:

  1. Must complete a capstone portfolio based on the Interstate New Teachers Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) standards.
  2. Must earn a minimum GPA of 2.75 in each of the following programs:
    • Total academic programs
    • Teaching specialties
    • Professional education courses consisting of a minimum of 27 credits
  3. Must pass the Praxis II tests (Subject Assessment and Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT))
  4. May complete an application for state certification/licensure and pay the appropriate fee to the state upon completion of the program.

Special Notice

Changes in national and state legislation, standards, or rules may result in revised course work requirements. Students should contact the School of Education to keep abreast of possible developments in curriculum areas.

NDSU Student North Dakota United Association

Students in Teacher Education are encouraged to join the NDSU Student North Dakota United Association (SNDU), which is affiliated with the Student North Dakota United Association and the National Education Association Student Program. Members of this organization receive a number of benefits including workshops, publications, and liability insurance, and have the opportunities to be involved with many of the committees that govern the Teacher Education program at NDSU.

Persons interested in membership details should contact the School of Education or the SNDU Student Program adviser.  Students also are encouraged to join the professional organization(s) relevant to their teaching specialties.

Contextual information

The School of Education at NDSU is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), 2010 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 5000, Washington, DC, 20036; (202) 466-7496. This accreditation covers the institution’s initial and advanced teacher education, advanced educational leadership, and advanced school counseling programs.

The School Counseling program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22304; (703) 823-9800.

The initial and advanced Teacher Education, advanced Educational Leadership, and advanced School Counseling programs at NDSU are approved/accredited by the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB), 2718 Gateway Ave., Suite 303, Bismarck, ND, 58503-0585; (701) 328-9641.

For more information, contact Head, NDSU School of Education, Dept. 2625, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND, 58108-6050, 231-7921.