School of Education
| www.ndsu.edu/education |
Students contemplating careers in education may be encouraged to learn there is a shortage of teachers in certain academic and geographical areas. This trend, together with the knowledge that preparation in teaching may also lead to successful careers in business, industry, and the public sector, makes education an excellent choice.
Programs in education at NDSU are administered by the School of Education. The School of Education programs are 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. NCATE accreditation assures that graduates of the program may be certified/licensed as teachers in other states, and also indicates that the programs offered through the School of Education are of high quality.
Through the School of Education, students are prepared to be teachers, counselors, and school administrators 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 to the elimination of inequitable instructional and institutional practices.
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:
- 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.
- 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.)
- Provide evidence of competence in English through any one of the following:
- Provide a letter of recommendation.
- Complete 20 hours working with youth within 24 months of application.
- Submit completed curriculum guide.
- 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:
- Obtain 24 approved credits in two contiguous semesters, or equivalent.
- Take each course for a grade other than pass/fail.
- 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 Policies
Prior to student teaching, all 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.
Program Exit Requirements
- Students must complete a capstone portfolio based on the Interstate New Teachers Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) standards.
- Students 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
- Pass the Praxis II tests (Subject Assessment and Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT))
- Students 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.
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.
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.
Title II Institutional Report
To comply with the requirements of Section 207 of Title II of the Higher Education Act, NDSU has provided the following information to the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board.
Pass rates
- PPST Reading:
- Number Taking: 128; Average Score: 180
- Number Passing: 128; Pass Rate: 100%
- PPST Writing:
- Number Taking: 128; Average Score: 177
- Number Passing: 128; Pass Rate: 100%
- PPST Mathematics:
- Number Taking: 128; Average Score: 182
- Number Passing: 128; Pass Rate: 100%
Supervised Experience
Number of students in the regular teacher preparation program:
- Total number of students enrolled during 2013-2014: 192
Information about supervised student teaching:
- Number of students in programs of supervised student teaching during academic year 2013-2014: 90
- Number of supervising faculty who were:
- Number of full time equivalent faculty supervising clinical experience during this academic year: 24
- Number of adjunct faculty supervising clinical experience during this academic year: 0
- Appointed part time in professional education, not otherwise employed by the institution: 14
- The average number of hours per week required of student participation in supervised student teaching in these programs was: 40 hours. The total number of weeks of supervised student teaching required is 16 weeks. The total number of hours required is 640 hours.
- Information about state approval or accreditation of teacher preparation programs:
- Is your teacher preparation program currently approved or accredited by the state? Yes
- Is your teacher preparation program currently under a designation as “low-performing” by the state (as per section 208(a) of the HEA of 1998)? No
Section III. 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.
All initial Teacher Education candidates are required to prepare and submit portfolios as part of the assessment process.
For more information, contact Chair, NDSU School of Education, Dept. 2625, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND, 58108-6050, 231-7921.
Teaching Specialty - Agriculture
Teaching Specialty - Biological Sciences
Teaching Specialty - Chemistry
Teaching Specialty - Comprehensive Science
Teaching Specialty - Earth Science
Teaching Specialty - HDFS & Elementary Education (VCSU)
Teaching Specialty - Family & Consumer Sciences
Teaching Specialty - Health Education
Teaching Specialty - Mathematics
Teaching Specialty - Music (Instrumental)
Teaching Specialty - Music (Vocal)
Teaching Specialty - Physical Education
