Teacher Education Program

The Department of Teacher Education has identified as its conceptual model, "Educator as Professional Decision Maker." Successful candidates demonstrate competency in subject matter, learning and human development, teaching strategies, and personal qualities that foster learning. The model is introduced to students early in the teacher education program.

Admission to Professional Program

During the second semester of their sophomore year (or during the first semester on campus for transfer students), students apply for admission to the teacher education program. The following criteria must be met for students to be admitted to the Teacher Education Professional Program:

1. Successful completion of a minimum of 48 semester hours
2. A cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or higher. Post-baccalaureate students whose degree completion date is at least five years prior to the date of application for admission may petition the Department of Teacher Education for a waiver of these requirements with supporting rationale, a writing sample, and Praxis I (PPST) test scores.
3. Completion of the Praxis I (PPST) examination. The state of Minnesota requires the following minimum scores for teacher licensure: Reading 173, Mathematics 171, and Writing 172.
4. Signed copies of the appropriate teacher education planning forms.
5. Approved Human Relations reports documenting 50 hours of activity. One report must be from ED200 verifying work with children in the required settings.
6. Presentation of an initial portfolio to a faculty interview team, showing personal, professional and academic qualities.

Upon completion of the interview names are submitted for final action by the Department of Teacher Education. Admission to and continuance in the teacher education program is dependent upon approval by the Department of Teacher Education.

Progress in Professional Program

1. 1. The progress of students in the teacher education program is subject to continuous review by the Department of Teacher Education. To remain in good standing, students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
2. 2. Students admitted to teacher education beginning fall semester of the 2004-2005 academic year must earn or have previously earned a grade of C- or better in all courses required in the teacher licensure program (courses listed on the program planning form) including courses taken at other institutions. Courses transcripted below a C- must be retaken and a grade of C- or better earned prior to graduation and/or licensure completion.

Minnesota Human Relations Activity Requirements

The Human Relations activities are designed to run concurrently with the teacher education program. The 100 hours of required human relations experiences are met in: ED200 Introduction to Teaching, ED330 Human Diversity and Relations, ED336 Educational Psychology, ECE425 Young Child with Special Needs, ED380 Education of Exceptional Child, and ED439 Inclusive Classroom. 25 hours from ED200 and 25 hours from one of the other courses listed above are required for admission to the teacher education professional program. The remaining 50 hours and activity reports are required prior to placement in a clinical experience.

Fees Associated with Teacher Education and Licensure

The following items have fees associated with teacher education: Praxis I, Pre-Professional Skills Test ($110-$120), Praxis II, Principles of Learning and Teaching ($115), content exam(s) in major ($70-$80), Education Minnesota Liability Insurance ($13), CPR/First Aid certification (fee varies), state license application ($57), conduct review for license application ($26), fingerprinting ($0-$15) and credential development ($13). These fees are subject to change.

Field Experience / Clinical Practices

The teacher education program is designed with three major field experiences for candidates in the Birth through Grade 3, Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 6 and Kindergarten through Grade 8 licensures: a teaching practicum and two experiences in the student teaching semester. Candidates for the 5-12 and K-12 licenses have two field experiences in the student teaching experience in the same semester. The Coordinator of Field Experiences and Clinical Practice arranges all placements in consultation with students. To assure a successful student teaching experience, students should not engage in outside employment or participate in co-curricular experiences during this semester. Transfer students must complete a minimum of eight semester credits of coursework at Concordia before they are eligible for student teaching. All students must have liability insurance so students registering for field experiences are enrolled in Education Minnesota, which provides liability coverage (fee assessed, see above).

1. Admission to and satisfactory progress in the teacher education program as directed by the Department of Teacher Education.
2. Cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or above.
3. Completion of ED200 Introduction to Teaching, ED336 Educational Psychology and ED360 Content and Methods for K-6 Mathematics.
4. Birth-Grade 3 licensure candidates enroll in ECE325 Education of Infants and Toddlers and FAS400 Family Systems concurrently with the Teaching Practicum.
5. Normally, PK-6 and K-8 licensure candidates, enroll in, ED342 Teaching Literacy, ED356 Teaching Elementary Science and Environmental Education, ED357 Teaching Elementary Social Studies, ED345 Effective Elementary Teacher, ED 446 Teaching Elementary Music, ED447 Teaching Elementary Art, and ED448 Teaching Methods for EL/MS Movement Education concurrently with the Teaching Practicum.

Requirements for Registration for Student Teaching

1. Successful completion of the Teaching Practicum (for applicable programs)
2. Cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or above. Candidates seeking licensure in a secondary content area must have a CGPA of 2.75 or above in their content area.
3. K-8 licensure candidates: Completion of the appropriate middle level (5-8) methods courses.
4. 5-12 and K-12 licensure candidates: Completion of ED358 Effective Middle School Teacher, the appropriate secondary and middle level methods courses, and completion of coursework in the teaching major.
5. Lutheran elementary and secondary education candidates: completion of ED454 Teaching the Faith.
6. Achievement of minimum PPST scores (Reading 173, Writing 172, Mathematics 171).

Requirements for Graduation

In addition to the general requirements for graduation, candidates will:

1. 1. Apply for graduation with the university registrar.
2. 2. Complete Human Relations activities (minimum 100 hours) and reports.
3. 3. Complete First Aid/CPR requirements.
4. 4. Complete 128 credits with 2.50 CGPA and in program courses; and 2.75 CGPA in 5-12, K-12, or middle level content area.
5. 5. Complete the Praxis II examination.

Note: Lutheran Classroom Teacher: Complete the Confessional Lutheranism Minor and apply for placement with the College of Vocation and Ministry Placement Office.

Requirements for Licensure

1. Achieve passing scores on all required parts of the Praxis II examination.
2. Apply for certification with the university registrar.
3. Submit license application to the Education Office.