Programs in Education
Office: Cowan Hall Room 309
Montana State University-Northern's education programs are accredited by the Montana Board of Public Education.
Advising Information
Students should meet with their advisor at the beginning of each semester to confirm their plan of study and make any necessary adjustments. Due to course scheduling changes, staff assignments, and other conflicts, it may not be possible to follow the suggested plans exactly. Meeting with an advisor before registering for classes each semester will allow students to plan a schedule that will meet their needs and assist them in completing requirements in an efficient manner.
Program Outcomes and Objectives
The Education Program believes it has responsibilities to candidates and to their future students. Additionally, the department believes it has a responsibility to collaborate with the communities within which it works, to continue to grow as a program, and to model professional involvement and identity.
Program Objectives
- To prepare and graduate skilled, knowledgeable, self-aware and self-reflective teachers who are prepared academically to gain licensure.
- To collaborate and align with the communities, agencies and schools to provide learning opportunities and best and current practices for candidates.
- To continually evaluate the program curriculum, practices, and requirements to promote the highest quality education.
- To model educational leadership and professional identity.
- To apply and co-create cultural and socially responsive practices.
Teacher Recommendation for Licensure
Teacher Education graduates who complete an approved program of study, meet the minimum score of the required Praxis II test, and meet high academic standards (cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher) are eligible to apply for an educator’s license. Candidates must make application for licensure through Montana State University-Northern’s Teacher Certification Officer to the Office of Public Instruction. Because of current review of licensure by the Office of Public Instruction, eligibility requirements from the college may change. All applications for licensure will be reviewed on the basis of the rules under which the license is issued.
Candidates completing Montana State University-Northern’s Elementary Teacher Education Program will be recommended for a Standard Class II Educator License which qualifies holders to teach kindergarten through grade eight (K-8). Candidates completing one of Montana State University-Northern’s Secondary Teacher Education Programs will be recommended for a Standard Class II Secondary Educator License, which qualifies holders to teach their subject area in grades 5-12 or K-12, depending on the program completed.
In addition to their general professional education requirements, secondary education majors will complete an academic major with no minor or a combination of a regular major with a minor. Individuals obtaining a Montana Class II Educator License will be licensed in their major and minor areas. Candidates who complete majors with no minor (40-60 credits) will be licensed to teach subjects within the area encompassed by that discipline. Candidates who complete a regular major (30-39 credits) and a minor (20-29 credits) will be licensed to teach in the two areas. Areas of Concentration, an option that is available in some programs, do not lead to licensure or endorsement in that area of concentration.
Elementary Education
The University-wide General Education Requirements and Teacher Education Program pre-requisites provide Elementary Education majors with 50 hours of broad-based subject matter. In addition, Elementary Education majors must select either one K-12 licensure minor with a minimum of 20 credits, or two non-licensure areas of concentration with a minimum of 14 credits each. K-12 licensure minors are available in Art, Reading and Traffic Education. Although all elementary majors will receive the same license and grade level endorsement, it is recommended that candidates planning to teach in the upper grade levels include the addition of minors in their program. This is especially desirable for teaching in grades six, seven and eight. Candidates desiring added licensure should consider a K-12 minor. The Praxis II Content Knowledge test is required.
Secondary Education
Accreditation standards of Montana middle and secondary schools identify the particular endorsements, and in many instances, the number of credit hours of subject matter candidates must possess. Candidates should consult with the Education Program Advisor if there are questions regarding the middle and/or high school courses which their major or minor will permit them to teach.
Several secondary majors ( General Science, Broadfield Social Science and Industrial Technology) lead to a 5-12 license. The Health and Physical Education major and the minors (Art, Reading and Traffic Education) lead to a K-12 license. A K-12 license makes possible a teaching assignment in a specific subject in all grades from kindergarten through grade 12. Candidates seeking this type of licensure must plan course work and field experiences at both elementary and the secondary grade levels.
Graduates of all Montana State University-Northern Teacher Education Programs will be eligible for a recommendation for a Standard Class II Educator License. However, prospective teachers who plan to teach selected high school career and technical education subjects in technical schools, community colleges, junior colleges, or other programs where state licensure is a requirement for federal or state reimbursement programs must also complete specific career and technical education course work and meet appropriate on-the-job work experience requirements. The evaluation of an individual’s on-the-job work experience is completed by Montana Office of Public Instruction personnel. Candidates seeking to teach in a reimbursed career and technical education program should check with their advisors early in their program. The appropriate Praxis II Content Knowledge test is required.
Admission to Teacher Education
Upon declaring an education major, candidates will be classified as pre-education majors. All candidates are assigned an education advisor. With the assistance of advisors, all candidates should plan a program of study and work toward Level One Admission to Teacher Education.
All teacher education candidates seeking admission to the undergraduate education program for initial educator license are required to apply to the Department of Education for Admission to Teacher Education.
Level One: Admission to Teacher Education is required of all candidates prior to their enrolling in any professional education core courses at the 300 level or above. After admission to Level One, they will be referred to as candidates and be classified as education majors.
All General Education Core courses and program prerequisites have to be completed with a “C” or better before application to Level One Teacher Education.
Teacher Education Prerequisites
Credits identified as Teacher Education Program prerequisites should be completed during the freshman and sophomore years and prior to making application for Level One Admission to Teacher Education and enrollment in specific upper division teacher education courses.
Criteria for Level One Admission to Teacher Education
- Completion of Level One application
- Completion of 51 semester credits of course work, including general education core, with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better
- Completion of all general education and pre-requisite courses with a minimum grade of “C” or better
Admission to Level One of the Teacher Education program is granted by the Teacher Education Admission and Retention Committee after a thorough evaluation of the candidate’s application. The application packet is available in the Education Office and online at https://www.msun.edu/academics/coeasn/education.aspx.
Applicants will be notified according to the following classifications
- Approved for Level One admission
- Granted provisional admission (one semester only)
- Disapproved
Candidates who are granted provisional admission will be monitored for progress. Any Candidate who does not meet the provisions specified for provisional status will be dropped from the Teacher Education program. Candidates who are not approved or who are suspended from the program may appeal the decision. The first step in the appeals process is to notify the Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education in writing. The complete appeals process is outlined in the Montana State University-Northern Student Handbook. It is the responsibility of candidates to familiarize themselves with the policy.
Candidates' progress in the program is closely monitored by the department faculty. All candidates’ performances are reviewed each semester by a faculty committee. Decisions for suspension and retention are forwarded to the Dean.
In addition, the following applies:
- No required professional education major, minor, or area of concentration courses may be taken on a pass-fail basis (except EDU 495).
- Candidates not admitted to the program, candidates who do not have the required prerequisites, or are suspended from the program who are registered for EDU courses above the 300 level may be administratively withdrawn from the course(s).
- Grades below C are not accepted in general education courses, pre-requisite courses, professional education courses, or in courses included in the major, minor, or areas of concentrations.
- Coursework five (5) years or older will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for matriculation into the program.
Student Teacher Practicum
Candidates seeking to be recommended for an educator license through the Teacher Education Program at Montana State University-Northern must successfully complete a teaching practicum in their senior year. Candidates must apply and have acquired Final Admission to Level Two of the Teacher Education Program prior to enrolling in EDU 495 Student Teaching: K-8, EDU 495 Student Teaching: 5-12, or EDU 495 Student Teaching: K-12. In addition, candidates must have completed all professional education courses. Student teaching candidates must apply by mid-term of the semester before they plan to student teach. Dates are posted for each semester’s application deadline. A student teaching fee is assessed to all candidates enrolled in EDU 495 courses.
Praxis II Required for Licensure
Candidates seeking an initial educator license in the State of Montana must successfully complete the Praxis II requirement. All Praxis II scores must meet the requirement of the State of Montana.
EdExcellence Forums
EdExcellence Forums are designed to enhance your professional growth and readiness as future educators by connecting theoretical coursework with practical experiences. Group discussions will offer insights into real-world scenarios and how to navigate them successfully. In addition, you will be networking with peers and faculty during these forums, both in-person and virtually; this will help build a strong support system, which is critical for future educators. All Level I and Level II students are required to participate in the EdExcellence Forums. Attendance and participation in each forum is mandatory.
Professional Education
Professional education courses are designed to prepare candidates to apply their academic training to their interactions with students, parents, colleagues, and administrators in the K-12 schools, and may be taken after receiving Level I Admission to Teacher Education. This portion of the degree requirement is designed to help candidates plan and prepare instructional experiences, develop insight into how children learn and grow, and provide actual experience with the manner in which K-12 schools are organized and operated.
The Elementary Education Core requirements consist of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 225 | Intro to Education Psychology | 3 |
| EDU 270 | Integrating Tech in Education | 3 |
| EDSP 304 | Ed and Psyc Exceptl Child | 3 |
| EDU 201 | Intro to Educ with Fld Exprnce | 3 |
| EDU 382 | Assessment, Curr and Inst | 3 |
| EDU 397MA | Methods: K-8 Mathematics * | 2 |
| EDU 397SC | Methods: K-8 Science * | 2 |
| EDU 397SS | Methods: K-8 Social Studies * | 2 |
| EDUC 334 | Method Tchng Intgrtd Lang Arts * | 3 |
| EDU 335 | Fund & Corr Strtg Elem Rdg Prg * | 3 |
| EDU 311 | C, D & E in Global Ed | 3 |
| EDU 397HE | Methods: K-8 Health Enhancemen | 2 |
| EDU 340 | Classroom Management * | 3 |
| EDU 315 | Integrat IEFA Across the Curr | 2 |
| EDU 337 | Reading Materials Elem Child | 2 |
| EDU 452 | Advanced Practicum * | 3 |
| HTH 110 | Personal Health and Wellness | 3 |
| PSYX 230 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| EDU 320 | Lesson Planning | 1 |
| EDU 336A | Practicum I | 1 |
| EDU 336B | Practicum 2 | 1 |
| EDU 495EL | Student Teaching K-8 * | 12 |
| or EDU 495ES | Student Teaching K-12 | |
| TOTAL | 68 | |
- *
Upon Admission to Teacher Education, prescribed courses must be taken in sequence (blocks).
The Secondary Education Core requirements consist of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 225 | Intro to Education Psychology | 3 |
| EDU 270 | Integrating Tech in Education | 3 |
| EDSP 304 | Ed and Psyc Exceptl Child | 3 |
| EDU 201 | Intro to Educ with Fld Exprnce | 3 |
| EDU 382 | Assessment, Curr and Inst | 3 |
| EDUC 321 | Integrating Tech into Educ | 1 |
| EDU 320 | Lesson Planning | 1 |
| EDU 336A | Practicum I | 1 |
| EDU 336B | Practicum 2 | 1 |
| EDU 481 | Content Area Literacy | 2 |
| EDU 495ES | Student Teaching K-12 | 12 |
| or EDU 495SE | Student Teaching 5-12 | |
| EDU 452 | Advanced Practicum | 3 |
| HTH 110 | Personal Health and Wellness | 3 |
| PSYX 230 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| TOTAL | 42 | |