School of Education

Linda Reetz, Interim Dean
Jeri Engelking, Associate Dean
Dale Pietrzak, Assistant Dean

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
SPECIAL EDUCATION
SECONDARY EDUCATION

TEACHING MAJORS:

ART, B.F.A.
BIOLOGY, B.S.ED.
CHEMISTRY, B.S.ED.
EARTH SCIENCE, B.S.
ENGLISH, B.S.ED.
HISTORY, B.S.ED.
MATHEMATICS, B.S.ED.
MODERN LANGUAGES (French, B.A.; German, B.A.; and Spanish, B.A. or B.S.ED.)
MUSIC, B.M. (Instrumental and Vocal)
PHYSICAL EDUCATION, B.S.ED.
PHYSICS, B.S.
POLITICAL SCIENCE, B.S.ED.
SPEECH COMMUNICATION, B.S.ED.
THEATRE, B.F.A.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN RECREATION (Non-Teaching)

RECREATIONAL STUDIES

MINORS:

COACHING
HEALTH

CERTIFICATION ONLY PROGRAM

FOR 7-12 AND K-12 CONTENT MAJORS ONLY

The School of Education prepares individuals for careers in teaching and other areas in education. Instructional excellence, reflective decision making and leadership are the core of the conceptual framework for the School of Education programs. The School of Education is committed to preparing educators who: use theory and research in professional practice, demonstrate the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to create partnerships, acknowledge, understand, respect, and value diversity among groups and individuals and incorporate these values into their practice, incorporate effective and ethical use of technology, acknowledge and adhere to professional and learned society, state content, and School of Education standards, maintain rich learning environments in a variety of demographic settings, and engage in ongoing professional development. Professional courses are offered at the undergraduate through postgraduate levels to provide opportunity for pre-service and in-service education. Programs and courses are designed to meet the needs of teachers, supervisors, counselors, administrators, and other personnel. Through conferences, surveys, and specialized research activities, the School of Education provides avenues through which all types of schools and other agencies may secure professional services directed toward the improvement of education systems.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

The School of Education was formally established for the preparation of teachers by the Regents of Education in 1927. Over the years, the entire resources of the University have been involved in preparation of professionals. In each of the subject matter areas such as fine arts, humanities, languages, mathematics, sciences, or social sciences, the student has the opportunity to study under the best instructors in the State of South Dakota.

Drawing from the academic resources found in a university-wide environment, the many related activities of college life are brought together in the professional programs in the School of Education and provide a rich and varied background of experience for the preparation of professional personnel.

The academic programs in the School of Education are organized in five divisions: Curriculum and Instruction; Health, Physical Education, and Recreation; Counseling and Psychology in Education; Educational Administration; and Technology for Education and Training. Field-based experiences are integrated throughout undergraduate and graduate programs to provide for practical application, reflective decision-making, and continual development of human relation and leadership skills.

FACILITIES

Most campus-based programs and activities for the School of Education are housed in the Delzell Education Center. This Center was designed and constructed in 1963 specifically for the types of activities conducted on campus for the training of teachers, counselors, practitioners, and educational leaders. The two story structure has 52,000 square feet of floor space and has classrooms, seminar rooms, the elementary school science laboratory, and counseling and practicum observation rooms for video and audio taping, computer labs, distance learning labs, Reading Recovery area, conference rooms and offices for faculty.

The offices, specialized learning/teaching stations, and several general classrooms for the Division of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation are located in the DakotaDome. The Dome, a unique facility first occupied in 1979, provides a controlled climate for athletic contests, intramural and recreational activities, and professional studies in health, physical education and recreation.

SPECIALIZED CENTERS AND SERVICES

Student Services

The School of Education Student Services (SESS) represents a comprehensive program which supports the student from initial teaching career awareness to teacher advisement, preparation, placement, certification, and follow up. SESS is located in the Delzell Education Center, Room 114.

The purpose of SESS is to serve students at the undergraduate and graduate levels by providing services to educational personnel (a) entering the profession, (b) upgrading professional skills, (c) seeking certification or employment, or (d) changing careers.

Services provided by the SESS are:

Admission Services: Admission to the School of Education and teacher education programs are handled through the SESS (see Admissions).
Student Records: All official student records for teacher education are maintained in the central office system in the SESS.
Advising Services: Undergraduate and graduate curricular, career, and academic advisement is available through the SESS.
Informational Services: The SESS has a collection of information describing programs within the School of Education and other opportunities in the field of education.
Placement Services: SESS provides information regarding employment opportunities for graduates of the various programs in the School of Education. A candidate should register with the placement services at least ten weeks prior to the time the candidate wishes credentials to be sent to prospective employers. Former students not currently registered at the University may enroll or update credentials with the placement service upon payment of a nominal fee. Former students should write directly to SESS for current regulations concerning enrollment.
Certification Services: SESS serves as the official certification office for all certificated education personnel positions.
Follow-up: Activities with baccalaureate graduates are conducted by SESS.

Educational Research and Service Center

The Educational Research and Service Center offers a unique specialized service to education in South Dakota. Originating in the School of Education, this center provides research, evaluation, and programs directly or in cooperation with the Division of Education (DOE), local school districts, or other groups interested in education. School of Education faculty members, students and technical workers as well as personnel in other schools or colleges of the University are called upon, where needed, to lend their special talents to the solution of a problem at hand.

Services provided by the Center include help with grant writing and processing, educational technology development, school needs assessments, project evaluations, and educational research. These services, together with the research work provided through the development of the special studies, are intended to provide a broader educational program for all who look to The University of South Dakota for assistance with educational problems. In 1958, the Educational Research and Service Center was established in the School of Education by the Board of Regents. Since that time many surveys, school district reorganization studies, and school finance research activities for the State of South Dakota have been carried on by this Center.

Professional Development Centers

In 1993, the School of Education at The University of South Dakota established the Professional Development Center (PDC) with sites in several southeastern South Dakota school districts. The purpose of the PDC is to develop the best learning environment for students and teachers. In the PDC, mentors from the school districts and first-year teachers serving as graduate interns work together to exchange ideas, materials, teaching demonstrations, software development, and teaching technologies. The PDC also fosters collaborative interaction among school educators and university teacher educators in terms of research, curriculum development, and technology enhancement. The PDC concept provides opportunities to influence both existing practices in school districts and the teacher education program at The University of South Dakota to better prepare an information age workforce for the future.

InTEC

The Center for Interactive Technology in Education and Corporations, otherwise known as InTEC, was established in the School of Education in the fall of 1991. The purpose of InTEC is to promote technology transfer by advocating the use of interactive media through a “show me” rather than “tell me” philosophy. InTEC faculty representatives from the Divisions in the School of Education have as their primary objective the production and research of digitized video applications. InTEC also supports electronic networking in rural communities for teaching and training purposes in the schools and businesses and plays a primary role in technology enhancement used in the Professional Development Centers.

The University of South Dakota Reading Recovery Training Center

The University of South Dakota Reading Recovery Training Center was established in 1997. The Training Center at USD provides training for Reading Recovery Teacher Leaders and Teachers according to international standards set forth by the Reading Recovery Council of North America and the North American Trainers Group. In addition to providing initial Teacher Leader and Teacher training, the Center also provides technical assistance to established Reading Recovery programs within the state and region by developing and delivering continued professional development opportunities for Teacher Leaders and Teachers and monitoring data from several thousand Reading Recovery students each year.

South Dakota Center for Law and Civic Education

The South Dakota Center for Law and Civic Education was established in 1992 and is housed in the Delzell Education Center. The Center’s purpose is to equip non-lawyers with knowledge and skills pertaining to the law, the legal process, the legal system, and the fundamental principles and values on which they are based. Law-related education (LRE) helps students develop the knowledge, skills, understanding, and attitudes necessary to function effectively in our pluralist, democratic society based on the rule of law. The Center serves as a resource clearinghouse for South Dakota and area educators.

Community Education Development Center

Throughout the country, community education is helping improve the quality of life of citizens by providing vehicles for problem solving, citizen participation, and maximization of community resources. The program emphasizes the idea that learning is lifelong and takes place in many settings with all people assuming the roles of teacher and learner. The Community Education Development Center, located in the School of Education, is the regentally designated South Dakota Center for Community Education Development in the state. The Center was established in 1975. Since that time Center personnel have actively engaged in fulfilling their threefold mission of creating awareness, providing consultative services and training leaders.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admission to Teacher Education

The School of Education recruits, admits, and retains candidates who demonstrate potential for professional success in schools. In doing so, the School of Education uses a comprehensive system to assess the qualifications of those candidates seeking admission.

The School of Education Student Services (SESS) is responsible for all admission procedures for students enrolling in any teacher education program or program within the School of Education.

In addition to junior standing (completion of or enrollment in 64 hours) the student must satisfy all the criteria for admission to specific teacher education programs offered within the University. The criteria for admission include:

pre-professional interview of professional dispositions and gathering biographical information and a faculty recommendation
satisfactory completion of an oral communication course
passing scores on the Praxis 1: Pre-Professional Skills Test (a basic skills proficiency test)
initiation of electronic portfolio
cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50
successful completion (with a grade of C or above) of EDFN 338 Foundations of American Education and initial field experience
successful completion of the technology proficiency test or approved substitute transfer course with a C or above
completion of an application form with appropriate attachments

Final decisions regarding a student’s application for admission to a teacher education program are reviewed and acted upon by the Basic Programs Admission and Retention Committee of the School of Education.

Because of the responsibility of a member of the teaching profession to the total development of young people and notwithstanding a student’s enrollment in or graduation from the School of Education, the dean and faculty of the School of Education reserve the right to refuse to recommend a student for a teaching certificate or to assign a student to a teacher education program if such recommendation or assignment, in their discretion, would appear to be contrary to or in violation of the South Dakota standards for teacher certification, teacher employment, or the Code of Professional Ethics for the Teaching Profession in South Dakota.

Students in Recreation are admitted to their program after completion of 64 hours. Consult program advisors for requirements.

Advanced Standing

Because of the nature of programs in teacher education, it is normally necessary for students to spend a minimum of two years in the teacher education program to complete certification requirements. Students transferring after the beginning of the junior year may spend additional time in completion of degrees. Students who have earned nonteaching baccalaureate degrees and then wish to qualify for teacher certification are expected to meet all requirements as outlined for that teaching field in order to obtain recommendation for teaching certification.

Transfer students must have a minimum of 30 semester hours from The University of South Dakota to be recommended for certification.

Continuation in Teacher Education and Admission to Student Teaching

At the time of student teaching and at the time of application to student teaching, students must furnish evidence that they have attained senior standing (95 or more hours), achieved an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.50, achieved a cumulative grade point average of 2.60 in their major and professional areas, achieved a qualifying score in the Praxis Content test in their major and turn in an official copy of the score report including the subtest scores, show evidence of successful completion of any additional courses or activities stipulated by their advisor in SESS, be admitted to Teacher Education at least one semester prior to the student teaching semester, have successfully completed required electronic portfolios activities and reviews, and have positive recommendations for student teaching from faculty members in their teaching major and professional areas and for prior field experiences from faculty and field supervisors.

Professional Semester and Program Completion

The professional semester constitutes the capstone experience in the preparation of teachers, and includes a combination of study and practice. During the professional semester, all students must participate in a full-time student teaching experience. Student teaching is conducted in off-campus settings, thus the student must be prepared to live off-campus during this semester. The prime consideration in student teaching placement is the professional development of the individual and verifying that the student has completed placements in a diversity of settings throughout his/her field experiences. The availability of locations for student teaching is determined by staffing patterns within the School of Education, master teacher availability at the various centers, and collaborative decisions between the field sites and the student teaching placement office.

During the student teaching semester, students must take the Praxis PLT (Principles of Learning and Teaching) test at their teaching level and present the official copy of the ETS score report including the subtest scores to the School of Education Student Services office to be recommended for graduation. Students must meet the South Dakota qualifying score to be recommended for teaching certification in South Dakota.

Students must apply for student teaching during the first two weeks of the semester prior to the semester in which they plan to do student teaching. Application forms are available in the SESS.

Teaching Certification for Students with a Bachelor Degree Including Certification Only Program

Students pursuing teacher certification, after completion of a Bachelor’s degree in a secondary program major, must meet all standards set forth in this catalog for admission and continuation in the Teacher Education and for admission to student teaching. To complete teacher certification, students can complete a second Bachelor’s degree and, if they do, all requirements set forth in this catalog must be met. A second option is to complete the Certification Only Program. The requirements for this program are listed under Curriculum and Instruction. A third option is to complete a Master of Arts degree with secondary teacher certification. Individuals should consult with a School of Education advisor regarding the possible options based on their completed Bachelor Degree.

Admission for Programs Available Only Through the School of Education

Students choosing a program in elementary education, special education, health and physical education, or recreation must be admitted to the School of Education and complete programs set forth by the School. The recommendation for a teaching certificate, where appropriate, will be made upon the completion of the regular four-year Bachelor degree program in the School of Education.

Initial Teacher Education Program for Students Pursuing a Bachelor Degree in Secondary Education

The recommendation for a secondary school teaching certificate will be made upon the completion of a Bachelor degree program which includes a teaching major and a teaching minor. A minor is not required for certification as a teacher of art or music.

Students who desire to qualify for teacher certification must co-register in EDFN 338 Foundations of American Education and SEED 296 Paraprofessional Experience the first or second semester of their sophomore year in order to complete the professional component of their program. Failure to complete these courses at this time may result in extending the time for completion of certification requirements. Students must have a 2.5 GPA to enroll in these classes.

Teacher education programs for secondary school teachers are offered to students enrolled in either the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, or College of Fine Arts. Those students desiring to secure a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the School of Education with eligibility for certification as a secondary teacher should apply to the SESS for admission to the School prior to the beginning of their junior year, and complete the program as set forth. Students desirous of completing a secondary teacher education program to secure either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree from the College of Arts and Sciences may enter that college as first-year students and complete a program as set forth by the College and the department offering the academic major selected by the student, but they must complete all major and education certification courses required for teaching based on the most current certification requirements. Students should contact advisors in the School of Education to be sure they have the most current information.

Teacher education programs for art, music, and theatre are offered in the College of Fine Arts. Students taking teacher education programs in the College of Fine Arts may enter this College as first-year students and complete any of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree programs for teachers listed by the College of Fine Arts.

Teacher education programs for earth science, physics, French, and German are offered in the College of Arts and Sciences. Students will complete the major requirements through the College of Arts and Sciences, which they may enter as first-year students.

All baccalaureate students who plan to prepare for a teaching career and to be eligible for state certification as a teacher must apply for “Admission to Teacher Education” upon attaining junior standing. Admission to teacher education is not related to the college or school from which the student plans to receive a baccalaureate degree. In addition, all students should have their program checked each semester by the School of Education Student Services advisors.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Candidates for the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Education or Bachelor of Science in Recreation must have earned a minimum of 128 hours of credit. An exit review may be required by the Basic Programs Admission and Retention Committee for students who wish to be recommended for teacher certification. A recommendation for teacher certification requires that the student shall have completed all academic requirements in the Department of Education (DOE) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) approved program of study for their teaching major and including the requirements in the School of Education (such as portfolio requirements and program exams), Institutional Graduation Requirements (IdEA), University Core Curricula, professional education, and the major/minor teaching field requirements. Recommendation for teacher certification requires an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.50 and a grade point average of 2.60 in the major and professional areas. Evidence of successful completion of any additional coursework or activities which were prescribed at the entry level and satisfactory written evaluation of student teaching must be provided. No D’s are allowed in the major, minor, and education courses. In computing grade point average, all grades earned will be included; however, in the case of repetition of a course, only the most recent grade will be counted.

Because of the nature of the programs in teacher education, it will be necessary for a student to spend a minimum of two years in order to complete the requirements for certification. Some programs are so designed that entry at the first-year level is mandatory. Students transferring after the junior year can expect to spend additional time in completion of the degree. Students who have earned a non-teaching baccalaureate degree and now wish to qualify for teacher certification will be expected to meet all requirements as outlined for that teaching field in order to obtain a recommendation for teaching certification and assistance in job placement.

Minors

A minor in the School of Education is defined as at least 18 semester hours of coursework in one prefix area except where teacher certification and/or licensure requires additional hours.

Residence

To be recommended for teacher certification, students must earn the last thirty hours of their degree program in residence at The University of South Dakota and complete all requirements in an approved teacher education program as outlined in an undergraduate catalog published to cover a school period within the last four years prior to graduation. Transfer students may find it necessary to earn more than the minimum number of hours in order to complete all degree and certification requirements. Students intending to transfer to The University of South Dakota for teacher education programs should contact SESS for information on what transfer coursework will meet degree requirements and what requirements need to be completed in residence.

Students who have earned a non-teacher education baccalaureate degree and wish to meet requirements for teacher certification should consult with advisors in SESS prior to enrollment. Policies of SESS and the Admission and Retention Committee determine which courses taken prior to admission to teacher education meet the established requirements.

Generally, a college graduate with a baccalaureate degree but without professional education experience, who wishes to be recommended by the University for a secondary school teacher’s certificate, may qualify for this recommendation by completing all program requirements for the B.S.Ed. Normally these requirements may be completed by a student holding a non-teaching Bachelor’s degree in three semesters. However, if the student selects a teaching major and/or minor in which the student has insufficient college credit, they must first complete that major or minor so the time needed to complete a secondary school teacher education program may be extended. Since some graduate credit can be given for the sequence of courses in the teacher education professional program, students may be able to apply this credit toward a graduate degree with certification.

UNDERGRADUATE AREAS OF STUDY

Driver and Traffic Safety Education

The driver education program is available to teacher education candidates who wish to teach driver education in the public schools. Courses include behind the wheel training, general safety education, classroom instruction, and application of the administrative problems associated with such programs.

Elementary Education

Offerings in Elementary Education are designed to prepare undergraduate students as elementary school classroom teachers. Specialized coursework in Kindergarten and Early Childhood is also available. A K-12 minor is available in reading.

Health Education

Offerings in Health Education focus on health at a personal level, as well as teacher preparation. All courses attempt to portray the dynamic state of health within our society and to look at the individual in terms of physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual health needs.

Physical Education

Offerings in Physical Education are designed to prepare undergraduate students as teachers of physical education and to prepare students for leadership, supervisory, and administrative positions in physical education programs. Offerings in fitness and lifetime sports are designed to aid all students in developing a vocational physical skills and interests.

Recreation

Offerings in Recreation are designed for students interested in careers in recreation programming, and therapeutic recreation. Recommended schedules for the different options are available in the Division of HPER and in the School of Education Student Services.

Secondary Education

Offerings in Secondary Education are designed to provide undergraduate students with the professional skills and experiences to teach in the secondary schools.

Special Education

Offerings in Special Education are designed to prepare students to teach students with mild and moderate disabilities in K-12 settings. Students pursuing special education must also qualify as an elementary or secondary school classroom teacher in regular education.

Technology Education

Specialized course offerings are available in Education Technology. Contact the School of Education student services office for specific information.

Certification Only Program

Students who have already completed a Bachelor’s degree in a teacher content major who wish to obtain teacher certification may complete this program of certification coursework and student teaching.

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION MINORS

(Where there is a major in the School of Education, minors are presented immediately following the major in the catalog. Following are additional minors. Students may not count credit hours in the minor area when they are required and counted as major credit requirements unless otherwise noted. See the education advisors in the School of Education for additional information regarding state standards for endorsements.)