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About the Department

Augsburg Education offers a variety of programs to help future teachers make a difference in the lives and learning of P-12 students. Programs are approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) and are offered in a day, weekend or evening formats. These accredited programs include licensure offered in a choice of formats.

We currently offer the following licensure programs in three formats Day, Adult Undergraduate, and Graduate. These programs lead to recommendation for licensure to the State of Minnesota for:

  • Elementary (grades K-6)
  • Secondary—grades 5-12 in communication arts/literature, health, mathematics, and social studies; grades 9-12 in life science, chemistry, and physics
  • K-12 licenses in visual arts, physical education, music, English as a Second Language (ESL) and the NEW special education: Academic Behavioral Strategist (ABS) license. (Note the ESL and ABS programs are available in weekday evening program only*)
  • General Science (5-8) initial license
  • Optional endorsements for a K-6 elementary license include, mathematics (grades 5-8), general science (grades 5-8), social studies (grades 5-8), or communication arts/literature (grades 5-8).

Progression through the program

Admission to the Education Department

Students in all degree and/or licensure programs must apply for acceptance into the education department prior to entering Education 300-400 level courses. Entering students are required to take the NES—Reading, Writing, and Math (aka, the NES Essential Academic Skills (EAS) Test)—prior to admission to the department.  A checklist of all requirements for acceptance into the education department is available under each program.

Students work closely with an education department adviser at the outset of coursework to map out the progression of courses through completion.  Admitted students are expected to become knowledgeable of program requirements and follow through with department policies. The Education Student Handbook outlines programs and policies as students progress through the program to licensure.

Field Service and Student Teaching

Field service in P-12 schools is a critical and required component of your professional preparation. Field service requirements are attached to day/weekend courses throughout each licensure program. Students are required to complete field service requirements in P-12 classrooms most semesters or trimesters.   Assignments completed in P-12 classrooms are an important avenue to understand the complexities of teaching and learning.  These field service requirements are described in each program.  We have worked closely with P-12 schools in Minneapolis, St. Paul and throughout the metropolitan area to develop partnerships which focus on P-12 student learning and outstanding mentoring of teacher candidates.

At the conclusion of your degree and/or licensure program, each teacher candidate completes a semester of full time student teaching.  Fall or spring student teaching lasts 12-18 weeks, depending on licensure area.  Please consult program requirements for the length and requirements of student teaching.

Licensure completion

The Education Department recommends students for licensure upon completion of all required program courses, successful completion of student teaching and passing appropriate licensure exams: MTLE, Principles of Learning and Teaching Test, and one or more subject matter test.

Program Options

The education department offers nonlicensure majors in elementary education and education studies for students who seek an educational degree without teaching credentialing.  Contact the department for details.

Additional endorsements (5-8 middle school concentrations, pre-primary) or minors (special education) can be added to licensure programs in both day and weekend programs.  Adding additional endorsements, initial license or double majoring in critical areas (e.g. elementary education and ESL initial license; or ESL and special education minor; or double major in Spanish with a social studies secondary license) will help you stand out as a potential teacher candidate.  Notify your adviser upon entering the program of your wish to add additional program options.

Looking to add a  teaching license after your B.A. or B.S.?

A graduate level licensure option is available in weekend/evening format to those already holding a B.A. degree. Graduate courses taken for licensure can be applied to a Master of Arts in Education degree. Contact the Education Department or the Adult and Graduate Admissions Office for information.