Tribal Special Education

A partnership between the Augsburg College Master of Arts in Education program and the University of Minnesota Duluth Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Language Revitalization.

Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota Duluth started its third cohort offering a post-baccalaureate special education license with a focus on tribal communities and learning styles.

Courses

SPE 502  American Indians and Special Education
SPE 503  Assessment of American Indian Learners
SPE 504  Working with American Indian Families and Communities
SPE 505  Manifestation of Multi-Generational Trauma and Internalized Oppression
SPE 506  Indigenous Learners
SPE 507  Indigenous Methods of Instruction: Practical Application
SPE 509  Literacy for Indigenous Learners

The Schedule

This program is offered in an online format. Courses follow a semester schedule with four semesters and one summer session of instruction. Augsburg and UMD cohorts complete online coursework; they also participate in an initial orientation and approximately two face-to-face meetings with faculty each semester. Students may be placed in student teaching positions within the Twin Cities or Duluth metropolitan areas, or out-state if supervising teachers are available.

Students wishing to earn a Master of Arts in Education from Augsburg will be required to complete four additional graduate level courses on campus or on-line when available.  Please review the Augsburg and UMD Tribal Cohort Articulation Agreement for more information.

Admission

To participate in the licensure program, students must be enrolled in the education department at Augsburg College. In order to be admitted, students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants with a 2.5 to 2.99 GPA may be admitted conditionally; contact Augsburg for more information.

To apply, complete the MAE application, found at the “Apply for Admission” tab.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Students will be charged a graduate level tuition rate that is comparable for Augsburg and UMD students. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. To complete the FAFSA, the free application for student aid, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. Go to www.augsburg.edu/finaid for more information.

American Indian Student Services

For questions regarding services for Native students at Augsburg, including financial aid assistance, please contact Jennifer Simon, Director of American Indian Student Services, at 612-330-1144 or go to www.augsburg.edu/aissp. Many tribes offer funding for college through their Education Departments. There are a variety of deadlines depending on your tribal affiliation and enrollment, some as early as March 1st.

Frequently Asked Questions: Naadamaadiwin Tribal Special Education Cohort

Educational Program

1. What specific teaching license will I receive?
   You will earn a K-12 Special Education license.
2. How will a K-12 special education license-from a native perspective-benefit my future students?
   Because of the large number of native students in special education it is critical that teachers be as well trained as possible to work with not only native students, but all students. Bringing a native focus to the curriculum and the over-all program provides future teachers an opportunity to be as well prepared as possible to meet the needs of students from various backgrounds and specifically native backgrounds.
3. Can I teach in a predominantly non-native school with this license?
   Absolutely! What you learn in our program will provide teaching philosophy and techniques that will better serve all students wherever you teach.
4. How many courses are required for the license and how many additional courses to complete the master’s degree?
   To complete your license you will take 8.5 courses plus 2 courses of student teaching. (42 sc total)
   To complete your masters degree you will take an additional four online courses through Augsburg.
5. How will I fulfill the state’s requirements for field placement hours?
   Field placement hours will be attached to courses. You will be required to complete hours working with students with disabilities (as determined by instructors) and some hours working specifically with American Indian students.
6. What are the details regarding student teaching?
   Student teaching will consist of a 12 week placement in a K-12 school setting serving students with disabilities. It may or may not be in a native school. If you are currently working as a para-professional or a licensed teacher, and if your school agrees, you will be allowed to student teach in your work setting. If you are not employed in a school setting, we will help you find a school to complete your student teaching.

Schedule, Online Format and Support Services

1. When do classes begin? Classes begin in September 2012. (Next cohort starts in 2014)
2. Will we meet face-to-face each semester?
   Yes, students and professors meet twice each semester.
3. What are the benefits of an online program?
   Online learning is an excellent opportunity for adult learners who are working and have families to access a degree based on their availability. Students have deadlines but can access the course around their own timeline. It also allows people who are not located near a college or university to earn a degree and interact with others from urban, rural and suburban areas.
4. Will I receive computer support from Augsburg College?
   Yes, technical support will be provided through Augsburg’s Information Technology Department.
5. Will I have an advisor to help me with registration and planning?
   Once you are admitted into the program you will be assigned an advisor who will help with registration and other questions you may have about the program or Augsburg College.
6. Will I have access to Augsburg’s library, writing lab, and other support services?
   Yes, all of our services on campus are available for you; however on-line access may be limited.

Application and Tuition

1. Do I need to be Native to apply to this program? No, all students are welcome.
2. What application materials are required?
   A. Complete the MAE application
   We waive the $35 application fee for this program.
   B. Request two official transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions
   C. Submit a personal statement of 500 words addressing why you want to teach special education and how this program will assist you with your goals.
3. Is the GRE exam required? No.
4. What is the application deadline? June 1, 2012. (current cohort closed. Next cohort begins Fall 2014)
5. What is the cost of tuition? Are there additional fees? (for 2012)
   Tuition per course/ credit: $1,900 per course ($475 per credit)
   Campus access fee- $105 per year
   Books: $100 – 150 per semester
   Travel expenses to Hinkley twice per semester
6. How do I apply for financial aid? You will complete the FAFSA (free application for student aid) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

See What Others Are Saying

The Naadamaadiwin Tribal Cohort has been a successful program for many students. Read what they are saying about different aspects of this special education licensure and master’s degree program. The next cohort is forming in Fall 2012-2013. Call Sophia Jacobson at 612-330-1458 or Graduate Admissions at 612-330-1101 for more information.

	“The instructors are very accommodating and make extra efforts to listen to us and get to know us on a personal level. Native American culture is incorporated into every aspect of our studies. It is a rich way of learning that encourages me to be a quality educator.”  Carol Delegan – Foxboro, WI
	“I enjoy the diverse perspectives on K-12 education that are discussed in our cohort.”  Rebecca Pennington-Masurka – Cass Lake, MN
	“Culture is an important part of our children’s education as it develops their identity.”  Mike Fairbanks – Cass Lake, MN
	“The aspect of the Tribal Cohort Program that I have enjoyed the most is being able to learn from one another as well as from the professors. It is helpful to have the online classes to work around full time jobs and distance learning.”  Govinda Budrow – Brainerd, MN
	“I have enjoyed getting to know the other students in the cohort. We are like a big family that works together and learns together.”  John Villebrun – Nett Lake, MN
	“Although I thrive in face-to-face learning settings, I have found that the online discussions can be deeper and more profound in some ways because you have time to think about what you will write. It’s also convenient to post homework from your home.”  Kjerstin Hagen – Minneapolis, MN

Contact:
Sophia Jacobson
Naadamaadiwin Admissions
612-330-1458 jacobsos@augsburg.edu

Susan O’Connor
Associate Professor of Education
612-330-1494 oconnors@augsburg.edu

Graduate Admissions
612-330-1101