DRAFT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
School of Education
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Anne Karabon, Wendell and Marlys Thompson Director
School of Education
Wenona Hall 108
605-688-5039
Faculty
Professors
Mary Bowne, Kay Cutler
Associate Professors
Anthony Durr, Nicole Graves, Carie Green, Patrick Hales, Laura Hasselquist, Anne Karabon
Assistant Professors
Hamada Elfraragy, Jacob Englin, Allison Esparza, Lacy Knutson, Sergio Leiva
Senior Lecturers
Teri Johnson
Lecturers
Laura Gloege, Melissa Granum, Jen Johnson, Heidi Sackreiter, Bonnie Shinn, Lynda Venhuizen
Instructors
Laura Ackerwold, Carrie Benson, Renee Estebo, Jamie Fryslie, Katie Gilmore, Meagan Irvine-Miller
Emeritus
Lowell Amiotte, Keith Corbett, V. Duane Everett, Clark Hanson, Darrell Jensen, Peggy Gordon Miller, Lon Moeller, Lawrence Rogers, Gary Steinley, Andrew Stremmel, Ann Wilson
Overview
The mission of the School of Education is to provide high quality educational experiences to learners and to integrate applied research and community engagement to address contemporary challenges. The School of Education prepares and certifies educational professionals to be teachers and educational leaders across a range of programs. Our programs are grounded in the developmental and cultural sciences, emphasizing how learning develops across the lifespan and among a wide range of learners. This includes attention to differences in cognitive and learning styles, as well as variations in culture, socioeconomic status, and background. By integrating the science of learning with strong content preparation, students develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to meet the needs of all learners in today’s classrooms and communities. A hallmark of our program is meaningful field experiences in local school districts, where students apply their learning in real classroom settings under the mentorship of experienced educators — building the practical competence and professional confidence essential to effective teaching.
For those students who are uncertain about a major, the School of Education is home to the Exploratory Studies program, a designated program for South Dakota State University to assist students in identifying the right field of study. The Exploratory Studies program is closely supported by university academic advisors, who help identify courses and experiences based on majors and career areas of interest.
Programs
Majors
Minors
Certificates
Certification Preparation
Graduate Programs*
- Agricultural Education (M.S.)
- Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.)
- Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.) - Career and Technical Education Specialization
- Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.) - Literacy Instructional Coaching Specialization
- Educational Administration (M.Ed.)
- Literacy Instructional Coaching Certificate
* Graduate degrees are offered in collaboration with the Graduate School. For details, see the Graduate Catalog.
Exploratory Studies Program for Deciding Students
SDSU allows admitted students to enter the university as a deciding student without a declared major to take a planful approach in the major selection process. With over 200 majors and minors available, this program is an option students have upon entering the university that provides them with an opportunity to explore a variety of academic areas prior to selecting a major. There are three core classes in the Exploratory Studies Program, along with other general education classes. Deciding student enrollment is normally for the freshman year, as they are encouraged to choose a major within two semesters. The three core classes of the program are designated with the ACS prefix, which stands for Academic and Career Success. This program assists students in the transition to the university, provides them with resources to help them be a successful student, and helps them to solidify their major decision early in their college career. Deciding students are assisted during their first year by a support team of academic advisors, faculty, and staff in planning their college program and are encouraged to explore various fields of study when selecting a major.
In the Exploratory Studies Program, a two-credit class is designed to help students select a major: ACS 102 Exploratory Studies. SDSU has identified five (5) interest area tracks reflecting majors offered at the university. When students apply to SDSU, they select a track of their choice during the application process that best fits their interest areas. Each track exposes them to specific insights about careers and opportunities within specific fields of study, along with supporting coursework, to holistically support the students in their major selection process.
Exploratory Studies Program Tracks
- Track 1: Education, Social Sciences and Management
- Education and Helping Fields
- Business, Management and Economics
- Track 2: Humanities, Fine Arts and Design
- Track 3: Health Sciences
- Track 4: Engineering, Technology and Math
- Track 5: Agriculture and Natural Sciences
Students are expected to be in good academic standing as they explore academic and career options and declare a major. Academic advisors assist first year students to identify their interests, aptitudes, and abilities. Students work with advisors to plan out a plan of study that will meet their interests and needs. Along with ACS 102 Exploratory Studies, first year students at SDSU also enroll in a two-credit ACS 119 First Year Seminar, which helps them acclimate to college life and learn about SDSU resources. Transfer and non-traditional students enroll in ACS 219 Transition Year Seminar. The third core class of the Exploratory Studies Program is ACS 143 Mastering Lifetime Learning Skills, and it is designed to fine-tune academic and life skills for a successful college experience. A suggested first year schedule follows:
Facilities and Services
The school has several unique facilities and outreach.
- Child and Family Resource Network
- Child Safety Seat Distribution Program
- Parenting Education Classes
- Professional Development Classes
- South Dakota Orientation to Early Childhood and School-Age Care Statewide Series Support
- Toy and Resource Lending Library
- Quality Care South Dakota
- South Dakota Pathways to Professional Development
- Fishback Center for Early Childhood Education
Student Support and Engagement Opportunities
The school encourages student participation in organizations and honor societies.
- Student National Education Association is affiliated with the South Dakota Education Association and the National Education Association and provides opportunities for professional growth.
- South Dakota Association for the Education of Young Children provides opportunities for professional growth for Early Childhood majors.
- American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) and Family, Career, and Community Leaders of American (FCCLA) Alumni student organization provides opportunities for professional development and service and is open to all majors.
The school also provides information and assistance as students seek out scholarship, internship, and career opportunities.
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