Secondary Teacher Education - Certification Only

Program Coordinator/Contact

Jay Trenhaile, Interim Department Head
Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership
Wenona Hall 009
605-688-4367

Program Information

The certification-only program allows those with baccalaureate degrees to earn a teaching certificate, preparing them for work as highly qualified professional educators in their chosen teaching areas. The curriculum consists of academic study, professional preparation and field experience, providing students with pedagogical and content-specific knowledge, readying them to work with diverse populations of learners.

Admission Guidelines

Admission to the program requires a 2.5 CGPA; a 2.6 GPA in the major; and completion of ENGL 101 - Composition I (COM) [SGR #1] , SPCM 101 - Fundamentals of Speech (COM) [SGR #2] , and MATH 102 - College Algebra (COM) [SGR #5]  with no grade less than “C.”  The following guidelines are applicable at all South Dakota Regental institutions:

1. The teacher candidate must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
2. In order to be admitted to the certification only program, the candidate must meet teacher education program admission requirements. In addition, the candidate must complete the PRAXIS II content exam in his/her major as specified by the South Dakota Department of Education (SDDOE). The candidate must meet or exceed the minimum score required for certification in South Dakota.
3. The candidate will complete all teacher certification courses as identified by the institution, including the appropriate special methods course but not to include other content major courses, and sit for the PRAXIS II Principles of Learning and Teaching exam.
4. When the candidate meets the minimum required score on the PRAXIS II Principles of Learning and Teaching exam for certification in South Dakota and all other program completion requirements set forth by the institution, the institution will recommend the candidate for teacher certification.
5. The SDDOE will maintain accountability for the candidate scores on the PRAXIS II content exam. The universities will maintain accountability for the candidate scores on the PRAXIS II Principles of Learning and Teaching exam.
6. The certification only program is limited to K-12 specific content areas and 7-12 specific content areas.

Admission into Pre-Residency I (EDFN 101 , EDFN 351 )

In order to register for the two courses of Pre-Residency I (PR-I) a candidate in the certification only program must have met all admissions requirements and met with the Pre-Residency Advisor to approve their plan of study.

Admission into Pre-Residency II (EDFN 352 , EDFN 352L )

Candidates admitted into Pre-Residency II are considered members of the Teacher Education Program and are classified as “Education Candidates.” In order to achieve this status, a candidate must have:

1. Completed PR-I with grades of “C” or better and be recommended by PR-I faculty;
2. Hold an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher;
3. Met competency requirements:
   • English: a grade of “C” or above in ENGL 101  or credit by examination
   • Math: a grade of “C” or above in MATH 102  or higher level math course or credit by examination
   • Speech: a grade of “C” or above in SPCM 101  or higher or credit by examination;
   • Completed an application for admission to Teacher Education which includes appropriate biographical and background information; and
4. Have a current transcript on file in the department office.

Admission into Residency I & II (EDFN 453 , EDFN 453L , EDFN 454 )

Education candidates will be permitted to register for the courses of Residency I and II if they have:

1. Achieved a passing score on the Praxis Content Exam;
2. Been admitted to the Teacher Education Program and successfully completed all standard requirements therein (or alternatives decided by the Admissions and Scholastic Standards Committee);
3. Successfully completed all prerequisite coursework for the professional education program, including one special methods course* in a major field, the South Dakota Indian Studies requirement and the computer proficiency requirement;
4. Have the following minimum GPA’s:

• Education courses 2.8
• All courses completed at the “C” level or above
• Courses in the major 2.6
• Overall cumulative 2.5
• Pass content approved content test
  or
• Completed all competency plans and/or other activities prescribed by the Admissions and Scholastic Standards Committee;

5. Have recommendations on file in the department office from both the Pre-Residency Advisor (this recommendation must include the candidate’s GPA in his/her major);
6. Meet with the placement supervisor of the Office of Field Experiences before October 1 (for Residency II in spring) or February 1 (for Residency II in the fall) and complete an Application for Student Teaching (rather than wait for these deadlines, it is advisable to complete this application at least one semester before Residency II);
7. Hold non-probationary status; and
8. When student teaching, a background check may be required.

Academic Requirements

• A grade of “C” or better is required in SPCM 101 , ENGL 101 , PSYC 101 , and MATH 102  or higher (if these courses are in your plan of study), and all courses for the major (classes with department/program prefix).
• An overall GPA of 2.5 is required to enroll in any education courses.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Accreditation

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs
South Dakota Department of Education

Certification and Licensure

South Dakota Certification Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
• Complete a teacher education program from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
• Complete South Dakota Indian Studies course.
• Receive a passing score on state-designated pedagogy test.
• Provide written recommendation from a regionally accredited institution of higher education verifying program completion.
• Applicants from a foreign country must provide a transcript evaluation completed by an approved agency.
• Staff employed as an instructor at a university or postsecondary technical institute is exempt from the requirement of holding a teaching certificate when teaching dual credit courses.

Course Delivery Format

Courses in Secondary Education are delivered face to face, online and hybrid (face to face and online combination). Most secondary education courses have practical applications in field experience settings in K-12 or 7-12.