Secondary Teacher Education - Certification Only

Admission Guidelines

Admission to the program requires a 2.5 overall GPA; a 2.7 content GPA in the major; and completion of CMST 101 - Foundations of Communication (COM) [SGR #2, HSDC] , ENGL 101 - Composition I (COM) [SGR #1, HSDC] , and MATH 103 - Mathematical Reasoning (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC]  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 103  or higher level math course or credit by examination
   • Speech: a grade of “C” or above in CMST 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 School 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 (with exception of the sciences for which the methods course is a co-requisite), the South Dakota Indian Studies requirement and suicide awareness and prevention training;
4. Have the following minimum GPA’s:
   • Education courses 2.7
   • All courses completed at the “C” level or above
   • Courses in the major 2.7
   • 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 School 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 I in spring) or February 1 (for Residency I 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 I);
7. Hold non-probationary status; and
8. Prior to student teaching, a background check may be required.

Academic Requirements

• A grade of “C” or better is required in CMST 101 , ENGL 101 , PSYC 101 , and MATH 103  or higher (if these courses are in your plan of study), and all courses for the major (classes with school/department/program prefix).
• An overall GPA of 2.5 is required to enroll in any education courses.

Requirements for the Teacher Education – Certification Only Program

• AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
• EDFN 101 - Exploration of Teaching and Learning (COM) Credits: 1
• EDFN 340 - Adolescent Development in Educational Contexts Credits: 3
• EDFN 351 - Teaching and Learning I Credits: 1
• EDFN 352 - Teaching and Learning II Credits: 3
• EDFN 352L - Teaching and Learning II Lab Credits: 2
• EDFN 453 - Teaching and Learning III Credits: 3
• EDFN 453L - Teaching and Learning III Lab Credits: 4
• EDFN 454 - Teaching and Learning IV: Student Teaching Credits: 11
• SEED 450 - Reading and Content Literacy (COM) Credits: 2
• SEED 456 - Capstone/Action Research Credits: 1
• Content Methods
    (Varies by Content Area) Credits: 3-4