Lewis-Clark State College
Education

The Program of Study: Secondary Teacher Education

Graduates of the LCSC Secondary Teacher Education Program find employment because of their skills and their experiences and the reputation of their alma mater as an excellent teacher preparation institution.

Several special features of the program of study for Secondary Education contribute to this.

Program Overview

Lewis-Clark State College began developing a reputation for its teacher education program over a century ago. To this day, LCSC offers students an innovative Secondary Teacher Education Program that is refined yearly to meet current educational standards.

The undergraduate course of study for teacher certification is intended for students earning their bachelor degrees and attending on-campus classes. Courses of study that lead to secondary teaching certification, grades 6-12 (or K-12), and teaching endorsement for undergraduates include the following major fields: English, Kinesiology – Physical Education (K-12) and Health (6-12), Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. You may pursue minors in a wide range of subject matter including Kinesiology, Health, Coaching, and Psychology as well as grades K-12 endorsement in Special Education, Reading, Art, Music, English As A Second Language, Communications, and Gifted-Talented Education. State of Idaho teaching certification requirements that you must acquire no less than 30 semester credits of course work in a content teaching major and 20 semester credits in a teaching minor or 45 semester credits in a single, comprehensive teaching field. For most teaching areas, specific courses are required.

After completing Principles of Education (ED 214), Theories of Learning: Instruction & Assessment (ED 327) (Note: Beginning Fall 2009, ED 327 will be replaced with ED 318 & ED 321.), and an entrance exam, students with a minimum GPA of 2.75 and a minimum content GPA of 3.0 may apply for entry into the Teacher Education Program.

Upon acceptance into the program, students may enroll in Phase II, Professional Studies coursework, and, after completing all other required courses, continue on to Phase III, Professional Internship. Under the guidance of qualified personnel, students participate in a semester of internship during which they apply and refine their pedagogical knowledge and skills.

Education students also have the opportunity to join Kappa Delta Pi, an international education honor society promoting the professional development of educators.


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Program Phases and Courses

The undergraduate plan of studies in Secondary Teacher Education is organized into three phases:

  • Phase I: General Education Core, Content Major, and Professional Foundations of Education
  • Phase II: Content Major and Professional Studies in Education
  • Phase III: Professional Internship

You should consult the LCSC Catalog and your major advisor for specific information about general education core, elective, major and minor course requirements in your chosen field(s) of study.


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Programs Offered

The Education Division offers the following Baccalaureate and Teacher Education programs:

Majors:
Minors:

Content areas in which majors or minors may be pursued to support the Teacher Education program offerings leading to secondary certification include: Art; Biology; Chemistry; English; Foreign Language; Geology/Earth Science; History; Mathematics; Music; Natural Science; Physical Science; Political Science; Social Science; and Sociology.


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About Requirements

Purpose of General Education Requirements

The purpose of lower and upper level general education requirements for teacher education students is to provide them with a comprehensive foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. A solid general education develops the mind to its highest potential while increasing the capacity to reason so as to best achieve intellectual curiosity and lifelong learning in personal and professional endeavors. A comprehensive general education is vital to the interdisciplinary demands faced by today's professionals and is a prerequisite to the development of truly educated and competent teachers.

Graduation Requirements

Candidates for the Baccalaureate Degree in the Teacher Education program must complete a minimum of 128 semester credits, have an overall GPA of 2.75, and receive passing scores on all required examinations. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that one's program of study fulfills the general education, major, minor, certification, and/or endorsement requirements.

Substitution and Waiver of General Education Requirements

The Education Division does not substitute or waive any institutional general education requirements. Further, a substitution or waiver of general education requirements or major requirements may jeopardize the student's ability to become certified as a teacher even though one may have graduated. Students desiring to substitute or waive general education or major requirements should consult with their Education advisor before petitioning.


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Advising

The Education Division maintains that academic advising is an integral part of the educational process. An effective relationship with an Education Division advisor is one of the avenues through which students come to realize the maximum educational benefits available to them while learning to better understand themselves so as to meet their special educational needs and professional aspirations.

Academic advising is mandatory for all students. This required advisement means that each student must meet and personally obtain the Major Content and Education Division advisors' approval on course selection as evidenced by the advisors' signature on registration materials. Students with academic advising questions or concerns should meet with their advisors as soon as they suspect any difficulty.

Advising is more than class scheduling. Students should come prepared to advising appointments with a tentative class schedule. After completing this initial responsibility, students can expect a professional mentoring relationship with the faculty. It is by this mutual responsibility that quality advising comes to fruition.


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Student Teaching Information

  1. Students must be admitted to the Teacher Education program before a student teaching placement will be considered.
  2. A grade of "B" or better is required for all Professional Education Courses. Students with deficiencies will not be allowed to student teach.
  3. Student teachers are expected to fulfill full-day teaching responsibilities, participate in extra-curricular and assigned duties, and perform professionally according to public school policies and procedures. They are expected to maintain close contact with faculty and students in the public schools, and participate in seminars and conferences with their college supervisors. Student Teaching involves a student's total commitment for the entire semester. For this reason no additional course work will be approved. Outside employment during student teaching is highly discouraged.
  4. Student requests for college and school supervision in long distance sites (outside our service area) must be made in writing. Students will be assessed a fee to assist in paying the added expense of supervision at a long distance site. No guarantee is made that a long distance site will be available or approved.


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Professional Portfolio and Exit Interview

At the end of your internship experience, you will present a professional portfolio demonstrating attainment of all competencies of a highly-qualified teacher, as defined by the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of the LCSC Professional Standards for Teachers. In addition, you will be required to pass an Exit Interview in which your competencies will be reviewed. ED 452 and SE 407 must be passed with a "B-" or higher. ED 460/461 require a Passing (P) grade.

Upon exiting the program, the Education Division will process your application for Idaho teacher certification with forms you will have completed. Your materials and fee payment will be sent by LCSC to the State of Idaho Department of Education where the materials will be reviewed. Once approved, the Department of Education will mail the certificate to you.

You may place your résumé and credentials on file with the LCSC Career Development Office. This resource can also be used to obtain regular job vacancy announcements. With your permission, your name can be released to prospective employers who contact the office to recruit teachers.


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Teacher Certification Information

  1. Students who satisfactorily complete the Teacher Education program at Lewis-Clark State College are eligible to apply for one or more of the following state of Idaho teaching certificates: (1) Standard Secondary; and, (2) Standard Elementary. These certificates are issued by the State of Idaho Department of Teacher Education and are recognized in 31 member states of the Interstate Certification Compact. Teacher certification requirements vary among all states and applicants should address any specific state teacher certification requirements to that individual state's education agency responsible for teacher certification.
  2. Lewis-Clark State College does not issue teaching certificates. The Teacher Education program does provide a statement of approved program completion only for students who have successfully completed the program. Evaluation for certification is made by the Idaho State Department of Education only after the applicant completes the application process. A certificate or notation of deficiencies generally takes 30 days.
  3. Application for state teacher certification is the sole responsibility of the graduate. Idaho certification procedures and forms will be provided following student teaching.
  4. To obtain an official LCSC statement of completion in the approved Teacher Education programs, the graduate must submit the following to the Education Division:
    1. A completed "Application For An Idaho Professional Education Credential" form;
    2. Official transcripts from ALL institutions from which transfer credits are used to meet certification or graduation requirements;
    3. A check or money order for the appropriate State of Idaho application fee;
    4. Completed State of Idaho fingerprint cards; and,
    5. Any additional documents required by the Idaho State Department of Education Teacher Certification Office.
      Note: Official LCSC statements of completion are available for other states. Please follow that state certification agency's procedures.
  5. The Education Division will process, endorse, and mail to the Idaho state education agency only complete applications. Incomplete applications will be returned to the student.
  6. All data requested on the application form(s) must be supplied by the applicant.
  7. It is the responsibility of the graduate to meet all state certification requirements for the state to which application is made even if they are different from Idaho certification requirements.

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