K-12 Certification Programs

School of Education

Phone Number: (605) 626-2415

Office: Gerber 109

Students seeking K-12 certification in the state of South Dakota must select a major in one of the K-12 teaching fields offered at Northern State University (education is not the major). An advisor will be appointed from the faculty of the area of study selected. Additional areas of study leading to certification endorsements are encouraged to strengthen professional preparation and enhance employability.

Major areas of study at Northern State University appropriate to teacher certification at the K-12 level are: Art Art Education Comprehensive Music Composite Major in Instrumental, Vocal, or Double Major Physical Education Special Education World Languages Spanish French German

Descriptions of the major and course requirements as well as the minors are listed in this catalog under Teacher Education.

Career Directions 

• Professional education 
• Careers appropriate to the major field 
• Graduate study

K-12 education majors complete a broad program that includes system-wide core, institutional graduation and degree requirements, professional education courses and a major. Teacher certification requires completion of the following courses (listed in a suggested sequence).

K-12 education students should fulfill requirements for admission to teacher education including passing the Praxis I (PPST) in their freshman and sophomore years so that they can begin professional education coursework in their junior year. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.60 in the major field and a cumulative GPA of 2.60 in system-wide core, institutional graduation and degree requirements for admission to teacher education. For more information regarding certification policies and requirements, see Teacher Education. Students with a completed baccalaureate degree in any of the above teaching majors may seek K-12 certification through the post-baccalaureate certification plan.

Endorsements for K-8, K-12, and/or 7-12 levels may be added to a K-12 certificate except for Special Education, which may not add regular education endorsements.

General Certification Requirements

• EDFN 475, Human Relations (3 credits)
• EPSY 302, Educational Psychology (2 credits)
• EPSY 327, Child and Adolescent Development (3 credits)
• SPED 405, Educating Secondary Students with Disabilities (1 credit)
• INED 411, South Dakota Indian Studies (3 credits)
• Elementary & Secondary Methods (3-8 credits)
• Art: ART 310, K-8 Art Methods; ARTE 414, K-12 Art Methods
• Music: Included in major
• Physical Education: PE 480, Teaching K-12 Physical Education
• Special Education: Included in major
• World Languages: MFL 420, K-12 Foreign Language Methods

Secondary Junior Block

• EDFN 325, Instructional Design (1 credit)
• SEED 300, General Secondary School Teaching Methods (2 credits)
• SEED 301, Secondary Education Junior Field Experience (2 credits)
• SEED 450, 7-12 Teaching Reading in the Content Area (2 credits)
• Music majors do not take SEED 300, SEED 301, and EDFN 325.

Professional Semester

• EDER 415, Educational Assessment (2 credits)
• EDFN 439, K-12 Issues (2 credits)
• ELED 488, K-8 Student Teaching (4 credits)
• EPSY 420, Classroom Management and Discipline (2 credits)
• HLTH 400, Elements of Health (2 credits)
• SEED 488, 7-12 Student Teaching (4 credits)

  All K-12 majors complete a student teaching experience that includes both elementary and secondary levels.

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