K-12 Teaching Programs
In collaboration with the Department of K-12 & Secondary Programs (KSP), Minnesota State University, Mankato's teaching content areas support licensure candidates in building the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to meet the needs of today's diverse K-12 learners and partner school districts. By integrating innovative coursework with hands-on clinical experiences, content-area programs prepare new teachers to effect equity, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive change in classrooms and students' lives. Students are supported in connecting theory to practice through mentoring and reflective practices in K-12 classrooms throughout their programs.
Main Office: (507) 389-1965
The following programs prepare students for initial licensure as professional educators in K-12, middle (5-12), and high school (9-12) classrooms. Programs focus on gaining the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to teach effectively in diverse educational settings.
- Art Education (K-12)
- Business Education (5-12; Partnership with Winona State)
- Chemistry Teaching* (9-12)
- Earth Science Teaching* (5-12)
- English Education (Communication Arts & Literature Education 5-12)
- Family Consumer Science Education (5-12)
- French Education (K-12)
- German Education (K-12)
- Health and Physical Education (K-12)
- Life Science Teaching* (5-12)
- Mathematics Teaching (5-12)
- Music Education: Instrumental/General Music (K-12)
- Music Education: Vocal/General Music (K-12)
- Physical Education (Developmental Adapted Physical Education; K-12)
- Physics Teaching* (5-12)
- Social Studies Teaching (5-12; Emphasis: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Sociology)
- Spanish Teaching (K-12)
- Teaching English as a Second Language (K-12)
* The State of Minnesota grants science teacher licensure for grades 5-8 general science, 9-12 Chemistry, Earth Science, Life Science and Physics. Students earning a degree in Earth Science Teaching, Life Science Teaching, or Physics Teaching from Minnesota State, Mankato will qualify for two licenses (1) 5-8 general science and (2) 9-12 specialty. Students earning a degree in Chemistry Teaching will qualify only for the 9-12 Chemistry license.
POLICIES
Admission occurs during a student's sophomore or junior year and is in addition to their admission into their major. Admission into professional education is a selective process. A student must continually meet progression standards to remain in the program.
Admission into Professional Education
- A minimum of 32 earned semester credit hours
- A minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA
- Enrollment or completion of KSP 220W and KSP 222
- "C" grade in ENG 101
- "C" grade in General Education Math
- Completion of National Criminal Background Check
- Proof of liability insurance
Progression Standards: Students must meet progression standards to remain in the program.
- Coursework in professional education requires a grade of "C" or better.
- A cumulative career GPA of 2.75 is required.
- Field experiences & required background checks.
- Courses must be taken for a grade except when P/N is the only option.
- Admission to the student teaching experience is contingent upon completion of courses, admission to Professional Education, and other approvals
Note: Requirements for teaching majors may change as new rules for licensure are adopted by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB).
EDUCATION COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Required for General Education
- HLTH 240 Drug Education (3)
Required Professional Education (30 credits)
LEVEL 1
- KSP 220W Systemic Issues in Education (3)
- KSP 222 Developing Self, Practice, Pedagogy, and Learning Environment (2)
- KSP 202 Technology and Design in the Classroom (1) - Floating course (can be taken with Level 1 or 2)
- Note: a 30-hour field experience in the K-12 environment is required.
LEVEL 2
- KSP 330 Intermediate Pedagogy: Creating Highly Effective Learning Experiences (3)
- KSP 440 Advocating for Students and Building Relationships (3)
- Note: a 30-hour field experience in the K-12 environment is required.
LEVEL 3
- KSP 334 Advanced Pedagogy: Culturally Affirming Instruction and Assessment (3)
- KSP 442 Reading, Literacy, Multilingualism, and Student Advocacy in Education (3)
- Note: a 40-hour field experience in the K-12 environment is required.
LEVEL 4 Student Teaching
- KSP 464 Professional Seminar (1)
- For 5-12 majors - KSP 477 5-12 Student Teaching (11)
- For K-12 majors - KSP 476 K-12 Student Teaching (11)
- Note: Double licensure majors also enroll in KSP 482 (6)