NSU Catalog 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Biology (BSEd)
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Secondary education candidates fulfill requirements in general education and take the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators (CORE) exam in their freshman year; they begin professional education coursework in their junior year. 5-12 education candidates must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.70 and a 2.70 GPA in the major.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Biology students demonstrate the ability to design, understand and discuss scientific data. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
- Biology students can effectively communicate scientific results orally and in writing using methods related to science. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
- Biology students can identify appropriate scientific sources and analyze and interpret data. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy)
- Biology students will demonstrate the ability to work as a team while completing research/project related endeavors. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork)
- Biology students will demonstrate the ability to design and conduct scientific research. (Cross-curricular Skill: Problem solving)
- Biology students will establish skills in core disciplines of biology, including the cellular basis of life sciences and taxonomy of plants and animals.
- Teacher candidates will understand how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and design and implement developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
- Teacher candidates will use understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity)
- Teacher candidates will work with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork)
- Teacher candidates will understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) they teach and create learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
- Teacher candidates will understand how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
- Teacher candidates will understand and use multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making. (Cross-curricular Skill: Problem Solving)
- Teacher candidates will plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross- disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context. (Cross-curricular Skill: Integrative Learning)
- Teacher candidates will understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
- Teacher candidates will engage in ongoing professional learning and use evidence to continually evaluate their practice, particularly the effects of their choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapt practice to meet the needs of each learner. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning)
- Teacher candidates will seek appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession. (Cross-curricular Skill: Civic Knowledge and Engagement & Teamwork)
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Choose one lecture/lab: (4 credits)
Choose one lecture/lab: (4 credits)
Choose one lecture/lab: (4 credits)
Secondary (5-12) Teacher Education Requirements - 48 credits
As recommended by NSU’s Millicent Atkins School of Education.
Pre-Admission Field Experience
Pre-admission field experience (PAFE) taken concurrently with EPSY 302 on NSU campus:
The purpose of the pre-admission field experience is self-awareness, self-selection, professional selection, reflection, and goal setting. Students registered for EPSY 302 - Educational Psychology , will also enroll in EPSY 296 (PAFE) and will receive specific instructions for completion of the PAFE. Students must observe and assist a teacher for a minimum of two full school days (16 hours). Students will not be approved for admission to the teacher education program until this course is completed with a grade of “C” or higher. Students must have a minimum of 2.6 GPA for registration in EPSY 302 - Educational Psychology .
Pre-admission field experience (PAFE) when credit has already been received for EPSY 302 :
In cases where a student has previously earned credit for EPSY 302 , they may enroll in EPSY 296 if they:
- Are a degree seeking education major at NSU.
- Have a 2.6 cumulative GPA.
- Completed EPSY 302 with a “C” or higher.
- Can attend the face-to-face PAFE registration and placement meetings on NSU campus.
Teacher Education Information (Undergraduate)
A major focus for Northern State University is the preparation of professional educators. The Millicent Atkins School of Education Teacher Education Program prepares teachers whose instructional decision making is based on current theory, research, and experience. The School of Education offers bachelor’s degree programs in elementary education, K-12 education, and secondary education.
Any student who plans to major in education at Northern State University must complete the system-wide core, institutional graduation, and degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Education, including professional education courses and major and minor requirements as established for the appropriate discipline. Students who successfully complete a teacher education program will be recommended for a teaching certificate issued by the state of South Dakota.
All teacher education programs comply with certification requirements and have been approved by the SD Department of Education. Students will complete content and pedagogy examinations at the achievement level set by the SD Department of Education.
Accreditation
Northern State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and the Teacher Education Program in the Millicent Atkins School of Education is accredited by CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation). The BME in Music Education is also accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
NOTE:
ELRN 535 and ELRN 585 may be taken in place of ELRN 435 and ELRN 485 if accepted into the accelerated MSEd Instructional Design in E-learning program and completed at least 90 credit hours of the undergraduate program.
Recommended supporting courses
Computer Programming (3 credits)
Choose one: (3-4 credits)
Recommendation for General Education Goal #5 (MATH 123):
It is recommended that MATH 123 or higher be taken to fulfill GE Goal #5.
Degree Requirements (BSEd and BME)
- EPSY 302 - Educational Psychology 3 credits
- EPSY 428 - Child and Adolescent Development 3 credits
- INED 411 - South Dakota Indian Studies 3 credits
In addition to fulfilling all General Education Requirements, candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Education or Bachelor of Music Education degrees must take the professional education course work required for certification in the state of South Dakota. See specific requirements for Elementary Education; K-12 Certification requirements for majors including Art, Health/Physical Education, Music, World Languages, and Special Education; and secondary education requirements for BSEd majors in Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics, and Social Sciences.
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 120 CREDITS
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