South Dakota
State University
Certification Officer
Jennifer Weber


Wenona Hall 206
(605)688-4449
jennifer.weber@sdstate.edu
 

South Dakota State University
Teacher Education
Program Requirements

The Department of Teacher Education program is structured around three components:  General Studies (meeting university core requirements), Specialty Studies (meeting major content requirements), and Professional Studies (meeting education requirements).  The Professional Studies Component is made up of three Professional Semesters, which directly prepare students for the profession of teaching.

Within the University General Education Core, education students must take PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology or SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology prior to Professional Semester I and HIST 368 History of American Indians or INED 411/ANTH 421 Indians of North America prior to Professional Semester III.

Professional Semester I (PS I)

EDFN 338 Foundation of American Education  (2 cr)
EDFN 475 Human Relations (3 cr)

In order to register for the two courses in PS I, students must have at least sophomore status by the time they finish the semester in which they take PS I.

Professional Semester II (PS II)

EPSY 302 Educational Psychology (3 cr)
SEED 450 7-12 Teaching Reading in the ContentArea (2 cr)
SEED 314 Supervised Clinical Experience (1 cr)

Students in PS II are considered members of the Teacher Education Program. In order to be admitted they must have at least junior status (completed at least 64 hours), complete PS I with grades of at least C and be recommended by their PS I instructors, hold an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher, and complete English, Mathematics, and Speech requirements with a grade of C or better.*

In addition to completing PS II, the following courses must be completed prior to entry into Professional Semester III.

Special Methods (varies by content area) (3 cr)
SPED 401 Intro to Educating Secondary Students with Disabilities(1 cr)
EDFN 365 Computer-Based Technology and Learning (2 cr)
EDFN 427 Middle School Philosophy and Application (2 cr)

Professional Semester III (PS III)

SEED 400 Curriculum and Instruction in Middle and Secondary Schools (4 cr)
SEED 410  Social Foundations, Management, and Law (2 cr)
SEED 488  7-12 Student Teaching (1-8 cr)
ELED 488  K-8 Student Teaching (1-8 cr)

In order to be admitted into PS III, students must also have attained senior standing, successfully completed all prerequisite coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.5 overall and a minimum GPA of 2.6 in their major and education courses, be recommended by both their major advisor and the special methods instructor, and meet with the Placement Supervisor prior to October 1 (for teaching in the following Spring Semester) or February 1 (for student teaching in the following Fall Semester.)*

*Exam Requirements

Finally, candidates seeking to complete the teacher education program must successfully pass the required Praxis Exams. 

        Praxis Content Area Exam:  Prior to PSIII, candidates are required to pass the Praxis Exam for their content area.  Use the Praxis Link to find the name and number of the test required.  Praxis Testing

        Praxis PLT:  During PSIII, candidates will take the Praxis PLT.  Candidates must pass the Praxis PLT to successfully complete the program, and qualify for certification. 

*Candidates seeking endorsements in content areas other than their major will need to take and pass a Praxis Content Exam in order to qualify for that endorsement. 

 

Please note that the requirements for Agricultural Education, Family and Consumer Science, Music Education, Physical Education, Career and Technical Education, and Early Childhood Education vary from the above.  Click the link provided to contact the appropriate person for requirement requests.