Michael C. Holen, Dean
Debbie K. Mercer, Associate Dean for Teacher Education
Paul R. Burden, Assistant Dean
David L. Griffin, Assistant Dean for Diversity
Michael F. Perl, Assistant Dean and Director, Office for Student and Professional Services
Linda Thurston, Assistant Dean and Director, Office of Educational Innovation and Evaluation
Charles I. Rankin, Director, Midwest Equity Assistance Center
006 Bluemont Hall
785-532-5525
Fax: 785-532-7304
E-mail: pmonroe@k-state.edu
www.coe.k-state.edu
College of Education programs prepare individuals for the broad spectrum of professional education positions.
Primary consideration is given to preparing education students for the various positions in elementary, secondary, career and technical programs, and the personnel who support these programs. In addition, the college provides consultative services and in-service training for the improvement of various aspects of education programs at all levels. The College of Education cooperates with all other colleges and departments in its interdisciplinary approach to the preparation of teachers and other educational personnel.
The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), and the undergraduate teacher education programs are accredited by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
The college offers a bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in elementary or secondary education, and supports education programs outside the College of Education in agricultural education , early childhood education , family and consumer sciences education , and music education .
The professional education unit at Kansas State University is committed to preparing educators to be knowledgeable, ethical, caring decision makers through:
- delivery of exemplary instruction to students at the undergraduate and graduate levels;
- production, interpretation, and dissemination of sound and useful research and scholarship;
- leadership, collaboration, and service within the profession; and
- promotion, understanding, and celebration of diversity.
Click on any of the following links for information:
Advising
All students admitted to the College of Education are assigned an advisor from the Center for Student and Professional Services (13 Bluemont Hall). Students remain with that advisor throughout their program.
University General Education
Currently the university general education requirements for the university are under review for changes. Students will be informed of changes as they occur. See the list of Approved University General Education Courses.
University Honors Program
The University Honors Program has been established for undergraduate students who have demonstrated high academic achievement. The major purpose of the honors program is to give selected students an opportunity to expand their knowledge of the teaching profession and to acquire a desire to be leaders in the profession. Participants receive recognition for achievements; learn and interact with other honor students in small groups; establish close association with faculty members in seminars and research projects; and exercise creativity and explore leadership responsibilities.
For information about the university honors program, available to all students entering K-State in fall 2006 or later, see the Undergraduate Degrees section of this catalog. Check the university honors program web page for applications, requirements, current classes, and more.
University Honors Program Requirements - College of Education
- University Level - 7 credit hours required
- RETREAT for new students prior to fall semester (optional)
- DED 020 Students enroll in program each semester at college level - 0 credit
- DED 189 Introduction to University Honors Program - 1 credit
- Other University Level Requirements - 6 credits
In addition to the introductory course (1 credit), students are required to complete 6 credit hours from a list of honors courses generated by the University Honors Program Director each semester. (These courses can be honors sections of required courses or elective seminars; most are 3 credit hours.)
Alternative opportunities (e.g., study abroad) to generate university-level honor credit hours must be approved by both the Director of the University Honors Program and the College Coordinator (or appropriate college representative). Students cannot use a given activity for both university and college level. Under no circumstances will students be allowed to arrange for credit after the experience is completed.
- College Level - 8 credit hours or equivalent required
A and B are required; C and D are optional
- DED 420 Honors Project (2-3 credit hours)
Research or creative project, including presentation of findings to faculty and/or students. Requires supervision by a faculty member.
- DED 320 COE Topical Honors Seminars (2 credit hours)
There will be at least one honors seminar offered each semester in the college.
(Minimum of two one-credit hour seminars required)
- *Leadership (1-3 equivalent credit hours)
- Mentoring (e.g. upper class COE honors student mentoring a freshman honors student)
- Undergraduate teaching assistant (paid or unpaid) for an undergraduate seminar (e.g., university honors or retreat, COE honors seminars or COE regular courses)
- Student Leadership Roles: COE Ambassadors, KNEA-SP, Kappa Delta Pi, Education Symposium, Telefund
- *Professional Development (1-3 equivalent credit hours)
- International Study Abroad or National Student Exchange
- Community Service (International, state, or local level)
(beyond COE Teacher Education Requirement)
- Professional Meeting Participation/Presentation
- Application for Nationally Competitive Scholarship Awards
*Requires a UHP plan, approved by UHP Director and COE Honors Program Coordinator, submitted prior to the activity and a follow-up evaluation/self-reflection to be counted as an honors activity.
- Total UHP Requirements - 15 credit hours or equivalent required
NOTE: Skeen Tuition Reimbursement Scholarships — College of Education Honors students are reimbursed for tuition associated with honors courses/seminars that are not associated with curriculum requirements.
Support Facilities and Programs
In addition to major instructional and research programs, the College of Education provides service to K-State faculty and students, local schools, and a variety of other entities in the state and region.
Specific services of the College of Education are provided or coordinated through the following centers:
Center for Rural Education and Small Schools
Activities designed to address the unique educational needs of small schools and rural communities in Kansas and the plains states are the major focus of this center. Its basic services as ongoing endeavors are in research— to identify unique needs, effective techniques, and decision-making processes—and assistance programs centered on the development, coordination, and delivery of information and services. Development and maintenance of links with local schools and state and federal agencies are important functions of the center. A highly successful annual conference on rural education and small schools has attracted national attention and was initiated by the center and the College of Education.
The Catalyst
The Catalyst provides a range of services, instruction materials, and audiovisual equipment for the college’s faculty and students. Students use the Catalyst to prepare materials for use in class projects and student teaching. Audiovisual equipment of many types is maintained and provided by the Catalyst along with training, desktop support, technology integration into classroom environments, and support for college applications.
The Catalyst provides a full range of computer and computer services for use in instructional media classes and professional use. It offers a video production studio and state-of-the-art video and audio recording capabilities. The Catalyst also houses the Midwest Educational Assistance Center (MEAC) library containing multicultural resources for K–12 public schools districts as well as College of Education educators and pre-service students.
The Catalyst has space for individual student and small-group learning activities, video investigation, and use of computer and instructional materials. Also housed in this center is an interactive video conference unit for instructional collaboration.
Center for Science Education
The Center for Science Education is housed in the College of Education. The center’s mission is to improve the quality of science, mathematics, and technology teaching and learning throughout Kansas, the plains states, and the nation from kindergarten through the PhD level. The center facilitates collaboration among individuals and units on and off campus to conduct research; develop curriculum materials, pedagogical strategies, and organizational mechanisms; demonstrate their effectiveness in model school sites; and disseminate the latest knowledge to an audience of school administrators, teachers, researchers, other professionals, parents, and citizens.
Teacher Education
The College of Education is the designated unit responsible for all K-State teacher licensure.
The programs are designed to develop competencies essential for teaching and to meet Kansas State Department of Education standards. Some programs are parts of degree requirements in colleges other than the College of Education. All College of Education program requirements are subject to revision as necessary to meet Kansas licensure standards. Students should contact their advisors or the licensing officer if they have questions about licensure program changes.
Licensure through the teacher education program is available for three teaching levels: (a) early childhood birth through kindergarten, (b) elementary education prepares for grades K–6, (c) secondary programs satisfy state licensure requirements for grades 6–12, and (d) PK-12 in art, music, and modern languages.
Secondary and elementary education majors may add endorsements to teach at the middle level in English, mathematics, science, and social studies.
Admission requirements
The application for admission to a teacher education program may be filed when the applicant has satisfied all of the admission requirements. Transfer students who have satisfied all the admission requirements should apply at the time of initial enrollment. Students making changes in degree programs within teacher education must reapply for teacher education.
Orientation
Successful completion of DED 075 Orientation to Teacher Education at K-State.
Hours
Fifty total hours for secondary, 42 hours for elementary must be completed, including all transfer and K-State credits.
English composition
Both Expository Writing I and II must be completed satisfactorily with a grade no lower than C (2.0).
Public speaking
A grade of C or better is required in COMM 105, 106, or 109. Courses in interpersonal communication do not apply.
Quantitative sciences
A grade of C or better is required in six credit hours of mathematics including college algebra, or a higher level of mathematics and a statistics course or a course that includes statistics.
Overall GPA
A 2.5 GPA is required in all college work attempted, including transfer and K-State credits.
Teaching specialty GPA
A 2.5 GPA is required in all college work attempted in the teaching specialty. (This includes work at K-State and other institutions.) Note: Elementary education majors do not have a teaching specialty.
Pre-professional skills tests
Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) will be given throughout the year on dates specified by the testing service and will include sections on reading, writing, and mathematics. Scores of 172 in writing, 173 in reading, and 172 in mathematics are required for admission to teacher education. Students also may take the web-based version offered in several sites throughout the state. A transfer student may be admitted provisionally before the test is taken, but the student must take the test with passing scores the next time it is given on campus or he or she will be dropped from teacher education
Early field experience
Early field experience is completed in EDEL/EDSEC 230.
Application deadlines
- To early enroll for summer or fall professional classes: February 15
- To early enroll for spring professional classes: October 1
When the applications are approved, students are notified of their acceptance into the respective teacher education professional program. Students who do not meet the requirements will be notified of the options available to them.
Professional semester
The professional semester involves a full semester of student teaching. This semester occurs in the fall or spring of the senior year. There is no student teaching offered during summer sessions. Because of the school districts’ schedules, students may be required to begin their student teaching before the start of K-State’s semester schedule and/or end their student teaching after K-State’s semester schedule ends.
Students desiring to be recommended for licensure by K-State must earn credit for student teaching in residence. Students who have had any secondary methods course at another college or university will be required to audit the equivalent course at K-State. Students may only take the courses prescribed for the professional semester unless permission is obtained through the Office of Student and Professional Services in 13 Bluemont Hall. Teaching participation is graded Credit/No Credit.
Application for student teaching
The application for student teaching must be submitted online at the College of Education web page no later than December 20 of the year preceding student teaching. Students must submit the application by this deadline even though all admission requirements to the professional semester are not fully satisfied. Junior and senior transfer students from other educational institutions should file the application immediately upon enrollment.
Admission to the professional semester
Students will be approved for the professional semester when the requirements listed below have been met. If notified that all requirements for the professional semester have not been satisfied, students may request through the College of Education advisor that the application be postponed.
Requirements for all applicants to the professional semester
- Full admittance to a teacher education program.
- Completion of 90 semester hours.
- An overall grade point average of 2.5 in all college or university course work attempted.
- Physical examination by the student health center or by a licensed physician. The student verifies to the coordinator of laboratory experiences that the physical examination has been completed.
Additional requirements for elementary majors
- Completion of FSHS 110, EDCEP 315, EDSP 324, EDEL 414, DED 318, and Blocks A and B and C.
- Students must have a B average (3.0 GPA) in all Block A and B and C courses with no grade lower than a C in any blocked course. Students may retake blocked methods courses one time only.
Since the five elementary education methods courses of science, language arts, social studies, mathematics, and reading are offered only in Blocks A and B with field experiences attached, none may be transferred from another institution. EDEL 200 Teaching as a Career must be taken at K-State.
Additional requirements for secondary majors
A grade point average of 2.5 is required in all teaching fields based on all teaching field courses attempted at K-State and at all colleges or universities attended. A student may not have a grade lower than a C in any teacher education course. Completion of FSHS 110, Blocks I and II, EDSEC 310 or equivalent, EDSEC 405, and DED 318 are required.
Student teaching assignment request
Student teaching requires a special application called the Student Teaching Assignment Request (STAR form). Instructions for completing the application can be obtained online at the College of Education web page.
The deadlines for completing the STAR form are:
- September 1 for those student teaching in the spring
- February 1 for those student teaching in the fall
Verification of Red Cross first aid/CPR certification (or an approved equivalent) must be submitted prior to completion of the STAR form.
Interruption of degree
The following College of Education policy regarding interruption of academic programs applies to all people seeking teacher licensure as well as those enrolled in degree programs in the College of Education.
Students who graduate within six years from the time they enter K-State without having previously earned credit from another institution shall have the opportunity to graduate under the academic program (course and total credit requirements) in existence at the time of entrance, unless the student cannot be licensed by the State of Kansas under the original entry requirements.
If more than six years have elapsed since original entry, the student will need to complete the degree or teacher education program requirements in existence at the time he or she re-enters the university for the final and uninterrupted phase of the program.
This policy applies to students who are admitted to the university with previously attained credit as follows:
| Credits attained |
Allowed for completion |
| Less than 30 credits |
6 years |
| 30 to 59 credits |
5 years |
| 60 to 89 credits |
4 years |
| 90 or more credits |
3 years |
Due to the number of credit hours required in their program, music education students will have an additional semester, for a total of 6 1⁄2 years, to complete their teacher education program.
Most students who interrupt their educations for military service during peacetime do so by voluntary enlistment. In such a case, the above policy would hold. In wartime or national emergency, students with good grade records might be drafted. In these cases, it would be expected that students could graduate under the requirements that existed at the time they originally entered unless licensure requirements have changed, whereupon the student must modify the entry program to include the current licensure requirements.
Professional licensure
Initial licensure
The College of Education has the responsibility to serve as the recommending agent for all K-State graduates who wish to qualify for licensure. Typically, degrees earned in the College of Education in elementary education and in secondary education will fulfill licensure program requirements in the state of Kansas. Early childhood, elementary, and secondary teaching licensure may be accomplished through the completion of the approved program and the appropriate degree.
Students must meet the requirements for licensure or for an endorsement area in effect at the time they apply for that licensure or endorsement. Students enrolled in and earning degrees in colleges other than the College of Education must complete all requirements of an approved teacher education program.
The State of Kansas will issue initial teaching licenses only to individuals who have completed an approved teacher education program, received the recommendation of their college or university, and successfully passed the pre-licensure examination (Principles of Learning and Teaching and content assessments). These tests are administered at K-State several times each academic year. Anyone applying for initial licensure in a state other than Kansas is recommended to also apply for Kansas licensure.
The State of Kansas may not issue a teaching license to any applicant who has been convicted of a felony, signed certain diversion agreements, or who has had a teaching license revoked in another state.
People seeking initial licensure who present degrees from other accredited institutions must meet all requirements of the teacher education program. For additional information, these individuals should contact the Office of Student and Professional Services, 13 Bluemont Hall.
Additional licensure endorsements
K-State will recommend for licensure those individuals who are already licensed, but who are adding an endorsement leadership license, or specialist license to their license (e.g., reading specialist, administrator, counselor, an additional teaching area, middle-level teaching in selected fields). K-State may become the recommending agent for individuals presenting degrees from other accredited institutions.
Re-licensure
Renewal applications not requesting an additional licensure endorsement are sent directly to the Kansas State Department of Education.
For additional information on pre-licensure testing, applications, or procedures, contact the Office of Student and Professional Services in 13 Bluemont Hall.
Approved programs
All students preparing to be licensed to teach in preschool, elementary, or secondary schools must fully complete the approved teacher education program regardless of which college awards the degree. The approved program consists of: general education studies, a major or specialization, and professional education studies.
The curricula in elementary education and in secondary education fulfill program requirements for teacher licensure in the state of Kansas. Both degrees offered through the College of Education are four-year programs.
Secondary Education Teaching Fields:
Education Optional Secondary Licensure Programs:
Education Programs Outside the College of Education:
Other Program Choices:
Added Teaching Fields in Secondary Education
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) currently allows any licensed teacher to add additional endorsements in all areas except elementary, early childhood, and special education, by passing the Praxis content test for that subject. This policy will be reviewed by KSDE in June 2012. Please talk to your advisor for more information.
