Debbie K. Mercer, Dean
Cindy Shuman, Associate Dean for Research and External Funding
F. Todd Goodson, Associate Dean for Teacher Education and Accreditation
Roger W. Schieferecke, Assistant Dean, Director of the Center for Student Success and Professional Services
6 Bluemont Hall
785-532-5525
Fax: 785-532-7304
E-mail: edcoll@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 to improve various aspects of education programs at all levels. The College of Education cooperates with all other colleges and departments in its interdisciplinary approach to preparing 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 teacher education programs are accredited by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
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 agriculture, early childhood, family and consumer sciences, and music education. This degree leads to recommendations for teacher licensure in Kansas.
The college offers a bachelor’s degree in educational studies, preparing successful candidates to participate in shaping and making educational policy, working with youth in non-school settings, preparing for international teaching, or participating in the entrepreneurial realm.
The professional education unit at Kansas State University is committed to preparing educators to be knowledgeable, ethical, caring decision-makers for a diverse and changing world 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 Success and Professional Services (13 Bluemont Hall).
EDCATS Central
EDCATS Central, a Canvas page for College of Education students, serves as a clearinghouse for all program documentation forms.
Teacher Education
The College of Education is the designated unit responsible for all K-State educator 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 four teaching levels: (a) early childhood unified birth through kindergarten, (b) elementary education prepares for grades P–6, (c) secondary programs satisfy state licensure requirements for grades 6–12, and (d) P-12 in art, music, modern languages, and physical education/health.
These hours are required during the duration of the time in the program.
- By November 1st or April 1st of the semester before student teaching, documentation must be submitted concerning completing 20 hours of professional growth enrichment and 20 hours of educational service to youth and families.
Admission Requirements for Teacher Education
The application for admission to a teacher education program may be submitted 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.
Hours
Requires 42 hours completed, including all transfer and K-State credit hours.
English Composition
Both Expository Writing I and II must be completed satisfactorily with a grade no lower than C (2.000).
Public Speaking
A grade of C or better is required in COMM 106, COMM 109, or COMM 322 Interpersonal Communications.
Quantitative Sciences
A grade of C or better is required in three credit hours of mathematics MATH 160 or a math as required by the KBOR Math Pathways.
Overall Degree Program GPA
A 2.75 GPA is required in all attempted courses that meet degree program requirements, including all graded transfer and K-State credits. Probationary admission may be granted if the student has a 2.6 GPA and all other requirements are met. GPA must be 2.75 before the Professional semester.
Teaching Field GPA
A 2.750 GPA is required in all attempted courses that meet degree program requirements, including all graded transfer and K-State credit hours. Probationary admissions may be granted if the student has a 2.600 GPA and all other requirements are met. GPA must be 2.750 before the Professional semester(s).
Early Field Experience
Early field experience is completed in EDCI 230 or documentation of 30-40 hours of observation.
Application Deadlines
- To enroll early in summer or fall professional classes, apply by February 15.
- To enroll early in spring professional classes, apply by 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 available options.
Criminal Background Check
- All students requesting practicum and internship placements complete a background check through an external provider.
The Professional Semester
The professional semester involves the equivalent of a full semester of student teaching. For residential students, this semester occurs in the fall or spring of the senior year. For online elementary education students, the professional semester occurs across both fall and spring semesters. 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. Students may only take the courses prescribed for the professional semester unless permission is obtained through the Office of Field Experience. Teaching participation is graded Credit/No Credit.
Admission to the Professional Semester
Students will be approved for the professional semester when the requirements below are met.
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 2.750 in all college or university coursework that meets degree program requirements.
- Completion of all Professional and Teacher Education courses and practica with a 3.000 GPA with no grade lower than C. Student may retake blocked methods courses once only.
- Demonstrate the standards and dispositions defined in our Conceptual Framework.
- Core Teaching Skills, and Methods courses must be taken at K-State.
- Verification of a negative tuberculosis (TB) test.
- Criminal Background check through an external provider.
- Professional Liability Insurance.
- Completion of the Professionalism requirement by November 1 or April 1 of final student teaching semester.
- Verification of Red Cross first aid training (or an approved equivalent) and CPR certification (or an approved equivalent).
Additional requirements for secondary majors
A grade point average of 2.750 is required in all teaching fields based on all teaching field courses attempted at K-State and all colleges or universities attended.
Student teaching assignment request
Student teaching requires a special application called the Student Teaching Assignment Request (STAR form).
Professional Licensure
Initial Licensure
The College of Education serve as the recommending agent for all K-State graduates who wish to apply for Kansas licensure. Early childhood, elementary, and secondary teaching licensure may be accomplished through the completion of the approved program and the appropriate degree. Additional testing is required by the Kansas State Department of Education.
Students must meet the requirements for licensure in all areas requested at the time they apply for that licensure or endorsement.
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 examinations (Principles of Learning and Teaching and content assessments). These tests are administered at 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 edcatslicensing@ksu.edu, 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 elementary and secondary education curricula fulfill program requirements for recommendation for teacher licensure in the State of Kansas. Both degrees offered through the College of Education are four-year programs.
- Elementary Education (B.S. in Education) [Inactive]
- Secondary Education (B.S. in Education) [Inactive]
Non-licensure program:
- Educational Studies (B.S. in Educational Studies) [Inactive]
Certificates:
- K-12 Online Undergraduate Teaching and Learning
- Sports Performance Coaching
- Rual Education
- Urban Education
Education Programs Outside the College of Education:
The curricula in agricultural education, family and consumer sciences education, early childhood education, and music education fulfill program requirements for recommendation for teacher licensure in the state of Kansas.
Display courses for College of Education.
