Oct 15, 2024  
2022-23 NSU Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-23 NSU Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Teacher Education Overview


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Professional Education for Entry-level Educators

Northeastern State University offers several undergraduate degrees in the field of  professional teacher education for those seeking teaching credentials: Bachelor of Arts in Education, Bachelor of Music Education, and Bachelor of Science in Education.  The Department of Teacher Education serves to facilitate the entire teacher preparation experience by providing coursework and clinical experiences to prepare teacher candidates to lead their classrooms and design effective learning experiences for all students.

Curriculum for the degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Education, Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, and Bachelor of Science in Education consists of three parts. Part I and Part III are common to the requirements for all bachelor degrees. It is Part II in the field of specialization where differences occur in the requirements for Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.

Part I includes a general education program that is prescribed for all students attending this University. Those seeking education degrees should pay particular attention to selection of general education coursework since these courses often serve to meet state and national regulations in addition to serving as prerequisites to more advanced courses.  Part II consists of a field of specialization/major in which the student expects to teach, e.g., art, elementary education, mathematics.  The content major requirements are fully explained on those pages dedicated to that particular major.  Lastly, Part III consists of courses in professional education providing both theory and practice in materials, methods and teaching techniques.

The Northeastern State University Teacher Education Program is guided by the philosophy that learning is a social transaction and an active, constructive process. The COE believes that in order for social transaction and active learning to occur, professional educators must:

  • be well grounded in their content subject area;
  • have knowledge of learning and pedagogical theories and be able to put them into practice;
  • be able to put their knowledge of best practice to use;
  • be knowledgeable, caring, and thoughtful educators who inspire others to be advocates for an educational system that benefits all students;
  • be reflective practitioners; and
  • continue to refine their pedagogical skills through continued professional development.

The philosophical approach to teaching and learning provides the foundation for the Conceptual Framework that is threaded throughout the NSU Teacher Education Program. NSU prepares professional educators to be Teaching Scholars, Educational Leaders and Developers of Human Potential.

Teacher Education Student Learning Outcomes

(See individual majors for content-specific outcomes)

  1. Explain theories related to the teaching and learning process.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of diversity.
  3. Integrate 21st century technological tools to enhance learning.
  4. Apply knowledge of classroom management.
  5. Apply knowledge of instructional strategies.
  6. Apply knowledge of assesssment.
  7. Apply knowledge of instructional planning.
  8. Demonstrate dispositions and habits of professional educators.

Professional Education Requirements (EC/ELEM/SPED)


Professional Education Requirements (Secondary) - 29 hours


Professional Education Requirements (K-12) - 29 hours


Teacher Education Admission and Certification Policies


In addition to courses in the discipline, all students completing a BA or BS in Education degree must meet the following requirements for certification.

  • Be accepted for admission to teacher education, pre-II internship, and full internship according to published course sequence and guidelines.
  • Demonstrate proficiency at the high novice level in a language other than English.
  • Develop a portfolio which documents their accomplishments, learning, and strengths related to the competencies, standards, and outcomes established by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.  
  • Complete all courses in the major and Professional Education Core with a grade of “C” or higher.
  • Students entering NSU beginning Fall 2013 must have an overall GPA of 2.75 for admission to teacher education.
  • Once admitted to the teacher education program, all majors must continue to maintain a GPA of 2.5 (overall, in their major field of study, and professional education core) through completion.
  • 4 X 12 requirement - Early Childhood, Elementary Education, and Special Education programs require completion of 12 semester hours with a grade of “C” or better in the following disciplines: Communication Arts (English, Communication, Literature), Math, Science, and Social Science (Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology) prior to graduation.
  • All Professional Education majors must complete PSYC 1003 or PSYC 1113.  Advisors recommend those courses be completed as part of the General Education course sequence.

Additional Degree Information - College of Education


In addition to general education and program requirements stated above, additional hours may be needed to satisfy all minimum degree requirements listed below.

  • English Proficiency: Components I and II of English proficiency should be met with grades of “C” or better prior to the completion of 60 credit hours.
  • ​A minimum of 124 hours is required. PE activity is limited to four hours. Prior learning credit (CLEP, Advanced Standing, Military Credit, etc) is limited to 30 hours.
  • ​A minimum of 30 hours in residence (from NSU) is required for graduation. PE activity is limited to four hours. Hours in residence exclude zero-level courses and prior learning credit such as CLEP, Advanced Placement, Advanced Standing, Military Credit, etc.​
  • A minimum of 40 hours of 3000/4000 level courses is required for graduation.  ​
  • A minimum of 60 hours from a 4-year school is required for graduation excluding zero level and PE activity courses.
  • At least fifty percent of the major requirements must be upper division courses (3000 and 4000 level).
  • At least 18 hours or fifty percent of the major, whichever is greater, must be satisfactorily completed at NSU.
  • The minimum number of credit hours required in the Liberal Arts and Sciences varies based on the type of degree.  B.A and B.A.Ed. degrees require at least 80 hours.  B.S. and B.S.Ed. degrees require at least 55 hours.  Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) courses are identified in catalog course descriptions.

For more information, see Bachelor’s Degree Requirements .

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