Education Endorsements
Adding an endorsement to a degree in education empowers students to take their education and career even further by choosing an additional specialized subject area and/or grade level they are qualified to teach.

Additional teaching endorsements are especially valuable to BVU graduates as they gain further in-depth knowledge in an area of their choice, increasing their marketability and success in the classroom. BVU students teach all over the world, and use their experiences student teaching, volunteering, and working at organizations such as Faith, Hope, and Charity for children with special needs.
Education students may choose from the following endorsements:
- Coaching
- Art K-8 & 5-12
- Middle school 5-8
- Pre-K/Kindergarten
- Health
- Reading K-8
- Reading 5-12
- Special education
- Strategist I K-8
- Strategist II K-12 cognitive & learning/behavioral
- Teaching English as a second language
- STEM K-8 & 5-8
TALK TO US
BVU produces students that hold leadership positions within schools and other organizations. Our alumni have risen to positions such as guidance counselors, academic coaches, principals, superintendents, and more.
An elementary education major at BVU embeds a reading endorsement giving graduating students an advantage in the job market and the classroom.
No matter what discipline you are passionate about, BVU ensures students have the tools principals require.

Storm Lake Schools
A Dream for ESL and More
Want to teach students whose home language isn’t English? See how it’s done in Storm Lake Elementary School where 14 different first languages are spoken. Want to work with children on all levels of the Autism spectrum? Spend time in a local special education classroom and apply BVU classroom knowledge yourself. Think you may want to coach a sport one day that you also cared about in high school? Coach a local tournament team or volunteer at middle school student practices. An endorsement will take your career and passion for teaching to the next level.
Share your caring heart and passion for teaching by training service dogs in Florida over spring break, then add it to your resume.
Travel to South Korea to help students learn English, and learn a little of another language while you’re abroad with friends.
Student teach in a classroom and spend some extra time teaching students who need a little extra help with reading after school.
This K-12 coaching authorization meets the minimum state requirements for coaching.
- EXSC 140 Functional Human Anatomy
- EXSC 170 Fundamentals of Athletic Training
- EXSC 217 Theory and Ethics of Coaching
- EXSC 351 Motor Learning
1 course from
-
EXSC
210
Coaching Volleyball
-
EXSC
211
Coaching Basketball
-
EXSC
212
Coaching baseball and Softball
-
EXSC
213
Coaching Wrestling
-
EXSC
214
Coaching Soccer
-
EXSC
215
Coaching Football
-
EXSC
216
Coaching Track, Field and Cross Country
- COMM 302 Intercultural Communication
- EDCO 370 Human Relations
- ENGL 331 Introduction to Linguistics
- ENGL 332 Modern English Grammar
- TESL 270 Introduction to Second Language Acquisition
- TESL 330 Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language
- TESL 407 Curriculum Development and Assessment in ESL
- TESL 410 Practicum in ESL Classroom
- TEAC 440 Professional Seminar III: Student Teaching in Elementary ESL (K-6) or TEAC 450 Professional Seminar III; Student Teaching in Secondary ESL (7-12)
The ESL endorsement is taken in addition to a student’s primary area of teacher preparation (elementary or secondary education). Together, EDCO 280, EDCO 290, and EDCO 301, which are part of the elementary education major and secondary licensure program, already include Human Relation requirements. TEAC 440 or 450 will substitute for six of the twelve hours of student teaching required for elementary education majors and secondary licensure students.
Middle School Endorsement (5-8)
Must be accompanied by certification as an elementary or secondary teacher.
-
EDCO 240 Human Development: School-Age Children or EDCO 241 Human Development: Adolescents or EDUC 425/GEDU 525 Adolescent Growth and Development
-
EDUC 426/GEDU 526 Methods & Materials for Teaching Middle School
-
SEDU 365 Methods of Reading in the Content Areas or EDUC 420 Reading Strategies & Instructional Methods: Informational Text
-
SEDU 290/291 Middle School Supervised Participation
To obtain this endorsement, the applicant must complete the coursework requirements in two of the following content areas:
- Social studies concentration. The social studies concentration requires 12 semester hours of coursework in social studies to include coursework in United States history, world history, government and geography.
- Mathematics concentration. The mathematics concentration requires 12 semester hours in mathematics to include coursework in algebra.
- Science concentration. The science concentration requires 12 semester hours in science to include coursework in life science, earth science, and physical science.
- Language arts concentration. The language arts concentration requires 12 semester hours in language arts to include coursework in composition, language usage, speech, young adult literature, and literature across cultures.
Must be accompanied by certification as an elementary or secondary teacher.
To obtain this endorsement, the applicant must complete the coursework requirements in two of the following content areas:
- Social studies concentration. The social studies concentration requires 12 semester hours of coursework in social studies to include coursework in United States history, world history, government and geography.
- Mathematics concentration. The mathematics concentration requires 12 semester hours in mathematics to include coursework in algebra.
- Science concentration. The science concentration requires 12 semester hours in science to include coursework in life science, earth science, and physical science.
- Language arts concentration. The language arts concentration requires 12 semester hours in language arts to include coursework in composition, language usage, speech, young adult literature, and literature across cultures.
Must be accompanied by endorsement 102, elementary classroom teacher. This program allows the addition of the special pre-kindergarten/kindergarten endorsement to the elementary education major. It qualifies the teacher to teach at the preschool and/or kindergarten level. This PK/K endorsement program is not a minor.
- EDUC 380 Language Development and Methods
- PRKK 300 Home, School, and Community Relations
- PRKK 330 Guidance and Instructional Methods in Preschool and Kindergarten Education
- PRKK 405 Preschool and Kindergarten Curriculum Development and Organization
- PRKK 410 Early Childhood Assessment for Learning and Field Experience
- EXSC 309 Health, Safety, and Nutrition in Early Childhood Education
- PSYC 201 Child Development or PSYC 210 Developmental Psychology or EDCO 240 Development: School-Age Child
- TEAC 400 Professional Seminar III: Student Teaching in Preschool
- TEAC 402 Professional Seminar III: Student Teaching in Kindergaten
TEAC 400 is completed after 12 credits of elementary student teaching.
This reading program fulfills the Iowa Department of Education reading endorsement #148. It qualifies the teacher as a Chapter 1 reading teacher, but is not valid for a position as director of a reading program. This endorsement must be accompanied by endorsement #102, elementary classroom teacher. This reading endorsement is built into the elementary education major.
- EDUC 317 Foundations of Literacy
- EDUC 335 Development of Oral Communications
- EDUC 342 Methods of Written Communications
- EDUC 371 Methods of Data-Driven Literacy Instruction
- EDUC 380 Language Development and Methods
- EDUC 415 Reading Strategies and Instructional Methods: Fiction
- EDUC 420 Reading Strategies and Instructional Methods: Informational Text
- EDUC 443 Literacy Field Experience
This reading program fulfills the Iowa Department of Education reading endorsement #149. It qualifies the teacher as a Chapter 1 reading teacher but is not valid for a position as director of a reading program. This endorsement must be accompanied by a 5-12 certification in a secondary content area.
- EDUC 317 Foundations of Literacy
- SEDU 333 Young Adult Fiction and Nonfiction
- SEDU 335 Development of Oral Communications
- SEDU 342 Methods of Written Communications
- SEDU 365 Methods of Reading in the Content Areas
- EDUC 371 Methods of Data-Driven Literacy Instruction
- SEDU 380 Language Development and Methods
- SEDU 454 Reading Strategies and Instructional Methods
- SEDU 455 Literacy Field Experience
- EDUC 317 Foundations of Literacy
- EDUC 371 Methods of Data-Driven Literacy Instruction
- EDUC 393 Elementary Math Methods & Field Experience
- EDCO 301 Introduction to Exceptional Learners
- EDCO 303 Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners
- ESSI 210 Special Education Law and Professional Practices with Field Experience
- ESSI 220 Multidisciplinary Assessment and Evaluation
- ESSI 230 Transitions and Self-Determination
- ESSI 291 Professional Seminar II: Supervised Participation in Special Education
- ESSI 310 Behavior Interventions and Supports with Field Experience
- ESSI 405 Field Experience/Methods
- ESSI 407 Field Experience/Methods
- TEAC 490 Professional Seminar III: Student Teaching - Mild/Moderate (K-8)
EDCO 301 must be taken in conjunction with ESSI 405. EDCO 303 must be taken in conjunction with ESSI 407.
The Instructional Strategies I endorsement is taken in addition to a student's primary area of teacher preparation (elementary or secondary education). The primary area of preparation includes 12 credit hours of student teaching. TEAC 490 will substitute for six of those student teaching credit hours.
- EDUC 317 Foundations of Literacy
- EDUC 371 Methods of Data-Driven Literacy Instruction
- EDUC 393 Elementary Math Methods & Field Experience
- EDCO 301 Introduction to Exceptional Learners
- EDCO 303 Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners
- ESSI 210 Special Education Law and Professional Practices with Field Experience
- ESSI 220 Multidisciplinary Assessment and Evaluation
- ESSI 230 Transitions and Self-Determination
- ESSI 291 Professional Seminar II: Supervised Participation in Special Education
- ESSI 310 Behavior Interventions and Supports with Field Experience
- SEDU 365 Methods of Reading in the Content Areas
- ESSI 405 Field Experience/Methods
- ESSI 407 Field Experience/Methods
- TEAC 491 Professional Seminar III: Student Teaching - Mild/Moderate (5-12)
EDCO 301 must be taken in conjunction with ESSI 405. EDCO 303 must be taken in conjunction with ESSI 407.
The Instructional Strategies I endorsement is taken in addition to a student’s primary area of teacher preparation (elementary or secondary education). The primary area of preparation includes 12 credit hours of student teaching. TEAC 491 will substitute for six of those student teaching credit hours.
The special education endorsement requires completion of an elementary education major or disciplinary major including secondary education licensure and the following special education courses:
- EDUC 317 Foundations of Literacy
- EDUC 371 Methods of Data-Driven Literacy Instruction
- EDUC 393 Elementary Math Methods & Field Experience
- EDCO 301 Introduction to Exceptional Learners
- EDCO 303 Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners
- ESSI 103 Introduction to Learners with Significant Behavioral Disabilities with Field Experience
- ESSI 210 Special Education Law and Professional Practices with Field Experience
- ESSI 220 Multidisciplinary Assessment and Evaluation
- ESSI 230 Transitions and Self-Determination
- ESSI 291 Professional Seminar II: Supervised Participation in Special Education
- ESSI 307 Methods for Teaching Students with Behavioral Disabilities with Field Experience
- ESSI 310 Behavior Interventions and Supports with Field Experience
- ESSI 407 Field Experience/Methods
- TEAC 493 Professional Seminar III: Student Teaching - Significant Support Needs, Learning/Behavioral (K-12)
EDCO 301 must be taken in conjunction with ESSI 405. EDCO 303 must be taken in conjunction with ESSI 407.
The Instructional Strategies I endorsement is taken in addition to a student’s primary area of teacher preparation (elementary or secondary education). The primary area of preparation includes 12 credit hours of student teaching. TEAC 493 will substitute for six of those student teaching credit hours.
- EDUC 317 Foundations of Literacy
- EDUC 371 Methods of Data-Driven Literacy Instruction
- EDUC 393 Elementary Math Methods & Field Experience
- EDCO 301 Introduction to Exceptional Learners
- EDCO 303 Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners
- ESSI 102 Introduction to Learners with Significant Cognitive Disabilities with Field Experience
- ESSI 210 Special Education Law and Professional Practices with Field Experience
- ESSI 220 Multidisciplinary Assessment and Evaluation
- ESSI 230 Transitions and Self-Determination
- ESSI 291 Professional Seminar II: Supervised Participation in Special Education
- ESSI 306 Methods for Teaching Students with Cognitive Disabilities with Field Experience
- ESSI 310 Behavior Interventions and Supports with Field Experience
- ESSI 407 Field Experience/Methods
- TEAC 492 Professional Seminar III: Student Teaching - Significant Support Needs, Cognitive (K-12)
EDCO 301 must be taken in conjunction with ESSI 405. EDCO 303 must be taken in conjunction with ESSI 407.
The Instructional Strategist I endorsement is taken in addition to a student’s primary area of teacher preparation (elementary or secondary education). The primary area of preparation includes 12 credit hours of student teaching. TEAC 492 will substitute for six of those student teaching credit hours.
Middle School Endorsement (5-8)
Must be accompanied by certification as an elementary or secondary teacher.
-
EDCO 240 Human Development: School-Age Children or EDCO 241 Human Development: Adolescents or EDUC 425/GEDU 525 Adolescent Growth and Development
-
EDUC 426/GEDU 526 Methods & Materials for Teaching Middle School
-
SEDU 365 Methods of Reading in the Content Areas or EDUC 420 Reading Strategies & Instructional Methods: Informational Text
-
SEDU 290/291 Middle School Supervised Participation
To obtain this endorsement, the applicant must complete the coursework requirements in two of the following content areas:
- Social studies concentration. The social studies concentration requires 12 semester hours of coursework in social studies to include coursework in United States history, world history, government and geography.
- Mathematics concentration. The mathematics concentration requires 12 semester hours in mathematics to include coursework in algebra.
- Science concentration. The science concentration requires 12 semester hours in science to include coursework in life science, earth science, and physical science.
- Language arts concentration. The language arts concentration requires 12 semester hours in language arts to include coursework in composition, language usage, speech, young adult literature, and literature across cultures.
Must be accompanied by certification as an elementary or secondary teacher.
To obtain this endorsement, the applicant must complete the coursework requirements in two of the following content areas:
- Social studies concentration. The social studies concentration requires 12 semester hours of coursework in social studies to include coursework in United States history, world history, government and geography.
- Mathematics concentration. The mathematics concentration requires 12 semester hours in mathematics to include coursework in algebra.
- Science concentration. The science concentration requires 12 semester hours in science to include coursework in life science, earth science, and physical science.
- Language arts concentration. The language arts concentration requires 12 semester hours in language arts to include coursework in composition, language usage, speech, young adult literature, and literature across cultures.
English as a Second Language Endorsement (K-12)
-
COMM
302
Intercultural Communication
-
EDCO
370
Human Relations
-
ENGL
331
Introduction to Linguistics
-
ENGL
332
Modern English Grammar
-
TESL
270
Introduction to Second Language Acquisition
-
TESL
330
Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language
-
TESL
407
Curriculum Development and Assessment in ESL
-
TEAC 440 Professional Seminar III: Student Teaching in Elementary ESL (K-6) or TEAC 450 Professional Seminar III; Student Teaching in Secondary ESL (7-12)
The ESL endorsement is taken in addition to a student’s primary area of teacher preparation (elementary or secondary education). Together, EDCO 280, EDCO 290, and EDCO 300, which are part of the elementary education major and secondary licensure program, already include Human Relation requirements. TEAC 440 or 450 will substitute for six of the twelve hours of student teaching required for elementary education majors and secondary licensure students.
This endorsement must be accompanied by endorsement #102, elementary classroom teacher.
Science: minimum of 12 credits, including
- 3 credits biological science
- 6 credits of physical science or environmental science
- a course that includes a science lab
- 3 credits biological science
- 6 credits of physical science or environmental science
- a course that includes a science lab
Mathematics: students must complete one of the following
Option 1: minimum of 12 credit hours from the following:
-
CMSC
160
Introduction to Computer Programming
-
MATH
130
Mathematical Ideas for the Liberal Arts
-
MATH
140
Elementary Applied Statistics
-
MATH
143
Discrete Mathematics
-
MATH
145
Elementary Functions
Option 2:
- MATH 160 Calculus I: Differential Calculus
Option 1: minimum of 12 credit hours from the following:
Option 2:
- MATH 160 Calculus I: Differential Calculus
STEM Methods
(10 credit hours)
-
STEM
299
STEM Internship
-
STEM
394
STEM Principles I: Elementary STEM Methods
-
STEM
435
STEM Principles III: Robotics, Sensors and Instrumentation Methods
-
STEM
440
STEM Principles IV: Engineering Design, Programming and Fabrication Methods
This endorsement must be accompanied by secondary teaching license.
Science: minimum of 12 credits, including
- 3 credits biological science
- 6 credits of physical science or environmental science
- a course that includes a science lab
- 3 credits biological science
- 6 credits of physical science or environmental science
- a course that includes a science lab
Mathematics: students must complete one of the following
Option 1: minimum of 12 credit hours from the following:
-
CMSC
160
Introduction to Computer Programming
-
MATH
130
Mathematical Ideas for the Liberal Arts
-
MATH
140
Elementary Applied Statistics
-
MATH
143
Discrete Mathematics
-
MATH
145
Elementary Functions
Option 2:
- MATH 160 Calculus I: Differential Calculus
Option 1: minimum of 12 credit hours from the following:
Option 2:
- MATH 160 Calculus I: Differential Calculus