School of 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.
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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.
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No matter what discipline you are passionate about, BVU ensures students have the tools principals require.
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An elementary education major at BVU embeds a reading endorsement giving graduating students an advantage in the job market and the classroom.
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Storm Lake Schools
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.
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View Course EquivalenciesEndorsement Courses
- Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement (27 credit Hours)
- ECSE 204 Characteristics of Young Children with Special Needs
- ECSE 205 Curriculum Design and Methods for Teaching and Managing Behaviors for Young Learners with Special Needs with Field Experience
- ECSE 206 Assessment and Professional Planning and Collaboration for Early Childhood Special Education with Field Experience
- ESSI 101 Introduction to Exceptional Learners
- 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
- TEAC 489 Student Teaching Early Childhood Special Education or TEAC 488 Student Teaching – Early Childhood Inclusion
Students will only need to take ESSI 101 if they have not previously met the requirement.
TEAC 489 to be completed after 12 credits of elementary or special education student teaching.
- Coaching Authorization/Endorsement (12 credit hours)
This (K-12) coaching authorization meets the minimum state requirements for coaching.
- EXSC 140 Functional Human Anatomy
- EXSC 271 Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
- EXSC 351 Motor Learning
- EXSC 217 Theory and Ethics of Coaching
- English as a Second Language Endorsement K-12 (24 credit hours)
In light of the pedagogical challenges presented in Iowa schools by the growing number of non- native speakers of English, this program is designed to prepare pre-service teachers to teach English as a second language in both public and private K-12 educational settings. The primary goal of the endorsement is to provide teachers with knowledge of second language acquisition, assessment procedures, skills and techniques to more effectively address the academic and social challenges presented by an increasingly diverse population of students.
- COMM 302 Intercultural Communication
- EDUC 336 Literacy Foundations I
- ENGL 334 Introduction to Linguistics and 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 TESL endorsement is taken in addition to a student’s primary area of teacher preparation (elementary or secondary education). Together, EDCO 280, EDCO 291, and ESSI 101, 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. - Reading Endorsement K-8 (24 credit hours)
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.
- EDUC 336 Literacy Foundations I
- EDUC 337 Literacy Foundations II
- EDUC 338 Literacy Methods and Field Experience
- EDUC 381 Language Methods and Strategies
- EDUC 382 Reading Methods and Strategies
- EDUC 383 Writing Methods and Strategies
- EDUC 384 Literacy Connections Across Disciplines
- EDUC 385 Literacy Capstone and Field Experience
- Reading Endorsement 5-12 (24 credit hours)
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.
- SEDU 333 Young Adult Fiction and Nonfiction
- SEDU 336 Literacy Foundations I
- SEDU 337 Literacy Foundations II
- SEDU 365 Methods of Reading in the Content Areas and Field Experience (Secondary Majors and Post Baccalaureate)
- SEDU 381 Language Methods and Strategies
- SEDU 382 Reading Methods and Strategies
- SEDU 383 Writing Methods and Strategies
- SEDU 385 Literacy Capstone and Field Experience
- Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten Endorsement (24-27 credit hours)
This program allows the addition of the pre-kindergarten/kindergarten endorsement (#103) 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. This endorsement must be accompanied by endorsement 102, elementary classroom teacher.
- EDUC 381 Language Methods and Strategies
- 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
- PSYC 210 Developmental Psychology or EDCO 250 Educational Psychology/Human Development and Field Experience
- TEAC 403 Student Teaching in Elementary (K-3)
- TEAC 400 Student Teaching in Preschool or TEAC 488 Student Teaching – Early Childhood Inclusion
TEAC 400 or TEAC 488 to be completed after 12 credits of elementary student teaching.
- Middle School Endorsement
Must be accompanied by certification as an elementary or secondary teacher.
1. Nine (9) credits including the following:
- EDUC 425 Adolescent Growth & Development
- EDUC 426 Methods and Materials for Teaching Middle School
- SEDU 365 Methods of Reading in the Content Areas and Field Experience or EDUC 338 Literacy Methods and Field Experience
- SEDU 290 Middle School Supervised Participation
If needed to reach 9 credits, students also take EDUC 336 Literacy Foundations I.
2. To obtain this endorsement, the applicant must also complete the coursework requirements in two of the following content areas. Suggested courses meeting the requirements are listed. Other course work can be reviewed by the Registrar’s Office and the Teacher Education Program Licensure Officer:
- 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. (Suggested course work: HIST 101 History of the Unites States to 1877or HIST 102 History of the United States After 1877; and, HIST 111 World Civilizations I or HIST 112 World Civilizations II; and, PSCN 110 Introduction to American Government or PSCN 115 Introduction to Politics; and GEOG 200 World Regional Geography of the Developed World or GEOG 201 World Regional Geography of the Developing World)
- Mathematics concentration. The mathematics concentration requires 12 semester hours in mathematics to include coursework in algebra. Consult your advisor for recommended courses.
- Science concentration. The science concentration requires 12 semester hours in science to include coursework in life science, earth science, and physical science. (Suggested course work: BIOL 163 Biological Principles I; and, GENS 115 Atmosphere, Weather, and Climate or GENS 125 Oceanography or ENVS 110 Physical Geology or GENS 320 Physical Geography; and, PHYS 201 General Physics I- Trigonometry- Based or PHYS 211 General Physics I (Calculus-Based)
- 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. (Suggested course work: ENGL 300 Advanced Composition, and ENGL 334 Introduction to Linguistics and Modern English Grammar, and COMM 100 Fundamentals of Communication, and SEDU 333 Young Adult Fiction and Nonfiction)
- Instructional Strategist I with Teaching Licensure K-8 (38 credit hours)
- EDUC 336 Literacy Foundations I or EDUC 337 Literacy Methods II
- EDUC 338 Literacy Methods and Field Experience
- EDUC 393 Elementary Math Methods & Field Experience
- ESSI 101 Introduction to Exceptional Learners
- ESSI 210 Special Education Law and Professional Practices with Field Experience
- ESSI 220 Multidisciplinary Assessment and Evaluation Practices
- ESSI 230 Transitions and Self-Determination
- ESSI 292 Instructional Strategies in Special Education and Field Experience
- ESSI 303 Methods of Teaching Differentiated Curriculum and Field Experience
- ESSI 310 Behavior Interventions and Supports
- MATH 123 Mathematics for Elementary Education I
- TEAC 490 Student Teaching Mild/Moderate - (K-8)
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.
- Instructional Strategist I Endorsement with Teaching Licensure 5-12 (38 credit hours)
- EDUC 337 Literacy Foundations II OR SEDU 337 Literacy Foundations II
- ESSI 101 Introduction to Exceptional Learners
- ESSI 210 Special Education Law and Professional Practices with Field Experience
- ESSI 220 Multidisciplinary Assessment and Evaluation Practices
- ESSI 230 Transitions and Self-Determination
- ESSI 292 Instructional Strategies in Special Education and Field Experience
- ESSI 303 Methods of Teaching Differentiated Curriculum and Field Experience
- ESSI 310 Behavior Interventions and Supports
- MATH 123 Mathematics for Elementary Education I
- SEDU 365 Methods of Reading in the Content Areas and Field Experience (Secondary Majors and Post Baccalaureate)
- EDUC 393 Elementary Math Methods and Field Experience or SEDU 421 Methods of Teaching Secondary Mathematics and Field Experience
- TEAC 491 Student Teaching Mild/Moderate – (5-12)
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.
- Instructional Strategist II: Significant Support Needs Endorsement K-12 Cognitive (38 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:
The special education endorsement requires completion of an elementary education major or disciplinary major including secondary education licensure and the following special education courses:
- ESSI 101 Introduction to Exceptional Learners
- ESSI 102 Introduction to Learners with Significant Cognitive Disabilities
- ESSI 210 Special Education Law and Professional Practices with Field Experience
- ESSI 220 Multidisciplinary Assessment and Evaluation Practices
- ESSI 230 Transitions and Self-Determination
- ESSI 292 Instructional Strategies in Special Education and Field Experience
- ESSI 303 Methods of Teaching Differentiated Curriculum and Field Experience
- ESSI 306 Methods for Teaching Students with Cognitive Disabilities with Field Experience
- ESSI 310 Behavior Interventions and Supports
- MATH 123 Mathematics for Elementary Education I
- TEAC 492 Student Teaching Significant Support Needs - Cognitive (K-12)
The Instructional Strategies II 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.
- Instructional Strategist II: Significant Support Needs Endorsement K-12 Learning/Behavioral (44 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:
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 336 Literacy Foundations I or EDUC 337 Literacy Foundations II or SEDU 337 Literacy Foundations II
- EDUC 338 Literacy Methods and Field Experience OR SEDU 365 Methods of Reading in the Content Areas and Field Experience
- EDUC 393 Elementary Math Methods and Field Experience or SEDU 421 Methods of Teaching Secondary Mathematics and Field Experience
- ESSI 101 Introduction to Exceptional Learners
- ESSI 103 Introduction to Learners with Significant Behavioral Disabilities
- ESSI 210 Special Education Law and Professional Practices with Field Experience
- ESSI 220 Multidisciplinary Assessment and Evaluation Practices
- ESSI 230 Transitions and Self-Determination
- ESSI 292 Instructional Strategies in Special Education and Field Experience
- ESSI 303 Methods of Teaching Differentiated Curriculum and Field Experience
- ESSI 307 Methods for Teaching Students with Behavioral Disabilities with Field Experience
- ESSI 310 Behavior Interventions and Supports
- MATH 123 Mathematics for Elementary Education I
- TEAC 493 Student Teaching Significant Support Needs – Learning and Behavioral (K-12)
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.
- Basic Science Endorsement K-8 or 5-12 (30-33 credit hours)
The basic science endorsement specifically allows students to be licensed to teach in basic science areas at either the K-8 or 5-12 grade levels. This endorsement must be accompanied by either endorsement #102, elementary classroom teacher or by a 5-12 certification in a secondary content area.
Life Science
- BIOL 163 Biological Principles I
- BIOL 164 Biological Principles II
Chemistry
- CHEM 151 General Chemistry I
- CHEM 152 General Chemistry II
Physics
- PHYS 201 General Physics I: Trigonometry-Based AND PHYS 202 General Physics II: Trigonometry-Based Or PHYS 211 General Physics I: Calculus-Based AND PHYS 212 General Physics II: Calculus-Based
Earth/Space
Choose two from the following:
- ENVS 110 Physical Geology
- ENVS 302 Historical Geology
- ENVS 210 Global Climate Change
- PHYS 110 Introduction to Astronomy
- GENS 115 Atmosphere, Weather, and Climate
- GENS 125 Oceanography
- GENS 320 Physical Geography
- Basic Social Science Endorsement 5-12
American History (9 credit hours)
- HIST 101 History of the United States to 1877
- HIST 102 History of the United States After 1877
- Any American history elective, 200 level or above
World History (9 credit hours)
- HIST 111 World Civilizations I
- HIST 112 World Civilizations II
- HIST 125 Asian Civilizations
American Government (9 credit hours)
- PSCN 110 Introduction to American Government
- PSCN 115 Introduction to Politics
- Any PSCN elective, 200 level or above
Additional areas may be included with an additional 6 hours per each endorsement area.
Economics
- ECON 205 Principles of Microeconomics
- ECON 206 Principles of Macroeconomics
Geography
- GEOG 200 World Regional Geography of the Developed World
- GEOG 201 World Regional Geography of the Developing World
- GEOG 300 Human and Cultural Geography
GEOG 201 and GEOG 300 are recommended.
Psychology
- PSYC 100 General Psychology
- Any PSYC elective, 200 level or above
Sociology
- SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology
- Any SOCI elective
- All Social Science Endorsement 5-12
Upon completion of a teaching major in history, one can obtain the requirements for all social sciences endorsement by completing the following:
American History (9 credit hours)
- HIST 101 History of the United States to 1877
- HIST 102 History of the United States After 1877
- Any American history elective, 200 level or above
World History (9 credit hours)
- HIST 111 World Civilizations I
- HIST 112 World Civilizations II
- HIST 125 Asian Civilizations
Government (9 credit hours)
- PSCN 110 Introduction to American Government
- PSCN 115 Introduction to Politics
- Any PSCN elective, 200 level or above
Psychology - other than educational psychology (6 credit hours)
- PSYC 100 General Psychology
- Any PSYC elective, 200 level or above
Sociology (6 credit hours)
- SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology
- Any SOCI elective
Geography (6 credit hours)
- GEOG 200 World Regional Geography of the Developed World
- GEOG 201 World Regional Geography of the Developing World
- GEOG 300 Human and Cultural Geography
GEOG 201 or GEOG 300 may be substituted with an approved course from another institution.
Business Economics (6 credit hours)
- ECON 205 Principles of Microeconomics
- ECON 206 Principles of Macroeconomics
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