A part of the SERC Teacher Professional Development Program Collection
Page prepared for SERC by Aleshia Mueller in consultation with Mary Savina.
A student in Carleton's Teaching Licensure Program engaged in student teaching experience.
Earth and Space Science Teacher Licensure Program at Carleton College
Program URL: https://apps.carleton.edu/curricular/educ/teaching_licensure/
Program Type:
University
Program Size:
One geology student completes this program every 2-3 years.
Grade Level: The licensure received is a combination of licenses that allows the recipient to teach 5-12 grade science, more specifically, they can teach General science to 5-8 grade and Earth and Space Science to 9-12 grade.
Program Summary
This program considers teaching to be a liberal art which integrates a student's academic major, coursework in educational studies, and a closely-monitored student teaching experience. Upon completion of the program, students are qualified for a teaching license in most states. This program is accredited by the Minnesota Department of Education and is in full compliance with federal Title II regulations for disclosure of state-mandated examination pass rates. Since the inception of the federal Title II reporting requirement in 1999, Carleton licensure candidate pass rates continue to be 100% for all areas.
See profiles of other affiliated programs.
How is the program structured?
Students who wish to obtain a teaching license must formally apply to the Teacher Education Committee for admission to the teacher education program. Students are strongly recommended to apply during fall term of their junior year, but applications will be considered through, but no later than, the fall term of their senior year. Students must provide all of the application materials and meet the candidate requirements before being considered for approval.
The following application materials must be submitted to the Educational Studies Department.
- application form
- major faculty recommendation
- educational studies faculty recommendation
- program completion checklist (specific to each student's major)
- license program planning form
- a recent transcript
Successful candidats need to meet the following requirements.
- Overall GPA of 2.25
- 2.5 GPA in major
- At least forty (40) hours of documented instructional field experience with children/adolescents in an instructional setting
- Formal application
- Disciplinary records review
- Interview with one member of the Teacher Education Committee and one educational studies faculty member
- Formal approval by the non-student members of the Teacher Education Committee
Upon acceptance to the program, students must fulfill the following requirements in order to obtain their teaching license.
- Complete a major in geology as well as additional science courses beyond those required for the major.
The major requirement for earth and space science shall include no less than twenty percent of the baccalaureate program. This requirement is equal to eight full Carleton courses (48 credits).
- GEO110 Introduction to Geology, or GEO120 Introduction to Environmental Geology
- GEO210 Geomorphology
- GEO230 Paleobiology
- GEO250 Mineralogy
- GEO255 Petrology
- GEO265 Structural Geology
- GEO3nn One 300-level geology class
- GEO400 Integrative Exercise
Additional science courses are required for licensure. These additional courses are designed to ensure that there is an equal distribution of courses among life science, earth and space science and physical science. To fulfill this requirement, you must take one course in each of the following areas:
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Biology
Eighteen additional credits should be distributed as follows:
- One Biology
- Two electives*
* Prospective earth and space science teachers are strongly encouraged to take astronomy and meteorology courses.
- Earn a minimum of 42 credits in education.
Two of the following four:
- EDUC110 Introduction to Educational Studies 12
- EDUC238 Multicultural Education
- EDUC240 Philosophies of Education
- EDUC353 Schooling and Opportunity
All of the following:
- EDUC234 Educational Psychology 6
- EDUC254 Teaching Exceptional Students 3
- EDUC3nn Methods of Teaching (in major area) 6
- EDUC355/356 Student Teaching 12
- EDUC385 Schooling and CommunitiesPracticum 3
- Take the PRAXIS tests required by the State of Minnesota.
- Complete student teaching experience.
Students are strongly recommended to seek summer employment before their student teaching experience that will contribute to their understanding of the characteristics and interests of middle and senior high school students.
Students typically complete their student teaching during the 13th term, preferably the fall term immediately following graduation. The student must register for EDUC 355 and 356. Tution will be waived and students will only pay a small registration fee. Students will report for their student teaching experience during workshop week of their student teaching district. Licensure candidates are expected to student teach through the last week of Carleton's fall term and may be advised to arrange to stay at their placement site until the school's respective marking period has been completed.
During student teaching, students come back once a week for a
seminar (Microsoft Word 38kB Jul31 18) with the Educational Studies Department. This gives the students who are teaching in different schools an opportunity to get share their experiences and get feedback.
Upon denial or deferral of admission to the Teacher Education Program or student teaching placement, the student may appear in person before the Teacher Education Committee for reconsideration.
The small size of the Carleton College Educational Studies Department sometimes prevents all courses from being offered every year. Completing licensure requirements in addition to or in combination with other Carleton requirements requires careful advance planning; therefore, the earlier a potential candidate seeks information, the easier it is to develop a good program.
The Educational Studies Department will work closely with students to plan their schedule so that they will be able to meet all of the requirements listed below.
Freshman Year
Discuss your teaching interests with at least one member of the Educational Studies Department as soon as possible. Places are reserved in Introduction to Educational Studies (110) each year for first year students. Other required courses open to first-year students are Educational Psychology (234) and Multicultural Education (238).
Sophomore Year
We strongly recommend that you take Philosophies of Education (240) or Schooling and Opportunity (353). You may also take Multicultural Education (238) or Educational Psychology (234).
Junior Year
You should apply to the teacher licensure program during your junior year (see requirements for admission). Once you are admitted to the program, you will be assigned an educational studies advisor who, in cooperation with your major advisor, will help you with program planning, completion of requirements for both graduation and teacher licensure, and student teaching placement.
Take an additional requirement for philosophical or sociological foundations by taking two of the following three courses, Philosophies of Education (240), Multicultural Education (238), or Schooling and Opportunity (353). You may also take Teaching Exceptional Student (254) if you have already taken Educational Psychology (234).
Senior Year
Take a science teaching methods course. Student teaching placement is begun in preparation for spring term Schooling and Community (385), which integrates community service in the vicinity of your student teaching school into your teacher preparation. You should also register to take the state-required Praxis tests.
Students who complete the Carleton program are advised to apply for a Minnesota license upon graduation and completion of student teaching regardless of whether they plan to postpone teaching for several years or to teach in another state. Licensure by the Minnesota Board of Teaching is contingent upon recommendation by the Educational Studies Department at Carleton College. All completed forms for license application should be returned to the Educational Studies office.
To apply for a Minnesota license after completing the Carleton Teacher Education Program:
- Complete and sign the license application.
- Complete, sign, and date the Applicant Conduct Review Statement attached to the application form. The provided fingerprint card (stamped by the Minnesota Department of Education) must be completed through a law enforcement agency (e.g., any police station).
- Two payments are needed: 1) a check or money order payable to Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education, and 2) a money order or cashier?s check payable to bureau of criminal apprehension.
- After reviewing a students file to confirm that all curricular requirements have been met, the Educational Studies Department will submit to the college registrar a recommendation for licensure, passing Praxis score reports, license application, the conduct review statement, the fingerprint card, and payments.
- The Registrar will complete and sign the application and submit the forms and payments along with an official transcript to the Minnesota Board of Teaching. Following processing (in about eight to twelve weeks), the Board of Teaching will send the license to the address the student stipulated on their application form.
In general, Carleton students must complete the teacher licensure program within a year following graduation. However, in unusual circumstances students who were formally enrolled in the teacher licensure program prior to graduation and who have completed all requirements except student teaching may, within three years of graduation, submit a petition to the Teacher Education Committee to complete licensure requirements under the auspices of Carleton College.
Who is involved?
The Educational Studies Department, an advisor from the Geology Department, visiting faculty, experienced teachers, the Teacher Education Committee, and
Partner Schools.
How is the program maintained and funded?
Teaching and activities related to the Teaching Licensure Program for Earth and Space Science are part of the permanent jobs of Educational Studies faculty so payment for this work comes from the faculty member's regualr salaries at Carleton College.
Hints for starting a program like this:
Any university that wants to create a similar science teacher licensure program is encouraged to take a look at Carleton's online
Teaching Licensure Handbook and other associated sites from the
Educational Studies Department. You should also check your state office of education to obtain requirements for subject area certification in your state. If an educational studies program already exits at your university, it is recommended that you work closely with them.
References and Notes:
Profiles of Affiliated Programs:
- Environmental Science Summer Institute: This workshop for high school teachers is team-taught by Carleton Faculty and explores selected topics found in the AP Environmental Science course.
- Kids for Conservation (KFC): Carleton College student volunteers create one-hour lesson plans that promote environmental awareness and teach them to elementary school children in their classrooms once a week. Current lesson plans are posted on KFC site.
- Prarie and Wood (PAW): For thirty years, Carleton students have enthusiastically organized PAW, an outdoor summer camp for kids.
- ENTS Student Projects Archive: Many of these projects involve Carleton students engaging in elementary or community environmental education.
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