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Curriculum, Instruction and Foundational Studies (CIFS)

College of Education


Graduate Certificate in Secondary/K-12 Teaching

Students seeking secondary (6-12) or K-12 certification in an approved area must be enrolled in a degree program.

The Graduate Certificate in Secondary/K-12 Teaching is a rigorous, accelerated pre-professional program leading to initial certification.  Students who have a bachelor’s degree in the field they wish to teach and who meet Graduate College admission requirements may enroll in a Graduate Certificate program that prepares students to qualify for teacher certification from the Idaho State Department of Education, although some of the credits may be applied to a master’s degree program.  Advising and review of transcripts will be done by the Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Foundational Studies (CIFS).

Certification in Secondary and K-12 Education

Candidates for secondary teacher certification must complete either a major endorsement of at least 45 credits or a 30 credit major endorsement and one or more minor endorsements of at least 20 credits.  Some content areas require specific courses within those totals.  Idaho State certification requirements can be found at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/TeacherCertification/default.asp#Manual.

Available Endorsements (PRAXIS II examination numbers)

Amer. Government/Political Sci. (0930)

Art, K-12 or 6-12 (0133)

Bilingual Education* (0360)

Biological Science (0235)

Chemistry (0245)

Communication (0220)

Drama (0640)

Earth Science (0571)

Economics (0910)

 

English (0041)

English as a Second Language* (ESL) (0360)

Foreign Language: French (0173)

Foreign Language: German (0181)

Foreign Language: Spanish (0191)

Geography* (0920)

Health* (0550)

History (0941)

Mathematics (0061)

Music, K-12 (0113)

Natural Science* (0435)

Physical Education, K-12 (0091)

Physical Science* (0481)

Physics (0265)

Psychology (0390)

Sociology (0950)

Sociology/Anthropology (0950)\

Social Studies* (0081)

* Only minor endorsements possible in these areas; you must also have a major endorsement.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: The first Friday of February.

Admission requirements must be completed, including passing all content courses and tests, prior to beginning the program courses.  Courses typically start in mid-May each year (Summer term).

Admission Requirements: Prior to admission, applicants must meet the following criteria:

·         a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution,

·         a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale,

·         the equivalent of 45-semester credit major, or a 30-credit major and at least one 20-credit minor,

·         a minimum 2.75 GPA in the major and minor fields,

·         a minimum score of 172 on the PRAXIS I Writing examination (available locally at Prometric Testing Center, 321-7422),

·         a passing score on the appropriate PRAXIS II examination in major and minor fields – PRAXIS examination information available at: http://www.ets.org,

·         evidence of technology competency, which could include any of the following: passing the ETS iSkills Advanced Assessment with a minimum of 60% (see ets.org); ITM 104, 105 and 106 (or equivalent placement examination, http://itscm.boisestate.edu); EDTECH 202; or equivalent course or examination,

·         an application essay that clearly lists the area or areas of certification and describes the applicant’s experiences with children or schools, and

·         two letters of recommendation, describing applicant’s experience working with children or schools.

Meeting the application requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Admission recommendations will be based upon a review of the student’s transcripts, letters of recommendation, and essay.  Applicants must complete both procedures listed below.

Application Procedures:

1.      An applicant should follow the general application procedures for graduate degree-seeking students (see Applying as a Degree-Seeking Student in the Graduate Admission Policies and Procedures section of the Graduate Catalog) or on-line at http://www.boisestate.edu/gradcoll/0001.html.

2.       The application to the Graduate Certificate in Secondary/K-12 Teaching is located at: http://education.boisestate.edu/teachered/appinfo.htm.  In addition to the on-line form, a paper copy with the required attachments should be submitted to the Office of Teacher Education,  Education 722, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725-1746.

·   submit a brief (1-2 page) essay that clearly lists the area or areas of certification and describes the applicant’s experiences with children or schools. A copy of this essay will be given to the supervisor and cooperating teacher.

·   submit two letters of recommendation, in which the applicant’s experience working with schools or children and potential contribution to the field are described.

All PRAXIS test scores must be sent to the Office of Teacher Education.  Once the applicant’s file is complete, the Graduate Certificate Program Coordinator will evaluate and forward an admission recommendation (regular, provisional, or denial) to the Graduate College. In the case of a recommendation for provisional admission, the Coordinator will also establish the stipulations that must be satisfied by the student to advance to regular status.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: The first Friday of February.

Admission requirements must be completed, including passing all content courses and tests, prior to beginning the program courses.  Courses typically start in mid-May each year (Summer term).

Certificate Requirements

Graduate Certificate in Secondary/K-12 Teaching

 

Course Number and Title

Credit

Summer

ED-CIFS 507 Foundations of American Education  …………………………………….

ED-CIFS 508 Learning and Development of Students  ……………...………………….

ED-CIFS 509 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in Grades 6-12 ………………..

3

3

3

Fall

ED-CIFS 561 Professional Year I  (field experience) ………………………………….

ED-SPED 550 Teaching Secondary Students with Exceptional Needs ………………..

ED-LTCY 544 Content Literacy In Secondary Schools …………….……..……………

Content-specific methods course(s) ……..………………………………………………

          Courses may have prerequisites in addition to the admission requirements.

1-3

3

3

3-6

Spring

ED-CIFS 550 Seminar On Teaching and Learning ……………………………….…….

ED-CIFS 562 – 566 Professional Year II (student teaching) ……………………………

3

12

 

Total

34-39

Continued enrollment in the Graduate Certificate program and recommendation for certification requires compliance with the Academic Performance requirements listed in the Boise State Graduate Catalog,. In addition, admitted students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and all required course must be passed with a minimum grade of C-.

Certification

Certification through Boise State University requires completion of the certification materials available in the Office of Teacher Education, Education 722.  Students are recommended to the State Department of Education after meeting the following requirements.

·         Demonstrate good moral character.

·         Complete required content courses in an approved major, and possibly one or more minors.

·         Complete secondary teacher education program requirements.

·         Obtain the recommendation of the Certification Officer for the College of Education (using the required certification materials).

For additional information contact Dr. Ted J. Singletary in Education 313, (208) 426-3270 or tsingle@boisestate.edu.