College of Education

Graduate Certificate in Secondary/K-12 Teaching

Students seeking secondary (6-12) or K-12 (in Art, Music or PE) 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 also 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 an approved 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/site/teacher_certification/subject_area.htm.  A degree in a subject may not necessarily include the specific content and courses required for certification.  The program does not include elementary (K-8) certification or certification in Special Education.

Available Approved Endorsements (PRAXIS II examination numbers)

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

APPLICATION DEADLINE: The first Friday of February.

Regular admission requires meeting all criteria including passing all content courses and tests at the time of application.  Courses typically start in mid-May each year (Summer term).

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.  In addition to the on-line form, a signed 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.  This application requires evidence of meeting all of the admission requirements and includes a background check.

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

• a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution,
• the equivalent of 45-semester credit major, or a 30-credit major and at least one 20-credit minor,
• a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale,
• a minimum 2.75 GPA in the major and minor endorsement 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.  The PRAXIS II examinations are only administered several times a year.  Passing scores must be received before applicants can be admitted.  Applicants should take the appropriate PRAXIS II examination(s) no later than January.
• 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 specific equivalent course or examination,
• 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, and
• two letters of recommendation, describing applicant’s experience working with children or schools.

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.   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. 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.

Regular admission requires meeting all criteria including passing all content courses and tests at the time of application.  Courses typically start in mid-May each year (Summer term).

Certificate Requirements

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

A student can be recommended for certification to the Idaho State Department of Education upon successful completion of the following requirements.

• Demonstrate good moral character.
• Qualify for an approved major, and possibly one or more minor endorsements.
• Complete secondary teacher education program requirements.
• Obtain the recommendation of the Certification Officer for the Boise State University College of Education (using the required certification materials available in the Office of Teacher Education, Education 722).

 
 

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