By A new certificate program focused on guiding students who are interested in teacher education can now be offered on several South Dakota public university campuses.
The certificate was approved Thursday, Aug. 1 during the South Dakota Board of Regents meeting at Dakota State University in Madison.
Four classes are required to complete the certificate, which will be available at Northern State University, Black Hills State University, Dakota State University, South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota. The courses will also be available to high school students who qualify to take dual-credit classes.
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The required courses are introduction to education, introduction to persons with exceptionalities, one of three history courses and a communications or composition course.
In approving the certificate, regents commended the universities for their out-of-the-box approach in meeting the need for more teachers in South Dakota.
Carriveau
“This is another really good example of our institutions and faculty coming together to benefit students across the system,” said Pamela Carriveau, regental associate vice president for academic programming.
The certificate is a stackable program, which means students can build on it to obtain an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
“It really exemplifies how we’re trying to meet South Dakota’s workforce needs,” Carriveau said.
Student regent Brock Brown commended the creation of the program.
Brown
“We’ve heard a lot about how high school students don’t know what classes to take,” he said. “This is such a benefit because it provides clear direction.”
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“It will help identify students who are serious about teaching, and they can take these courses as juniors and seniors (in high school) and earn this certificate,” Travis Lape, state director for Educators Rising, said during the meeting. “We’re proud to partner with our board of regents schools to offer this.”
Lape said he looks forward to spreading the word to school districts across the state that this certificate is now available by taking dual-credit courses.
For more information, visit OurDakotaDreams.com.