Secondary Education Certification

This document provides an overview of the steps needed to complete the requirements for an initial secondary school teaching certificate. Secondary teacher education programs are offered and degrees conferred by the college in which the subject area program is located. See the Boise State University Catalog or the Secondary Education web page, for details about specific programs. For advice about the professional component contact the Office of Teacher Education.

Programs in Secondary and K-12 Education

Candidates for secondary teacher certification complete a major endorsement of at least 30 credits and a minor of at least 20 credits or a 45 credit major.

Advising

History, Secondary Education
History, Social Studies, Secondary Education

Dr. John Bieter – johnbieter@boisestate.edu –  208-426-5332 – Office:  L152G

Chandra Wilson — chandrawilson@boisestate.edu – make an appointment here — historypeeradvisor.youcanbook.me

Preadmission

Requirements prior to admission to Secondary Education:

• ED-CIFS 201 Foundations of Education
• EDTECH 202 Educational Technology—Classroom Applications OR
• Demonstrate technology proficiency by successfully completing ITM104, ITM105, and ITM106

Students must also pass the PRAXIS I (writing examination) prior to admission to the Secondary Teacher Education Program. Information about this test is available from: PRAXIS website; Office of Teacher Education; or the BSU Counseling and Testing Center, Education sixth floor.

Admission to Secondary Teacher Education

Admission to the Secondary Teacher Education program is required before you can enroll in Block I courses. Application is made through the Office of Teacher Education.

Admission requirements are:

• A completed application form
• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75
• GPA of at least 3.0 in all education courses
• A minimum score of 172 for the PRAXIS I (writing examination)
• A minimum grade of C- in all required courses

Application information:    (Note – an interview will be required prior to admittance)

• education.boisestate.edu/teachered/admissions/

Block I

The following courses constitute Block I and must be taken concurrently:

• ED-CIFS 301 Teaching Experience I
• ED-CIFS 302 Learning and Instruction
• ED-SPED 350 Teaching Students with Exceptional Needs

Admission to the Professional Year

Blocks II and III constitute your Professional Year. They are usually taken during your last two semesters. In order to take Block II and III courses you must be admitted to the Professional Year.

Admission requirements for the professional year are:

• Senior standing
• Successful completion of Block I courses, or currently enrolled
• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75
• GPA of at least 2.75 in all education courses
• GPA of at least 2.75 in your major and minor
• A grade of C- or better in all required courses
• Passing scores on all pertinent PRAXIS II exams are needed to start Block III
• Most districts require student teacher to undergo a criminal background check

Application information:

• education.boisestate.edu/teachered/admissions/

Block II

The following Block II courses must be taken concurrently:

• ED-CIFS 401 Professional Year – Teaching Experience II
• ED-LCTY 444 Content Literacy for Secondary Education
• ED-CIFS 405/534 Social Studies Methods

Block III

ED-CIFS 484 or 485 Professional Year – Teaching Experience III.

Certification

Students from Boise State University are recommended to the State Department of Education after meeting the following requirements:

• Demonstrate good moral character
• Complete required course work in an academic department in the program designed for secondary education
• Complete secondary teacher education requirements
• Obtain the recommendation of the Dean of the College of Education

Idaho State Department of Education Certification Manual

For information on subject certification requirements and corresponding PRAXIS II exams, see: www.sde.idaho.gov/site/teacher_certification/subject_area.htm