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The Buena Vista University (BVU) Post Baccalaureate Certification Program for teacher education is specifically designed for those who have a bachelor’s degree and coursework in a subject area that satisfies one of the State’s secondary teaching endorsements. The program was created in response to the State’s need for secondary teachers in shortage areas and honors the effort given to the candidate’s bachelor’s degree and associated experience. The program operates within the University’s current programming structure and is designed to move the candidate efficiently and effectively through core areas of pedagogy before they enter the classroom. More specifically, the program is available in the following secondary field(s) contingent upon the availability of student teaching placements in that particular field: art; business general; business office and business marketing/management; English/language arts; foreign language; health; mathematics; music; physical education; biological science; chemistry; earth science; general science; physical science; physics; American government; American history; economics; psychology; sociology; world history; speech communication/theater; special education. This program has been approved by the Iowa Department of Education and therefore, requires that students complete all portfolio requirements assigned to the courses whether the course was completed within the program or transferred. Information on portfolio overview and requirements can be found on the Buena Vista University Teacher Education Web Site at http://www.bvu.edu/academics/education/teachered/portfolio.asp.
The following coursework and assigned portfolio artifacts for each course must be completed:
The Education Core is the nucleus of the BVU Post Baccalaureate Certification Teacher Education Program and includes the following courses:
| EDCO 250 |
Educational Psychology/Human Development |
3 CR |
| EDCO 260 |
Directed Observation |
1 CR |
| EDCO 280 |
Structure and Philosophy of American Education |
3 CR |
| EDCO 290 |
Supervised Participation |
2 CR |
| EDCO 300 |
Exceptional Learner |
3 CR |
| EDCO 370 |
Human Relations |
3 CR |
| EDCO 390 |
Instructional Technology |
3 CR |
| EDCO 401 |
Classroom Management & Evaluation Techniques |
3 CR |
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Education Core Total |
21 CR |
(On the Storm Lake campus, Structure & Philosophy, Exceptional Learner and Human Relations are 2 hour courses. Also, Instructional Technology is not offered since it is part of each core course curriculum. Therefore, the Education Core on the Storm Lake campus is a 15 hour core.)
* This program has been developed by and is specific to Buena Vista University. It is approved by the Iowa Department of Education; however, it is not the Iowa Teacher Intern Preparation Program. Therefore, it is not listed on the Board of Educational Examiners web site.
A two hour general methods course (SEDU 448) and a one hour methods course specific to the content area are required of each person seeking regular education endorsement. Those completing a special education endorsement will take SPED 401 as the generic methods course and SPED 403 as the specific methods course. The methods courses follow:
| SEDU 448 |
PBC General Secondary Methods |
2 CR |
| SEDU 404 |
PBC Secondary Field Experience/Methods |
0 CR |
| SPED 401 |
Methods and Teaching Strategies for Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities |
2 CR |
| SPED 406 |
Field Experience/Methods (7-12) |
0 CR |
| SEDU 451 |
PBC Methods in Art |
1 CR |
| SEDU 452 |
PBC Methods in Business |
1 CR |
| SEDU 461 |
PBC Methods in English/Lang Arts |
1 CR |
| SEDU 462 |
PBC Methods in Foreign Language |
1 CR |
| SEDU 471 |
PBC Methods in Mathematics |
1 CR |
| SEDU 481 |
PBC Methods in Health/Physical Education |
1 CR |
| SEDU 482 |
PBC Methods in Science |
1 CR |
| SEDU 491 |
PBC Methods in Social Science |
1 CR |
| SEDU 492 |
PBC Methods in Vocal Music |
1 CR |
| SEDU 493 |
PBC Methods in Instrumental Music |
1 CR |
| SPED 403 |
Teaching in a 7-12 Special Education Program |
1 CR |
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Methods Courses Total: |
3 CR |
Students who have previously completed some or all the education core are required to complete the portfolio assignments for the education core courses and a minimum of 12 hours of coursework through Buena Vista University before student teaching. Nine of the 12 hours must be at the 300 level. The education coordinators can provide additional information on the portfolio overview, portfolio assignments and grading rubrics.
Minimum Coursework Total: 12 CR
| SEDU 498 |
PBC Student Teaching (12 weeks) |
12 CR |
Total hours for the BVU Post Baccalaureate Certification Program: 27-36 CR
(These hours are the totals for coursework taken at BVU for this program.)
STUDENTS INTERESTED IN COMPLETING THE BVU POST BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM ARE TO FOLLOW THE STEPS OUTLINED BELOW:
| Step One: |
Check Eligibility. The following must be met:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5
- GPA of 2.5 in desired teaching field. (If one is eligible in more than one field, a single field must be selected for initial licensure in this program.)
- Bachelor’s degree received at least 12 months prior to beginning the program
If the above are met, proceed to Step Two. |
| Step Two: |
Submit Transcript(s) to:
Rich Clinesmith, Assistant Certification Officer
Buena Vista University
610 W. Fourth Street
Storm Lake, IA 50588
ClinesmithR@bvu.edu
Phone: 712-749-2241
The assistant certification officer will review the transcripts to ensure that:
- The Bachelor’s degree meets the Iowa Department of Education content requirements for certification in the secondary field.
- The coursework dated 10 years old or older is relevant and current.
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| Step Three: |
After Steps One and Two have been cleared, the candidate must successfully complete the Praxis I Academic Skills Assessment Test.
The School of Education at Buena Vista University requires successful completion of the Praxis I exam for acceptance to the BVU Post Baccalaureate Certification Teacher Education Program. The Praxis I exam is part of the Praxis Series, an Educational Testing Service (ETS) program, that provides tests and other services for states to use as part of their teacher certification process. The student must complete Praxis I with minimum scores of: Reading 173, Writing 172, Math 171. The School of Education’s policies on Praxis I apply to this program. Payment of the initial registration as well as any retakes is the responsibility of the student. The tests are administered as either paper-based or computer-based.
The University’s education coordinators provide Praxis Registration Bulletins which include complete information regarding registration forms, registering online, test sites, test preparation, special accommodations and much more. You may also find information on Praxis at http://www.bvu.edu/academics/education/teachered/praxis_plato.asp. |
| Step Four: |
After successful completion of Praxis I, complete the admission process for Buena Vista University and begin coursework. Students who take coursework in anticipation of admission to this program do so at their own risk. Post Baccalaureate Certification licensure students may be eligible for financial aid. Students interested in financial aid should contact the Financial Aid office. |
| Step Five: |
Apply for formal admission to the BVU Post Baccalaureate Certification Teacher Education Program. The following materials are part of the admission application packet:
- Two Professional Reference Reports
- Signed Confidentiality Statement
- Signed Good Conduct Policy Statement
- Completion of Universal Precautions Workshop prior to EDCO 290
NOTE: No more than six hours of EDCO courses can be taken at BVU before being admitted to the BVU Post Baccalaureate Certification Teacher Education Program. |
| Step Six: |
Complete the pre-student teaching program:
- All EDCO and Methods course requirements with a minimum grade of C.
- Minimum grade point average of 2.5 in the BVU Post Baccalaureate Certification Teacher Education Program.
- Successful completion of remaining non-student teaching portfolio artifacts.
- Formal application for student teaching.
The Teacher Education Subcommittee will review the candidate’s file and will either accept or deny the student’s admittance to student teaching.
- After being admitted to student teaching, complete the field experience.
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| Step Seven: |
Apply for Licensure. Before the University will sign a licensure request, the following must be achieved:
- Completion of the BVU Post Baccalaureate Certification Teacher Education Program that Buena Vista University has on file with the Iowa Department of Education.
- A minimum grade point average of 2.50 in the BVU Post Baccalaureate Certification Teacher Education Program.
- A minimum grade of C in student teaching placement. (If two placements have been accomplished, a minimum grade of C in each placement is required.)
- Successful completion of all portfolio requirements.
- Fingerprinting/Background Check (10-12 weeks prior to completion of student teaching).
- Teacher Education Subcommittee endorsement.
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If you have further questions about participating in this program, contact the BVU Center in your area or Rich Clinesmith, Assistant Certification Officer.
Buena Vista University
610 W. Fourth Street
Storm Lake, IA 50588
ClinesmithR@bvu.edu
Phone: 712-749-2241
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