Overview

Fifth-Year Internship Teacher Certification Program

The College of Idaho post-baccalaureate certification program requires that candidates have completed a bachelor’s degree with either the Education minor or the Interdisciplinary Studies for Elementary Precertification major. Candidates planning to teach at the secondary level must have a major that meets the requirements of one of the institution’s state-approved first teaching field programs and, in most cases, the requirements for an additional endorsement area as a second teaching field. Candidates must apply for admission to the internship year and meet requirements in areas such as cumulative GPA, dispositions, and the Praxis exam. Please see the Education Department Handbook for more information.

• Precertification Fast Track Program

The Education Department offers a “fast track” program for candidates coming to The College of Idaho campus for teacher certification. Students holding a degree from an accredited college, with a major/minor that meets most of the content requirements for teaching, may apply for this program. After acceptance into the College, candidates enter a two-year, compressed program leading to certification. In the first year, students take the coursework for the Education minor and any additional content area courses needed for approved endorsement areas. In the second year, students complete the requirements of the internship year. Fast track students may apply for the MAT program. All fast track students need to work closely with an advisor in the Education Department.

Master of Arts in Teaching

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is offered as an extension of the internship year and consists of 35-36 credits. Enrollment in the program is limited to 15 students. Preference will be given to students who have been enrolled in The College of Idaho undergraduate education program. Applications will be accepted for review from:

• College of Idaho graduates who have completed the Interdisciplinary Studies for Elementary Precertification major or the Education minor.
• Candidates who have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in elementary education or with appropriate coursework in two areas of endorsement, and the Education minor.

Note: Candidates for secondary certification must complete coursework in two teaching fields to be eligible for state certification.

Bilingual/ENL Endorsement Programs

The Bilingual and English as a New Language endorsement-only programs are intended for those certified teachers who wish to complete additional endorsements in Bilingual Education or English as a New Language (ENL), but who do not wish to complete the MEd degree. The English as a New Language endorsement consists of 20 credits and the Bilingual Education endorsement consists of 20-26 credits.

Master of Education: Curriculum and Instruction

The Master of Education (MEd) program in Curriculum and Instruction is housed within The College of Idaho’s Education Department. The MEd program provides candidates the option of earning endorsements in Bilingual Education or English as a New Language (ENL), and consists of 36 graduate-level credits, with concentrations in Bilingual Education and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. The program prepares already-certified teachers to effectively educate culturally and linguistically diverse students in a variety of classroom contexts. Successful completion of the program fulfills the Idaho State Department of Education requirements for a K-12 endorsement in English as a New Language (ENL). An additional six upper-division credits in Spanish and at least one credit of practicum in a K-12 bilingual setting will meet the requirements for an endorsement in Bilingual Education.