Education Department

Teaching is one of the most satisfying and rewarding professions for those who enjoy working with young people. It is also one of the most important and challenging professions. Teachers carry a tremendous responsibility as they work to prepare students for their lives beyond P-12 classrooms.

Hamline has been serving the needs of new teachers since the 1850s. This legacy continues today as we work to prepare teachers who can meet the demands of the teaching profession in the 21st century. To that end, Hamline’s education department has adopted the theme of “developing reflective practice in an urban, multicultural context.” Emanating from the central theme is a four-tiered shared vision which acknowledges the importance of promoting equity in schools and society; building communities of teachers and learners; constructing knowledge; and practicing thoughtful inquiry and reflection. During the course of the program, students are placed in several different urban school settings where they develop the knowledge and skills essential to effective teaching. The education department believes that future teachers educated in this context will be better prepared to teach in a variety of settings. In this way, the education program serves as a bridge to teaching in urban, rural, suburban, and global educational environments.

Hamline students do not major in education, but complete a full liberal arts major in the field of their choice. Completion of the professional education sequence, taken in addition to the major, leads to a Minnesota teaching license. Certain courses in the sequence also may be used for a minor or for specific requirements in the Hamline Plan. Students interested in school-based careers beyond classroom teaching (e.g. school counseling, school administration, media generalists) should be aware that these programs normally require an initial teaching license. Students must seek advanced study to prepare for these careers after completing a bachelor’s degree and all requirements for an initial teaching license.

Licensure Programs: All teaching candidates are advised that completion of the program within a four-year time frame requires careful planning. If you seek a license to teach, please seek early advising from the Education Department to plan your program.

Licensure Examination Requirements

Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST)

All candidates for licensure must successfully complete the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) in reading, writing, and math. All students are expected to take this exam prior to application for admission to the teacher education program. Completion of the PPST exam is required before formal admission into the teacher education program can be granted. Taking the PPST during the sophomore year ensures the opportunity to retake some or all of the exam before applying for a license. No student will be recommended for licensure without passing this exam.

Other State of Minnesota Licensure Examination Requirements

All candidates who are applying for a first-time Minnesota teaching license must complete the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching test and Subject Assessment/Specialty Area Tests. Information regarding registration procedures, fees, and exam dates can be obtained from the administrative assistant in the education department or from the ETS/Praxis web page at www.ets.org/praxis. No student can obtain a full license without passing the appropriate Praxis II exams.

English as a Second Language

Growing immigration to the United States has increased the need for English instruction for those who are learning English as a second language. In collaboration with the Hamline University Graduate School of Education’s Center for Second Language Teaching and Learning, the education department offers a K-12 license in English as a second language to interested undergraduates with any major. In addition to the K-12 courses above, eight courses in ESL are required. Because of this considerable amount of required coursework, it is likely that ESL licensure candidates will complete their program as postgraduates. Careful planning is required. Please consult with a departmental advisor for the list of required ESL courses.

Hamline Overseas Student Teaching (HOST)

The HOST program is a combined winter term and spring semester experience that provides a student teaching opportunity in another cultural and geographical setting. Program participants work with United States dependents and other English-speaking students in an American-style international school. Students are first placed in a stateside urban school where they student teach for eight weeks (January-February). Participants then work in an overseas school for an additional eight weeks (March-April). Homestays and in- country travel are arranged. The HOST program is available only to education students who have completed all required coursework and are eligible for a regular student teaching placement. Interested students should check with the HOST program director for specific schools, locations and program details.

Postbaccalaureate Students

All nondegree seeking, postbaccalaureate students pursuing an initial teaching license from Hamline must have earned an overall GPA of 2.5 from an accredited college or university. An official transcript of previous coursework must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Postbaccalaureate students must follow established procedures for admission to Hamline before beginning any coursework. Coursework completed over a minimum of two terms of residence at Hamline University, which may include student teaching, is required for all postbaccalaureate students pursuing initial licenses.

Faculty

Nancy Desmond, associate professor. BA 1977, University of Oregon; MA 1990, Mankato State University; PhD 1997, University of Minnesota.

Steven Jongewaard, professor. BA 1969, University of Minnesota- Duluth; MEd 1971, PhD 1981, University of Minnesota.

Kim Koeppen, associate professor, BA 1984, Iowa State University; MSEd 1991, Northern Illinois University; PhD 1996, University of Iowa.

George L. Redman, professor. BAEd 1963, Hamline University; MA 1965, PhD 1975, University of Minnesota.

Jean Strait, assistant professor, BA 1987, University of Pittsburgh; MS 1991, Moorhead State University; PhD 1995, University of Minnesota.

Dwight Watson, associate professor, chair. AA 1982, BA 1983, MA 1985, University of South Carolina; EdD 1994, North Carolina State.