Description

A career in Secondary Education offers the reward of making a permanent difference in the lives of thousands of children and adults. BSC offers preparatory coursework for transfer to a secondary education program at a four-year institution. Students concentrate on general education classes the first year and add courses in their selected major during sophomore year to meet requirements in that specialty.

Students should review state testing requirements to become a licensed educator in states where they want to teach. Those planning a career as a professional educator in North Dakota are prepared for initial licensure testing requirements in conjunction with EDUC 250. The first level of North Dakota’s two-level Praxis exam, the Praxis I exam, should be completed during sophomore year.

Preparation

Secondary teachers should be interested in a specific subject and be able to convey knowledge effectively and motivate students. Those interested in this field need superior communication skills. Other desirable qualities are dedication, patience, creativity, enthusiasm, and resourcefulness. Suggested background includes basic academics such as English, mathematics, science, technology as well as other specialty areas. Teaching responsibilities may include career guidance.

Requirements

Students who complete the suggested curriculum for their specialty earn an Associate in Arts and/or an Associate in Science.

Bismarck State College continues to collaborate with North Dakota postsecondary institutions to coordinate up-to-date articulation agreements directing students to the best pathways of degree completion. While BSC does not have a four-year degree program in education, we do offer a series of classes to assist students to meet the requirements necessary to apply to enter a four-year education program. Most bachelor degree granting teachers’ education programs have degree plans uniquely established within their own accreditation. As such, it is extremely important for prospective education students to work with their BSC advisor to more fully understand these unique requirements and how best they may be completed through their enrollment at BSC.

Before meeting with your advisor, students should perform the following tasks:

1. Decide which school they plan to transfer to pursue their four-year education degree.
2. Contact the transfer school and inquire about the application procedures for the program.
3. Obtain a specific list of the requirements for program entry including which courses will be required for entry into the program, the GPA requirements for program entry, and which courses will transfer into the schools program.
4. After gathering this information, students should schedule a meeting with their assigned advisor, bring their obtained information, and together a plan will be put together for completion and preparation for transfer.

Career Opportunities

Secondary teachers can expect excellent job opportunities through the next decade as retirements outpace enrollment growth. Training in education can provide excellent skills for working with people and may open doors to careers other than teaching. With additional education, teachers may be able to move into the job of school librarian, reading specialist, curriculum specialist, school counselor, principal, or other school staff positions, as well as careers in the business world.