Program Contact Dr. Allen Burgad allen.a.burgad@vcsu.edu 701.845.7184 Accredited Online Coursework The ND kindergarten endorsement certifies teachers to teach preschool and kindergarten in an accredited setting. A kindergarten endorsement is an attachment to an Elementary Education license and though originally designed for the re-education of teachers, VCSU encourages Elementary Education majors to consider this option if they have a desire to teach preschool or kindergarten. Study Online All coursework leading to the ND kindergarten endorsement is offered online through VCSU and can be completed in a single calendar year. Practicum Experience In addition to the prescribed classes, students must also complete an 80 hour field experience in an approved preschool setting and a minimum of five weeks of student teaching. **Exception: ND allows individuals who have completed one year of teaching kindergarten or first grade as a substitute for student teaching in kindergarten. Adding the Endorsement to a Teaching License The courses completed within the endorsement are listed on the VCSU transcript, however the endorsement is not specifically listed like a major or a minor. Rather, the endorsement is added to a teaching license that is issued by the North Dakota Education Standards & Practices Board. To obtain the actual endorsement, students must apply to the ND ESPB after graduation. The VCSU curriculum is design to meet the requirements for the ND ESPB kindergarten endorsement. Endorsement and teacher licensure requirements vary by state. Required Courses Required Courses Credits EDUC 310 Introduction to Early Childhood Education 3 EDUC 313 Language & Literacy in Early Childhood Education 2 EDUC 337 Pre-K Observation and Assessment 3 EDUC 435 Kindergarten Education & Curriculum 4 EDUC 485 Student Teaching -or- One year of K-1 experience 5

Program Contact Dave Bass dave.bass@vcsu.edu 701.845.7194 Accredited Online Coursework The middle level endorsement or certificate of completion is optional, and the endorsement may be added to a North Dakota teacher license. The program is intended to serve students majoring in elementary and secondary education, as well as, practicing teachers who wish to teach in a North Dakota middle school. Practical Experience for Endorsement In addition to the prescribed classes, students must also complete a 20 hour field experience in an approved middle level setting and a middle level endorsement must include 24 semester hours for a single content area verified by official VCSU transcripts. Study Online All the courses for the endorsement and certificate are offered online. The teacher education program at VCSU is accredited by CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation). Faculty who teach middle level courses have teaching experience in the middle school and have many years of classroom experience. Adding the Certificate to a Teaching License The courses completed within the endorsement or certificate are listed on the VCSU transcript; however, the endorsement and certificate are not specifically listed like a minor or major. Rather, the endorsement and certificate are added to a teaching license that is issued by the North Dakota ESPB (Education Standards and Practices Board). To obtain the actual endorsement or certificate, students submit an application to the North Dakota ESPB after graduation. Endorsement and Certificates for teacher licensure requirements vary by state. Required Courses Credits EDUC 305 Philosophy and Curriculum of Middle Level Education 3 EDUC 375 Teaching Reading in the Content Area 2 EDUC 470 Methods of Teaching in the Middle School 3 PSYC 250 Developmental Psychology 3 *Students are required to complete a 20-hour practicum in an approved middle level setting. *Students must complete 24 semester hours in the content area.

Program Contact Dr. Abigail Bremer abigail.bremer@vcsu.edu Accredited Online Coursework Schools across the nation, including North Dakota, are experiencing an increase in linguistic diversity. In North Dakota, English Language Learners (ELLs) represent over 106 language groups. Sixty-four percent of ELLs speak one of the following languages: Spanish, Ojibwa, Dakota, Siouan, and Somali. The other 36% of ELLs represent the remaining 101 languages (ND Department of Public Instruction, 2012). Students working to develop their English language proficiency account for over 5% of the total school enrollment (ND Department of Public Instruction, 2013).  Federal and State legislation require school districts to provide language support and ELL programs to assist students who lack English language proficiency (ND Department of Public Instruction, 2012). The increasing number of English language learners poses new challenges for school districts, predominantly rural regions. Teachers that serve ELL students require an ELL endorsement. The ELL endorsement is also an ideal preparation for those wishing to teach English language arts overseas and provide valuable experience in language acquisition. Study Online All coursework leading to both the Endorsement and the Minor in ELL is offered online from VCSU.  Practical Experience The coursework requires a 60-hour ELL practicum where student will observe, teach, and assess ELL students under the supervision of an endorsed ELL teacher. This allows pre-service teachers the opportunity to actively work with the populations that they will teach, and often the pre-service teachers are hired by the same school systems in which they perform their ELL practicum.  Required Courses Minor Required Courses Credits EDUC 283 Understanding Culture Diversity in Education 3 EDUC 361 Foundations of Bilingual/Multicultural Ed 2 EDUC 363 Assessing ELL Proficiency 2 EDUC 390 Methods of Teaching ELL 2 EDUC 464 Practicum in the ELL Classroom 2 ENGL 309 Linguistics & Language Acquisition 3 ENGL 409 Language & Culture 3 Electives Credits COMM 216 Intercultural Communication 3 EDUC 313 Language Growth & Development  2 ENGL 300 Grammatical Analysis 3 ENGL 350 Young Adult Reading & Literature  3 Foreign Language Requirement for Minor In addition, students must complete one semester or equivalent (one year of high school foreign language study or other as determined by the Department Chair) of college level study in non-native language.  Endorsement Required Courses Credits EDUC 283 Cultural Diversity in Education 3 EDUC 361 Foundations of Bilingual and Multicultural Education 2 EDUC 363 Assessing ELL Proficiency  2 EDUC 390 Methods of Teaching ELL 2 EDUC 464 Practicum in the ELL Classroom 2 ENGL 309 Linguistics & Language Acquisition 3 ENGL 409 Language & Culture 3

Program Contact Mary Beth Anderson mary.b.anderson.1@vcsu.edu 701.845.7606 Reading Certificate of Completion This certificate acknowledges the successful completion of the reading component within an elementary teaching degree. It signifies that the recipient has demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of essential reading concepts, methodologies, and strategies, equipping them with the necessary skills to effectively teach reading to elementary school students. By earning the Reading Certification of Completion, the recipient has demonstrated their dedication to professional growth and their commitment to equipping young learners with the necessary skills to become successful readers. This recognition serves as a testament to their competence and expertise in teaching reading within an elementary school setting. Study Online All coursework leading to the Reading Certificate is offered online from VCSU. Practical Experience EDUC 431 is a sixty-hour field experience in which a student is placed with a certified reading teacher in an elementary school setting. Title I Reading Credential 1. Hold a valid North Dakota educator's professional license. 2. Have a major in elementary education. 3. Complete the following courses: Course Credits EDUC 375 Teaching Reading in the Content Area 2 EDUC 430 Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties 3 EDUC 431 Practicum in Corrective Reading (Elementary) 2

Program Contact Heather Peschel heather.peschel@vcsu.edu 701.845.7188 Why Seek a Special Education Endorsement? The strategist special education endorsement allows teachers with valid North Dakota educator's professional license in elementary education to: teach in an elementary education classroom teach or provide direct instruction to all LD, ED or ID elementary students consult K-12, LD, ED or ID students The Special Education Endorsement at VCSU follows the Endorsement requirements specified by the North Dakota Education Standards and Practice Board (ESPB). Teachers outside North Dakota seeking to use this coursework for certification need to determine the specific requirements for teacher certification in their state. The Special Education Endorsement is predicated upon an education degree. Study Online All coursework leading to the Strategist Special Education Endorsement is offered online from VCSU. Practical Experience Students will complete 150 field experience hours with practicums focusing on assessment, a specific learning disabilities, emotional disorders, and intellectual disabilities. Adding the Endorsement to a Teaching License The courses completed within the Strategist Special Education endorsement are listed on the VCSU transcript, however the endorsement is not specifically listed like a minor or major. To obtain the actual endorsement, students make application to the ND ESPB after graduation and attainment of their initial ND license for elementary teaching. Required Courses Credits EDUC 240 Educating Exceptional Students 3 EDUC 250 Intro to Education 3 EDUC 300 Educational Technology 2 EDUC 323 Methods of Reading Instruction 3 SPED 340 Learning Disabilities,Emotional Disorders, and Intellectual Disabilities 3 EDUC 430 Diagnosis, and Correction of Reading Difficulties 3 SPED 310 Behavior Modification 3 SPED 333 Assessment of Students with Disabilities 3 SPED 380 Collaboration, Consultation, and Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities 3 SPED 382 Methods and Materials of SLD 2 SPED 383 Methods and Materials of ED 2 SPED 384 Methods and Materials of ID 2 SPED 486 Student Teaching - 6 weeks 5 Online Course Schedule All courses are available completely online, unless otherwise specified. Schedule is subject to change. Check course schedule at https://myweb.vcsu.edu/semester-class-schedules/ for latest information. Courses Semester Offered EDUC 240 Fall, Spring, Summer EDUC 250 Fall, Spring (face to face) EDUC 300 Fall (face to face) EDUC 323 Fall, Spring (face to face) SPED 340 Fall, Spring, Summer EDUC 430 Fall (face to face), Spring, Summer SPED 310 Spring SPED 333 Spring SPED 380 Fall, Summer SPED 382 Fall SPED 383 Fall, Spring SPED 384 Spring SPED 486 Fall, Spring