Education
Department Chair: Terry Johnson
Faculty: Diana Fenton, Kimberly Holman, Kirsten Hunt, Madeleine Israelson, Terry Johnson, Alicia Peters, Terri Rodriguez, Allison Spenader, Jennifer Meagher.
At the heart of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University Education Department lies a commitment to teacher candidates and excellence in teacher preparation. Guided by values deeply rooted in both tradition and innovation, we emphasize four interwoven principles: community, intellectual curiosity, equity and advocacy, and teacher leadership. These principles are derived from the Standards of Effective Practice, CSB + SJU learning goals, the unique assets and needs of K-12 students, and the Benedictine values. Together, they form the backbone of a comprehensive approach to teacher preparation that cultivates educators who are deeply invested in building inclusive communities, driven by a passion for lifelong learning, dedicated to advocating for equitable educational opportunities, and equipped to become influential teacher leaders. This holistic framework contributes to the development of teachers who are compassionate, curious, community-oriented, and poised to lead for positive change in the field of education.
The Education Department currently offers courses of study that prepare students academically to apply for Minnesota licensure in K-6 elementary education with an optional grades 5-8 additional license in Communication Arts and Literature, Mathematics, General Science, or K-8 World Language and Cultures in Spanish.
Additionally, we offer licensure programs in:
- grades 5-12 Communication Arts/Literature, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Social Studies;
- grades 9-12 Life Science, Chemistry, and Physics;
- grades 5-8 General Science; and
- grades K-12 Visual Arts, Vocal or Instrumental Music, World Language and Cultures in Spanish, and Teaching English as a Second Language.
These programs are approved by the Minnesota Professional Standards and Licensing Board. A non-licensure program in Teaching English as an International Language is also offered.
Students are strongly advised to contact the Education Department during their first year to become aware of the current program requirements and devise a course plan. Each program is unique and subject to change according to the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board guidelines. Please refer to the Education Department website for the most current information.
Admission to Teacher Education
Students who want to major or minor in Education need to complete the Education Department’s admission process. Admission typically occurs during the sophomore year and is required for all students seeking an Elementary Education major and Secondary Education minor.
The following items are required for application:
- A cumulative, licensure content major, and education coursework GPA of 2.50 or above
- Completed Intent to Apply form (available in the Education Portal in Canvas)
- Disposition reflection and faculty review (usually completed as part of EDUC 111)
- Completion of a 35-hour teacher shadow in a classroom aligned with the student's licensure program, written reflection, and supervisor evaluation
- Submission of a professional recommendation completed by a CSB+SJU faculty member, coach, advisor, or supervisor
- Entry survey form
Descriptions of all admission requirements and the application process are specified on the Education Department's website at https://www.csbsju.edu/education/student-resources/apply-to-the-program
Additional Education Department Requirements
Due to the professional nature of this program, students must:
- Maintain a cumulative, content area, department, and additional license GPA of 2.50 or above. In addition, a grade of C or above is required in content area, minor, and additional license courses
- Successfully complete CPAST during student teaching
- Complete background checks as required by the districts in which students are placed for field and student teaching experiences. Individual schools and districts will determine student eligibility to participate in field experiences per their policies regarding background checks.
- Purchase liability insurance through Education Minnesota on an annual basis.
Students should reference the Education Department website for additional information about requirements.
Note: Students may be required to take a ninth semester to fulfill licensure requirements depending on their experiences and the licensure areas they would like to complete.
Licensure/Certification Disclosure
What is a professional licensure disclosure?
A professional licensure disclosure is a requirement by the U.S. Department of Education for all colleges and universities to communicate publicly and directly to prospective and current students about academic programs that will or will not fulfill educational requirements for specific professional licensure that is required for employment in that field; and academic programs that meet or do not meet the education requirements for licensure for each state and U.S. territory regardless of the delivery mode of the program. The regulations are published in the Code of Federal Regulations, CFR §668.43, section (a)(5)(v) and section (c).
Does This Program Meet Requirements for Licensure in My State?
Each state and territory have different professional licensure and certification requirements. Other licensure requirements may include
- professional examinations,
- background checks,
- years of work experience,
- fingerprinting requirements,
- etc.
Students who are considering an academic program that may allow them to pursue professional licensure in their state/territory are strongly encouraged to check the appropriate licensing agency to seek information and additional guidance before beginning a program outside of their state/territory.
Potential Changes in Requirements
Students who plan to pursue licensure outside of Minnesota should be aware that state licensure requirements are subject to changes. While a program may originally meet the educational requirements for licensure, changes in requirements could impact the program's ability to meet any new educational requirements. Students should always check with their state licensure board to confirm licensure requirements.
Relocating During the Course of a Program
Prospective and current students should keep in mind that licensing and authorization requirements vary by state and that relocating during the course of a program to another state could impact whether that student can continue in the course, meet the eligibility requirements of that state, and/or receive federal financial aid funding. If a student is considering relocating, they should contact their program to check for authorization and licensure eligibility requirements.
Professional Licensure Requirements
The curricula in Teacher Education at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University have been designed to meet the licensure requirements in Minnesota.
The CSB/SJU pre-licensure teacher education curriculum meets state educational requirements for initial professional licensure or certification, as of July 1,2025, for the following states/territories: Minnesota.
The CSB/SJU pre-licensure teacher education program does not meet state educational requirements for initial licensure in the following states/jurisdictions, as of July 1, 2025. Please meet with a representative of the CSB/SJU Education department to determine how the CSB/SJU curriculum fits into the requirements for the specific state(s) you are interested in:
Alabama | Kentucky | Ohio |
Alaska | Louisiana | Oklahoma |
American Samoa | Maine | Oregon |
Arizona | Maryland | Pennsylvania |
Arkansas | Massachusetts | Rhode Island |
California | Michigan | South Carolina |
Colorado | Mississippi | South Dakota |
Connecticut | Missouri | Tennessee |
Delaware | Montana | Texas |
District of Columbia | Nebraska | Utah |
Florida | Nevada | Vermont |
Georgia | New Hampshire | Virginia |
Guam | New Jersey | Virgin Islands |
Hawaii | New Mexico | Washington |
Idaho | New York | West Virginia |
Illinois | North Carolina | Wisconsin |
Indiana | North Dakota | Wyoming |
Iowa | Northern Mariana Islands | |
Kansas |
Licensure and certification are post-graduation processes and cannot be completed without a posted degree. To assist students who now live or may one day live outside of Minnesota, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University provides the following information resources.
NC-SARA has provided a Professional Licensure Directory with contact information for all 50 states and 3 territories for the following professional areas: Counseling, Nursing, Psychology, Social work, and Teacher Education