Business Education

139 Gildemeister Hall
507.457.5197, Fax: 507.457.5354
Business Education website
Dana Brigson, Program Director
Jim Reineke, Chairperson

Faculty

Dana Brigson, Assistant Professor/Director; BSE, ME-PD, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse; PhD, Capella University; 2008 -
Rhea Walker, Associate Professor; BS, MA, University of Northern Iowa; PhD, Iowa State University; 2004 -

Program Overview

The Business Education program’s primary goal is to provide the depth of knowledge and competencies required for career advancement in addition to entry-level proficiencies. All programs are designed with a balanced curriculum of general knowledge and specialized skills. The following programs are available:

Bachelor of Science: Business Education (Teaching)
Bachelor of Science: Training and Development Minor
Certificate: Training and Development

Note: All Winona State University teacher education programs are continuously updated to reflect new licensure requirements from the Minnesota Board of Teaching. Please contact your program advisor and refer to the Teacher Education Addendum for the latest information about program requirements whether you are (1) applying to a teacher education program, or (2) currently enrolled in a teacher education program.

Business Education Teaching Major

The Business Education Teaching major prepares students to become teachers of business subjects at the K-12 level. Business education courses integrate technology and business to prepare students for success after graduation. Students pursue a balanced curriculum of computer technology, business administration, administrative information systems, general education, methods of teaching, and professional education. Senior business education students teach in grades 5-12 on a full-time basis for one semester to fulfill their student teaching requirement.

To improve the opportunity and access for interested candidates to complete a business education program and receive licensure, WSU worked closely with the Board of Teaching (BOT) and Minnesota Department of Education to develop a collaborative procedure for students located throughout the state. Since fall 1999, WSU has worked toward preparing online courses. This included a pilot cohort of students from the Mankato area. The program is now ready to be released statewide. Students in this program complete their general education core and certain electives from the MnSCU institution in their area. The Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice must be taken from a single BOT-approved teacher preparation institution and verification of satisfactory completion provided. The business education core of courses is completed online through WSU. For specific information, contact the Business Education office for an advisor.

Training and Development

The Training and Development minor or certification program prepares individuals for professional positions in employer-based training and employee development programs; this program augments many majors. Additionally, it prepares students to fulfill the rapidly expanding training and training administrator market. As one of the most rapidly growing career opportunity areas, the training and development field offers careers in positions such as trainer/instructor, instructional technologist, course developer/designer, training specialist, and training manager.

The training and development minor or certification program includes course work in seven basic areas: business organization and management, instruction and program development, business communications, interpersonal relations, human resources, adult learning, and computers. These competency areas coincide with the competencies that the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) recommends for well-qualified training professionals. Organizations with training and employee development programs provide internship positions that allow students to apply knowledge and skills in a “real” training environment.

Vocational-Technical College Transfer Policy for Business Education Teaching Majors

Students who have completed a one- or two-year business program at a technical or community college may apply for a transfer of approved business credits. Students’ transcripts are evaluated by Business Education faculty. (Refer to Admissions for information about transfer of technical or community college credits.) This transfer policy applies only to students majoring in the teaching of business education.

Admissions, Retention, and Graduation Requirements

For information about admission and retention requirements, see the Teacher Education Licensure Programs section of this catalog. For a checklist of the University’s graduation requirements, see the Academic Policies & University Requirements section of this catalog.

Student Teaching Requirements

To receive departmental recommendation for student teaching, a student must:

Complete all courses required for the major.
Have a minimum 2.75 overall GPA and a 2.50 GPA in the major.
Meet the admission requirements of the College of Education listed in the Teacher Education Licensure Programs section of this catalog.

Business Education Teaching Majors

Students interested in the business education teaching major should contact the Business Education office for an advisor. Teaching majors must take all courses in the Professional Education Sequence for secondary majors in addition to courses in the content area. Refer to the Education Program requirements in the Teacher Education Licensure Programs section of this catalog, or refer to the Business Education website. Refer to the business education website for information regarding the articulation agreement with Minnesota State University-Mankato for the Business Education program.

Business Education faculty members recommend for student teaching only those students who have a minimum 2.75 overall GPA and a 2.5 GPA in the major. See admission requirements for teacher education in the Teacher Education Licensure Programs section of this catalog.

General Education Program Intensive Requirements

Students may use intensive courses to satisfy both General Education Program and major requirements. Intensive courses will usually be in the student’s major or minor program. The Business Education program offers the following intensive courses in the General Education Program:

Intensives

Oral (◎)

Writing (△)

Intensive courses that can be used to satisfy business education major/minor requirements are identified in the lists of required courses and electives in this section.