Nov 23, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Geoscience - Earth Science (Teaching) (ESCT) - BT Major


Students studying Earth Science


98-105 credits (no minor required)

2.75 GPA required for graduation. 2.5 GPA required in major.

C grade or better required in GEOS 235 and above.

Letter grade required in all major courses unless otherwise noted.

Overview

The Geoscience Department, in cooperation with other science departments and the College of Education, has developed a Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB)-approved program.  Students should be aware that the program described below may continue to change as PELSB considers changes to the Science Licensure programs. Students will need to work closely with their academic advisor to ensure that they will be able to graduate with a PELSB-approved degree.

Successful completion of the Earth Science Teaching program will enable a student to apply for licensure in 9-12 Earth & Space Science and 5-8 General Science upon achieving passing scores on the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examination (MTLE) basic skills, content, and pedagogy tests.

This major meets Minnesota teacher certification requirements. Wisconsin certification requires minor modifications. Students preparing for certification in other states should consult with the department to learn of any additional modifications. Teaching majors must apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program before they can enroll in Professional Education Sequence courses. Teaching majors must take all courses in the Professional Education Sequence in addition to the courses in the content area listed below. Be aware that some of these courses need to be taken together.

Choose one (4 credits)


Earth Talks Speaker Series (6x)


Enrollment with a passing (P) grade required 6x unless excused by department chair. Course is required each semester any GEOS major course is taken.

Additional Required Courses (30-36 credits)


Biology (8 credits)


Mathematics (6-8 credits)


Choose one course grouping:

Physics (8-12 credits)


Teacher Education Licensure Program


Students must be admitted to the Teacher Education Unit before taking Professional Education courses. For more information on this Admission process, visit the Teacher Education Program Admissions page.

All Winona State University Teacher Education Licensure Programs  are continuously updated to reflect new licensure requirements from the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. Please contact your program academic advisor for the latest information about program requirements.

Criteria required before completing online application:

  • 30 college level credits completed with no more than 4 credits of pass/no credit
  • Cumulative G.P.A. of at least ≥ 2.75 based on 30 most recent credits including all credits per semester
  • B grade or better in a 3-credit college level writing course (ENG 111  if taken at WSU)
  • B grade or better in a 3-credit college level speech course (CMST 191  or CMST 192  if taken at WSU)
  • C grade or better in a 3-credit college level math course (MATH 202  is required for Elementary and Early Childhood majors)
  • Early Clinical experience; clinical hours ≥ 15 hours: Complete 15 hours of experience working with children post high school graduation

Professional Education Sequence (36 credits)


Note: Teacher education majors must complete all Professional Education Sequence courses in addition to content area courses. Refer to Teacher Education Licensure Programs  for more information.

Note


  • EDFD 401 and 461 must be taken concurrently
  • EDFD 421 and 441 must be taken concurrently
  • EDFD 459 and 462 must be taken concurrently

Other Requirements


In addition to the above course requirements, all students must demonstrate that they have:

  • Judged a local, regional, or state science fair or participated in an Earth Science outreach program
  • Worked as a departmental teaching assistant or peer tutor in geoscience

Legend


◎ = Oral Intensive

◆ = Math/Critical Analysis Intensive

△ = Writing Intensive

✽ = Physical Development and Wellness Graduation Requirement