Teachers are so valuable to the education of our youth, and here at St. Olaf, you can help be a part of that! Our physics and education departments work together to make you a qualified physics teacher in four years!
What should I major in at St. Olaf to become a physics school teacher?
According to the St. Olaf Education major website, “All licenses require that students hold a major in their teaching content area.” This means anyone wanting to become a physics teacher through St. Olaf programming must complete a Bachelor of Arts in Education AND Physics.
What courses should I take at St. Olaf to fulfill these requirements?
To meet the education and physics requirements, students must complete all courses that the education department recommends for Minnesota Licensure. However, it’s essential to continue communicating with education faculty regularly to ensure that the courses are adequate for each student.
Are there any prerequisites for entering the program?
The Physics Department has no prerequisite courses and can be completed within four years. However, some Math courses need to be completed as prerequisites for some physics courses (more details can be found here). The Education Department requires an application into the program, as well as requirements for continuation in the program (more details can be found here).
What licensure requirements does completing the requirements fulfill?
In short, completion of the program, student teaching, and correlated requirements qualify graduates to teach physics. St. Olaf is approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) of the State of Minnesota. And now, the Minnesota State Legislature has passed a bill as of August 1, 2023, that states PELSB-approved licensure programs–including student teaching or practicum–are sufficient for a Tier 3 license, which can be renewed indefinitely. This Tier 3 license qualifies graduates for teaching and can be upgraded to a Tier 4 license after three years of teaching (a chart can be found here).
I’m interested in becoming a physics teacher but can’t add an Education major anymore. Can I still become a teacher?
Yes! These circumstances are common as many people with bachelor’s degrees in varying areas decide to change their careers. While teacher certification varies by state, in Minnesota, there are plenty of opportunities to become certified post-graduation at St. Olaf. Completing a master’s program or teacher certification course meets state requirements for teaching (programs can be found here).
Where can I find more information on the education department?
Any further questions on student teaching, experience, requirements, coursework, and additional costs can be found on the St. Olaf Education website.