Secondary Ed Teacher
Licensure Program

Personalized Attention.
Professional Growth.
Community Impact.

Thinking about a career change? Have you completed your undergraduate degree and want to become a high school or middle school teacher?

Learn how Loras College can help you achieve your goal!

Individuals that have completed a bachelor’s degree in one of the below content areas are able to pursue the coursework required for licensure. This coursework combines theory and practice, ensuring that students have early and frequent opportunities to gain experience and apply their knowledge in the school setting. We provide the foundational and pedagogical skills needed to support strong preparation and future teaching success. All courses throughout the program set the foundation for the cumulative employment portfolio, which is finalized during student teaching. Our courses are offered face-to face and students may pursue their studies part-time. Courses are taught in a traditional classroom setting, leveraging technology to fully engage the breadth of teaching and learning pedagogies. Courses are taught during the day or late afternoon hours. Students may complete the coursework in as few as four semesters or over a longer period of time depending on their needs and prior preparation.

Loras College can provide the required coursework and field experiences to prepare individuals wanting to teach in the following content areas:

  • English/Language Arts
  • Mathematics*
  • Music
  • Science* – Biology, Chemistry, Physics
  • Social Science – Geography, Government, History, Psychology, Sociology and the All Social Science Endorsement
  • Spanish*
    *Content areas with regional and national shortages

    Loras College Teacher Education Program Highlights:

    All students participate in a Professional Development School prior to student teaching which provides an immersive, collaborative connection to mentor teachers that support students in applying and reflecting upon best teaching practices.

    Students have both content area and education faculty advisors ensuring integration across all requirements.

    Diverse field experiences locally and throughout the region to best support student preparation.

    Accreditation of the Teacher Education Program:

    The Teacher Education Program is approved by the State of Iowa and holds membership in the Iowa Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.

    Licensure Coursework

    36 Credits – all courses but those noted are 3 credits

    • Foundations of Education
    • Foundations of Inclusive Education
    • Developmental Psychology
    • Multicultural Education
    • Differentiated Instruction, Grades 5-12 (2 cr)
    • General Secondary Curriculum & Instruction
    • Secondary Curriculum Methods – content area
    • Intermediate Clinical, Grades 5-12 (1 cr)
    • Reading in the Middle & Secondary School
    • Student Teaching (10 cr)
    • Capstone Seminar (2 cr)

    Students are admitted to the Teacher Education Program after the successful completion of the first three courses listed above and a passing score on the Praxis Core basic skills test.  A minimum g.p.a. of 2.75 is required to continue in the program. Beyond the successful completion of all program requirements, the state requires that individuals seeking licensure pass an FBI background check and present a passing score on the Praxis II exam in both content and pedagogy.

    Frequently Asked Questions
    + How much will the program cost?

    Students in this program pay undergraduate tuition on a per credit basis, unless they are full time at 12+ credits per term. Please see the undergraduate section of our Tuition and Fees page for detailed cost information.

    + Is financial aid or scholarships available?

    You may be eligible for financial aid. Individual circumstances vary and should be discussed with our financial planning office.

    While Loras College is not able to offer scholarships to students who have already completed an undergraduate degree, there are some sites that gather information for career changer students: StudentScholarshipSearch is one option and searching for scholarships using keywords “nontraditional students” and “second bachelor’s degrees” may prove valuable. Information on grants for students pursuing a teaching degree is available through this site run by the Department of Education.

    + What is the format of classes?

    Courses in this program are sequenced, daytime courses offered in person on the Loras campus.

    + How long will the program take to complete?

    Students may complete the coursework in as few as four semesters but the timeline will vary depending on prior preparation.

    + Can I work while in this program?

    It would depend on your work schedule and the number of courses you are enrolled in per semester.

    + If I get licensed in Iowa, can I teach in another state? How does that work?

    Each state has its own out-of-state licensure application process for candidates who have been prepared and already licensed elsewhere. Candidates must first be licensed in the state where they are prepared before pursuing licensure in another state.

    + What if my undergraduate degree is in something other than the content areas listed above?

    Loras College is only able to recommend licensure in the content areas listed above. However, all previous coursework will be evaluated to determine eligibility.

    + What if I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree more than 10 years ago? Will it still count toward this licensure?

    All previous coursework will be evaluated to determine equivalency as there is no standard timeline associated with determining the currency of coursework.

    Application Process and Requirements
    1. We will work with you to review your prior coursework and develop a program completion plan. Please contact Megan Henderson, Director of Admission for Graduate and Professional Education Programs to begin this process: megan.henderson@loras.edu.
    2. Please create an account and apply online at: www.loras.edu/apply. There is no application fee. When first starting the application, select “Graduate and PCE Application” as the Application Type. In the Student Profile section within the application itself, select “Professional & Continuing Education” as the Student Type, then select “Secondary Education Teacher Licensure Program” as the Academic Program. (Please note that you do not have to upload anything to the Materials section of the application).
    3. Send official transcripts from each institution attended  (including undergraduate and graduate) to:
      Loras College Graduate Admissions
      Attn: Megan Henderson
      1450 Alta Vista Street
      Dubuque, IA 52001
      For a transcript to be considered official, it must be mailed in a sealed envelope from that institution’s Registrar’s Office directly to Loras College Graduate Admissions. (Transcript “issued to student” as well as faxed and copied transcripts will not be considered official). Official electronic transcripts ordered through a service such as Credential Services or National Student Clearinghouse are also acceptable. 

    Questions? Let’s get in touch.

    Loras College Graduate Admissions
    Megan Henderson
    megan.henderson@loras.edu
    563.588.7140

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