Education Foundations

Education Foundations

A.S.

The Education Foundations (Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle & Secondary School) A.S. program is ideal if you plan on transferring to a four-year school to earn a bachelor’s degree and subsequent recommendation for teacher licensure.

The Education Foundations program prepares students to the field of teaching through a series of pre-professional introductory courses and recommended electives. The curriculum includes opportunities to examine professional knowledge, engage in reflection, and understand culturally relevant approaches to instruction while also becoming immersed in classroom experiences at local school districts. The A.S. in Educational Foundations prepares students for transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a bachelor’s degree and subsequent recommendation for teacher licensure. Students may also have the potential to earn an Associate of Arts, if they complete Physical Education (1 credit) & Health (1 credit).

Note: If you have been arrested, charged or convicted of any criminal offense, you should investigate the impact that the arrest, charge or conviction may have on your chances of employment in the field you intend to study or on your chances to obtain federal, state and other higher education financial aid. Some courses within this program require a criminal background study to successfully complete. Please see the course description section of the catalog for more details. Please refer to the Criminal Background section of the catalog for more information on the criminal background study.

General Education Curriculum

The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) requires a minimum of 40 credits. You must complete the MnTC courses that are specifically designated below, such as ENG 1108 Writing & Research Skills for MnTC Goal Area 1. You may choose the other courses from each goal area from the list located at: inverhills.edu/MnTC.

To streamline your degree, you are encouraged to choose MnTC Goal 1-6 courses that also meet MnTC Goal areas 7-10. Students should choose courses that best work for their intended transfer college/program.

2023-2024 Required Courses

Education Foundations Curriculum

Course # Course Name Credit(s)
  EDU 1109
Introduction to Education & Reflective Teaching
4

Course Outline
Credits: 4
Gives prospective educators and school paraprofessionals perspective on the rewards and challenges of teaching, including critical issues facing teaching and learning in today's schools. Class lectures/discussions, course readings, guest speakers, and field experiences will focus on such topics as educational equity, the achievement gap, poverty, diversity, resiliency, cultural awareness, using the community as a resource, effective teaching, school improvement, the importance of engaging in reflective teaching, and opportunities to further explore personal motivations for becoming a teacher. Participants are introduced to education through case studies and first-hand accounts of teaching and learning in schools, including an exploration of the impact that larger social systems have on schools, teachers, and students and their families. In addition to attending the weekly 3-hour class lecture/discussion, students will complete a minimum of 30 Service Learning hours in a school setting. They will also use eFolio Minnesota to create a multimedia electronic portfolio to reflect upon their Service Learning experiences. This course will include completion of MTLE Basic Skills practice tests in Reading, Mathematics, and Writing, in preparation for Minnesota teacher licensure requirements. This course meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3200, Subp. 3, Standard A2, 3, 8710.2000, Subp. 3, Standard 2C, Subp. 5, Standard 4B, Subp. 6, Standard 5A, 5F, Subp. 10, Standard 9A, Subp. 11, Standard 10A, B, F, L.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2024

  EDU 1141
Learning Technology for Educators
2

Course Outline
Credits: 2
Examines the historical and current contexts for applications of educational technology, including the research, resources, issues and trends shaping the role of educational technology in today's classrooms. Course readings, class discussions, guest speakers, and course assignments will focus on topics such as the foundations for effective technology integration, the National Educational Technology Standards, and the enhancement of teaching and learning through the successful integration of current and future educational technology across the curriculum. Students will investigate and critically evaluate selected software, multimedia/hypermedia, distance/online learning, and Internet/web-based applications as tools to actively and cognitively engage all learners. Students will use eFolio to develop a multimedia electronic portfolio to document and reflect upon their technology competence. This course meets requirements for Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). Prerequisites: Recommended concurrent or previous enrollment in EDU 1109.

Prerequisites:

  • EDU 1109 Introduction to Education & Reflective Teaching

Corequisites: None
Future Offering:
  • Spring 2024

  EDU 1143
Multicultural Education / Human Relations
3

Course Outline
Credits: 3
Emphasizes the development of classroom teachers who are multiculturally informed, gender fair, and disability aware. Examines issues such as racism, sexism, oppression, prejudice and discrimination. The course aims to increase students' capacity to identify, discuss, and reflect on the ethical dimensions of political, social and personal life and to examine the responsibility of classroom teachers to practice productive citizenship. Emphasis is on demonstrating multicultural competence required of all successful teachers working with diverse youth. Designed to meet State of Minnesota human relations requirement for teacher licensure. This course meets the Minnesota Processional Educator Licensing and Standards board (PELSB) 8710.2000, Subp. 5, Standard 4B, Subp. 6, Standard 5A, Subp. 4, Standard 3D, E, F, G, H, J, Q, Subp. 6, Standard 5B, Subp. 7, Standard 6B, Subp. 3, Standard 2A, 2B, 2C.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2024

Education Elective(s)
Select from the following EDU courses or any additional MnTC courses/credits
11



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

  EDU 2018
Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners
3

Course Outline
Credits: 3
Examines research-based instructional strategies for successfully meeting the varying needs of students from economically, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse groups. Course content will focus on how students will learn and develop including learning opportunities that support student intellectual, social, and personal development. This course will also explore individual and group motivation to create learning environments that create positive social interactive active engagement in learning. Learning opportunities will be explored that support student intellectual, social and personal development. This course is designed for prospective educators, teachers, and school paraprofessionals interested in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds. This course meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.2000, Subp. 3, Standard 2A, B, C Subp.6, Standard 5A.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2024

  EDU 2250
Contemporary Education Topics
1-3

Course Outline
Special topics in Urban Education will be presented on a rotating basis. Coursework explores issues and challenges currently facing education in the United States. Topics may relate to special education, diversity, gifted and talented programming, English language learners, education funding, legal issues, classroom initiatives, state and local leadership, and others as pertinent to current/future educational trends. This course may be repeated under different topics.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

  MATH 1107
Mathematical Foundations
4

Course Outline
Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 02, 04
Includes the topics: analysis of the problem solving process; sets and number systems; operations, properties, and computation with the real numbers and their classic subsets; number theory; decimals, ratio, proportion, and percents; statistics; probability; measurement; relations, functions and patterns; algebra models; geometric shapes; and applications. This course can be used for prospective elementary education majors and liberal arts students. This course meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3200, Subp. 3, Standard H1 a, b, c, H2 a, b, H3 a, b, c, d, H4 a, b, H5 a, b, H6 a, b, H7 a, b, c, d. Prerequisite: Recommendation based on the results of the Inver Hills Assessment Test or grade of "C" or higher in MATH 0840 within the last 2 years.

Prerequisites:


Corequisites: None
Future Offering:
  • Spring 2024

  MATH 1118
College Algebra I
4

Course Outline
Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 02, 04
Prepares students for Calculus I (MATH 1133) when taken in sequence with MATH 1119 or for Survey of Calculus (MATH 1120). Topics include the study of algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions; graphing functions using transformations; inverse functions; polynomial, exponential, logarithmic equations; systems of linear and non-linear equations; applied problems; building models from data. Use of technology will be embedded throughout the course. Recommendation based on the results of the Inver Hills Assessment Test or grade of C or higher in MATH 0940 within the last 2 years.

Prerequisites:


Corequisites:
  • MATH 0118 College Algebra Support

Future Offering:
  • Spring 2024
  • Summer 2024

  MUSC 2220
Music Education and Pedagogy
3

Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 02, 06
Focuses on the knowledge and skills needed for anyone to experience, understand, produce, discuss and enjoy various forms of music with young children. Examines the characteristics of age-appropriate music activities, how music can integrate with other disciplines, and how to teach music to others. Incorporates music concepts, basic structural elements, principles and vocabulary of music, and current pedagogical practices. The course assumes no musical background and is an introductory course for prospective elementary educators, classroom paraprofessionals or teachers, and other students interested in learning how music pedagogy works. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3000 sub part 3, section D, #8,b for early childhood education; and 8710.3200 sub part 3, g for elementary education.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2024

  HLTH 1130
Drug Use and Abuse
3

Course Outline
Credits: 3
Provides an overview of the fundamental concepts in drug use and abuse. The course will focus on the drugs of abuse that are most commonly used in the United States and will emphasize the physiological, social, psychological, legal, and health aspects of drug use and abuse. Special attention will be focused on the motivations of drug use/abuse for college students. Critical thinking and communication skills will be emphasized to explain and reinforce personal health choices. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3200, Subp. 3, Standard K2 8710.2000, Subp. 11, Standard 10E.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2024
  • Summer 2024

Physical Education Elective(s)
1



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

Health and PE
1



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

Total Credits in Education Foundations Curriculum 20

General Education Curriculum

Course # Course Name Credit(s)
  ENG 1108
Writing And Research Skills
3

Course Outline
Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02
Provides instruction and practice in reading, researching, and writing for college.

Prerequisites:


Corequisites:
  • ENG 0108 Workshop for Writing and Research Skills

Future Offering:
  • Spring 2024
  • Summer 2024

  ENG 1111
  ENG 1114
  ENG 1130
Research Writing    OR

The Research Paper    OR

Writing and Research For the Professions
3

Research Writing
Course Outline
Credits: 2
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02
Students will analyze primary and secondary sources and develop formal research writing in students' academic and/or professional disciplines including EMS, Paralegal, and Criminal Justice. Prerequisites: ENG 1108 or equivalent, with grade of C or better.

Prerequisites:

  • ENG 0101 Composition I: Expository Writing
  • ENG 1108 Writing And Research Skills

Corequisites: None
Future Offering:
  • Spring 2024
  • Summer 2024

The Research Paper
Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02
Emphasizes critical analysis of fiction or nonfiction texts, at least one book-length, resulting in a research paper that reflects analysis and synthesis of multiple sources. Prereq: Grade of C or higher in ENG 1108.

Prerequisites:

  • ENG 0101 Composition I: Expository Writing
  • ENG 1108 Writing And Research Skills

Corequisites: None
Future Offering:
  • Spring 2024
  • Summer 2024

Writing and Research For the Professions
Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02
Emphasizes critical audience analysis of professional texts across the disciplines, at least one book length, resulting in a professional research proposal, feasibility study, or report that reflects analysis and synthesis of multiple sources, persuasion, and students' mastery of professional and audience analysis, business writing, researching, and evaluative skills. Prerequisites: ENG 1108 or equivalent, with grade of C or better.

Prerequisites:

  • ENG 1108 Writing And Research Skills

Corequisites: None
Future Offering:
  • Spring 2024

  COMM 1100
  COMM 2230
  COMM 1110
Interpersonal Communication    OR

Small Group Communication    OR

Public Speaking
Recommended
3

Interpersonal Communication
Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 07
Is a course that helps students recognize that we live and work in relationship with others and must communicate effectively with them to achieve our goals. This class helps students acquire the skills to effectively communicate with family members, intimate others, co-workers, friends, and acquaintances. After reviewing relevant interpersonal theory, students will examine and identify their own communication attitudes and behaviors. Students will also learn and apply techniques for improving communication in their relationships through active practice. Students will participate in multiple activities, both in and outside the classroom setting, to build their interpersonal communication skills. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.2000, Subp. 7, Standard 6C, D, F, & G.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2024
  • Summer 2024

Small Group Communication
Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02
Introduces students to the practice and theory of communicating in small group settings. Working in groups is an integral part of living in today's society. Community and workplace situations require us to be able to lead, participate, and follow effectively. Participating in this course will assist students in developing the leadership, conflict management, problem solving and discussion skills necessary to function in group settings. Students will apply small group communication theory in small, task-oriented groups and develop presentation skills to showcase their understanding of what it means to be an effective group member. Evaluating the effectiveness of their own and others' group communication behaviors is also required.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2024

Public Speaking
Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02
Is the introductory study of the theory and practice of public speaking. Public presentation skills are required for individuals to be successful in our workplaces, communities and many other contexts in today's society. Students will learn about the different types of public speeches commonly encountered and learn how to research, organize and write their ideas into clear and understandable forms of public communication. Students will also practice the delivery skills needed to present ideas effectively. Students will be required to speak and participate often and will also be required to present their speeches in a classroom setting with an audience of their peers and an instructor.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2024
  • Summer 2024

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 2)
Satisfied by First Year Experience course or MnTC completion



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 3)
Natural Science (1 course must include lab)
2



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 3a)
Life Science course



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 3b)
Physical Sciences course



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 4)
Mathematical/Logical Reasoning. MATH 1107 OR MATH 1118 Recommended
1



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 5)
History/Social Sciences/Behavioral Sciences. PSYC 1101 Recommended; PSYC 1215 Recommended; SOC 1100 Recommended
3



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 6)
Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature. Any additional Goal 6 course
3



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 6a)
Fine Arts course



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 6b)
Humanities/Literature course



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 7)
Human Diversity
1



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 8)
Global Perspective
1



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 9)
Ethical and Civic Responsibility
1



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 10)
People and the Environment
1



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

Total Credits in General Education Curriculum 40
Total Credits: 60
‡ Select General Education electives from specified MnTC goal area or from any MnTC goals if none specified.