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.

Education Foundations Program Planning Guide

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: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course 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: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course 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: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course 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:

‡ Select General Education electives from specified MnTC goal area or from any MnTC goals if none specified.