This program is offered in Fairbanks and in areas served by the College of Rural and Community Development campuses and their service areas with the exception of the Aleutian-Pribilof Center.

This is an intensive, classroom-based secondary licensure program (31 credits) that prepares postbaccalaureate candidates for secondary (grades 7-12) teaching positions. The program is specifically designed to prepare candidates to teach in multicultural settings in Alaska. Content that addresses multicultural issues in general, and Alaska rural issues in particular, is contained specifically in EDSC F657 and is a fundamental component of the course work within the program. When funding is available, all secondary Fairbanks candidates participate in a rural practicum.

Candidates who apply as graduate applicants may simultaneously pursue teacher licensure and the M.Ed. secondary education degree. Significant additional course work will be required. (See requirements for M.Ed. secondary education option.)

Student outcomes for the program are based on the Standards for Alaska’s Teachers located at http://www.eed.state.ak.us/standards/pdf/teacher.pdf.

At the end of the program, if students have successfully met all of the program requirements, they will be eligible to apply for an Alaska initial teaching licenses and will receive certificates of completion from UAF.

Candidates who enter the secondary postbaccalaureate licensure program are required to have use of/own laptop computers before they begin their internships in the fall semester of their professional year. Candidates are expected to be proficient in Windows Office software, including, but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software.

Program Options: Fast-Track, Two-Year or Teaching While Training

FAST-TRACK OPTION

The fast-track option is an intensive three-semester program that allows candidates (one year unpaid interns) to complete the secondary licensure program as full-time students in 12 months. Candidates take classes in summer, fall and spring. The academic-year-long internship is completed during the fall and spring semesters.

TWO-YEAR OPTION

The two-year option allows candidates (two-year unpaid interns) to complete the secondary postbaccalaureate licensure program as part-time students over a period of 18-24 months. The last semester of the program requires full-time placement at a public school site.

TEACHING WHILE TRAINING OPTION

The teaching while training option is for candidates (teacher interns) who have secured a teaching position with an Alaska school district. Generally, this option is available only to those candidates in areas of teacher shortage. Candidates complete the secondary postbaccalaureate licensure program over a period of 24 months.

Upon Acceptance to the Program

The School of Education has a systematic procedure for monitoring the progress of education students from admission through completion of their professional education program to determine if they should continue the program, be advanced to the secondary teaching internship and eventually be recommended for a teaching license. In assessing candidate progress in knowledge, skills and disposition, faculty will review grades, observations, faculty recommendations, demonstrated academic competence and recommendations from the appropriate professionals in the schools. Systematic approaches are used to assist education candidates who are making unsatisfactory progress in their programs, but still maintain potential for successful completion.

The following are specific criteria for entry to the secondary teaching internship:

• successful completion of summer program courses;
• approval of faculty to enter the secondary education internship;
• some school districts may require candidates to pass a general physical exam and require additional shot records;
• some school districts require completion of district substitute training which may include a fee, a finger print card and AST background check; and
• State of Alaska certificate of authorization, fingerprint cards and money order in the amount of $60 to the School of Education by June 1 (this fee is nonrefundable once submitted to the State of Alaska). The School of Education provides these materials, which will then be submitted to the State of Alaska for a criminal background check. Fees are subject to change. These materials will be provided to the student.

Professional Field Experiences

The secondary postbaccalaureate licensure program includes a comprehensive internship experience in an educational setting. Internship placements are arranged and supervised by university faculty in partnership with the principal and staff from the public school. University course work and classroom practice are closely linked and communication about performance in both the course work and classroom practice is shared among the partners. Internships follow the K-12 school year calendar and not the university academic year calendar.

Performance in the internship must meet stated competencies and individual outcomes. Performance evaluations determine the candidate’s progress toward meeting the State of Alaska Standards for Alaska’s Teacher and the International Society for Technology in Education’s National Education Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for All Teachers and performance guidelines of Specialty Performance Organizations.

It is expected that candidates will demonstrate appropriate professional characteristics with respect to their actions, attitudes and performance. Teacher candidates are required to adhere to the characteristics of professionalism as published in the Secondary Postbaccalaureate Licensure Handbook, and to abide by the State of Alaska Code of Ethics of the Education Profession. Unacceptable academic performance, an unprofessional attitude, unsatisfactory field reports, violation of professional ethics or other factors that may result in removal from the field experience and denial of the institutional recommendation for teacher certification.

Internship placements are made in partnership with participating school districts, which may request additional information and/or preparation from candidates according to the district’s established policies and practices. Because cooperating districts also determine the number of placements available for candidates, placement may become competitive if the number of applicants exceeds the number of spaces. Districts also reserve the right to refuse or terminate placements when candidates do not meet a minimum standard of performance. Thus, while the University will make every effort to identify appropriate field experiences, admission to the secondary postbaccalaureate licensure program does not guarantee an internship placement.

Admission and Application Requirements

Application recommended due dates are March 1 (summer or fall admission) and Oct. 15 (spring admission). Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis thereafter.

Admission includes meeting both UAF Graduate School and School of Education admission requirements.

GRADUATE SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS

Submit the following electronically to the UAF Office of Admissions:

1. UAF graduate application and application fee.
2. Official transcript of bachelor’s degree from accredited institution. Applicants who have attended more than one university should include transcripts from all universities.
3. ACT or SAT or GRE scores.
4. Three current letters of reference that address qualifications and potential as a teacher.
5. A vitae/resume.
6. A personal statement of 1,200-1,500 words explaining your motivation for becoming a teacher leader. Describe how your academic qualifications and work experiences have prepared you for a career in teaching. Elaborate on your personal strengths, including your ability to work collaboratively with others. Describe your experiences with adolescents in instructional and supervisory capacities. Explain why you believe you can help young people of all cultures be successful in school.

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Send the following scores directly to the School of Education:

1. Passing scores on an Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (EED) approved basic competency exam http://education.alaska.gov/TeacherCertification/praxis.html.
2. Passing scores on the Praxis II test for each content area the applicant expects to teach. The scores must meet the score set by the State of Alaska (https://education.alaska.gov/TeacherCertification/). World language applicants may need an oral proficiency test as required by EED.
3. Secondary faculty will interview applicants as part of the admission process.

Additional Information:

Evidence of content competency in one of the secondary endorsement areas is necessary. Endorsement areas for teacher certification include biology, chemistry, Earth science, economics, English, French, German, history, mathematics, physics, political science, and Spanish. Content competency can be established by:

a.) The applicant holds a degree in an approved secondary endorsement area or;

b.) Applicants who do not hold a degree in the academic content area that they expect to teach must have documentation of content competency (transcript analysis). Additional coursework may be required.

* Before student teaching teacher candidates will need to complete the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development student teaching authorization. Fingerprint cards and criminal background check are necessary to work in schools.

Program Requirements

Minimum Requirements for Degree: 31-37 credits