Secondary Postbaccalaureate Licensure Program toward M.Ed., Secondary Education
This program is offered across the state of Alaska.
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 the varied settings of 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 coursework within the program. When funding is available, all secondary Fairbanks candidates participate in a rural practicum.
Student outcomes for the program are aligned with the InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards.
Candidates may simultaneously pursue teacher licensure and the Master of Education in secondary education degree. (See requirements for M.Ed. secondary education.)
At the end of the program, students successfully meeting all of the program requirements are eligible to apply for an Alaska initial teaching license and will receive a certificate of completion from UAF. Students must apply to graduate with a certificate of completion through the Office of the Registrar's Degree Services. 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 license.
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 internship year. Candidates are expected to be proficient in word processing, spreadsheet creation and use of 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 certificate and 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. Completion of the M. Ed. degree will take additional time.
TWO-YEAR OPTION
The two-year option allows candidates (two-year unpaid interns) to complete the secondary postbaccalaureate certificate and 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.
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 fingerprint card and AST background check; and
- State of Alaska certificate of student teaching authorization, fingerprint cards and money order submitted in accordance with the directions from Alaska Department of Education and Early Development by June 1 (the fee is non-refundable once submitted to the State of Alaska).
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 coursework 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 InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards and the International Society for Technology in Education’s Standards for Educators 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.
