Secondary Education Transfer Program
Most Montana four-year colleges and universities have teacher training programs in both elementary and secondary education. Elementary teachers are certified by the state to teach grades K-8 and secondary teachers can teach, in a major or minor, grades 5-12. The national job outlook for teachers for the next five to ten years is quite favorable due to projected high levels of retirement.
Students may begin their teacher training at FVCC in both elementary and secondary programs, and in most cases complete their education in an additional two years at a transfer institution. The University of Great Falls has an elementary education program on the FVCC campus.
Admission into teacher education programs at four-year schools can be competitive and requires good grades and strong recommendations. Some schools require test results from the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST). The PPST, a national assessment test, is taken the sophomore year and is administered by the FVCC Learning Center.
If time permits, students may consider taking additional course work to fulfill concentration or endorsement requirements at their transfer institutions. For example, students transferring to The University of Montana – Missoula can fulfill additional education requirements by completing ART 226, EDUC 232T and EDUC 256 (specifically for elementary majors). Students should consult their advisors and their transfer institutions for specific recommendation
Secondary Education
In Montana, those desiring to become secondary teachers (grades 5-12) must pursue a bachelor degree in a certifiable major, often with a minor, from a four year college or university. Most four-year institutions in Montana offer secondary teaching degrees but offerings for majors and minors vary from school to school, so students must carefully select their courses. Secondary education students can complete two years of study at FVCC in most majors. There are a few courses, listed below, that all secondary education majors must typically take before entrance into a teacher education program their junior year. Additionally, by seeking an associate’s degree from FVCC, the general education core for all MUS colleges and universities will have been completed before transfer.
I. Required for most Secondary Education Majors.
Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
EDUC100 | Introduction to Education with Field Experience | 3 |
EDUC232T | Instructional Technology | 3 |
EDUC256 | Instruction of Special Students | 3 |
HLTH201 | First Aid | 2 |
HLTH230 | School Health | 3 |
PSYX100A | Introduction to Psychology | 4 |
II. General Education Core Requirements
See Requirements listed on page 54 of this catalog. Completion of FVCC's general eductioncore requirements satisfies the lower division core at all Montana University System colleges and universities.
III. Major/Minor Requirements in a Certifiable Area
See transfer school catalog and consult with your advisor for specific course suggestions. Suggested course outlines are shown below for common secondary teaching majors.