Secondary Education
If you strive to reach beyond basic knowledge and skills and instead spark exploration, discovery, confidence, and potential, you belong in our Educator Preparation Program. The impact you can have on the life of a student is big and multi-generational. We approach your professional education in the exact same way.
At SAU, we'll prepare you to educate tomorrow's leaders, help them meet the challenge, and become exceptional learners in the classroom.
Our graduates work at Brandon Valley School District, South Dakota; Davenport Community School District; Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency; Rock Island School District, Illinois, and many other districts and settings.
Ambrose Advantages
- Service Learning Opportunities
- Individual Faculty Mentors
- Nationally Accredited Program
Education leads to empowerment. That's why we merge the liberal arts, strong professional training, and in-classroom experiences to create caring and qualified teachers. St. Ambrose has a reputation for graduating exceptional educators who are effective from the first day in the classroom. You'll graduate with the confidence and creativity to be a guiding, empowering force in the lives of youth.
Read Our Secondary Education Program Fact Sheet (pdf)
Shaping the World
Rick Cushman wanted to discover how he could shape the world, so he chose St. Ambrose. Today, he carries what he learned and lived at SAU into his own classroom every day. As an educator and an Ambrosian, he plans to spark never-ending curiosity and exploration in the next generation, and give them the tools to succeed.
More Information on the Secondary Education Program
You should apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program during the semester you are enrolled in EDUC 205 or 207.
The Secondary Education program prepares you to receive an initial license to teach grades 5-12 in Iowa agencies and schools. Our program is approved by the Iowa Department of Education.
Teacher education courses include child and adolescent development, history and philosophy of education, educational psychology, educational technology, language arts and reading, physical sciences, inclusion strategies, and testing methods.
The types of endorsements you can pursue with this degree are listed below.
You'll enjoy a low student-teacher ratio and be assigned a faculty mentor to guide you throughout your education and student teaching.
You will begin working with children early in your college career through completing 40 hours of classroom observation, including lesson planning, classroom management, and teaching techniques. Your observation and student teaching hours can be completed in a variety of educational settings due to this unique, bi-state area: public and private schools; urban and rural communities; and students from low-income and privileged households
We make sure you have all the physical resources you need for your classroom through our well-equipped Curriculum Library: educational material, instructional resources, teaching aids, and more.
Service is fundamental to who we are as a university. At SAU, you can see the world through the eyes of a refugee by helping one acclimate to life in the U.S. You can give a few hours to help campus neighbors prepare their homes for winter, clean litter from an iconic river, stand with your peers to advance social justice, and get a hug from a parent who deeply appreciates your participation in SAU Dance Marathon. Service expands your vision and understanding of the world, your community, and yourself. It also helps you become a more effective teacher.
Want to continue serving after college? Learn about the Peace Corps and courses you can take at SAU for a Peace Corps Prep certificate.
Chloe Gunn '19 is teaching 9th grade English at the American School of San Salvador. Read how the supportive education she got at SAU helped her reach - and exceed - her goals.
Meredith (Tangen) Schwartzlose '08, '10 MBA, was recognized by the Iowa Association for Career and Technical Education for her significant contributions toward innovative and unique career and technical education programs during her tenure as a math teacher at Davenport West High School. She continues to teach Business Education, but moved to Davenport North where she also coaches track and field.
Emma Folland '08, '14 MEdT is a middle and high school librarian for the Clinton Community School District.
Education Department
Gene Bechen, PhD, Professor; Director, School of Education
Administrative Assistants: Jennet Jewell, MATLT; Trish Zinger; Charley Ohnemus
Dale Blesz, PhD, Professor
Brenda Boleyn, PhD, Professor
Mike Kiss, MA, Visiting Asst. Professor
Sherri Moler, MA, Instructor
Angela Rekers-Power, PhD, Lecturer
Tracy Schuster-Matlock, PhD, Professor
Katie Selden, MA, Lecturer
Deanna Stoube, PhD, Professor
Edwin Ubeda, PhD, Assoc. Professor
Tanya Volkova, PhD, Professor
Jennifer Willette, Children's Campus Director
The School of Education at St. Ambrose University includes areas of study necessary to prepare highly-qualified, professional classroom teachers and enables the student to receive an initial license to teach in Iowa agencies and schools.
The program is approved by the Iowa Department of Education. Through agreements with other states, graduates may apply for certification after receiving an Iowa license.
There is some planning involved before you apply, so follow the steps below.
Steps to Apply for Admission to the School of Education
Step One:
Complete these general education courses:
ENGL 101 Written Communications
PSYC 105 Introduction to Psychology
One course in American History or American Government
One Biology and Non-biological Science (only ECE/Elem. majors)
COMM 110 Basic Human Communication
Step Two:
Enroll in EDUC 205 or EDUC 207. Prerequisites: Complete (or transfer) 12 credit hours. GPA must be at least 2.7.
Step Three:
While enrolled in either EDUC 205 or EDUC 207, apply for admission to the School of Education while making sure you satisfy these GPA and ACT requirements below.
Admission Requirements
a. Complete 40 field hours in EDUC 205 or provide verification through EDUC 207.
b. Two professional rating forms (EDUC 205 or 207 instructor, and cooperating teacher's evaluation) which show applicant earned an average rating of at least Developing (3) in the three separate dispositional categories and recommended by both course instructor and cooperating teacher to continue on into the program.
c. Receive a grade of "B" or above in EDUC 205 or 207.
d. A completed application for admission to teacher education program form (including statement of fraud section and necessary signatures).
e. Complete EDUC 282 and EDUC 284 with at least a B average
GPA Requirements
Overall GPA for entrance to the School of Education and maintenance of status within the School shall be calculated by using only the credits transferred into St. Ambrose University plus the credits earned at SAU.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Education GPA of 3.0
- Content GPA (if applicable) of 3.0
Degree Requirements
Students interested in secondary education should apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program during the semester enrolled in EDUC 205 or 207.
Bachelor of Education candidates need at least three semesters to complete professional core courses for a license; major/endorsement areas may require further preparation.
Secondary practitioner candidates must fulfill endorsement requirements in a teaching major (listed below).
Degree requirements can also be found in the SAU Course Catalog.
Required:
EDUC 205 Introduction to the Teaching Profession OR 207 Orientation to Teaching
EDUC 282 (music majors are exempt) Educational Technology
+EDUC 284 Child and Adolescent Development
EDUC 300 The Pluralistic Classroom
EDUC 301 History and Philosophy of Education
EDUC 305 (art and music majors are exempt) Secondary Methods
EDUC 309 Educational Psychology: Tests and Measurements
EDUC 336 Content Reading
EDUC 340-346 (choose one from your major; art, math, and music majors are exempt unless seeking another endorsement)
SPED 310 Inclusion Strategies for Students with Special Needs
One course in U.S. History or Government
Choose one that corresponds to your major:
EDUC 419, 430, 432, or 433
Required:
EDUC 336 Content Reading
EDUC 368 Literature for the Young Adult
EDUC 372 Language Arts and Reading in the Elementary Schools: Grades 4-8
EDUC 452/552 Diagnostic and Prescriptive Techniques of Teaching Reading
EDUC 453 Reading Clinic: Advanced Teaching Practicum
EDUC 456 Teaching and Reading to Adolescents
+ENGL 199 Creative Forms
ENGL 313 Linguistics: Language and Learning
ENGL 316 Expository Writing Workshop
EDCOMM 325 Introduction to Speech Pathology
Choose one:
+COMM 203 Interpersonal Communication
+COMM 228 Argumentation and Advocacy
+COMM 329 Business and Professional Speaking
+ Applicable toward general education requirements
The Educator Preparation Program offers the following endorsements that can be added on to other approved teaching majors: Middle School Endorsement and English as a Second Language-ESL/ELL (K-12).
Questions regarding Illinois should be directed to the Illinois State Board of Education.
Middle School Endorsement
Required:
EDUC 455 and EDUC 461 and either EDUC 372 or 336
Students who plan to apply for the Iowa Middle School Endorsement need to complete 2 areas of concentration:
- Language Arts (EDUC 368, EDCOMM 325, ENGL 313, 316 & 345)
- Mathematics (Math 220 or MATH 290 and 9 credits of mathematics electives)
- Science (BIOL 101, 199, 200 or a 4 credit BIOL elective & NSCI 105, PHYS 203, CHEM 103 or CHEM 105 & ASTR 201 & EDGEOG 201)
- Social Studies (HIST 211, 212, 213, 215, 216 or 217 & PSCI 101, 104, 110 or 120 & HIST 201, 202 & EDGEOG 201)
English as a Second Language, ESL/ELL (K-12) Endorsement
Required:
- EDUC 302, 311, and 401
- EDENGL 230, 380, and 381
- ENGL 313
Can only be added to an approved Elementary major with another endorsement area or an approved Secondary major.
Student teaching is completed in your last semester before graduation, and the placement is all day, every day, for one semester.
Guidelines for Admission to Student Teaching
The applicant must meet the following requirements for admission to student teaching and graduation:
1. Admission to the Educator Preparation Program. Completion of a proposed sequence of courses leading to licensure.
2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.70 with 3.00 GPA in education and major/endorsement courses. All grades must be C or above in education and major/endorsement courses. D or F grades are unacceptable.
Note: If you do not meet any of the above requirements you may file an appeal. All appeals must be submitted in writing to the Educator Preparation Appeals Committee through the Assessment Coordinator of the Educator Preparation Program, one semester before the start of the student teaching semester.
Scholarships and Grants
St. Ambrose offers excellent scholarships and grants, work-study and other financial aid options! Full-time students may be eligible based upon your strong academic performance in college, your talent in fine arts or athletics or your demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The SAU school code for the FAFSA is 001889.
New for fall 2023: We want to recognize the time it took to stay on top of important steps in your college search. You'll be ahead of the crowd when you earn your $1,000* Bee Ready Bonus!
Eligible students need to complete the following three steps between June 1 and November 15, 2022:
- Visit SAU
- Apply and be admitted
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and send it to SAU
*$500 if living off campus. Bonus is one time for first-year students enrolling full time in fall 2023. Visit must be an official Admissions Office event or individual on campus visit. Questions? Contact your Admissions Counselor.
There is no need to apply for the scholarships or grants below; students automatically are eligible if they meet specific criteria. The Admissions Office calculates the award amount by using unweighted high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Please note, while St. Ambrose University has a test-optional admissions policy, standardized test scores are required for both admission to specific programs and/or eligibility for top academic scholarships. Scholarships and grants are renewable for four years of undergraduate study.
Your scholarship will automatically renew each year of your undergraduate studies - up to four years - as long as you maintain satisfactory progress toward an undergraduate degree, achieve certain GPA requirements (see below), and remain a full-time student.
Download helpful PDFs of this information here: First-Year Iowa Resident or First-Year Out of State Resident
IOWA RESIDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS
Iowa Resident On Campus Merit-Based Scholarships
Trustee Scholar
Criteria: unweighted 3.9 GPA and minimum 29 ACT or 1340 SAT score. Must maintain 3.25 cumulative GPA in successive years.
Award: $25,000/year and invited to compete for an Ambrose Scholar full-tuition award
Academic Scholarships
Criteria: based on unweighted GPA and ACT/SAT score (optional)
Award: $15,000-$21,000/year
University Grant
Criteria: based on unweighted GPA and ACT/SAT score (optional)
Award: $13,000/year
Iowa Resident On Campus Additional Institutional Aid
Ambrose Advantage (more information here)
Criteria: Iowa resident, Federal Pell Grant eligible, 2022 high school graduate, min. unweighted GPA 2.5, admitted to SAU, and FAFSA filed by Mar. 15. To remain eligible in subsequent years, students must maintain 2.5 GPA and qualify for the Federal Pell Grant.
Award: Full tuition
Athletic Scholarships
Criteria: performance and ability
Award: varies
Fine Arts Scholarships
Criteria: performance and ability in music, art and theatre
Award: varies
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarships
Criteria: parent is a St. Ambrose graduate
Award: $1,000/year
Minority Scholarship
Criteria: ethnically diverse student, FAFSA required
Award: $500-$1,000/year
Catholic Traditions Scholarship
Criteria: graduate from Catholic high school
Award: $2,000/year
Menke Parish Scholarship
Criteria: Diocese of Davenport parishioner, additional application required
Award: $1,000/year
IOWA RESIDENTS LIVING OFF CAMPUS
Iowa Resident Off Campus Merit-Based Scholarships
Academic Scholarships
Criteria: based on unweighted GPA and ACT/SAT score (optional)
Award: $13,000-$16,000/year
University Grants
Criteria: based on unweighted GPA and ACT/SAT score
Award: $11,000/year
Iowa Resident Off Campus Additional Institutional Scholarships
Criteria: Iowa resident, Federal Pell Grant eligible, 2022 high school graduate, min. unweighted GPA 2.5, admitted to SAU, and FAFSA filed by Mar. 15. To remain eligible in subsequent years, students must maintain 2.5 GPA and qualify for the Federal Pell Grant.
Award: Full tuition
Athletic Scholarships
Criteria: performance and ability
Award: varies
Fine Arts Scholarships
Criteria: performance and ability in music, art and theatre
Award: varies
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarships
Criteria: parent is a St. Ambrose graduate
Award: $500/year
Minority Scholarship
Criteria: ethnically diverse student, FAFSA required
Award: $500-$1,000/year
Catholic Traditions Scholarship
Criteria: graduate from Catholic high school
Award: $2,000/year
OUT OF STATE RESIDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS
Out of State On Campus Merit-Based Scholarships
Trustee Scholar
Criteria: unweighted 3.9 GPA and minimum 29 ACT or 1340 SAT score. Must maintain 3.25 cumulative GPA in successive years.
Award: $25,000/year and invited to compete for an Ambrose Scholar full-tuition award
Academic Scholarships
Criteria: based on unweighted GPA and ACT/SAT score (optional)
Award: $17,000-$23,000/year
University Grant
Criteria: based on unweighted GPA and ACT/SAT score (optional)
Award: $13,000/year
Out of State On Campus Additional Institutional Aid
Athletic Scholarships
Critieria: performance and ability
Award: varies
Fine Arts Scholarships
Critieria: performance and ability in music, art and theatre
Award: varies
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarships
Criteria: parent is a St. Ambrose graduate
Award: $1,000/year
Minority Scholarship
Criteria: ethnically diverse student, FAFSA required
Award: $500-$1,000/year
Catholic Traditions Scholarship
Criteria: graduate from Catholic high school
Award: $2,000/year
Menke Parish Scholarship
Criteria: Diocese of Davenport parishioner, additional application required
Award: $1,000/year
OUT OF STATE RESIDENTS LIVING OFF CAMPUS
Out of State Off Campus Merit-Based Scholarships
Academic Scholarships
Criteria: based on unweighted GPA and ACT/SAT score (optional)
Award: $14,000-$17,000/year
University Grants
Criteria: based on unweighted GPA and ACT/SAT score
Award: $11,000/year
Out of State Off Campus Additional Institutional Scholarships
Athletic Scholarships
Criteria: performance and ability
Award: varies
Fine Arts Scholarships
Criteria: performance and ability in music, art and theatre
Award: varies
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarships
Criteria: parent is a St. Ambrose graduate
Award: $500/year
Minority Scholarship
Criteria: ethnically diverse student, FAFSA required
Award: $500/year
Catholic Traditions Scholarship
Criteria: graduate from Catholic high school
Award: $2,000/year
Grants are money that you don't repay, and they can come from government or private sources. SAU receives all financial aid funds directly - including loans and grants - then applies them to your account: once in the fall term and once in the spring term. Grants can be used to cover your tuition, books, and housing costs. You must apply for grants each academic year. If you have any loan funds in excess of your costs, you may receive a refund. If you are a first-time borrower, there is a 30-day hold on your first disbursement. For all of these grants, you must complete the Free Application Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after October 1.
Iowa Tuition Grant
To be eligible for the Iowa Tuition Grant, you must be a resident of Iowa as defined by the State Board of Regents and currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate degree program at an eligible Iowa college or university (SAU is eligible). Iowa College Aid administers need-based college financial aid for Iowans, such as the Iowa Tuition Grant. FAFSA deadline is July 1.
Award: $6,800
Federal Pell Grant
Awarded to students of the highest need based on how much your family can contribute to your education. The U.S. Department of Education sets a Expected Family Contribution (EFC) threshold. Then, when you file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it computes where you land within that threshold and determines if you qualify for the grant and for how much.
Award: $6,345 maximum
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
To qualify, you must file a FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 15 and you must qualify for a Pell Grant. This grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to students who have submitted all required documents for review and in time for the review to be complete. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant or SEOG, the awards will appear on your financial aid award letter. Award: $400 maximum
Federal Work Study
Criteria: based on financial need. File FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1.
Award: $1,850
Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
Provides aid to students intending to teach in a high-need field at a school that serves low-income families (as determined by the U.S. Department of Education or a state education agency). Review criteria and all details here.
Award: up to $4,000
There are many opportunities to receive scholarships from outside sources, here are a few websites to begin researching your options:
- Fastweb
- College Board Scholarship Search
- Scholarships.com
- Peterson's Award Database
- Scholly (app download)
Another tip: Next time you're on campus, check out the bulletin board outside Bee Central where we post more flyers and applications for outside scholarships.
Dylan Mitchell '17
Dylan earned his degree with the assistance of a full-tuition St. Ambrose scholarship, promised to him in the months following a tragic family accident. His childhood dream was to become a teacher and a coach, and while the scholarship eased his financial burden, he didn't have an easy path to his degree. Dylan successfully balanced the challenges of work, school, and starting a family, to reach his goal.
Contact
Gene Bechen, PhD, Director
School of Education
Ambrose Hall 217
518 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-6380
BechenEugeneF@sau.edu