Education Programs Offered at Bemidji State University
Bemidji State University appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Best MATs in Elementary Education Online.
Bemidji State University offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in education as well as online and hybrid programs and options for teachers who want to add endorsements to their current licenses. Undergrads can choose Bachelor of Science (BS) programs in Elementary Education or Secondary Education. While the elementary education program is suitable for those who want to teach through the sixth grade, the secondary education program prepares them for teaching K-12 and 5-12 grades.
Undergrad education majors have the option of adding endorsements. The elementary education program includes endorsement tracks in middle school math, social studies, science or communications, and pre-primary school. Students must take five classes before declaring an education major, including Introduction to the Foundations of Education and Health and Drugs in Society. In their seventh semesters, students will take The Professional Teacher, which prepares them for their fieldwork. The final semester of each program includes a student teaching experience that is worth 12 credits. Students need to take over the duties of a classroom in a local school, including creating lesson plans and assigning and grading work.
Three full degree programs are available for graduate students, including a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and a Master of Special Education. The special education program is available in teaching students with autism spectrum disorders and related conditions too. In the MAT program, students choose seven electives after taking four required classes, including Educational Research I and II, Advanced Educational Psychology and Curriculum and Instruction. Special education majors take Study of the Learner with Special Needs and other classes. The university offers an online teaching certificate and reading and health endorsements for graduate students too.
The university’s two hybrid programs include an elementary education major for undergrads and a secondary licensure option for graduate students. Undergrads can enroll in an elementary education program that features cohorts that require students to visit the campus three times. They’ll do all their other work online over six semesters. The university’s graduate program accepts students who do not have a teaching license. They meet in the Twin Cities three times a year and can take online classes. The program asks students to choose a focus area such as 9-12 physics, K-12 physical education or 5-12 communication arts and literature.
Also available are 10 endorsement tracks designed for students who currently teach but want to teach in an additional area. Students with an elementary school license can get a pre-primary endorsement to teach in preschools. Four of the endorsements are suitable for those who teach in middle schools and junior highs, including social studies and science. Other endorsements take the form of certificates and help students show that they can work as leaders, teach certain languages or work with students from different cultures. The university also offers a coaching certificate that is suitable for physical education and gym teachers.
About Bemidji State University
Bemidji State University is a public university named after the Minnesota city of Bemidji. Its campus offers views of Lake Bemidji, which is a popular attraction for students on the weekends. The university was established in 1919 and served as the Bemidji State Normal School before becoming the Bemidji State Teachers College and then Bemidji State College. It adopted the Bemidji State University in 1998 and now uses the names Bemidji State and BSU. While U.S. News and World Report ranks BSU as one of the top 100 colleges in the United States, Washington Monthly ranks it as one of the best graduate schools in the country.
Bemidji State University Accreditation Details
The most important accreditation that BSU has is from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). It covers all the undergrad courses that students take and the experiences they do in the field. This accreditation also applies to the university’s graduate programs in education. BSU has regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the division that oversees schools in the north-central region of the country. Any student attending the university that needs help paying for their classes and other expenses can use this accreditation when they fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Bemidji State University Application Requirements
BSU has just a few steps that undergrads need to complete when they apply. They will use the online application to give the university more about them. It asks students to set up a Star ID, which they’ll use to both access the site and view the BSU final decision on the application. Students can use e-services to pay the $20 application fee or contact the university by phone to make a payment with a credit card. They should then submit their transcripts through the mail. BSU notifies students via email when it makes an admissions decision and if students need to provide any additional information. Students have the option of submitting an SAT or ACT score too.
Graduate students must meet the same requirements for most of the university’s programs. They need both a grade point average of at least 3.0 and a bachelor’s degree in teaching. Once they apply online and pay the $20 application fee, BSU asks that they submit their official transcripts and two letters of recommendation. Students need to submit letters written by their former/current employers or teachers. BSU also asks for a letter of intent that includes 50-word responses to three different questions. Most programs require a copy of the student’s teaching license too.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Bemidji State undergrads pay $3,929 in tuition and another $541 in fees each semester. Those who choose to live on-campus also pay $4,330 every semester for their room and board. Graduate students pay $420 per credit hour and some additional fees. BSU also charges an extra $30 per credit hour when students sign up for online classes.
Many students receive employment from the university as part of their financial aid packages. Graduate students qualify for assistantships and receive both stipends and tuition waivers. The work-study available for undergrads include positions in different departments on-campus. Other financial aid is available, including loans, scholarships, and grants. Bemidji State University encourages students to complete the FAFSA by the first of the year to qualify for financial aid in any of its education programs.
