Top-Tier Christian Teaching Education at BVU
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The School of Education & Exercise Science led by Dr. Ann Monroe-Baillargeon grants the 67-credit Elementary Education BA Major at Buena Vista University, Washington Monthly’s 59th best baccalaureate institution, for Iowa K-6 certification with 100 percent job placement. Chaired by Dr. Robbie Ludy, the Special Education BA Major plots a 73-credit, HLC-accredited track toward K-12 disability endorsements with practice at Newell-Fonda High, Sioux Central, East Early Childhood Center, and more. At Smith Hall, the Educational Studies BA Major advised by Dr. Calle Friesen has a 33-credit, non-licensure core with options to join Espirt de Corps, semester in Sweden, and minor in English. Other degrees include the Physical Education BA, Secondary Education BA, and Health Education BS.
Online via BeaverNet, the Teacher Leadership, Curriculum, & Instruction MEd plots a 31-credit, two-year plan under Dr. Lucas DeWitt for working educators paying just $9,000 to complete three specializations: Effective Teaching, Talented and Gifted Education, or Teaching English as a Second Language. Headed by Dr. Daniel Strohmyer, the Special Education MEd requires 36-39 credits online like Behavior Interventions for the Mild to Moderate Disabilities or Significant Support Needs K-12 tracks. Each July, the Professional School Counseling MEd starts its 48-credit, ASCA-aligned hybrid sequence outlined by Dr. Lynn O’Brien with virtual Zoom meetups, seven-day summer Storm Lake sessions, and 600 practicum hours.
About Buena Vista University
Buena Vista University was opened in 1891 by the Presbyterian Church (USA) dedicated to John Calvin’s teachings as a small faith-informed college for men and women. In 1892, Old Main became the first building on its 60-acre Storm Lake campus near Sunset Park. On April 4, 1952, Buena Vista College earned its initial accreditation. In May 1980, Dr. Harold Walter Siebens made an $18 million donation that greatly boosted improvements. By 1995, the School of Education & Exercise Science had formed its Master of Education. That Fall, the Buena Vista University name was approved by the Board of Trustees. In 2000, BVU famously launched the nation’s first wireless laptop initiative. In 2014, Buena Vista also partnered with Southeastern Community College for evening 5-12 teacher certification programs in West Burlington.
Endowed for $135.2 million, Buena Vista University now employs 205 faculty inspiring 1,847 Beavers from 20 countries online and face-to-face in Storm Lake with 65+ clubs like Teachers Inc. plus 56,000 yearly service hours. In 2018, Buena Vista had 27 students honored at the Iowa Governor’s Volunteer Awards. That same year, the ACLU of Iowa Robert Mannheimer Advocacy Award recipient was a Buena Vista student. BVU earned a First Place Award at the College Media Association National Convention for Animation too. The U.S. News & World Report named BVU among the top 299 online graduate education schools. On Niche, Buena Vista University boasts America’s 290th best teaching degrees. The National Council on Teacher Quality placed BVU among the top 54th percentile. College Factual also noticed Buena Vista for the 202nd most popular education programs and 378th top teaching value.
Buena Vista University Accreditation Details
On March 29, 2021, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council has scheduled a comprehensive evaluation visit to Buena Vista University for reaffirming the Level III accreditation through 2031-32 under its Provost, Dr. Brian Lenzmeier, who earned the George Wythe Award for Excellence in Teaching. Located 426 miles east via Highway 20 in Chicago, Illinois, this mega 19-state Midwest Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Education Department to review BVU’s 64 bachelor’s and nine master’s degrees. Particularly, teaching degrees are approved by the Iowa Department of Education for PreK-12 certifications. Buena Vista isn’t currently accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) or National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) though.
Buena Vista University Application Requirements
Enrolling at Buena Vista University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because just 1,174 of the 2,055 Fall 2017 applicants were victorious for competitive 57 percent acceptance. First-year Beavers seeking School of Education & Exercise Science degrees must complete a suitable high school curriculum. Four years of English, three years of Math, and three years of History are customary. Freshmen present an average 3.33 GPA. The middle 50 percent score between 19 and 24 on the ACT. Mid-range SAT scores are 550 to 620 on SAT Reading and 520 to 590 on SAT Math. Degree completion programs like the Educational Studies BA are reserved for juniors. Students must hold 60+ credits from regionally accredited colleges at 2.0 GPAs or better. The Graduate School stipulates four-year bachelor’s completion with GPAs above 2.75. The Master of Education has prerequisites needing minimum “B” grades plus a K-12 initial certification requirement. Professional School Counseling MSEd cohorts need to pass the BVU Analytic Writing Assessment too.
Buena Vista University has a continuous 12-month admission process that usually never ends. However, the financial aid priority deadline is June 1st. International students must file by May 1st for Fall or October 1st for Spring entrance. Professional School Counseling MSEd entrants should also apply before March 15th for July starts. Accordingly, complete the BVU Undergrad, Graduate, or Degree Completion Application online for $0. Arrange for official transcript mailings to 610 W Fourth Street in Storm Lake, IA 50588. For testing results, select SAT code 6047 or ACT code 1278. Supplemental items include the 500-word autobiographical statement, one principal recommendation, two faculty/supervisor references, current K-12 teaching licenses, classroom experience résumé, and financial support affidavit. Inquire further by contacting (712) 749-1000 or grad@bvu.edu.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Buena Vista University billed full-time Teacher Education Department undergrads $34,004 each year. Degree completion programs had average part-time tuition of $13,080 annually. Residing at the Iowa campus’ six dorms like Constitution Hall added $4,774 for yearly rent. Marquis meal plans for the Food Court were $4,764 extra. BVU budgeted $1,000 for textbooks and $2,267 for miscellaneous. Annual baccalaureate study cost about $47,614 on-site and $39,154 at home. Master of Education cohorts were charged $250 per credit for $9,000 to $9,750 in total. Professional School Counseling MSEd tuition rises to $533 per credit or $25,584 overall. Graduate budgets left $594 for books, $10,032 for off-campus living, and $120 for loan fees each year.
The National Center for Education Statistics reported that the Financial Assistance Office at Dixon-Eilers Hall Suite 103 disburses $22.46 million combined for 85 percent of BVU Beavers to collect average $13,808 aid. The Education for Service Scholars Program covers full tuition at $34,004 for 10 first-generation Buena Vista County students with minimum 3.0 GPAs. The Honors Program provides $2,500 stipends yearly to undergrads meeting the 28 ACT and 3.75 GPA requirement. Interviews are required by February 28th for the $4,000 Multicultural Scholarship and Trustee Scholarship. Full-time degree completion students receive a $1,600 Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship for transferring. Filing FAFSA forms coded 001847 determine Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College & Higher Education Grant eligibility. The $4,000 Teach Iowa Scholars Program helps bachelor’s or master’s students ranking in the top 25th percentile academically. Professional Educators of Iowa also presents the College Book Scholarship, Teacher of Tomorrow Scholarship, and Ed Christian Memorial Scholarship.
Keep reading about Buena Vista University at the School of Education & Exercise Science website.
