Education
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The Education Department is well known for preparing teachers who demonstrate academic achievement, empathy, and excellent communication skills. More than 20% of Augustana’s students are education majors and they develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions to work throughout the country.
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(Back: Ashworth, Mahan, Durr, Hallenbeck, Gunderson, Steen, Dyce; Front: Feinstein, Simko, Fiala, Andrews, Johnson, Hanavan, Soukup)
Our program is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Council on Education of the Deaf (CED). All programs leading to certification are approved by the South Dakota Department of Education (SD DOE). Programs offered by the Education Department integrate the best of Western educational thought with the wisdom of the indigenous Native American culture of the region and emerging research on positive youth development. We call this philosophy “The Circle of Courage,” (click here for more information on the Circle of Courage philosophy) and it incorporates:
Belonging— Students’ sense of belonging is fostered through small, interactive classes and numerous opportunities to participate in collaborative contexts.
Mastery—Students need to develop social, intellectual, and academic competence if they are to become capable and responsible citizens.
Independence—Our curriculum builds, and the faculty model, problem solving, leadership, respect for diversity, collaboration, assertiveness, and responsibility.
Generosity—A positive learning environment must be characterized by a climate of caring; we all support and cooperate to make our social and academic experiences meaningful.
At Augustana, in close collaboration with our collegial and committed faculty, these values are reflected in each of our seven majors:
- Elementary Education (ELED)
- Secondary Education (SEED)
- All-Grades Education (EK12)
- Special Education (SPED)
- Communicative Disorders (CMDS)
- Sign Language Interpreting Program (INTR)
- Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (the only deaf education program in the region) (EDHH)