Education Minor FAQs
What are the options if I want to receive an education minor?
There are three minor options in the Morgridge College of Education.
The Contemporary Issues in Education is a minor is for students, in any major, who would like to enhance their understanding of today's educational environments and complex contemporary issues in education. This course of study does not lead to licensure in public school teaching. This minor is also an excellent way for students to investigate different areas in which to pursue a graduate degree. These courses introduce students to a variety of programs in the Morgridge College of Education including Counseling Psychology, Curriculum & Instruction, Higher Education, and Library and Information Science.
The Urban Studies minor draws from a variety of disciplines including education. Students in the Urban Studies minor will learn about the origins and contemporary problems of urban society in the United States; the current challenges and future possibilities facing the large American city; the intended and unintended consequences of public policy pertaining to land-use, transportation, housing, education, growth management and economic development; the social life and culture of urban living; and cities as places of excitement and stimulation, and as places of danger and despair.
The third option will lead to teaching licensure in the State of Colorado. Students who will have completed all of their undergraduate course work by the end of their junior year can apply to the Teacher Education Program. This is a 40 credit-hour minor that is completed during senior year and includes all of the requirements for an elementary, secondary or K-12 teaching licensure. This minor does require you to apply and be accepted into the Teacher Education Program.
Who should I contact for advising?
Early advising for a minor in education is strongly encouraged.
- The advisor for the Contemporary Issues in Education minor is Janet Erickson, director of admissions and enrollment services, 303-871-2485 or jerickso@du.edu .
- The advisor for Urban Studies Minor is Dr. Nick Cutforth, professor of Curriculum and Instruction, 303-871-2477 or ncutfort@du.edu.
- The advisor for the Teacher Education Program is Megan Kennedy, enrollment services coordinator for Curriculum and Instruction, 303-871-2503 or ci@du.edu.
Do I need to apply for these minors?
The teaching minor or the Teacher Education Program is the only minor that includes an application process. Students apply during April of their junior year. Students can download all application materials at www.du.edu/education and will need to complete both the Application for Graduate Admissions and the Supplemental Application Materials. Please thoroughly read the Supplemental Application Materials to understand all the items that must be submitted for full consideration.
I am interested in the Teacher Education program, how should I select my major here at DU?
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has specific course requirements that you must fulfill for each licensure area. When choosing a major, we recommend meeting with an advisor in the Morgridge College of Education to ensure your program meets the coursework requirements necessary to obtain your Colorado teaching license.
Students who want to teach at the secondary level (grades 7-12) should major in the subject area you plan to teach. For example, possibilities for secondary licensure include: English, foreign language (Spanish, French, German, Russian), science (biology, chemistry, geology, physics), mathematics, and social sciences (history, political science, geography, economics).
If you want to teach elementary students (grades K-6), most DU majors fulfill the course requirements through completion of the DU core requirements. Liberal arts and sciences majors work best; coursework for a major in business does not typically fulfill all of the liberal arts course requirements.
Licensure for K-12 Art traditionally requires that students have a studio focus. Music Education can be completed with a performance major.
When should I first seek advising from the Morgridge College of Education?
In order to be on track, early advising is important. Plan on meeting with a Morgridge College of Education advisor during your first year at DU.