Successful completion of the bachelors of applied science (B.A.Sc.) degree from the Integrated Elementary and Special Education (IESE) program prepares students to teach in the areas of K-6 elementary education and K-12 special education in the areas of learning disabilities, emotional behavior disorders, autism spectrum, developmental cognitive delay, and other health impairments within the mild to moderate range. This multi-categorical special education license is called Academic and Behavioral Strategist (ABS). The major meets Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board licensure requirements for teaching Elementary Education (K -Grade 6) and Special Education: Academic Behavioral Strategist (K-Grade 12) in Minnesota. The major also provides a good foundation for programs leading to licensure as an elementary principal or school counselor, employment in public and private schools, as well as correctional settings, human service agencies, hospital-based settings, and private practice. An effective teacher should possess a broad background in liberal and professional education. This professional program focuses on the structure of the various disciplines: the child as learner, the learning environment, diverse learners, teaching strategies in practicum settings, and student teaching experience in both elementary and special education settings. All students complete a common core of courses in elementary and special education with emphasis in theory and teaching strategies in literacy and language arts, math, social studies, science, classroom and behavior management, assessment, and academic intervention. Elementary and special education licensure requirements are established by the state of Minnesota and guided by national standards. Those requirements are changed periodically. For this reason, all IESE majors should maintain contact with their advisor as they advance through the program. Students should utilize a What-if APAS Report as the official tool to see all requirements for degree completion. Due to the complexity of the admission to the block process, students are strongly encouraged to meet with their assigned academic advisor on a regular basis to establish a plan for program completion.

Students entering the Integrated Elementary & Special Education license program are bound by the policies in effect at the time of application; admission is based on criteria established by the UMD Department of Education, consistent with MN policies as established by the MN Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). Students must complete the following to be eligible for admission to Block coursework: a minimum 2.7 major and cumulative GPA, lower division and upper division coursework with a grade of C- or better, liberal education requirements, advanced writing and all requirements online at: https://z.umn.edu/ieseapplication. Application are due the 6th Friday of the semester prior to starting Block I. Application for admission can be completed fall or spring semester prior to starting the blocks.

1. Compliance with general regulations governing granting of degrees. 2. Students are expected to make satisfactory progress each semester, including grades of C- or better in all courses required in the major and successfully achieve all standards aligned with assignments in each course. 3. Maintain a minimum 2.7 cumulative and major GPA. 4. Demonstrate acceptable professional performance, including dispositions and teaching skills, in field placement; candidate proficiency is assessed throughout the teacher preparation courses by University faculty, University supervisors, and the cooperating teachers in all field experiences. The field experience assessment forms include knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are aligned to institutional and standards for all field experiences. 5. Abide by the MN PELSB and UMD Dept. of Education Code of Ethics. 6. Obtain an approved background check before being placed practicum, volunteering, or student teaching in schools and agencies. Students are required to obtain an approved background check every two years prior to placement in practicum, volunteering, or student teaching in schools and agencies. Proof of complete background check is required prior to any experience in public school and agency settings. Students are required to keep a printed copy of the background check to provide to the school or agency, if necessary. 7. Obtain personal liability insurance before being placed practicum, volunteering, or student teaching in schools and agencies. Students are required to have professional liability insurance purchased through the Education Minnesota Student Membership annually while they are completing field placement. Students can purchase the liability insurance online at: https://z.umn.edu/edmnstudentmembership. A paper copy of the liability insurance MUST be provided to the UMD Department of Education when signing the placement contract each term. 8. Seek out advising each term with assigned advisor throughout college career to ensure you are on track for program completion. 9. Adhere to university policies regarding attendance. 10. In addition to the above expectations, students must abide by all university policies (http://d.umn.edu/academic-affairs/academic-policies). 11. Students are required to complete a program clearance process as part of the student teaching application to review their degree status with their advisor and the Accreditation office. Student teaching applications are due the 4th Friday of the semester. Learn more online at: https://z.umn.edu/studentteach. Students must have grades of C- or better in all required courses, and meet the required GPA in the major to be eligible for student teaching. 12. Recommendation for licensure are based on successful completion of all program-related courses; demonstration of satisfactory outcomes required by the program; acceptable performance in field experiences, including student teaching (including final student teaching assessments); submission of the edTPA, completion of UMD Dept. of Education graduate exit survey, and successful completion of all tests required by PELSB.