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Education

The education program at OLC gives students the skills to become qualified, motivated teachers and teach Lakota virtues.

The Education program at OLC aims to graduate highly qualified, professional, motivated, and reflective teachers who possess, teach, and practice Wolakolkiciyapi in a multicultural, changing world. The professional teacher education program views Wolakolkiciyapi as reflection and conduct of the Lakota Virtues as a means of improving yourself and others.

Graduates from our programs will be proficient as competent, reflective teachers of content, theory, and application with an emphasis on  Lakota virtues (character education) while emphasizing community empowerment through reflection of traditional Lakota perspectives.

Oglala Lakota College is proud to be the leading producer of Native American teachers in South Dakota. Our program is nationally recognized as a top Native American degree producer of associate and bachelor degrees in early childhood and elementary education. We consistently rank in the top 20 of all colleges and universities in the US who offer teaching degrees.

A.A. Early Childhood Education

An Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education gives you the skills and experience needed to pursue a variety of different paths. This degree prepares you to work as paraprofessionals with infants and young children from birth to 5 years of age in early childhood and preschool settings. This degree tracks into the B.A. in Early Childhood degree.

Program 1 Learning Outcomes (P1LO) – Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education

P1.LO1: Candidates demonstrate Lakota cultural values in all learning contexts.

P1.LO2: Candidates recognize the diverse influences impacting the development and learning of young children and effectively utilize strategies to enhance the learning potential of all children.

P1.LO3: Candidates recognize the importance co-curricular activities involving respectful family and community relationships to enhance the learning potential of young children.

P1.LO4: Candidates will engage in reflective activities to gain an understanding of developmentally appropriate practices in educating young children.

B.A. Early Childhood Education

This degree was developed based on the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) initial licensure standards for teacher preparation programs. This degree has two emphasis options: 1) Birth to Preschool, to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education as required by Head Start and 2) Birth to Grade 3, to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education and South Dakota Department of Education teacher licensure. Candidates pursuing this option must pass the required Praxis Series content and pedagogy area exams to be eligible for graduation and state licensure. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education degree must meet the entrance requirements of the Teacher Preparation Program

Program 2 Learning Outcomes (P2LO) – Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education

P2.LO1: Candidates demonstrate Lakota cultural values in all learning contexts.

P2.LO2: Candidates recognize the diverse influences impacting the development and learning of young children and effectively utilize strategies to enhance the learning potential of all children.

P2.LO3: Candidates demonstrate proficiency integrating solid content knowledge and sound pedagogical understandings to design and implement academic and co-curricular experiences that include families and communities to promote positive development and learning for young children.

P2.LO4.1: Candidates demonstrate understanding of the goals, benefits, and uses of effective assessment strategies to positively impact the learning and development of young children.

P2.LO4.2: Candidates engage in continuous, reflective learning, following ethical guidelines to make informed decisions to advocate for young children and their families.

A.A. Elementary Education

This degree prepares individuals to work as paraprofessionals in K-12 educational settings. This degree tracks into the B.S. in K-8 Elementary Education.

Program 3 Learning Outcomes (P3LO) – Associate of Arts Degree in Elementary Education

P3.LO1: Candidates demonstrate Lakota cultural values in all learning contexts.

P3.LO2: Candidates utilize developmental concepts and theories to construct learning opportunities that support the individualities of children and young adolescents.

P3.LO3: Candidates demonstrate proficiency in content area concepts when planning academic and co-curricular learning activities, projects, and explorations for students, families and communities that augment learning experiences.

P3.LO4: Candidates engage in reflective practices to develop an understanding of best practices for teaching and learning.

B.S. K-8 Elementary Education

Successful completion of this degree prepares the student to teach grades K-8 with Middle Level endorsements in the state of South Dakota. This program is aligned to the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP) Elementary Teacher Preparation Standards for initial teacher licensure. Candidates need to meet entrance requirements and pass the required Praxis Series exam to be admitted to the Teacher Preparation Program. Candidates also need a passing score on the required Praxis Series pedagogy examination prior to student teaching and to meet graduation and licensure requirements.

Program 4 Learning Outcomes (P4LO) – Bachelor of Science Degree in K-8 Elementary Education

P4.LO1: Candidates demonstrate Lakota cultural values in all learning contexts.

P4.LO2: Candidates utilize developmental concepts and theories to construct learning opportunities that support the individualities of children and young adolescents.

P4.LO3.1: Candidates demonstrate proficiency in content area concepts when planning academic and co-curricular learning activities, projects, and explorations for students, families and communities that augment learning experiences.

P4.LO3.2: Candidates develop and implement instructional units that demonstrate sound pedagogical practices to foster active engagement in learning, critical thinking, and problem solving for K-8 students.

P4.LO4.1: Candidates utilize formal and informal assessment strategies to monitor and plan for instruction that will promote continuous growth and learning for K-8 students.

P4.LO4.2: Candidates engage in continual reflective practices connecting educational research and the impact of their professional decisions on students and families.

B.S. 7-12 Secondary Physical Science

This degree, offered in conjunction with the Mathematics and Science Department, leads to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education. Students are offered a strong background in Mathematics, Physics, Earth Science, and Chemistry. This program is aligned with the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Science Standards for Teacher Preparation. Candidates need to meet entrance requirements and pass the SD DOE required content knowledge credit hours or Praxis Series content exams relevant to this degree to be admitted to the Teacher Preparation Program. Candidates also need to pass the required Praxis Series pedagogy exam prior to student teaching and to meet graduation and licensure requirements.

Program 6 Learning Outcomes (P6LO) – Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Science Secondary Education

P6.LO1: Candidates demonstrate Lakota cultural values in all learning contexts.

P6.LO2: Candidates develop learning activities and explorations that convey the important concepts, ideas and principles of contemporary science to secondary students.

P6.LO3: Candidates engage a variety of strategies and methodologies when developing instructional units that engage students in scientific and technological processes while maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment.

P6.LO4.1: Candidates develop effective assessment strategies and utilize the results to guide and modify instruction.

P6.LO4.2: Candidates demonstrate ethical practices as they involve students in scientific studies related to locally important issues and effectively collaborate with community agencies in co- curricular scientific explorations.

B.S. K-12 Lakota Studies Education

This degree, in cooperation with the Lakota Studies Department, gives graduates the South Dakota Indian Studies credential which allows them to teach Lakota Studies and related subjects in K-12 Education. This program is aligned with the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) standards adopted by the South Dakota Board of Education as the South Dakota Teacher Competencies. Candidates need to meet entrance requirements and pass the required Praxis Series exam to be admitted to the Teacher Preparation Program. Candidates also need to pass the required Praxis Series pedagogy exam prior to student teaching and to meet graduation and licensure requirements.

Program 5 Learning Outcomes (P5LO) – Bachelor of Science Degree in K-12 Lakota Studies Education

P5.LO1: Candidates demonstrate Lakota cultural values in all learning contexts, and demonstrate proficiency in the acquisition, understanding, and use of the Lakota language.

P5.LO2: Candidates utilize developmental concepts and theories to construct learning opportunities that support the individualities of K-12 students.

P5.LO3: Candidates exercise their understanding of Lakota history, culture, and psychology combined with sound pedagogical practices when developing and implementing instructional units in order to engage and motivate K-12 Lakota students, and their families and communities, in academic and co-curricular activities.

P5.LO4.1: Candidates utilize culturally relevant authentic assessments to evaluate student learning and achievement.

P5.LO4.2: Candidates engage in continual reflective practice to connect culture, language, and content in meaningful ways to develop cultural competence.

B.S. K-12 Special Education Preparation

This preparation program leads to an endorsement in K-12 Special Education that may be added to a professional or advanced South Dakota educator certificate. Coursework is offered for both undergraduate teacher candidates and certified teachers. The program is aligned to the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) performance- based standards for initial special education teacher licensure. Candidates complete required coursework, complete a special education practicum and, if working towards alternative certification, must pass the Praxis Series special education exam required for licensure.

Program 7 Learning Outcomes (P7LO) – Exceptional Education Preparation Program K-12

P7.LO1: Candidates demonstrate Lakota cultural values in all learning contexts.

P7.LO2.1: Candidates demonstrate understanding of special education principles, theories, laws and policies conjoin with diverse human issues to impact the delivery of special education services.

P7.LO2.2: Candidates distinguish the similarities and difference in human development and the characteristics of K-12 students with special learning needs in order to provide individualized instruction that is meaningful for the student.

P7.LO3: Candidates utilize evidence-based instructional strategies to modify learning environments and curricula to enhance learning experiences, promote positive self-esteem, build life skills, and engage students in critical thinking and problem-solving activities.

P7.LO4.1: Candidates develop long-range individualized education plans that are translated into shorter-range goals and objectives based on an individual’s abilities and needs, and modified based on assessment of the individual’s learning progress.

P7.LO4.2: Candidates demonstrate ethical practices and effectively collaborate in co-curricular activities with families, other educators, related service providers, and community agencies to advocate for the learning and well-being of individuals with special educational needs.

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education

 Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring
SpCm 103 Humanities ED 213 ECH 223 Lit 203 ED 463 EDECH 413 EDECH 433 ECH 496 or
EDLK 489

Engl 103 Engl 113 ECH 203 ECH 233 ECH 323 ECH 413 EDECH 402 EDECH 453

MIS 113 Psy 103 ED 303E ECH 253 ECH 363 ECH 423 EDECH 423 ECH/ED/EDECh Elective

Math 103/134 Bio 103/113 ECH 213 ExEd 313 ECH 383 ECH 403 EDECH 462 ED 483 (opt)

LSoc 103 Lak 103 Lak 233 or Lak Elective ECH 243 Lak 233 or Lak Elective ED 443 (PD Option) Lakota Elective EDLK 476



Application to
BA Program
Complete
AA Degree



Application to
Student Tchg
of Practicum
Complete BA
Degree

Download BA in Early Childhood Education Plan of Study

Bachelor of Science Degree in K-8 Elementary Education with Middle Level

 Bachelor of Science Degree in K-8 Elementary Education with Middle Level
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring
SpCm 103 Humanities ED 213 English
Elective
Lit 203 ED 463 (opt) EDECH 413 EDECH 433 EDLK 489
Engl 103 Engl 113 Sci 204 Sci 214 ED 303 ED 313 EDECH 402 EDECH 453

MIS 113 Psy 103 Math 234 Math 244 ED 303E ED 323 EDECH 423 ED 443

Math 103/134 Bio 103/113 Pols 203 Geo 213 HISA 363 ECH 443 EDECH 462 ED 483 (opt)

LSoc 103 or
Lak Elective
Lak 103 Lak 233 ExEd 313
ED 283
Lsoc 103 or
Lak Elective
Lakota
Elective
EDLK 473




Application to
AA Program
Complete
AA Degree


Application to
Student Tchg
of Practicum
Complete BA
Degree

Download BS in K-8 Elementary Education with Middle Level Plan of Study

Bachelor of Science Degree in K-12 Lakota Studies Education

 Bachelor of Science Degree in K-12 Lakota Studies Education
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring
SpCm 103 Engl 113 Bio 103/113 Lak 313 LSoc 313 ExEd 313 ED 303E ED 313 EDLK 489
Engl 103 Math 103/134 Lit 203 LLit 103 LLit 213 Lak 283 Ed 283 EDECH 453 ScEd 443
MIS 113 Psy 103 Pols 203 Geo 213 HISA 363 LPol 223 LKED 433 ED 483 (opt)

Lak 103 Lak 233 Lak 323 Lak 423 ED 213 LPsy 323 ED 463 (opt) ED 443







Application to
Program
Application to
Student
Teaching


Download BS in K-12 Lakota Studies Education Plan of Study

Bachelor of Science Degree in 7-12 Physical Science Education

 Bachelor of Science Degree in 7-12 Physical Science Education
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring
SpCm 103 Engl 113 BIO 103 or Higher BIO 153 and 151 BIO 223 NSci 443 Humanities
Elective
ED 313 ScEd 403 EDLK 489
Engl 103 LSoc 103 Lit 203 Phys 113 Phys 214 Phys 223 and
221
ED 303E ED 323 ScEd 413 EDLK 473
MIS 113 Psy 103 Chem 233 and
231
Chem 243 and
241
Chem 253 and
251
Chem 263 and
261
ED 283 ED 483 (opt) ScEd 443
Lak 103 Lak 223 Geol 143 Geo 153 Chem 323 Phys 253 Phys 434 Lakota
Elective
Lakota
Elective

Math 103 Math 134 Math 154 Math 163 Math 194 ExEd 313 ED 463 (opt)








Application to
Program

Application to
Student
Teaching

Download BS in 7-12 Physical Science Education Plan of Study

South Dakota Department of Education Accreditation



Assessment



Annual Reports



Title II Reports

The Title II Reports provide public information concerning the quality of teacher preparation programs, including program completers and Praxis licensure exam pass rates.


Institutional Effectiveness Plans



Institutional Effectiveness Reports


Assessment Plans


Co-Curricular Activities


Course Level Assessment

Program Learning Outcomes


Academic Program Review


Resources

Apply Now Course Listings Course Descriptions Meet The Faculty Documents Department Handbook South Dakota Dept. of Education