Bachelor of Education


Whether you've realized your life calling is working with youth or decided to pursue a second career or degree, our Bachelor of Education program lets you focus on just the courses you need. At SAU, you can reach your teaching goals faster.

Our graduates work at Head Start, Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency, Illinois Regional Office of Education and as teachers and principals in public and private schools in Iowa, Illinois, Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, and Wisconsin.


Ambrose Advantages

  • Student Teach in Diverse Communities
  • One-on-One Faculty Mentoring
  • Various Educational Settings In Unique, Bi-State Area

SAU banner

campus and clouds

students in library

You've already earned a bachelor's or master's degree, and we welcome your expertise into our classrooms. We want you to build on that foundation, not repeat it. At SAU, you will be exempt from general education requirements. We want you to learn to be a teacher and gain in-classroom experience.


More information on our Bachelor of Education Program

What will I learn?

The SAU Educator Preparation Program prepares students to receive an initial license to teach in Iowa agencies and schools. Our program is approved by the Iowa Department of Education.

Much of your coursework is determined based on the level you choose to teach: early childhood, elementary, or secondary education. Generally, all teacher education students take courses in child and adolescent development, teaching methods, education technology, inclusion, as well as complete observation hours, field study, and student teaching.

Teacher education students also pick a major for specialization and take the courses needed to earn a teaching endorsement.

What unique learning opportunities are available?

Our Educator Preparation Program is focused on creating exceptional educators, and we offer unmatched real-world experience – requiring twice the amount of student teach hours required by Iowa – and classroom resources in our dedicated Curriculum Library.

You enjoy a low student-teacher ratio and will be assigned a faculty mentor to guide you throughout your education.

We have a Reading Clinic at Adams Elementary School in Davenport where you help motivate and teach reading skills to students needing extra help. You will be responsible for lesson plans, testing, and evaluation, which at most universities would be reserved for master's students. At St. Ambrose, we believe these are vital skills to prepare you for guiding and cultivating success in your own classroom.

If your goal is to work with youth in the classroom and on the field, we can help you earn your Iowa Coaching Endorsement.

Education Department

Faculty and Staff

Dale Blesz, PhD, Director
Trish Zinger, Administrative Assistant
Melissa Judd, Curriculum Library Administrative Assistant
Jessica Davis, Assessment Administrative Assistant

Gene Bechen, PhD, Professor
Brenda Boleyn, PhD, Professor
Stephanie Erps, MEd, Assessment Coordinator, Lecturer
Mike Kiss, MA, Lecturer
Sherri Moler, MA, Instructor
Angela Rekers-Power, PhD, Associate Professor
Tracy Schuster-Matlock, PhD, Professor
Deanna Stoube, PhD, Professor
Edwin Ubeda, PhD, Assoc. Professor
Tanya Volkova, PhD, Professor

School of Education Admission Steps

The School of Education at St. Ambrose University includes areas of study necessary to prepare highly-qualified, professional classroom teachers and enables the student to receive an initial license to teach in Iowa agencies and schools.

The program is approved by the Iowa Department of Education. Through agreements with other states, graduates may apply for certification after receiving an Iowa license.

There is some planning involved before you apply, so follow the steps below.

Steps to Apply for Admission to the School of Education

Step One:

Complete these general education courses:

ENGL 101 Written Communications
PSYC 105 Introduction to Psychology
One course in American History or American Government
One Biology and Non-biological Science (only ECE/Elem. majors)
COMM 110 Basic Human Communication

Step Two:

Enroll in EDUC 205 or EDUC 207. Prerequisites: Complete (or transfer) 12 credit hours. GPA must be at least 2.7.

Step Three:

While enrolled in either EDUC 205 or EDUC 207, apply for admission to the School of Education while making sure you satisfy these GPA and ACT requirements below.

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

a.  Complete 40 field hours in EDUC 205 or provide verification through EDUC 207.
b.  Two professional rating forms (EDUC 205 or 207 instructor, and cooperating teacher's evaluation) which show applicant earned an average rating of at least Developing (3) in the three separate dispositional categories and recommended by both course instructor and cooperating teacher to continue on into the program.
c.  Receive a grade of "B" or above in EDUC 205 or 207.
d.  A completed application for admission to teacher education program form (including statement of fraud section and necessary signatures).
e. Complete EDUC 282 and EDUC 284 with at least a B average

GPA Requirements

Overall GPA for entrance to the School of Education and maintenance of status within the School shall be calculated by using only the credits transferred into St. Ambrose University plus the credits earned at SAU.

  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • Education GPA of 3.0
  • Content GPA (if applicable) of 3.0

Degree Requirements

A Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree is for individuals with a bachelor's or master's degree seeking teacher licensure.

For example: a student who already holds a degree in business now wants to teach high school business classes. The next step is to complete business and education courses required for a teaching license. Because the student already holds a business degree, in most cases few courses in the major would be required. Typically, a B.Ed. student is free to focus on education coursework.

Degree Requirements for the Bachelor of Education Program

  1. All credit earned to date, whether from St. Ambrose or another institution, must meet the minimum GPA requirement. Candidates who do not have the statistical possibility to meet our required GPAs can appeal this policy at any time. The appeal committee will take into account the "complete academic picture" of the candidate when considering such an appeal.
  2. B.Ed. students are exempt from general education requirements.
  3. To receive a Bachelor of Education a student needs to complete 30 of the last 45 semester credits through St. Ambrose University.
  4. Required coursework is identical to those for early childhood, elementary, or secondary licensure.

Scholarships and Grants

First-Year

St. Ambrose offers excellent scholarships and grants, work-study and other financial aid options! Full-time students may be eligible based on your strong academic performance in college, your talent in fine arts or athletics or your demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The SAU school code for the FAFSA is 001889.

First-Year Scholarships and Institutional Aid 2024-2025

ON CAMPUS
Merit-Based Scholarships

4.0 GPA: $24,000
3.75-3.99 GPA: $22,000
3.0-3.749 GPA: $20,000
2.5-2.99 GPA: $18,000
2.0-2.49 GPA: $14,000
If GPA is 2.0-2.49, additional documents and review required for admission.

OFF CAMPUS
Merit-Based Scholarships

4.o GPA: $17,000
3.75-3.99 GPA: $16,000
3.0-3.749 GPA: $15,000
2.5-2.99 GPA: $14,000
2.0-2.49 GPA: $13,000
If GPA is 2.0-2.49, additional documents and review required for admission.

ADDITIONAL INSTITUTIONAL AID

Ambrose Advantage Full-Tuition Scholarship
Pell-eligible Iowa residents, learn more here

Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarship: $500 per year
Parent is a St. Ambrose graduate

Catholic Traditions Scholarship: $1,000 per year
Students with Catholic religious denomination or plans to graduate from Catholic high school 

Minority Scholarship: $500 per year
Ethnically diverse student

Athletic Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability

Fine Arts Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability in music, art and theatre

Faith Learning Justice Campus Ministry Scholarships: $2,000 per year
Recognition of involvement in church and community service and interest in strengthening faith and growing as a leader in campus ministry

Scholarships are determined by unweighted GPA, and are renewable for four years of undergraduate student. Increases in scholarship awards due to change in GPA will be reviewed until March 1.

State and Federal Grants, Work Study

Grants are money that you don't repay, and they can come from government or private sources. SAU receives all financial aid funds directly - including loans and grants - then applies them to your account: once in the fall term and once in the spring term. Grants can be used to cover your tuition, books, and housing costs. You must apply for grants each academic year. If you have any loan funds in excess of your costs, you may receive a refund. If you are a first-time borrower, there is a 30-day hold on your first disbursement. For all of these grants, you must complete the Free Application Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it is available.


Iowa Tuition Grant
To be eligible for the Iowa Tuition Grant, you must be a resident of Iowa as defined by the State Board of Regents and currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate degree program at an eligible Iowa college or university (SAU is eligible). Iowa College Aid administers need-based college financial aid for Iowans, such as the Iowa Tuition Grant.
Award: $7,500 maximum

Federal Pell Grant
Awarded to students of the highest need based on how much your family can contribute to your education. The U.S. Department of Education sets a threshold. Then, when you file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it computes where you land within that threshold and determines if you qualify for the grant and for how much.
Award: $6,895 maximum

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
You must file a FAFSA to qualify for a Pell Grant. This grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to students who have submitted all required documents for review and in time for the review to be complete. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant or SEOG, the awards will appear on your financial aid award letter.
Award: $400 maximum

Federal Work Study
Must secure campus employment.
Award: $2,560

Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant 
Provides aid to students intending to teach in a high-need field at a school that serves low-income families (as determined by the U.S. Department of Education or a state education agency). Review criteria and all details here.
Award: up to $4,000

Outside Scholarships

There are many opportunities to receive scholarships from outside sources, here are a few websites to begin researching your options:

Another tip: Next time you're on campus, check out the bulletin board outside Student Financial Services where we post more flyers and applications for outside scholarships.


Apply Visit Info

Contact


Dale Blesz, PhD, Director

School of Education
Ambrose Hall 205
518 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-5839
BleszDaleP@sau.edu

So, what's next?

Are you ready to take the next step? Click on the visit button below to learn more about our virtual and in-person visit options.