Driver Education Teacher Preparation (TSE)

Driver Education Teacher Preparation (TSE)

The Center for Continuing Studies offers Traffic Safety Education courses to enable individuals to meet Driver Education Licensure requirements. Instruction is based upon requirements of the Minnesota board of teaching, rule, Rule 8710.4350 TEACHERS OF DRIVER AND TRAFFIC SAFETY. Applicants seeking driver Education Licensure must earn 13 credits to meet the most recent board of teaching requirements.

Traffic Safety Education courses are designed to sharpen skills and meet licensure requirements for those in driver education. These courses will help educators keep current affecting driver education programs.

Designed for busy teachers, professionals and students who might not be able to take on-campus classes, the program consists of five courses (four of the courses are online and one is an approved practicum). Course content of this 13 credit program is based on licensure requirements in the state of Minnesota . 

St. Cloud State University is a fully accredited four year institution. The Driver Education Teacher Preparation program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and meets the Minnesota Board of Teaching requirements. Students in other states must check with their own state for specific licensure requirements. 

Who Should Enroll?

•  K-12 school teachers who would like to obtain driver education licensure

•  Undergraduate education majors who are interested in driver education licensure

•  Commercial driving school employees

•  Current licensed driver education instructors who want to update their knowledge and skills

Benefits of Driver Education Licensure

•  Supplement your income. Employment opportunities are increasing as many current driver education instructors are nearing retirement.

•  Teach some of the most important life skills your students will ever learn.

•  Improve your own driving skills.

•  Make a difference in your community by teaching skills that can save lives and make our roadways safer.

Course Requirements

TSE Schedule

• Fall 2009 (doc)
• Spring 2010 (doc)

Minnesota students seeking licensure are required to complete all online courses and attend six interactive television (ITV) sessions.

Out of state students must check with their own state for specific course and licensure requirements. State contact information can be found at: http://adtsea.iup.edu. Out of state students wishing to take this program entirely online can find more information by checking the schedules above.

In addition to the online coursework, students will need to make arrangements to complete approved practicum activities in their own community.

Course Materials

Course materials include a total of 4 texts and two DVD's for all 13 credits. All materials may be ordered on-line. TSE text and DVD's can be ordered at www.husky.bkstr.com for each course.

Please plan to order your books and materials at least one month prior to the beginning of the class.

Course Sequence and Descriptions

Courses must be taken in the sequence listed below. 

Courses can be taken for undergraduate credit (400 level) or for graduate credit (500 level).

TSE 440/540 Driving Task Analysis (3 Credits)

Description: Risk perception and risk management, the decision making process and the influencing factors of attitude, motivation, emotions and chance as related to crash causation. Defensive driving principles and crash avoidance tactics explored.

TSE 450/550 Methods of Classroom Instruction (3 Credits)

Description: Basic analysis of the driving task. Teaching techniques, applications and methodology for classroom high school driver education. Defensive driving principles and theory. This course requires 30 hours of observation time with a local licensed driver education teacher/mentor.

TSE 470/570 Methods of In-Car Instruction (3 Credits)

Description: Application of educational techniques in the laboratory phase of driver education. Laboratory teaching experience included. Must be taken concurrently with laboratory practicum 480/580.

TSE 480/580 In-Car Instruction Practicum (1 Credit)

Description: Driver education principles of in-car teaching techniques. This course requires 12 hours of mentorship with a local licensed driver education teacher/mentor. Behind the wheel laboratory teaching experience.

TSE 490/590 Issues In Driver Education (3 Credits)

Description: History and origins of high school driver education, recent trends and issues affecting high school driver education programs. Emphasis is placed on the role-played by public and private agencies and organizations in setting expectations and standards for driver education. The course examines the major tasks required of the driver education coordinator. Internet chat activity and self paced readings and writings required.

Prereq. 440/540, 450/550, 470/570, 480/580 or DE licensed.

Course Descriptions

• Undergraduate Bulletin
• Graduate Bulletin

Registration Procedure:

Registration on-line at: http://www.stcloudstate.edu/continuingstudies.

Contact Cheri Salzer for further assistance. Phone:320-308-3044 or E-mail: crsalzer@stcloudstate.edu

Meet Your Presenter:

BRADLEY J. ISBERNER
Professor Bradley J. Isberner teaches Traffic Safety Education at St. Cloud State University . He has extensive experience in driver education classroom instruction and combines current theories of instruction with practical application. Brad is a member of the Minnesota Drivers and Traffic Safety Education Association (MDTSEA) and the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA). Professor Isberner's research has concentrated on issues relating to the prevention of impaired driving among youthful drivers. Brad has numerous publications in the Minnesota Driver Education Milepost Newsletter, a publication specifically focusing on Traffic Safety Education.

He can be reached via e-mail at BJIsberner@stcloudstate.edu