Center for Continuing Studies - Innovative Leadership for Lifelong Learning

Teacher Qualifications and Application Process

If you're an experienced and energetic teacher dedicated to challenging yourself and your students, participating in the Senior to Sophomore (S2S) program can be one of the most rewarding learning experiences in your career.

Characteristics of S2S Teachers

Typically, S2S teachers are lifelong learners committed to staying current with pedagogy and content through reading, research, and ongoing professional development. They also highly value participation in a vibrant community of learners.  Each high school instructor is paired with a SCSU faculty member who serves as the faculty of record and colleague/partner to the S2S instructor.  Faculty partners work with S2S instructors to ensure that department requirements, learning objectives, prerequisites, etc., are met. 

Qualifications 

Senior to Sophomore high school faculty must meet the requirements of, and must be approved by the SCSU department in the appropriate content area. 

Successful S2S teachers have:

• A master's degree
• Advanced or significant academic course work in the relevant subject
• Experience teaching in the relevant subject
• Experience teaching advanced courses and students
• A valid Minnesota teaching license or state-approved alternative

A master's degree in a specific subject area is highly desirable but not required in most content areas.  A content specific master’s degree is required to teach S2S English and S2S Political Science.  SCSU Faculty Partners outline any specific department preferences during the application/interview process.  

A Partner Application/Profile and a resume must be on file with the Center for Continuing Studies.

Applicant Process

Teachers who are interested in participating in the Senior to Sophomore program must submit the following:

• Partner Application/Profile Form (Word .doc)
• Resume
• Copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts
• Principal’s Recommendation Form (Word .doc)

All materials should be sent to the Senior to Sophomore program office at: 

Senior to Sophomore Program

Center for Continuing Studies

St. Cloud State University

720 Fourth Avenue South, BH115

St. Cloud MN 56301-4498

Application materials are forwarded to the sponsoring department.  Materials are reviewed by a department S2S Faculty Partner.  If basic departmental requirements are met, the faculty partner will arrange an interview with the applicant.  Following the interview, the faculty partner makes a recommendation to the sponsoring department.  The department makes final decisions concerning the appointment of S2S instructors.  S2S applicants will be notified of the department’s decision. 

For more information and/or to discuss the application process, please contact the S2S Program Director, Kay Sebastian, at kcsebastian@stcloudstate.edu or 320-308-5535.