Department of EducationAcademics
About the Department
Teachers for the Next Generation
Teachers do more than lead a classroom; their knowledge, dedication, and enthusiasm are what shape a generation of future leaders. At Gustavus, you will be prepared to become a 21st-century educator who is student centered, inclusive, and eager to spark change by contributing to the community. This includes understanding the complexities of working in diverse communities and addressing issues of injustice in education systems.
You will leave fully equipped to lead your own class and meet the crucial need for qualified teachers across the country. It's why 100% of our graduates who pursue teaching are hired by schools in Minnesota and across the nation within a year of graduating. A Gustavus Education degree also will open doors beyond the K-12 classroom by providing opportunities for service, pursuing graduate degrees, and working abroad.
Inspiring Minds on Campus and Beyond
When you enroll as an Education student at Gustavus Adolphus, you're joining one of Minnesota's most distinguished teacher education programs. Our department provides a wide range of teaching licensure options that will inspire you to evolve as a teacher and educational leader. Located in beautiful Saint Peter, MN, the Gustavus Adolphus campus gives you the best of both worlds. It's a fun and safe place to focus on your Education studies with proximity to big-city cultural events and excitement. You're just minutes away from Mankato and less than an hour from the Twin Cities — places you may go for student teaching, too. On campus and around the world, you'll enjoy rewarding classroom experiences, whether you're facing one of your own instructors or an eager class of students.
Discover your path:
Majors, Minors, and Related Programs
At Gustavus, you'll start building experiences in K-12 classrooms from the very first year of your degree program. You'll discover your passion and unique strengths as a teacher through observation, training, and practice opportunities inside and outside the classroom. Our robust K-12 programs prepare you for licensure in Minnesota, but cultivating creative, critical, and culturally responsive teachers requires more than just a teaching license. The individualized, interdisciplinary, and community-based experience of a liberal arts education will enhance and strengthen your credentials and your ability to lead peers and students alike. Gustavus Education graduates nurture a life-long curiosity about considering new perspectives and acquiring new skills.
Related Programs
Graduate with a Global Perspective on Teaching
With opportunities to work and learn across the United States and abroad, studying away isn't just possible; it can be woven into the heart of your time as an Education major. Our Global Educators Program gives you opportunities to make a difference now while building your professional teaching skills. Broaden your horizons in diverse national and international communities that reflect the varied educational spaces you will serve in flexible and responsive ways.
Meet the Education Department students and faculty on a campus tour
Opportunities in Education
Learn to Teach In and Out of the Classroom
For students and student teachers alike, education goes beyond classroom walls, and it doesn't stop when the bell rings. Many of our aspiring teachers engage in student organizations and conferences that build their knowledge and expand their perspectives. They put that knowledge into practice in Anderson Hall's model classroom, equipped with all the supplies and technology necessary for teaching the next generation.
Explore all Opportunities in Education
- Student Teaching — The culminating experience is an immersive and comprehensive classroom semester
- Classroom Experience — Gain classroom experience off-campus throughout your entire journey toward becoming a teacher
- Student Organizations — Get involved and build stronger friendships with Education majors
- Learning Spaces in Anderson Hall — Updated classrooms and community spaces designed and equipped to enhance the learning experience of Education majors
Gusties
will
Shine
The Education Department at Gustavus is a community of curious, energetic, and life-long learners. Get to know our faculty and students who are making a difference in and out of the classroom.
Ryan Wersal ’26
Social Studies Education Major
“The Education Department is a small, close-knit community made of people who share one big thing in common. Rule number 1 to be in the Education Department; you need to have a love for kids.” Ryan’s interest in teaching was born through his experience as a camp counselor over the summer where he discovered his […]
Keep in Touch with the Education Department
Students in the Education Department are engaged in activities across campus, including student government, athletics, music, dance, and more. The faculty are active in the education field and are experienced teachers. A liberal arts education plus involvement on campus and in the community prepares holistic graduates to lead in the education profession.
Contact Education
Email: edu-dept@gustavus.eduPhone: 507-933-7457
Anderson Hall, 206
800 West College Avenue
Saint Peter, MN 56082