St. Olaf College

A St. Olaf education is more affordable than many expect. 

St. Olaf College is committed to making education accessible for all admitted students.

• 100 percent of demonstrated financial need is met for every admitted student
• 99 percent of students receive financial aid and scholarships
• No application fee—applying is free

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• View Comprehensive Tuition Rates and Fees

• Use the Financial Aid Calculator to estimate the cost of attendance

Here's an overview of what to expect throughout your program: 

First year you may take an off-campus J-term course in the Twin Cities focused on schools and communities. You’ll get to spend 60 hours in classrooms.

Sophomore year you’ll get to spend 40 hours in the classroom during these classes:

• EDUC295: Foundations of Education (fall)
• EDUC 231: Understanding Substance Abuse (fall)
• EDUC 330: Planning, Instruction, and Assessment (spring)

Junior year you’ll get to spend 40 hours in the classroom during these classes:

• EDUC 340: Differentiating Instruction (fall)
• EDUC374: Content Area Reading (fall) 
• EDUC 345-365: Content Area Methods of Teaching (spring)

Senior year you will student teach either in the fall or spring semester, dedicating 14 weeks to full-time student teaching.

Other notes: 

• Additionally, during your junior or senior year, you’ll take a J-term (a.k.a January- term) course—either in Hawaii or the Twin Cities—where you will spend over 80 hours working with a teacher in your subject area.
• Depending on your subject area, you may need to take additional education courses. You must also complete a major in your content area.

January-term (a.k.a J-term) programs are a key part of the St. Olaf Teacher Education Program. These programs provide hands-on learning with teachers and students. You’ll spend January in schools in the Twin Cities or Hawaii. Most schools serve students in need through free and reduced-price lunch programs.

You’ll work as a teacher assistant and intern, gaining experience in:

• Culturally relevant teaching practices.
• Challenges of urban schools.
• Working with students from different backgrounds.

Although you are required to take one multicultural J-term course, you are encouraged to take as many as you can fit into your course plan. 

You’ll take courses and participate in hands-on experiences to learn how to adjust your teaching to meet the needs of different students, including those with disabilities. One required course is Education 340: Differentiating Instruction, where you’ll learn to support all K-12 students, including multilingual learners, students with disabilities and gifted students. The course covers topics like trauma, mental health, special education history, service delivery and legal requirements, with a 10-hour field experience included.

You’ll also complete field experiences working with multilingual learners and students receiving special education services. Much of this will take place during the J-term, but you’ll also gain experience in classrooms in Northfield and nearby communities during each semester you take an education course.

Most undergraduate students choose an education faculty member as their academic adviser, but since the program is small, all faculty members are available for mentoring and coaching.

During student teaching, you’ll have both a generalist and specialist college supervisor who provides feedback, coaching and mentoring during the 14-week term.

Founded in 1911, the St. Olaf Education Department has focused on preparing teachers with strong subject knowledge and teaching skills. The department has always emphasized community-minded teachers who can work with students from all backgrounds. While the department’s faculty, staff, students and curriculum have changed over the years, its mission to improve education for all and promote equal opportunities has remained constant.