Business and industry education

As part of a program ranked second in the nation (U.S. News and World Report), this field of study gives you the opportunity to follow different types of education programs and subsequent career paths as you work with internationally experienced faculty and many fellow students who are practicing educators. Completing one of the programs in the field of business and industry education will allow you to teach in your choice of setting: middle schools and high schools, technical colleges, and business; or to offer technical and administrative support in a variety of situations.

Business and marketing education
If you’re interested in office systems, accounting, marketing, entrepreneurship, and international business, this area of study offers exciting possibilities. It is designed for individuals who hold undergraduate degrees in business or marketing and want to become licensed teachers. Through this innovative program, students integrate educational theory with classroom practice. Classes may be pursued full or part-time.

Technology (industrial) education
People interested in teaching in this field will find themselves helping students work with computers as much as with circular saws or welding torches. The approach is “hands-on, minds-on” learning—helping students to learn about various tools and materials in order to devise solutions to problems. The field emphasizes instruction in such areas as construction, manufacturing, transportation, energy, and communications. Students can pursue teacher licensure at either the undergraduate level (B.S.) or graduate level (M.Ed.). While most students who choose this field of study go on to teach in secondary schools, others become industrial trainers or provide education in other kinds of settings.

Career and technical education
The college is one of only two places in the state where you can prepare for a license to teach in technical colleges and in technical high school programs. It is available both through a B.S. degree at the undergraduate level or through an M.Ed. at the graduate level. You will learn to instruct students preparing for specific occupations such as mechanics, carpentry, dental assistance, practical nursing, data processing, and others. More than 400 students are enrolled in these programs each year and find themselves in high demand. This program often attracts individuals who have been working in related fields and want to share their expertise in a classroom setting.

Undergraduate (B.S.) degree in career and technical education

This professional development degree program is designed for current and prospective technical college instructors and teachers of career and technical education programs for grades 9-12.

Program details

What can I do with a career and technical education degree?

Undergraduate (B.S.) degree in business and marketing education

This program prepares students to work as educators in business settings, or to work in technical support and administration positions. It can also prepare students for the separate master of education (M.Ed.)/initial licensure program in business and marketing education

Program details

What can I do with a business and marketing education degree?

Certificate in career and technical education

Program overview

M.Ed./initial licensure in business and marketing education

(State of Minnesota licensure in business education)
Our M.Ed./initial licensure program is for individuals with bachelor’s degrees who want to become licensed teachers.

Program overview
Content area preadmission requirements

Additional licensure in business education available
application [.pdf]

M.Ed. in business and industry education

(Minnesota state licensure in technology education)

Our M.Ed./professional studies programs is for licensed teachers and other professionals interested in gaining advanced knowledge and skills in specific emphasis in their current field or a new field.

Program overview
Content area preadmission requirements

Master of arts (M.A.) in business and industry education

Offered through the Graduate School, our  M.A. program emphasizes research and theory in the context of classroom application. It generally culminates in an extensive research project and final oral exam. The application procedures and tuition fees correspond to those of the Graduate School.

Program overview

Doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in work and human resource education with a specialization in business and industry education

Our Ph.D. degree is for students interested in focusing on a particular subject field and includes original research that makes a significant contribution to knowledge in that field. Students pursuing this degree are admitted through the Graduate School.

Program overview

Doctor of education (Ed.D.) in work and human resource education with a specialization in business and industry education

Our Ed.D. degree is our highest professional degree, recognizing academic preparation and demonstrated competence for professional activity in the fields of educational administration and vocational education. Students pursuing this degree are admitted through the Graduate School.

Program overview