O. Will STEP graduates be called to high schools and academies right after they finish the program? A. Some may but others may be called to serve in an elementary school (which, of course, includes the "junior high" age students). At present, there Is not a consistent need for a sizable number of WELS secondary teachers although the number of high schools continues to increase. Some high schools prefer to call from the field from qualified candidates with about five years of experience in the elementary school. O. Should a prospective student consider a high school teaching position to be more glamorous than an elementary teaching position? A. Certainly not. DMLC and the WELS have always held that elementary education is both crucial and fundamental. While teaching higher grade levels may require different knowledge and skills, both elementary and secondary teachers must be bright and dedicated and both kinds of teachers are important in kingdom work. O. Will all the students in the STEP program earn a subject major and minor? A. Yes. The minor will be social studies except when that field is the student's major. Those students will earn a minor in English. O. What is different about the music major in the STEP program? A. Students can choose an emphasis in instrumental study, choral study, or, if they want to teach in an elementary school and serve as church musician, they can further develop their talents in areas important to the ministry of music in WELS schools and congregations. O. What is the purpose of the physical education major program? A.
This program suits well the graduate who will coach and teach physical education in either the secondary school or the elementary school.
O. What effect will a 5-year program have on financial aid availability? A. Students may remain eligible for financial aid until they graduate from the 5-year program. O. What kind of degree will the STEP graduates receive? A. They will receive a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a certificate that indicates their completion of the secondary track program also. Sample programs of study for each major are available upon request.
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