Business Education (Teaching)

Bachelor's

PROGRAM SNAPSHOT

Combine your passions for business and technology with teaching. Make a difference in the lives of middle and high school students.

Why Study Business Education at Winona State?

Inspire the next generation of business leaders with the Business Education (Teaching) program at Winona State University. 

This major combines fundamentals from our College of Business programs with our professional Teacher Education program.  

You’ll gain extensive knowledge about a wide range of business topics, which will prepare you to teach a variety of course offerings after graduation. You’ll also learn about teaching methods to successfully engage middle school, high school, college, and corporate learners.  

Additionally, Business Education majors practice their skills as educators by completing more than 500 observation and teaching hours in middle and high school classrooms. 

Choose Winona State, the only public university in Minnesota to offer an undergraduate Business Teaching degree—and the only public university to license grades 5-12 business teachers. 

This program is available through WSU’s Department of Education Studies

What Will You Learn as a Business Education Major?

As a Business Education major, you’ll learn how to plan, implement, and evaluate business education curriculum for grades 5-12.  

You’ll also: 

  • stay on top of emerging trends in technology and education.  
  • learn about the best teaching methods to engage students in middle school, high school, and community college. 
  • know the basics of several business topics—like accounting, economics, finance, marketing, technology, business law, human resources, and management. 

Your coursework will prepare you to teach a variety of business courses. This means you’ll have a lot of flexibility to pursue careers in business education, training and development, leadership, and beyond. 

Program Options

When you’re ready to apply for the Business Education (Teaching) program, you’ll select which option you prefer: entirely at Winona or split between Winona and Mankato. 

Learn the same core business curriculum with both pathways. Choose the campus that best suits your schedule and location. 

Winona Campus
Winona Campus

Complete online business education classes and in-person teacher preparation courses at Winona State.

See Required Courses
MSU-Mankato
MSU-Mankato

Complete online business education classes through Winona State and in-person teacher preparation courses at Minnesota State University-Mankato.

See Required Courses
Graduation Requirement

Aside from major- or minor-specific requirements, you’ll need to complete additional requirements through the General Education Program (GEP) to earn your degree from Winona State University.

Learn More about the GEP
Program Highlights
Flexible Coursework

Coursework is delivered in person, online, and hybrid.

These flexible learning options make the Business Education major convenient for students who want to fit their education into their personal and professional lives.

And with both synchronous and asynchronous classes, you can fit in assignments alongside your clinical experiences.

Competitive Licensure

Get the real-world preparation you need to become a business teacher along with your degree.

The Business Education program incorporates instruction into the curriculum that directly prepares students to complete the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) qualifying exams after graduation.

Community-Based Learning

With their strong connections with local school districts, your faculty can customize your mentoring and student teaching experiences.

In addition to your clinicals, you can also get involved in community service projects and other activities at professional organizations.

Previous Business Education students have partnered with the National Business Education Association (NBEA) and MN Marketing Business Information Technology Educators (MBITE).

Research Opportunities

Build your professional portfolio by engaging in valuable business research.

You can collaborate with practicing business teachers and alumni to gain knowledge that will enhance your abilities to teach.

Doing research can also help you learn innovative teaching strategies, which will prepare you to succeed in your future classrooms.

Previous Business Education students have completed research on quality teaching, classroom management, and effective business teaching strategies.

Campus Life

Complement your studies and meet other students who are passionate about teaching and business through a handful of campus clubs and organizations.

Join Education Minnesota Aspiring Educators (EMAE).

Or check out the Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC).

Practical Training

See classroom management in action and learn how to teach engaging business lessons through the following clinical experiences

Early Clinical Experience

First, witness good teaching.

Before you’ve been admitted to the Teacher Education Program, you’ll complete an upper-level Special Education course.

This class will provide an overview of disabilities and giftedness in children and youth.

You’ll also learn the importance of teachers recognizing these exceptionalities in the classroom.

Field Experiences

Next, delve deeper into the classroom experience and work directly with students.

As you progress through your Teacher Education and Business Education coursework, you’ll also complete 100 hours of field experience.

Observe, tutor, co-teach, and work alongside experienced teachers in community and school settings.

Many Business Education students have had field placements at schools in the Midwest.

Student Teaching

Finally, work side-by-side with practicing teachers in business classrooms.

During your last semester, you’ll lead high school classes as a student teacher for more than 480 hours.

You’ll also help research and guide business education lesson plans.

Whether you want to stay close to Winona at a regional school, venture back home or somewhere else in the U.S., or even travel abroad—your degree can take you there.

Hear from Business Education Alumni
I have always wanted to be a teacher, and I found a love for business these past few years. I am excited to share my love for business with my students, and I hope to make a positive impact in their lives!
Shelby Sandstrom ‘20
The reason I chose Business Education as a major is because I enjoy interacting with people and have always had a passion for business. Some of my favorite teachers were from my previous business classes.
Alex Dahm ‘19
I chose this program because my high school Marketing course had a huge impact on my life and my future. I want to be able to provide the same hands-on learning experiences to my own students.
Kyle Hammer ‘18
Careers & Outcomes

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field for postsecondary teachers is expected to grow 8% by 2032. 

Training and development specialist positions also anticipate a 6% growth within the next decade. 

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