Frequently Asked Questions

For Teachers Regarding the Advanced Life Science (ALS) Program

1. Does a teacher have to be certified to teach the ALS courses?
   1. Yes, but only if a teacher would like to teach an ALS course for dual credit.
   
   
2. How do I become certified to teach the ALS courses?
   1. The requirements to become certified to teach an ALS course include:
      1. Be a licensed teacher in the area of agricultural science and business, science or family and consumer sciences.
      2. Have earned a master's degree or equivalent number of graduate hours in the subject area.
      3. Complete a concurrent credit program teacher application form.
      4. Attend a required summer training workshop every five years.
      5. Complete an articulation agreement form.
3. Am I required to have a master's degree to teach an ALS course?
   1. A teacher must have a master's degree or 30 graduate credit hours in technical agriculture, agricultural science, agricultural education, or a related field to teach ALS for dual credit.
4. I do not have a master's degree. Does this mean I cannot teach the ALS courses?
   1. For teachers that do not have a master's degree, it is required that the teacher take 6 graduate credit hours towards their master's degree for every year they teach an ALS course until they reach 30 credits of receive a master's degree.
5. Once I take the certification workshop, will I ever need to attend the workshop again to re-certify?
   1. Once certification is obtained, the teacher must be re-certified every five years. Also, renewal is contingent upon receiving six credit hours of instruction applicable to teaching ALS courses, or have a master’s degree in a related field such as technical agriculture, agricultural science, or agricultural education.
6. If I want to teach the ALS courses for dual credit, what are the appropriate steps that need to be taken?
   1. First, the teacher must meet the above criteria/requirements (Q/A #2, #3, #4, #5). Second, the teacher needs to obtain and complete the articulation agreement (submitted annually), a Dual Credit Application Form, and a concurrent teacher application form.
7. What is required of my school to be able to offer ALS courses?
   1. The school needs to be sure that the courses are on the school's Program Inventory file with the Department of Education (DOE; http://doe.in.gov/) and on the school's list of approved courses.
8. What are the requirements for my students to enroll in an ALS course
   1. The student must meet Purdue’s holistic admissions requirements, as well as meet the following specific criteria: (1) completion of one year of high school Biology with a grade of C or above; (2) completion of one year of high school Chemistry or Integrated Chemistry-Physics with a grade of C or above; and (3) minimum 2.50/4.00 GPA. All three requirements must be met prior to enrolling in an ALS course. Students are typically in their Junior or Senior year of high school.
9. Is there a fee for students to register for an ALS course for dual credit?
   1. Yes, there is a fee of $25/credit (subject to change).
10. How do students become registered to take an ALS course for dual credit?
    1. Once the teacher and school have completed the articulation agreement form and the teacher application, the student needs to submit the Online Application, High School Non-Degree Permission Form, and High School Transcript. The Online Application can be found at: https://selfservice.mypurdue.purdue.edu/prod/bwskalog.P_DispLoginNon. Student applications are not complete until all three items have been received by Purdue (Online Application, High School Non-Degree Permission Form, High School Transcript).
11. When are all of the ALS dual credit forms due to Purdue?
    1. The teacher application form is due the first Friday in September, the articulation agreement is due by the first Friday in October, and the student application is due by the first Friday in November.
12. What textbooks are recommended for the ALS courses?
    1. a. The following textbooks are recommended, Not Endorsed, for the ALS courses:
       1. ALS Foods:
          1. Ward, J. (2002). Principals of food science. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Wilcox.
          2. Hotchkiss, J. (1998). Food science, 5th edition. New York: Springer.
       2. ALS Animals:
          1. Lawhead, J.B., & Baker, M. (2009). Introduction to veterinary science. New York: Delmar.
       3. ALS Plants and Soils:
          1. Graham, L, Graham, J, & Wilcox, L. (2006). Plant biology. Upper Saddle, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
13. Where do the questions for the dual credit ALS exam come from?
    1. The questions for the ALS dual credit exam are taken from the Curriculum Standards Assessment Tracker (CSAT) data bank.
14. Are the ALS courses funded through Perkins Funding?
    1. Currently, these courses are funded at $375/hr/student for ALS Animals and ALS Plants and Soils. The ALS Foods course is funded at $450/hr/student. However, the funding is only for those courses that are part of a career and technical education program. This may change from year-to-year based upon changes and demand fluctuations.
15. What equipment, supplies, and laboratory facilities are required for teaching ALS courses?
    1. For the majority of labs, basic lab supplies will suffice. For example: beakers, stirring rods, light capabilities for plant growth, and basic cooking supplies would be needed for the ALS: Foods labs.
16. Is there support provided for those who teach the ALS courses?
    1. Yes, teachers will have access to a wide range of instructional methods and professional development opportunities.
17. Who do I contact if I have further questions about dual credit and the dual credit process associated with ALS?
    1. If you have further questions or concerns about the dual credit process you should contact the College of Agriculture, Assistant Director of Transfer and Dual-Credit Academic Programs, Anneliese Kay at kaya@purdue.edu.
18. Who do I contact if I have additional questions about the ALS courses?
    1. a. If you have additional questions about the ALS courses, please contact Dr. Levon Esters, ALS Coordinator, at als@ydae.purdue.edu.