MSU-Northern Traffic Education [view of road from inside car]
 
Student Resources Traffic Ed Resources Steps to Approval Contact Us

Welcome to Traffic Education Through MSU-Northern!

THE 2025 TRAFFIC EDUCATION COURSE SCHEDULE IS CURRENTLY IN THE PLANNING STAGES. TENTATIVE DATES FOR THE INITIAL 8 CREDITS ARE LISTED BELOW IN THE YELLOW BOX. ADVANCE REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER BEGINS MARCH 31. STUDENTS PLANNING TO REGISTER FOR THE INITIAL 8 CREDITS CAN APPLY FOR ADMISSION NOW.
Thank you for your interest in the Traffic Education Minor/Endorsement offered through MSU-Northern. MSU-Northern is the only institution in Montana that offers a Traffic Education minor/endorsement providing training for students planning to become qualified driving instructors. The minor/endorsement is achieved after the completion of 20 credits (12 required, 8 elective). Students become approved to teach traffic education after completing the initial 8-credit coursework. Please view the Program Sheet outlining the course requirements and the Summer Course Schedule for course dates.

Program Sheet Summer Course Schedule Forms Continuing Ed Electives

Pre-registration for summer courses begins March 31. Select your student status and follow the steps below to complete the admissions and registration process. A detailed checklist is available for you to follow under Student Resources. Please contact MSU-Northern at (406) 265-4148 with any questions.

New Student

        Returning Student

What You Need to Know About Traffic Education

The 20-credit Traffic Education Minor/Endorsement requires the following:

  • A qualifying valid Montana educator license.
  • A minimum of 8 semester credits of the required initial coursework must be completed before you begin teaching traffic education.
  • 10 of the 20 credits earned must be MSU-Northern credits.
  • A valid driver license with a verified acceptable driving record. 

All teachers of traffic education must have an understanding of ARM 10.13.310 and 10.58.526. For further information regarding requirements for traffic education teachers, please go to Traffic Education Career Pathways.

The initial 8 credits are offered each summer and the dates for 2025 Summer are as follows:

TED 465/565 Motor Vehicle Law
2 credits; May 12 - June 6 ONLINE

TED 461/561 Methods of Traffic Safety Education 
3 credits; June 2 - June 27 ONLINE

TED 462/562 Methods of Behind-the-Wheel Instruction 
3 credits; June 16 through June 20 AND 
June 23 through June 27 in HAVRE

The time schedule for the 8 credits allows you to teach Traffic Education starting the second week of July if all requirements are met and you successfully complete the coursework. You then need to continue working at the rate of 4 semester credits per 5-year renewal cycle of your educator license until you obtain the full traffic education endorsement. See Steps to Receive Traffic Education Approval & Endorsement.

After completing the initial coursework (8 credits), you need to apply to the Office of Public Instruction by completing the TE05 Application for Approval as a Teacher of Traffic Education. The Traffic Education Office at OPI will verify that you have a valid educator license and a valid driver license, and that you have a driver record free of disqualifying citations. You are allowed no more than one moving traffic violation in any 12-month period of the previous 36 months and no DUI within the preceding 36 months, or other serious infraction.

Additional information regarding the Traffic Education Endorsement is available online at the Montana Office of Public Instruction's website, https://opi.mt.gov/Families-Students/Family-Student-Support/Driver-Education.

Our Mission

MSU-Northern's Traffic Education Minor/Endorsement prepares 5-12 teachers to impart the knowledge, skills, and habits necessary for adolescent drivers to safely and effectively operate a motor vehicle.