All education majors seeking certification must successfully complete teacher education program admission, monitoring, and exit criteria procedures. For admission into the Teacher Education Program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Complete faculty interviews;
- Satisfactorily pass the Praxis I Academic Skills Assessments in reading, writing, and mathematics;
- Earn a minimum overall undergraduate QPA as identified by PA law (2.8 or as determined by the department; transfer students' grades are included in averaging the QPA);
- Complete 6 credits of mathematics courses and 6 credits of English (including one composition and one literature) courses;
- Complete 48 hours by the time candidacy admission is decided;
- Satisfactorily complete early field experiences;
- Complete ACT 34 and/or FBI clearance and ACT 151 child abuse clearance;
- Any other specific departmental requirements; and
- Be recommended by departmental faculty and approved by the Teacher Education Council.
Students are then admitted to candidacy in the teacher education program and are permitted to take majors–only courses. A 3.0 QPA is required for Pennsylvania teacher certification.
The student's progress and mastery of competencies will be monitored while completing requirements in the program. All students are required to maintain a cumulative and major average as specified by Pennsylvania law, to remain in the program and/or to take teacher education classes. Students must satisfy all program requirements to be recommended for the degree and teacher certification, including a 3.00 QPA. Only qualified teacher education majors are allowed to take teacher education classes. Each department will provide each student a copy of its program requirements, course checklist, and expectations.
All applicants must be endorsed by the faculty adviser, the department, and the Dean of the College of Education, who serves as the certifying officer for the university.
Experienced non-degree teachers, graduates of other colleges or universities, or others who need special assignments in student teaching will have their individual alternative programs planned and approved by the appropriate department and by the Dean of the College of Education. Transfer students' transcripts will be individually evaluated by the department chair to determine equivalent courses to be accepted.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that all certification applicants satisfactorily pass the appropriate sections of the ETS Praxis Series Tests. Students must also complete the teacher certification application and respond to immigration, criminal record, child abuse, and health statements.
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