Admission and Retention in the College of Education (Certification Programs)

Criteria for admission to TEP. Applications for admission to the teacher education program (TEP) are available in the College of Education Office of Student Services and Certification. Students who meet the following minimum criteria may apply for admission to the teacher education program.

NOTE: Enrollment in specific courses in the College of Education may be restricted to students who clearly demonstrate the greatest potential for success as teachers. Factors such as general studies courses completed, GPA, scores on state and program tests, interviews, etc., may be considered. Admission to this program is competitive, and meeting stated criteria does not guarantee admission. Rather, persons who meet stated criteria are guaranteed consideration for admission to the teacher education program. An individual may request from the program chairperson or his or her adviser information concerning summative data on the most recent previous admissions.

Admission to a teacher education program will be based on evaluations of the applications to identify those applicants who are best qualified and who show a strong likelihood of success in their chosen areas. The evaluations will reveal the relative strengths and weaknesses in each applicant's credentials in light of the area in which the applicant wishes to teach and the applicant's understanding of, and commitment to, teaching as a profession, as well as the oral skills, mature judgment, and demeanor necessary to become successful as a teacher. Any applicable test score, or subscore, and grades in previous courses should reflect a strong record in the major area of study.

According to program requirements, an applicant must pass a writing examination and/or attach a statement regarding choosing teaching as a profession.

The evaluations will include an interview with at least two faculty members. The interview evaluation will become part of the application for admission to the teacher education program. The entire application will be evaluated by appropriate members of the faculty who will make a recommendation to the dean. The dean will make the final decision.

Persons who hold college degrees and wish to complete certification programs to teach in the public schools or to complete the TEP in order to qualify for certain graduate programs must meet the admission criteria outlined above and must follow all application procedures.

The satisfactory completion of BEP 305 Educational Psychology (or its equivalent) and admission to the teacher education program are prerequisites to enrollment in professional methods courses.