Teacher Certification Only (TEACH) Certification

Provisional Entry Requirements

Requirements for Provisional Entry to the School of Education:

1. Applicant must have a minimum of a 2.2 cumulative grade point average on all undergraduate coursework. Students are limited to provisional enrollment of 9 hours.

TEACH Program Requirements

Requirements to be accepted into the TEACH program:

1. GPA of 3.0 or greater on the first 9 hours of coursework taken in the School of Education.
2. Passing scores Praxis I (as of September 1 2014): Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading, Writing, Mathematics passing scores OR exemption based on either an ACT composite score ≥ 22, an SAT combined verbal/quantitative score ≥ 1030, or an earned Master’s degree or be highly qualified to teach.
3. Passing score on the Praxis II: Subject Assessments, OR be highly qualified to teach
4. Acceptance to the Program followed by successful review of documents completed during the application process such as official transcripts, resume, and letters of recommendation.

The Teach Program requires candidates to meet the coursework requirements and follow the program structure listed below:

1. 9-12 hrs. (4-5 week hybrid summer semester)
2. Two 3 hr. Methodology seminars: one each in the spring and fall semesters.
3. Must secure a full time teaching position in area of certification for the fall and spring semesters.
4. Successful completion of a one year residency consisting of two 3 hr. Practitioner Teacher Internships: one each in the fall and spring semesters where a mentor is assigned.
5. Reading Requirements: Candidates are required to demonstrate proficiency in the reading competencies as adopted by BESE through one of the following options:
   1. successfully complete same number of semester hours in reading as required for undergraduate teacher preparation programs;
   2. Elementary Education (Grades 1-5), Special Education (K-12), and Early Childhood (Pre-K – 3) certification candidates must have 9 credit hours of reading OR the Praxis Teaching Reading Exam.
   3. Pass the appropriate PLT (Principles of Learning & Teaching) for the appropriate grade level of certification.
6. Total hours required in the Teacher Certification Program: 21-27 credit hours with passing grades of “C” or better; not to exceed two “C”s during the program.

Program Plan of Study

Semester Offered

Total Credits Required for Certification: 21**

Note

*Choose section based on grades: A: PK-2, B: 3-5, C: 6-8, D: 9-12 S: Sped k-12

**24 if certifying in SPED or Early Childhood

Program Completion: Responsibility for reading catalog requirements and passing praxis by required deadlines for completion of the program rests entirely upon the student.

• You MUST pass the Praxis PLT prior to applying for your Level 1 Teaching Certification, or continuation of a MAT degree.
• Early Childhood, Special Education, and Elementary 1-5 candidates must pass the Praxis Teaching Reading Exam (#0204) OR fulfill the hour requirements below: (ED 503 is offered in the Spring semester for those needing to attain 3 more credit hours to fulfill the below requirements)
  • Early Childhood PK-3 and Elementary 1-5 programs: must have 9 hours.
  • Middle Grades 4-8 program: must have 6 hours
  • Secondary Grades 6-12, and ALL level K-12 programs: must have 3 hours
  • Special Ed areas: 9 hours OR pass the Praxis Teaching Reading Exam.