Progression to Formal Acceptance

• Students in the Education Department work toward Formal Acceptance into a certification program. Student typically apply for Formal Acceptance during the spring semester of the second year. To ensure that all students are prepared to apply for formal acceptance, the following guidelines will be followed. It is also recommended that Education majors take a minimum of 16 credits per semester. In addition, students will need to obtain and maintain satisfactory rating in accordance with the Department of Education Teacher Dispositions/Foundational Competencies Policy.

 

Progression:

Each teacher candidate is expected to meet the following criteria and to use the guidelines to ensure a successful application for formal acceptance:

​

• Provide updated clearances prior to starting Education courses including a record of Act 34 (PA Criminal Record), PA Child Abuse, FBI Criminal History Report, and TB test. These clearances must be less than one year old. Clearances are required to be updated every year.

 

• Declare their Education major by the end of their First Year.

​

• Submit a student life clearance by March of their First Year. (Complete the top portion only and bring to Nicarry 143)

​

• Complete ED 105 and ED 150/ED 151 with earned grades of C or better- this should be done within the first year (ED 105 Fall and ED 150/151 Spring). ED 161 should be taken within the first 4 semesters (FY and Second year- but recommend during FY).

​

• Meet all requirements for Formal Acceptance as outlined in the manual.

​

• Participate in a planning meeting with advisor if issues or concerns arise during three GPA checkpoints conducted by the Education department.

 

    1. Checkpoint #1: GPA verification will be completed at the end of the first semester of First            year (December of FY). A minimum cumulative 2.80 is recommended. If GPA is below a               2.8, the teacher candidate will work with their education advisor to design a plan to                     raise the GPA.

​

    2. Checkpoint #2: GPA verification will be completed at the end of the second semester                    of First year (May of FY). A minimum cumulative 2.80 should be achieved. If GPA is                       below a 2.8, the teacher candidate will work with their education advisor to design a                   plan to raise the GPA. Students will begin work on a professional electronic portfolio, to               be submitted at the time of application for formal acceptance.

​

    3. Prior to Checkpoint #3- Students should have completed or be in the process of                            completing 27 credit hours. This will ensure that requirements for Formal Acceptance                can be achieved.

​

    4. Checkpoint #3: GPA verification will be completed at the end of the first semester of                    Second year (December of Second year). A minimum 2.80 needs to be maintained with                the goal of a minimum 3.0 being achieved by end of spring of Second year.

​

Formal Acceptance

Students must apply to the Education Department for Formal Acceptance into a   certification program after they successfully:

 

• Complete two Mathematics (MA) courses and two English (EN) courses (one writing composition and one literature).    

• Complete 54 hours with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher.

• Successfully complete at least three courses with ED prefixes.

• Provide a record of ACT 34, PA Child Abuse, and FBI Criminal History Report and TB Test. These clearances must be less than one year old.

• Submit a satisfactory student life clearance (re-check of previous clearance; students do NOT need to submit another).

• Receive passing scores on the Basic Skills Assessment or the SAT/ACT/Math equivalent score as mandated by PDE and submit a copy of your official score report to the Education office.

• Provide an electronic portfolio for review demonstrating interest and/or experience in professional education and progress toward meeting the professional domains as defined by Danielson which includes:

  • One picture of yourself

  • Updated Resume

  • Educational Philosophy

  • Dates of your clearances and TB test

  • Basic Skills Assessment Scores or SAT/ACT / Math equivalent

  • Description of your experience working with children

  • Writing Sample

  • Any additional items to support of your application

• Receive approval of the Education Department and any other appropriate major Department.

• Obtain a satisfactory rating in accordance with the Department of Education Teacher Dispositions/Foundational Competencies Policy.

​

Students will receive two different Acceptance letters from the Education department. The first, at the time of application, will outline for students which requirements are still outstanding. The second, and final letter, which students receive once all requirements have been met, is their official formal acceptance letter. See sample letters. 

​

​

​

​

 

*Formal Acceptance is required to enroll in 300-level ED courses.