Admissions Procedures

Praxis I (PPST)

Application for admission to the teacher education program is during the second semester of the sophomore year. The Praxis I (PPST) must be passed prior to application for admission to the teacher education program. Therefore it is advised that the PPST be taken prior to the beginning of the sophomore year. Students are limited to three attempts on the PPST.

Portfolio Assessment

Students in education programs begin to build a portfolio in the first education course, EDUC 150, Introduction to Education and continue that development in EDUC 255, Professional Issues. The portfolio is developed throughout the university career and demonstrates the student's development of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions related to the Wisconsin Teacher Standards. The portfolio is presented for review and assessment by the School of Education faculty and the teacher education committee at these times: 1) application for admission to the teacher education program; 2) application for admission to student teaching; 3)application for teaching licensure.

Admission to Teacher Education

Application for admission to the teacher education program is made during the second semester of the sophomore year, when the student has earned 40, but no more than  60, credits. The applicant's portfolio is assessed and must meet basic standards. The applicant must: 1)have a grade point average of at least 2.5 in all courses and in the general education program and a grade of "C" or above in each course in the professional education program; 2) grade of "C" or higher in each major and minor course; 3) demonstrate competence in written composition by passing ENG 103 and 104 with grades of "C" or better and demonstrated ability to use correct written and spoken English as assessed by  faculty through courses; 4) be emotionally stable, physically capable, and speak effectively; 5) be reliable and dependable; 6) have positive evaluations of field experiences; 7) have a recommendation from the department chair in which the student is majoring; 8)have passed the Praxis I (PPST); 9) be admitted by the teacher education committee. Application forms are available in the School of Education office. Note: only six credits of 300 level professional education sequence courses may be taken prior to admission the the teacher education program.

Admission to Student Teaching

Application for admission to student teaching is made in the semester prior to student teaching. The applicant's portfolio is assessed and must meet basic standards. The applicant must: 1) have a grade point average of at least 2.75 in courses taken in the major and minor and professional education and a grade of "C" or above in each course in the professional education sequence; 2) successfully have completed 75 hours of pre-student teaching clinical experiences approved by the director of teacher education; complete 100 hours before student teaching begins; 3) have enthusiasm for teaching, willingness to assume professional responsibility, sufficient poise, and self-confidence to undertake classroom leadership; 4) be admitted by the teacher education committee. Application forms are available in the School of Education office; 5) pass the Praxis II exam as established by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Student teaching is the capstone experience. Therefore it is completed in the final semester. During the student teaching semester a student typically takes only the ten credits of student teaching and the two credit seminar.