Admissions Procedures
Praxis I (PPST)
Application for admission to the teacher education program generally is made 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.
Transfer Student
The School of Education welcomes transfer students who wish to complete a licensure program. In order to be recommended for a state license, a transfer student must take at least 24 credits plus student teaching and seminar (12 credits) from Viterbo University. If the student already has a degree and a valid state teaching license and is adding new licensures, the number of credits may be adjusted.
Writing Requirement
The School of Education requires writing samples in EDUC 150 and 255. Students who write at the minimal level are referred to the Learning Center to develop a contract for writing assistance. Fulfillment of the contract and progress toward a minimal professional level of writing are considered when a student applies for admission to the teacher education program. A student who does not fulfill the contract or reach a minimal professional level of writing will not be admitted to the teacher education program.
Required for Early Childhood (70-777), Early Childhood – Middle Childhood (71-777), and Middle Childhood to Early Adolescence (72-777)
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 (teacher work sample).
Admission to Teacher Education
Application for admission to the teacher education program generally 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 2.75 in all courses and in the core curriculum program and a grade of “C” or above in each course in the core curriculum and professional education programs; 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 positive attitude and disposition surveys from at least two faculty members; 8) have a recommendation from the department chair in which the student is majoring; 9) have passed the Praxis I (PPST); 10) be reviewed positively and 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 to 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 the core curriculum program, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00, and a grade point average of at least a 3.00 in each of the following: major(s), minor(s), professional education sequence courses, and a grade of “C” or above in each course in the core curriculum program, the major(s), minor(s), and 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 dispositions for teaching, willingness to assume professional responsibility, sufficient poise, and self-confidence to undertake classroom leadership; 4) be reviewed positively and admitted by the teacher education committee. Note: in individual cases, grades from a previous major may be eliminated in GPA calculations if the School of Education and the Teacher Education Committee approve. 5) pass the Praxis II or other exam as established by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Application forms are sent to student teacher candidates during the semester prior to student teaching. Student teaching placement will be determined after passing Praxis II scores are presented.
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 10 credits of student teaching and the two-credit seminar.