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MU Home » Academics » School of Science & Human Development » Teacher Education Program

Teacher Education Requirements

Admissions and Licensure Requirements

Requirements for Admission to Teacher Education: All students who wish to be licensed to teach must have completed the following requirements and met the grade standards before applying for admission to the Teacher Education Program. The requirements and the grade standards are as follows:

1. A cumulative GPA of at least C+ (2.5) and a grade of C (2.0) or better in each course in the student's major and in the professional licensure sequence; Elementary Education and Special Education majors must maintain a C or better in all EDU and SPE courses.
2. Passing scores on any test required by the Teacher Education Program or by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
3. The student must have successfully completed a minimum of 60 academic hours to include HIS 104; ENG 101 and 102; MAT 105 or higher; 3 s.h. of science; 3 s.h. of fine arts; OCL 151 (not required for music majors); and the following courses in the professional sequence - EDU 200; EDU 240; EDU 242; EDU 251; and SPE 255 (PXS 306 is required for Physical Education and Health Education majors).
4. Three recommendations from faculty. Of the three recommendations, one must be from a faculty member in the student's major and one must be from a faculty member in the Education Department.
5. A pre-admission interview with the Chair of the Teacher Education Committee, the Director of Student Teaching and Field Experiences, and the Subject Area Program Coordinator.
6. Review and approval of the student's application for admission to Teacher Education by the Teacher Education Committee.
7. A student must be admitted to Teacher Education before he/she will be allowed to enroll in the EDU 300 and 400 level courses in the professional licensure sequence or student teaching block (EDU 330, 342, 407, 410-418, 419, 420, 421, 447).
8. Once a student is admitted to Teacher Education he/she is required to maintain the same grade standards required for admission to Teacher Education. A student whose grades fall below the required standards of a cumulative "C+" (2.5 GPA) and a "C" (2.0 GPA) or better in his/her major and licensure courses (EDU and SPE courses for Elementary Education and Special Education majors) will meet with his/her advisor and the Chair of the Teacher Education Committee to plan a program to raise his/her grades to the required standard before going forward in the program.

Requirements for Admission to Student Teaching:

1. Acceptance into the Teacher Education Program at least one full semester (excluding the summer) prior to the student teaching semester.
2. Maintenance of the academic requirements (i.e. 2.5 GPA overall, etc. ) for entering the Teacher Education Program, C (2.0) or better in all major and licensure courses, (EDU and SPE courses for Elementary Education and Special Education majors) and removal of any incompletes.
3. Completion of all major and professional licensure requirements (except PXS 415) except the Student Teaching Block courses.
4. An application on file in the Education Office no later than the date specified by the Director of Field Experiences and Student Teaching the semester prior to student teaching.
5. Remediation of any identified weaknesses.
6. Receipt of letter from the Chair, Teacher Education Committee, acknowledging approval for student teaching.

Requirements for licensure:

1. Completion of all degree requirements.
2. Completion of all licensure requirements.
3. A satisfactory score on the Specialty Area Test(s) of the Praxis Series Examination if required.
4. An overall cumulative grade point average of 2.5
5. A grade of C (2.0) or better in all courses in the student's major and in the professional sequence (EDU and SPE courses for Elementary Education and Special Education majors), a grade of B (3.0) or better in Student Teaching.

Candidates are advised to consult with the Program Coordinator for their subject area throughout their course of study.

Requirements for Licensure-Only:

Licensure-only candidates follow the requirements for admission to Teacher Education as described above. Persons with a baccalaureate degree wishing to obtain licensure through Methodist University must submit transcripts for evaluation and have an IEP prepared by the appropriate Subject Area Program Coordinator and signed by the Chair of the Teacher Education Committee. All courses the candidate will be required to complete will be listed on the IEP. All courses on the IEP must be taken at Methodist University.

Requirements for lateral entry:

The Department of Education follows two program plans for lateral entry students.

1. Students seeking teacher licensure through Methodist University must submit a letter from their employing school district verifying they are lateral entry, have their transcripts evaluated by the Department of Education, be admitted to Teacher Education, and follow the guidelines for all candidates admitted to Teacher Education. All courses listed on the IEP must be competed at Methodist University. (See requirements for admission to Teacher Education).
2. Students seeking lateral entry licensure through the State Department of Public Instruction Regional Alternative Licensing Centers (RALC) may take any course(s) offered at Methodist University recommended by the RALC. The Methodist University Department of Education works very closely with the Regional Centers to facilitate lateral entry teacher licensure. (Note: the Methodist University Teacher Education Program does not offer a program for teachers working under the Emergency Permit to Practice. However, the Teacher Education Program understands the need to assist teachers holding an Emergency Permit to Practice and works closely with the school districts to facilitate their enrollment in courses when possible.)