For New Students

DECLARATION OF UNDERGRADUATE TEACHER EDUCATION MAJOR or MINOR

If you have any questions about the major/minor declaration process feel free to speak with the Student Services Coordinator for the School of Education, Health, and Human Performance at 843.953.5613.

1. Declare your major or minor with the Office of Student Services and Certification.
2. Complete the Field Service Agreement and other required paperwork.
3. Students will receive a packet from the Student Services Coordinator in the School of Education, Health, and Human Performance containing:

• PRAXIS registration booklet
• Computerized testing information (Prometric Testing Center)
• Website for ETS (www.ets.org/praxis)
• SC teacher loan Information (TBA)
• Loan forgiveness information for Federal Loans (Perkins & Stafford Loans)
• Unit Assessment System
• Criteria for "Acceptance to Teacher Education Certification Program"
• School of Education, Health, and Human Performance Mission Statement

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHER EDUCATION CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS

Students seeking admission to the College of Charleston Teacher Education Program must formally apply in the Office of Student Services and Certification.

The deadline for the application for fall semester admission is March 10 and the deadline is October 15 for spring semester admission.

Until all the following requirements for admission to teacher education programs are met, candidates may not take any teacher education program courses except EDFS 201--Introduction to Education.

1. Complete program-specified minimum number of general education requirements.
2. Minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
3. Passing scores on all three Praxis I tests or minimum SAT score.
4. Complete EDFS 201 with a grade of "C" or better.
5. Evidence of qualifications for teacher education program according to current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
6. Three assessments of disposition to be completed by:
   • One general education professor
   • EDFS 201 instructor
   • Someone knowledgeable about candidate's involvement with children/youth.
7. Supporting evidence:
   • Basic technology competency
   • Baseline self-assessment of knowledge, skills and dispositions related to the SOE Teaching and Learning Standards.

Provisional Admission

Students may be provisionally admitted to the Teacher Education Program based on one of the following two conditions:

• Praxis I - PRE-PROFESSIONAL SKILLS TEST (PPST)
This provisional admission only applies if the deficiency is in one and only one test area: mathematics, reading, or writing. A student who scores below the cut-off score in more than one test area will not be considered for provisional admission. The student must have successfully met all other requirements for admission and have a minimum overall GPA of 2.50. Provisional admission is for one semester only. Failure of the student to successfully meet all requirements for admission by the end of the provisional semester (the date final grades are due) will result in removal from the Teacher Education Program.
• Overall Grade Point Average of 2.5
  This provisional admission only applies if the overall GPA is at or above 2.40. A student whose overall GPA is below 2.40 will not be considered for provisional admission. The student must have successfully met all other requirements for admission. Provisional admission is for one semester only. Failure of the student to successfully meet all requirements for admission by the end of the provisional semester (the date final grades are due) will result in removal from the Teacher Education Program.

Appeals

No appeals are allowed for admission. When there is cause to deny a candidate continuation, the candidate will be notified in writing regarding the reason for the denial. If the candidate believes there are extenuating circumstances that warrant further and special consideration, the candidate may appeal the decision by following the procedures listed in the School of Education, Health, and Human Performance Appeals Policy and Procedures.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

Transfer Students must have transcripts evaluated by the Office of the Registrar to determine general course equivalents.

All education courses and those that might be considered to meet core or professional education requirements will be further evaluated by the School of Education, Health, and Human Performance.

The teacher certification program involves a combination of coursework and field-based learning culminating in a semester long Clinical Practice experience. Throughout the program, the student’s progress is reviewed by a series of assessments that measure performance in relation to established standards.

To maintain a good standing in the teacher certification program and be admitted to Clinical Practice, the candidate must meet criteria established by program faculty, maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.50, maintain a minimum specified GPA in the major, and successfully complete field experiences.