Admission and Retention in the Teacher Education Program

Admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) is required for those students wishing to pursue a degree in any of the education undergraduate programs or in the M.A.T. degree or related non-degree program that leads to initial teacher certification. Criteria for retention in the program must also be met, as well as specific program requirements and clinical practice requirements. Candidate progress is monitored by program faculty and advisors to ensure that candidates are satisfactorily meeting program outcomes.

Admission and Retention in the Teacher Education Program (Undergraduate Students)

Undergraduate students pursuing a certification program must be admitted into the Teacher Education Program as a prerequisite for enrollment in junior/senior level education courses. Students must apply for and be issued a Pre-Service Certificate from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. This certification serves as formal admission into the Teacher Education Program. The Pre-Service Certificate application process occurs during enrollment in the Pre-Professional Block (PPB), a set of three, three-credit hour courses, which include a field experience totaling 51 clock hours taken concurrently during the sophomore year. Transfer undergraduate students who completed PPB courses and field experiences at another institution will complete the Pre-Service Certificate application at SOAR. During the PPB semester, undergraduate students begin using a data management system. This system supports the monitoring and assessment of students’ progress through the TEP.

In order to be admitted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP), an undergraduate student must have:

1. Earned a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better on all Georgia Southern coursework, as well as any transfer and transient credit hours which have been accepted by Georgia Southern. 
2. Earned a minimum of 50 credit hours in Core Curriculum courses including Area F Professional Education Block courses.
3. Completed Area A1, Area A2, and Area F coursework (including the Pre-Professional Block) with a minimum grade of “C”.
4. Completed a MyPSC account with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and claimed Georgia Southern University as the program provider.
5. Successfully completed the Georgia Educator Ethics (360) Assessment.
6. Successfully completed the Pre-Professional Block TEP Admissions Folio Review.
7. Earned a passing evaluation on Area F field experience rubrics. Any student who does not successfully complete the field component of the Area F courses may apply through the Office of Field Experience and Clinical Practice to attempt this field experience again. This field experience will be repeatable as field placements are available and must be completed successfully within two attempts, including the original attempt.
8. Submitted proof of liability insurance. 
9. Apply for and receive a Preservice Certificate from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. https://coe.georgiasouthern.edu/advisement/certification/pre-service-certification/
10. Maintain an active account with the College of Education’s electronic assessment and data management system.

All of the following requirements must be met for retention in the Teacher Education Program:

1. Students must maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better.
2. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all professional education and all teaching field coursework. For Georgia Certification, a grade of “B” or higher is required in the program specific Special Education course (HDFS 3234 , KINS 4432 , SPED 3130 , SPED 3331 , SPED 3332 , SPED 3333 ).
3. Students must successfully complete all field experiences.
4. Students must not have been found in violation of the Georgia Southern Student Conduct Code. Reviews will be made on a case-by-case basis based on the seriousness of the violation and with regard to consistency.
5. Students must not have violated the Georgia Professional Standards Commission’s Code of Ethics for Professional Educators. Students must abide by this Code of Ethics and report any violations to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
6. Students must be making satisfactory progress toward meeting program objectives. Program faculty will be responsible for monitoring student progress and providing guidance to students who may be having difficulty meeting retention requirements.
7. Students must maintain a valid pre-service certificate.
8. Must not have been found in violation of the Georgia Southern University Student Conduct Code.  Reviews will be made on a case-by-case basis based on the seriousness of the violation and with regard to consistency.
9. Students must maintain liability insurance. 
10. Students must maintain an active account with the College of Education’s electronic assessment and data management system.

Admission and Retention in the Teacher Education Program (Graduate Students)

Admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) is required for those students wishing to pursue the M.A.T. degree or related non-degree program that leads to initial teacher certification. 

In order to be admitted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP), a graduate student must have: 

1. Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better on all previously attempted coursework.
2. Completed English composition and college algebra courses (or equivalents) with a minimum grade of “C”.
3. Successfully completed the appropriate GACE Content Assessment. (Not required for MAT Concentration in Elementary Education, Health and Physical Education, or Special Education.)
4. Successfully completed the Georgia Educator Ethics (360) Assessment. 
5. Acknowledge “Disclosure and Affirmation” statements that address the Georgia Code of Ethics for Educators and the need for tort liability insurance.
6. Submitted proof of liability insurance.
7. Created a MyPSC account with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and claim Georgia Southern University as your program provider.
8. Received a Preservice Certificate or Provisional Certificate from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
9. Meet all program admission requirements.

All of the following requirements must be met for retention in the Teacher Education Program:

1. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, in the MAT program.
2. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all professional education and all teaching field coursework.  For Georgia teacher certification, a grade of “B” or higher is required in the program-specific Special Education course (SPED 6130  or KINS 6234 ). 
3. Students must successfully complete all field and clinical experiences.
4. Students must not have been found in violation of the Georgia Southern Student Conduct Code. Reviews will be made on a case-by-case basis based on the seriousness of the violation and with regard to consistency.
5. Students must not have violated the Georgia Professional Standards Commission’s Code of Ethics for Professional Educators.
6. Students must be making satisfactory progress toward meeting program objectives. Programs will be responsible for monitoring student progress and providing guidance to students who may be having difficulty meeting retention requirements.
7. Maintain validity of Georgia educator certificate required for program admission.
8. Students must maintain liability insurance.
9. Students must maintain an active account with the College of Education’s electronic assessment and data management system.
10. Students must meet all additional program requirements.