Admission and Retention in the Teacher Education Program

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.