PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM FOR TEACHER CERTIFICATION ADMISSION CRITERIA
The state of Connecticut requires that students be admitted to programs in teacher education only after they have met certain criteria. Admission and completion of the undergraduate program in a timely fashion requires considerable advanced planning on the part of teacher candidates. The requirements and admissions process are described below.
Students who have satisfactorily completed the Praxis I, met the GPA requirements, and completed the prerequisite courses will be considered for admittance to the Professional Program. Since effective communication is essential to teaching, applicants to the program are expected to demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills through essays and interviews. Applicants are also expected to demonstrate the interpersonal skills and dispositions that are associated with effective and equitable teaching practice. Admission to CCSU does not automatically guarantee admission to a teacher education program.
The application deadlines to the professional program are:
Fall Semester: September 10th
Spring Semester February 10th
or next business day of classes if the date falls on a weekend or holiday
Students admitted to the Professional Program in these semesters will be eligible to register for education courses in the following semester.
The following is required PRIOR TO Submission of application to the Professional Program:
- Completion of at least 45 credits, 15 of which have been earned at CCSU for secondary and all-level programs.
- A minimum of 2.70 cumulative GPA at CCSU and a minimum 2.70 cumulative GPA including all undergraduate coursework taken at all institutions (including CCSU).
- Passing scores for Praxis I (PPST) or official SAT waiver.
- Satisfactory completion of or, in some cases, enrollment in, prerequisite courses AND additional departmental requirements as outlined below.
Department Requirements:
Art Education
- ART 112, ART 113, ART 120, and PSY 236
- Art Department portfolio review
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.00 in all ART classes
-
Complete EDTE 314 concurrently with ART 301 with a grade of C or better.
Elementary Education
- Completion of (or enrollment in) the following with a grade C or better required:
- ENG 110
- MATH 113 or 213
- EDT 210
- EDTE 210
- PSY 236
- PSY 361 OR 362
- HIST 161 OR 162 (or for History majors, upper level American History course)
- A minimum overall GPA of 2.70 in the subject matter major, calculated on a minimum of 15 semester hours. Students may be enrolled in the 15 credits of subject matter courses at the time of application but must complete the 15 credits before admission will be granted.
- 30 hours of quality paid or volunteer experience with children or young adults. Acceptable experiences include such things as childcare teacher or assistant teacher, camp counselor, paraprofessional, classroom volunteer, work in an after-school program, or work in a Scout or YMCA program. Baby-sitting or parenting experience is not acceptable.
English – Secondary Education
- Complete LING 200, all four required sophomore surveys (ENG 205, 210, 203 or 204, and one additional course from among 203, 204, 206, 211), ENG 220, & ENG 449. Students may be enrolled in 1 course at time of application, but it must be completed before admission is granted.
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.00 in all ENG and LING courses
History/Social Science – Secondary Education
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.00 in all ANTH, ECON, GEOG, HIST, SOC, and PS courses
- HIST 301 with a grade of “B” or better
Mathematics – Secondary Education
- Minimum overall GPA of 2.70 in all MATH courses required by major, with no more than 2 repeats
- Completion of three mathematics courses at CCSU with a grade of C- or better in each. (This requirement may be waived by the Department of Mathematics)
- MATH 221 Calculus II with a grade of C- or better
Music Education
- MUS 101, 216, 222, and 278
- Sophomore Review
- Pass at least 60% of piano proficiency exam
-
Complete EDTE 314 concurrently with MUS 310 with a grade of C or better.
Physical Education
- Minimum of 3.00 GPA in all courses in the Physical Education major.
- Successful completion of EXS 213, PE 111, and 2 skill courses in the Physical Education major before applying to the Professional Program.
- Successful completion of PE 299 and EDTE 314. Students may be enrolled in these at the time of application but must complete them before admission will be granted.
Required at Time of Submission of Application to Barnard Hall 203:
- Completed Application including a signed Statement of Understanding.
- Praxis I PPST passing score report or a copy of Praxis I waiver letter.
- Recommendations: Each candidate must have two recommendations (with original signatures) related to the applicant’s ability to work with children and adults.
- Essay that demonstrates a command of the English language, describing the reasons why the applicant wants to teach and enroll in the Professional Program for Teacher Certification. The essay should emphasize experiences that are relevant to teaching.
- Transcripts: An official transcript must be submitted from every college/university attended by the applicant, excluding CCSU. These official transcripts must be submitted with the application and cannot be obtained either from the registrar or the admissions office here at Central; they should be obtained directly from the college or university previously attended.
- Course and work schedule indicating availability for interviews.
- Additional requirements from specific departments as follows:
Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Science, or Physics – Secondary Education
- An original laboratory report written solely by the student, which demonstrates his/her ability to design, conduct, and report a scientific investigation and apply mathematics in analyzing and presenting data.
Elementary Education
- Resume that includes the student’s educational and work experiences.
-
Statement of Experience with Children form documenting 30 hours of quality experience with children.
- One of the recommendation letters must be from a faculty member in the student’s subject matter major department.
English – Secondary Education
One of the letters of recommendation must be from a CCSU English faculty member.
History/Social Science – Secondary Education
- One of the letters of recommendation must be from a full-time member of the CCSU History Department.
Mathematics – Secondary Education
- A letter of recommendation from a member to the CCSU Mathematics Department.
- A second essay. See Math Essay form available outside Barnard 203.
