Requirements for Degree Seeking Candidates

A formal application for entrance into the program of teacher education should be filed with the chair of the Department of Education at the beginning of the first semester of the sophomore year. Transfer students entering the University with junior classification must make application during the first semester in residence. Application forms may be secured from the Department of Education Office.

To be admitted to teacher education, the candidate must have met the following requirements: 

1. Completed forty-five (45) semester hours with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50. 

2. Earned at least a grade of "C" in each Liberal Studies Course. 

3. Earned, at minimum, the NC State cut off scores on the Praxis tests: PPST Reading, PPST Writing, and PPST Mathematics. 

4. Declared a major and been recommended by the department of the major. 

5. Completed an interview at a satisfactory level. 

6. Been recommended by three former professors, one of whom must be in the department of the applicant's major field. 

7. Completed EDU 230 at a satisfactory level. 

8. Approved by the Teacher Education Committee. 

9. Completed satisfactorily the of Level I Field Experiences.

Students who plan to teach in the elementary school, grades K-6, should major in elementary education. Teacher licensure at the secondary school level is available in the following subject areas: Mathematics, Health Education, Physical Education, English and Social Studies. Students who plan to teach in the secondary school should select majors and minors from the above areas. It is highly recommended that students prepare to teach two subjects.

Requirements of Licensure Only Candidates

Students who have a degree from an accredited college or university and who wish to pursue a teaching career are encouraged to make formal application to the Teacher Education Program.  Requirements for admission to Teacher Education are as follows: 

1. A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5. 

Students who do not have a 2.5 GPA at the time of application must attain such by the end of the 12 hours of study at JCSU 

2. Achievement of the state cut off scores on the Praxis tests: PPST Reading, PPST Writing, and PPST Mathematics. 

3. Recommendation of three former professors or employers. 

4. Approval of the Teacher Education Committee.  Approval of the JCSU department of the teaching specialty. 

5. Completion of a personal interview and recommendation by the              teacher education screening committee.

Licensure-only candidates must meet all admission requirements for admission to teacher education before student teaching. Lateral entry candidates must complete all licensure requirements. All candidates are urged to complete all admission requirements as early as possible so as not to delay progress.

Requirements for Practicing Teachers

Students who have a degree from an accredited college or university and are

currently teaching full-time in a public, private or charter school should make

formal application to the Teacher Education Program. Requirements for

admission to Teacher Education are as follows: 

1.       Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5. 

2.          Achievement of the state cut off scores on the Praxis tests: PPST Reading, PPST Writing, PPST Mathematics or a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2, or at least three years of fulltime post baccalaureate effective work experience. 

3.           Recommendation of three former professors or employers.

4.         Declaration of a teaching specialty and acceptance in the        department of the teaching specialty.      

5.           Approval of the Teacher Education Committee. 

6.           Approval of the JCSU department of the teaching specialty. 

7.          Completion of a personal interview and recommendation by the    teacher education screening committee.

Lateral Entry candidates must complete all admission requirements as part of their program and before they are recommended for licensure. All candidates are urged to complete all admission requirements as early as possible so that progress will not be delayed.