Admission Requirements for Teacher Certification Programs

Requirements

• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 overall in accordance with ASU policy, 2.75 in professional studies listed on the ALSDE approved checklist for the program, and 2.75 in the teaching field listed on the ALSDE approved checklist for the program.
• Remedial courses may not be used to meet approved program requirements.
• No grade below a “C” in any of the coursework completed on the ALSDE approved checklist;
• Passing score on all three portions of the Alabama Educators Certification Test Part I (ACT Work Keys AECAP—Part I) Praxis Core (Basic Skills Test) (If taken and passed prior to 8/31/2017, APTT scores will be accepted until 8/31/2022 for certification by the ALSDE)
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Mathematics
• Completion of EDU 100, EDU 300, and the additional professional studies courses that may be taken prior to being admitted to the EPP;
• Successful performance in the pre-professional field experiences (EDU 300 and any of the additional professional studies courses that may be taken prior to admission to EPP);
• The completion of a satisfactory interview by department faculty to determine the student’s personal qualities, dispositions, and potential for teaching;
• The receipt of three (3) recommendation letters with at least one (1) from an ASU professor that has taught the student; and
• ABI/FBI Background Clearance.

Steps for Unconditional Admission to the EPP:

Step 1: The student completes the application to the Educator Preparation Program.

Step 2: The advisor verifies that all criteria have been met and submits the following documentation with the application to the Teacher Certification Department by the approved deadline date published in the Educator Preparation Handbook:

• GPAs calculations (overall, professional studies, and teaching field);
• AECAP—Part I scores;
• The completion of the appropriate coursework according to the ALSDE approved checklist;
• Satisfactory interview ratings;
• Appropriate dispositions; and
• ABI/FBI Background Clearance

Step 3: The application is submitted to the certification office with all appropriate signatures. Step 4: The Certification Director presents the application and accompanying documentation to the Educator Preparation Assessment and Intervention Committee (EPAIC). The EPAIC will vote and make an admission decision for each of these students. Each student that has been voted on favorably by the EPAIC will receive an EPP card indicating that he/she is formally admitted to the EPP from the Certification Director.

Students that are denied admission will receive a letter explaining the reason for denial of admission to the TEP from the Director of the EPAIC and their application packet will be returned to the academic advisor.

NOTE: ANY COURSEWORK TAKEN PRIOR TO ADMISSION THAT IS RESTRICTED TO CANDIDATES ADMITTED TO THE EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM WILL JEOPARDIZE STUDENT’S ABILITY TO BE ADMITTED TO THE PROGRAM.

NOTE: ADMISSION TO AN EPP IS COMPETITIVE AND MEETING STANDARD CRITERIA DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMISSION. THOSE WHO MEET STANDARD CRITERIA ARE GUARANTEED CONSIDERATION FOR ADMISSION TO AN EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM. ADMISSION WILL BE BASED ON EVALUATIONS OF THE APPLICATIONS TO IDENTIFY THOSE APPLICANTS WHO ARE BEST QUALIFIED AND WHO SHOW STRONG LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS IN THEIR CHOSEN AREAS.

Admission, retention and completion requirements for teacher education programs are governed by policies and procedures of accrediting/approval agencies (CAEP, SACSCOC, ALSDE, etc.) and ASU. Accordingly, the requirements and procedures indicated here are subject to change at any time. Candidates must consult with their COE advisers to ensure meeting the most recent requirements and procedures.

Candidates are responsible for obtaining the most current set of requirements from the COE academic adviser. Although governed by the academic catalog under which an individual enters ASU, candidates are subject to any and all changes by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). This may result in additional requirements for certification.

Transfer Credits

All transfer courses must be completed at a regionally accredited institution, any courses not completed at a regionally accredited institution must be repeated for credit.