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PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

 

Admission to Teacher Certification Programs

Students planning to enter any professional teacher education program must meet six academic and non-academic requirements established by the School of Education which are consistent with certification requirements of the State of Connecticut. These are:

1.    Complete the University Requirements, thereby exhibiting an educational background in the arts and humanities, mathematics, science, social and behavioral sciences, health and physical education.

2.    Pass the state-mandated skills examination (Praxis I) in mathematics, reading, and writing. Praxis I may be waived if you can provide evidence of: 

  • a combined score of 1000 or more on the SAT with no less than 400 on both the verbal and mathematic subtests (a combined score of 1100 or more on the SAT with no test score less than 450 on either the verbal and the mathematics for SAT tests taken on or after April 1, 1995)
  • or, a score of 22 or more on the English subtest and 19 or more on the mathematic subtest of the American College Testing Program Assessment (ACT) if it was taken on or after October 1989 or the equivalent ACT score of no less than 20 in English and 17 in mathematics from test administrations prior to October 1989
  • or, a combined minimum score of 1000 on the GRE quantitative and verbal reasoning tests, with no less than a score of 500 in quantitative reasoning and 450 in verbal reasoning for tests taken prior to October 1, 2002.  On or after October 1, 2002, GRE scores should show a combined minimum of 1000, with no less than a score of 500 in quantitative reasoning and 450 in verbal reasoning plus a minimum analytic writing score of 4.5. 
  • STUDENTS SEEKING A WAIVER ON THE BASIS OF ACT, SAT OR GRE'S ARE REFERRED TO THE WAIVER OF TESTING INFORMATION AND APPLICATION BOOKLET ON THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WEBSITE:  FORM ED 192.

3.    Maintain a minimum 2.7 QPR for all undergraduate courses.

4.    Submit an essay demonstrating a proficiency in English, setting forth the reasons for wanting to enroll in a teacher preparation program and emphasizing experiences relevant to teaching.

5.    Submit a letter of recommendation from each of two persons able to testify to the student's suitability as a teacher.

6.    Be interviewed by a departmental admissions committee, which will assess the student's personal attributes that will affect his or her teaching performance.


Any one of the requirements 3-6 above may be waived if justified by unusual circumstances. These requirements apply to all students seeking admission to teacher certification programs in early childhood education, elementary education, middle grade education, any secondary education program (English, social studies (history), mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, foreign languages), art education, health education, physical education and special education.

No student is accepted into a certification program until requirements 1-6 are met or waived. Failure to meet all of the requirements in a timely manner will preclude registration for course work. Applicants to certification programs should allow a minimum of six months from receipt of application to admission.

Students applying for certification programs may not register for more than two courses in professional education before they have met all the requirements specified in the six standards established by the Connecticut Board of Education and have received official notification of admission to the certification program.

 

Performance Assessment

Students must maintain good standing in the program in order to qualify for student teaching and a recommendation from Southern Connecticut State University for State of Connecticut teacher certification. They also must demonstrate the following:

  • Personal attitudes and attributes that affect her or his performance as a teacher
  • Professional behavior appropriate to the context which shows realization that actions reflect directly upon the status and substance of the profession
  • Confidentiality of all information concerning colleagues and students obtained in the educational process
  • Integrity and honesty in written and verbal communication, documentations, and coursework related to the professional program for teacher certification.

The School of Education requires the student to maintain a 2.7 QPR average. A student, who after acceptance into a teacher education program, completes 9 or more credits with a cumulative QPR of less than 2.7 will be placed on School of Education academic probation. The student will have one semester to raise the QPR to 2.7 or higher. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the School of Education.

 

Revocation of Admission to the Professional Program

Demonstrated unprofessional behavior or an inability to respond appropriately in various contexts which affects her or his performance as a teacher; Falsified or misrepresented any documentation or information provided for programmatic, academic, or professional qualification/competency purposes;

  • Achieves an unacceptable standard on the performance assessments required by the School of Education
  • Been convicted in a court of law of a crime involving moral turpitude or of any crime of such nature that in the opinion of the University would impair the standing of the School of Education professional program
  • Other due and sufficient cause. A passing score on PRAXIS II (or ACTFL if receiving certification in foreign language) is required for completion of the program at Southern. Every attempt to pass PRAXIS II before initiating student teaching should be made. In any case, students must pass PRAXIS II prior to the completion of student teaching.

 

General Information:

Passing scores from Praxis I or official waiver are necessary.

Testing dates for the  Praxis exams in the 2007-2008 academic year are as follows:

  • November 15, 2008 
  • January 10, 2009 
  • March 14, 2009
  • April 25, 2009
  • July 25, 2009

See the link for Praxis below for more information on testing.