Teacher Education Admission Procedures
Students seeking admission to the Teacher Education Program must comply with admission requirements as stated in this catalog. Teacher Education program requirements may change to comply with accreditation requirements, professional certification requirements, etc. Students may be required to meet College graduation requirements under a different catalog than that used to obtain admission to the Teacher Education program.
Admission to the Teacher Education Program
The performance-based Teacher Education program for Elementary Education is composed of the following three phases:
- Professional Foundations of Education, General Education Core (or a baccalaureate degree), and for secondary candidates, the content major
- Professional Studies in Education, and for secondary candidates, completion of the content major
- Professional Internship in Instructional Design, Facilitation, and Evaluation
After completing the General Education Core and pre-professional studies courses, Phase I, students who meet entry requirements may apply for admission into the Teacher Education program. Application information is available from the Education Division office or online at http://education.lcsc.edu/ed_app.
It is the responsibility of the student to secure admission to the Teacher Education program and maintain that status. Students must be formally admitted to the program prior to participation in Phase II. The Division of Education admission procedure addresses four areas:
- scholarship
- a qualifying entrance examination and interview
- professional experience
- references
Adverse factors will also be considered in the admissions decision. Those adverse factors include para-competencies (i.e.-personal characteristics/attitudes inconsistent with the teaching profession exhibited by the student such as racism, intolerance, chronic lateness), patterns of course withdrawals, patterns of course incompletes, and moral turpitude.
Students must apply for admission into the Teacher Education program no later than the first day of the semester prior to the semester in which they plan to begin Phase II course work. Students who plan to begin Phase II course work in the fall should apply no later than the first day of the previous spring semester (mid-January). Students who plan to begin Phase II course work in the spring should apply no later than the first day of the previous fall semester (mid-August). PLEASE NOTE: Admission to the Teacher Education Program will be based on the predetermined number of available, quality internship sites.
Admission to the Teacher Education Program requires:
- Course work: Satisfactory completion of all Phase I course work with a grade of “C-” or better in each course. Exception: Must have “C” or better in English 101 to advance to English 102. Note: At the time of application, students should be completing the last of these required courses.
- Examination: Passing scores in math, reading, and writing on the COMPASS Placement Exam for undergraduates. This exam is not required for students who already have a baccalaureate degree.
- Scholarship: A minimum LCSC cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75; in addition, secondary candidates must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in their major teaching field.
- Professional Experience: Evidence of successful work with children or adolescents and a short reflective essay.
- References: Satisfactory, professional recommendations from two confidential references related to communication skills and academic competence. (Forms are printed from the web-based application).
- Interview and Writing Sample: Students compose an extemporaneous essay followed by a formal interview with a panel of professionals.
- Official transcripts: Required from all higher education institutions attended, other than LCSC.
Transfer Students, Admission to the Teacher Education Program requires:
- A transfer credit evaluation by the Education Division Program Assistant immediately following admission to LCSC.
- Admission to the Teacher Education Program (see above).
- Completion of a minimum of 32 LCSC credits before graduation (see baccalaureate degree requirements).
Post-Baccalaureate Students, Admission to the Teacher Education Program requires:
- A transfer credit evaluation by the Education Division Program Assistant immediately following admission to LCSC.
- Admission to the Teacher Education program (see above).
Certified Teachers should:
- Consult with the Education Division Program Assistant directly after being admitted to LCSC.
- Complete the Education Division Special Permission Form to take certain upper division course work.