Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Procedures | Criteria | Transfer Students
Admission to the Student Teacher Program | Assignment to a Student Teacher Position

Procedures for Admission to Teacher Education

Students seeking admission to the Teacher Education Program will make application during the Education Seminar and Lab course, preferably by October 1 of their sophomore year, or in the case of transfer students, during their first semester at MNU. Admission requirements are stated in the university catalog and later in this handbook.

Upon receipt of the student's application by the Teacher Education Office, a file is initiated and a check of the applicant's qualifications is made. At least one time during each school year thereafter, the student is notified in writing of admission requirements which have not been met. The student's progress toward completion of the program is summarized on the Teacher Education Student Record Form. This is a computer generated screen which is maintained in the Teacher Education Office.

When all admission requirements and procedures are satisfied, the licensing officer will submit the applicant's name to the Teacher Education Committee for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Applicants approved for admission into the program will be notified in writing that they are now a teacher candidate.

Approval by the Teacher Education Committee is required for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Students are not permitted to enroll in or complete upper division education courses until they have been formally admitted by the Teacher Education Committee. An appeals process is available to applicants who have been denied admission to the Teacher Education Program.

Criteria for Admission to Teacher Education

The following criteria must be met before a student is admitted to the Teacher Education Program. Documentation of the completion of these requirements must be on file in the Teacher Education Office before the Licensing Officer will submit a student's application to the Teacher Education Committee.

1. "B-" or better in EDUC 1003 Education Seminar and Lab (2 hours).

2. Acceptable, formal application to the Teacher Education Program.

3. Two favorable recommendations from full-time faculty members.

4. At least 28 semester hours of college work (exclusive of developmental course work.)

5. A cumulative grade-point average of 2.75 in all program stipulated course work completed at the time of application.*

6. *Program stipulated course work is defined as all course work specified to meet a state standard. This includes all courses specified in the program with the exception of: OT Literature, NT Literature, and Christian Beliefs

7. "C" or better in MATH 1103 Intermediate Algebra or competence as judged by the Mathematics Department.

8. "B-" or better in ENGL 1203 English Composition: Writing & Research.

9. "B-" or better in COMM 1303 Principles of Communication.

10. No pending disciplinary probation.

11. No record of being convicted of a felony or crime involving dishonesty, a controlled substance, or a crime against a child.

12. Score of 174 or better on the Pre-Professional Skills Mathematics Test.*

13. Score of 173 or better on the Pre-Professional Skills Reading Test.*

14. Score of 172 or better on the Pre-Professional Skills Writing Test.*
*Paper version or computer-based version is acceptable.

15. Completion of 20 hours community service.

16. Must show proof of liability insurance at the time of registration for each semester.

17. Approval by the Teacher Education Committee

18. A provisional admittance will be allowed for one semester if a student has passed two of the three PPST tests and is within two points of passing the third. During the provisional semester the student will be required to complete a remediation program in the area of the test still to be completed. Or if a student has passed all the PPST tests with one required course still to be completed.

NOTICE: Admission to the Teacher Education Program does not guarantee placement for student teaching or recommendation for licensure.

Transfer Students and Teacher Education Admission

Transfer students should apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program immediately upon transfer to MNU. Failure to do so could delay completion of the Program. Transfer courses which students intend to use toward licensure must be accepted by the Teacher Education Department. In order to be accepted, a transfer course must be judged equivalent to the MNU course by a qualified evaluator. The licensure officer serves as the evaluator for components I & II (General Core and Professional Education). A faculty member from the content area may serve as the evaluator for component III (Content area). The Equivalent Course work Form (Appendix E) should be used by students and faculty to communicate with the Teacher Education Office concerning transfer courses which have been accepted. Students are responsible to schedule appointments to document course work to be accepted toward a degree in education.

Admission to the Student Teacher Program

Procedures for Admission to Student Teaching
Applications for admission to Student Teaching are due in the Teacher Education Office September 30 or January 30 one semester prior to student teaching. This allows for early approval and placement by the Teacher Education Committee. Satisfactory recommendations from the teacher candidate's major department and a successful interview with at least one MNU faculty person, as well as the other conditions stated below and listed in the current university catalog, must be met prior to action by the Teacher Education Committee. Documentation of completion of requirements for admission into Student Teaching is maintained in each student's Teacher Education file. The requirements for admission must be completed before the licensing officer will submit the student's application to the Teacher Education Committee for consideration. When action is taken by the Teacher Education Committee, the applicant will be notified in writing of the decision. An appeals process is available to applicants who have been denied admission to the Teacher Education Program.

Criteria for Admission to Student Teaching
A student may not be admitted to Teacher Education and Student Teaching during the same semester. (Summer school is not considered a semester.)

Requirements:

1. Admission into the Teacher Education Program

2. Acceptable, formal application to the Student Teaching Program submitted one semester prior to student teaching. The final deadline is September 30 for the following spring, or January 30 for the following fall.

3. A cumulative GPA of 2.75 in all college work attempted.

4. A cumulative GPA of 2.75 in the content area major.

5. A cumulative GPA of 2.75 in Professional Education course work.

6. Grade of "B-" or better in all Professional Education courses.

7. Grade of "B-" or better in all Elementary Content Area courses.

8. Grade of "C" or better in all Secondary Content courses.

9. Completion of 60 hours community service (total of 80 hours)

10. Acceptable score on the Kansas state required Content Test for respective areas prior to Student Teaching.

11. Take at least 15 semester hours of Professional Education courses at MNU.

12. Take at least 6 semester hours of courses from the content area at MNU.*

13. Satisfactory assessment and approval from the faculty of the student's major and from the Division of Education.

14. A successful pre-student teaching interview with a panel of MNU faculty member.

15. Completion of or enrollment in all course work needed for licensure with the exception of Student Teaching.

16. Approval of the Teacher Education Committee.

* Degree seeking students must take 15 semester hours from the content area at MNU.

NOTICE: Admission to the Student Teaching Program does not guarantee placement for student teaching or recommendation for licensure.

Fingerprint Process
Effective July 1, 2002, all applicants for initial Kansas licensure and applicants whose certificate has been expired for one year or more are required to submit fingerprint cards for a criminal history record check. A check or money order for $44 made out to KSDE is required.

Assignment to a Student Teacher Position

Procedures for Assignment to Student Teaching

Once teacher candidates are admitted to student teaching, the Field-Based Coordinator will request student teaching placements. Grade level assignments and school placements will be made, when possible, in accordance with the teacher candidate's stated preference, but the final placements are determined by the school districts.

MidAmerica Nazarene University enters into a contract with each district participating in the student teaching program. Requests for assignments are directed to the designated coordinator in the district by the university Field-Based Coordinator. For fall placements, teaching candidates are encouraged to participate in the opening school experience prior to the student teaching semester. The HANDBOOK FOR STUDENT TEACHERS details the operation of the student teaching program.

Requirements:

1. Admission into the Student Teaching Program.
2. Completion of appropriate forms for student teaching assignment.
3. Acceptable health certificate signed by a doctor not earlier than 6 months prior to Student Teaching.
4. Fingerprint cards and criminal history record check submitted to Kansas State Department of Education.
5. Completion of course work prior to Student Teaching.