Three Steps to Complete EMU’s Teacher Education Program

For admission to the teacher education program at EMU you must make formal application for admission by November 30 of the sophomore year or junior year for transfer students. These applications are acted upon by the Teacher Education Admissions Committee based on consideration of the following criteria:

• complete ED 101 Exploring Teaching, or its equivalent with a C or better.
• submit a Teacher Education application by November 30.

• read and acknowledge an understanding of the Virginia Licensure Regulations for School Personnel.

• demonstrate dispositions of personal and professional responsibility, caring about relationships in learning communities, scholarship and inquiry, and reflective practice as evidenced by academic, teacher education, and character recommendations.

• maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5. (2.7 is needed for student teaching).

• achieve a C or better in all education courses (courses with an ED/EDS prefix) to be admitted to Student Teaching.

• complete a teacher education interview in February.

In order to student teach, you must complete an application by November 30 of your junior year or the academic year prior to your student teaching placement. These applications are acted upon by the Teacher Education Admissions Committee based on consideration of the following criteria:

• be admitted to teacher education and remain in good standing according to the Teacher Education admissions criteria.

• achieve and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7.

• achieve a C or better in all education courses (with an ED/EDS prefix).
• complete an application for admission to student teaching by November 30.
• demonstrate dispositions of personal and professional responsibility, caring about relationships in learning communities, scholarship and inquiry, and reflective practice as evidenced by academic, teacher education, and character recommendations.

• meet with the Coordinator of Field Experience or the Undergraduate Teacher Education Director for a student teaching placement interview in February.

• have a negative Tuberculosis screening.

• take the Praxis Subject Assessment(s) required for Virginia Licensure and/or your EMU program by Dec. 1 for spring student teachers and May 1 for fall student teachers.
  • Health and Physical Education candidates student teaching in the spring may take the Praxis Subject Assessment in January of their student teaching semester and must submit proof of registration prior to student teaching.
  • For those seeking certification in more than one program area, one Praxis Subject Assessment examination is required as indicated above, and additional Praxis Subject Assessements must be taken and passed prior to program completion.
    See Virginia Test Score Requirements | Register for Praxis

• achieve a score of 2 or higher on designated criteria in the lesson plan rubric from designated program courses. Students are given the opportunity within two designated courses to master the criteria at least once.

• achieve a score of “Developing Towards Expectations” or higher on each of seven essential criterion in the Profile of Clinical Performance practicum evaluation from designated program courses. Students are given the opportunity within two designated courses to master the criteria at least once.

• complete certification or training in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) including hands-on practice, and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED). The certification or training program shall be based on the current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator, such as a program developed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

• Write and submit an introductory letter and a resume by March 31 prior to the student teaching semester. These will be given to each supervising teacher and placed in your student file.

• complete the background check requirement of the school division(s) in which you will student teach by the date required (dates will vary depending on the school division).

Students must be admitted to teacher education by July 1, prior to the academic year they wish to student teach.

In addition to meeting the requirements for your academic major, each student who completes the Teacher Education Program must satisfy the following exit requirements:

• meet the Virginia State cut-off score requirements for the Praxis Subject Assessment(s).
  See Virginia Test Score Requirements | Register for Praxis

• maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 through the final semester and achieve a C or better in all education courses (with an ED/EDS prefix).

• successfully complete student teaching as determined by the university consultant in conjunction with the cooperating teacher.

• successfully complete ED 411 Reflective Teaching Seminar with a passing grade.

• complete dyslexia awareness training, provided by the Virginia Department of Education, on the indicators of dyslexia and the evidence-based interventions and accommodations for dyslexia.

• complete behavior intervention and support training, provided by the Virginia Department of Education on the use of restraint and seclusion.

• meet requirements for child abuse and neglect recognition & reporting curriculum guidelines of the Virginia Department of Education.

• complete instruction or training in cultural competency as per guidelines from the Virginia Board of Education.

• complete the application for a Virginia teaching license.