Admission to Teacher Education
The following requirements are based on the 2024-2025 catalog.
Applicants are admitted to study at Valley City State University on the basis of academic and personal qualifications, consistent with the admissions policies established for all public colleges and universities in the state. The admittance and continuance requirements of the Teacher Education Program go beyond those of the institution. Students are typically admitted into teacher education during their sophomore year or the beginning of the junior year. While enrolled in EDUC 250, the introductory course to Teacher Education, the VCSU Teacher Education Program Handbook is reviewed online. Teacher candidates are given application forms to complete and submit to the Dean for the School of Education.
Criteria for Admission to Teacher Education
The teacher candidate who intends to pursue a program in teacher education must apply to Teacher Education and be approved for admission to the program by the Dean for the School of Education. The teacher candidate must meet the following criteria to be considered for admission:
1. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75.
A teacher candidate seeking admission to Teacher Education with a cumulative GPA between 2.50 and 2.74 may appeal (Appeal procedure and policy on page 15 in the Teacher Education Handbook).
2. Satisfactory academic performance with a “C” or higher in Comp I: ENG 110, 210, or equivalent
3. Satisfactory academic performance with a “C” or higher in Comp II: ENG 120, 125, or equivalent.
4. Satisfactory academic performance with a “C” or higher in EDUC 250: Introduction to Education.
5. Successful completion of a speech screening test.
6. Positive recommendation from advisor.
7. Positive recommendations from two School of Education and/or content area instructors.
8. Evidence of Basic Skill Requirements in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.
A teacher candidate seeking admission to Teacher Education who has not met the ND Education and ESPB requirements can apply for the Basic Skills Praxis CORE or ACT Appeal. Students must have three attempts in Praxis CORE or ACT + Writing exams prior to appeal.
9. Demonstrate proper dispositions necessary to teach for learning and completion of required field experience.
The Teacher Education Committee will review the documentation and make a recommendation to the SOE Dean to accept or deny the application for admission to the program. If the teacher is denied admission due to a condition that can be corrected, the teacher candidate may reapply when the deficiency is removed.
Continuance in Teacher Education
To continue in the Teacher Education program, the teacher candidate must:
1. continue to maintain cumulative grade point average requirements set forth in Criteria for Admission to Teacher Education.
2. demonstrate proper disposition and evidence of good conduct, physical and mental health (Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to her or his community.); and
3. continue to obtain satisfactory recommendations from faculty, staff, and field-based experience supervisors.
If requirements for continuance are not maintained, the Teacher Education Committee may recommend suspension from the program. The Committee will forward its recommendation to the Dean for the School of Education who will make the final decision. Any such action would be reflected in a letter from the Dean for the School of Education to the teacher candidate and the advisor.