Admission to the Teacher Certification Program

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First Year and transfer students are encouraged to declare their intention to work toward educator certification as early as possible after enrolling at DBU. A College of Education advisor counsels with each student individually to develop a semester-by-semester degree plan to assure proper sequence of courses. Teacher Candidates wishing to officially enter the Educator Preparation Program should make application to the program during the spring semester of the sophomore year (after 45 semester hours). Applications to the program will be considered based on the following criteria:

• Required level of performance on all three sections of the THEA test with minimum scores of 260 on the reading section, and 240 on each of the writing and math sections.
  
  
• An application of petition filed with the College of Education requesting admission to the Educator Preparation Program.
  
  
• Complete an Interview with a full-time College of Education faculty member.
  
  
• Completion of at least 45 semester hours with a minimum overall Grade Point Average of 3.0 and a minimum 3.0 Grade Point Average in the teaching field/academic concentration at the time of application to the program. The 3.0 GPA criteria must be maintained to remain in the program.

• Verification of intent to uphold Educator Code of Ethics.

• Two letters of recommendation.

• Thirty hours of observation.
  
  
• Prior to application to the Teacher Certification Program, a degree plan must be selected by the Teacher Candidate and a College of Education advisor and filed with the College of Education.
  
  
• Completion of the following courses: EDUC 1301, EDUC 3312, and READ 3330.
  
  
• Evidence of the Knowledge, Skills and Dispositions desired in a Teacher Candidate as judged by the Teacher Certification Program Committee.

Other Requirements
Teacher Candidates admitted to the Educator Preparation Program are required to attend a minimum of ten Student Education Association (SEA) meetings before graduation. Teacher Candidates transferring to DBU with 60-89 semester hours are required to have eight SEA attendances, while those with 90 or more hours need six attendances. A record of SEA attendances is maintained in the Teacher Candidate's file to determine eligibility for certification.

Teacher Candidates pursuing a major involving educator certification are required to compile a professional portfolio. The portfolio allows Teacher Candidates to present information about themselves as learners and to document growth over a period of time. The portfolio is a collection of artifacts and self-reflections which are completed in various education courses. The portfolio is completed during the semester just prior to the student teaching semester.

(S-L)= Course(s) with field-based service-learning component.

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