During EDU 200 Introduction to Teaching in a Diverse Society, prospecitve candidates complete the requirements for admission to teacher education. The education department chair will attend a class session and explain all the requirements and answer all questions. It is expected that all candidates will be fully admitted without conditions by the end of the semester during which they take this class.
At the end of the semester, the education department processes all applications to teacher education and then mails all applicants a letter informing them of the status of their application. It is the responsibility of all prospecitve candidates to monitor this process and to respond to requests for documents, test scores, etc.
If the candidate is unable to meet all the requirements for admission to teacher education, s/he is permitted to request, in writing a one semester extension. This request must be submitted to the education department chair. If, at the end of the one semester, s/he is still unable to meet the requirements, s/he must schedule an appointment with the department chair to discuss next steps.
| Required Documentation | Process to Submit Documentation |
| Complete application for admission to teacher education | Completed in class |
| Sign "Due Process Procedures" | Completed in class |
| Sign "Praxis II Information for Licensure" | Completed in class |
| Sign "Questions Asked When Applying for a License" | Completed in class |
| Three recommendations from faculty members (excluding Intro to Teaching professor) | Prospective candidate submits names of professors and recommendation forms. Education department distributes and collects the forms from the professors. |
| Submit "Why I Wish to Teach" essay | Completed in class |
| Submit "Personal Data Sheet" | Completed prior to field experience |
| Successful completion of Intro to Teaching and Early Field Experience | Transcript review completed by the education department |
| Praxis I (PPST) passing scores in reading (173), math (172) and writing (172) | Prospective candidate is required to register and take the Praxis I tests. Test results must be sent to Bluffton University. Tests must be retaken if scores do not meet the minimum expectation. |
| Declare major (content area and teacher education program) | Prospective candidate is required to go to the Bluffton Web, download the declaration form and secure signatures |
| GPA of at least 2.5 | Transcript review completed by the education department |
| "No record" report from BCII (fingerprinting) | Prospective candidate is required to be fingerprinted in the education department prior to early field experience. Information is provided during registration and in EDU 200. |
| Positive recommendation from advisor, academic dean, dean of students, director of teacher education | Education department secures these recommendations |
| Satisfactory interview with members of education department | Scheduled during class |
| Positive evaluation from early field experience cooperating teacher | Education department secures evaluations |
