Students earning the baccalaureate degree and teacher certification complete a major and minor from fields appropriate to their intended level of certification. During the freshman, sophomore and junior years, students work toward fulfilling degree requirements, major and minor requirements, and Education prerequisites for Teacher Education admission. Most students apply to the Teacher Education professional program during their junior year and complete professional courses and field experiences during their final year. The Major Advisor assists with program planning for the degree, the major, the minor, and Education prerequisites. Students are also encouraged to consult with Education faculty well before actual admission to the professional program.
Transfer students follow the same dual advising process after admission to the university.
Post-baccalaureate students seeking certification should inquire into options at either the graduate or undergraduate level. Teacher Education is a secondary admission program. Students who want to become certified as elementary or secondary teachers must first be admitted to the university, then follow the program sequence outlined above prior to admission to Teacher Education. Applicants must meet all criteria outlined in the university catalog at the time of application to Teacher Education. Following are examples of selected criteria upon which admissions decisions are based.