Teacher Education Program: Policies & Procedures

Application Requirements

Admission into the Teacher Education Program

Progression and Return Policies

Seven Year Time Limit for Professional Studies Methods Courses

Acceptance for Student Teaching

The Teacher Education Program at Saginaw Valley State University is built upon a foundation in the liberal arts, proficiency in Basic Skills, attainment of subject matter specialties, and competency in professional studies. A recommendation by the University to the Michigan Department of Education for a provisional teaching certificate is based upon the successful completion of specific requirements in those four areas, and successful completion of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification content area major and minor tests.

Students should follow the planned program in this catalog established by the College of Education for completing General Education requirements, Basic Skills requirements and approved majors and minors for teacher certification.

The steps leading to a recommendation for teacher certification are:

1. Fulfill application requirements for admission to the University.
2. Gain admission into the Teacher Education Program.
3. Successfully complete all course requirements in declared major(s), minor(s), and professional studies, including submission of assessments from professional studies to an electronic portfolio storage system.
4. Attain acceptance and successfully complete student teaching.
5. Successful completion of State required Michigan Test for Teacher Certification in appropriate content area major and minor tests.

In addition to the requirements listed here, candidates for teacher certification must complete any new requirements established by Michigan’s State Board of Education.

Candidates must apply and be accepted in to the Teacher Education Program prior to enrollment in 300-level and higher professional studies courses. The following must be successfully completed prior to filing an application with the College of Education:

1. All University Basic Skills requirements.
2. Minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA based on the last 60 credit hours of university level (credit earning) courses. Letter grades associated with entry-level courses will not be counted.
3. Passing scores on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Basic Skills tests in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics as established by the Michigan Department of Education.
4. A minimum of 72 credit hours completed with a grade of “C” or better at the time of application.
5. TE 100 or approved equivalent with a grade of “C” or better.
6. PYSC 100 or approved equivalent with a grade of “C” or better.
7. 15 credit hours completed in major (secondary education majors only).
8. 9 credit hours completed in minor (secondary education majors only).
9. Criminal Background Check

The following may be completed or in progress when filing an application with the College of Education, but must be successfully completed by the end of winter semester for fall admission, or by the end of fall semester for winter admission.

1. PSYC 310 or approved equivalent (elementary education majors) with a grade of “C” or better OR PSYC 315 or approved equivalent and PSYC 317 or approved equivalent (secondary education majors) with a grade of “C” or better.
2. TE 300 (elementary education majors) with a grade of “C” or better.

Candidates will be selected for admission into the Teacher Education Program on the basis of several admissions criteria. These criteria include a cumulative GPA based on the most recent 72 semester credits completed; passing scores on the MTTC Basic Skills; results of an interview with professional educators, and a criminal background check. Other criteria include consideration of potential contributions to a pluralistic society, and demonstrated interest in content areas of high need determined both locally and nationally. Candidates will be notified in writing of the results of their application.

Effective Jan 1, 1998, any candidate who is denied admission may reapply up to two additional semesters. After three denials, a candidate’s application for admission will not be accepted.

All students admitted into the Teacher Education Program must maintain a minimum overall GPA of at least 3.0 in the professional studies course sequence to remain in the Teacher Education Program. The Admissions and Transitions Committee will review and determine the readiness of any student whose GPA is below 3.0 in the professional studies sequence or upon the written request of a professor in the professional studies sequence or a professor in a student’s major or minor fields. Students who receive a grade of “D” in a professional studies course will be subject to review by College of Education faculty prior to continuing in the program.

All professional studies/methods courses (credits and requirements) must be completed within seven (7) years prior to the date on which the degree is to be granted.

Student teaching placement generally occurs at the end of the professional studies sequence. Students must apply during the year preceding the one in which they will be ready for student teaching. To be eligible for student teaching, candidates must:

1. Have successfully completed all coursework requirements for their declared major(s) and minor(s) and professional studies.
2. Have a 2.75 cumulative GPA in the required courses for their major(s) and minor(s).
3. Have a 3.00 cumulative GPA in professional studies course requirements.
4. Have successful completion of a criminal background check.

It is strongly recommended that candidates complete the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification tests in their content areas after completing all course requirements in their content area major(s) and minor(s).