University Catalog 2025-2026
Department of Curriculum, lnstruction, and Leadership
|
|
 Return to: College of Education and Human Sciences
Admission and Retention in Teacher Certification Programs
Students are subject to the scholastic standards of the University regarding probation, suspension, and readmission. Admission and retention are established and administered by department leadership. Students desiring to enter a teacher certification program must meet certain minimum requirements then file an application for admission to a teaching program. Students applying must have at least a cumulative 2.50 (non-rounded) grade point average on all college work earned. Formal admission to a program makes a student eligible to enroll in upper-level courses. If a student’s cumulative (non-rounded) grade point average falls below 2.50 during any quarter, he/she will be suspended from the program and will be ineligible to enroll in upper-level courses until the grade point average is at least 2.50.
Students must follow the curriculum in effect at the time they are admitted to a teaching program, not necessarily the time they are admitted to the University, and admission to the University does not guarantee admission to a teaching program.
Teacher certification curricula are aligned to Louisiana teacher certification requirements, which could change and become effective during the time a student is pursuing a degree. Failure to meet the revised requirements could result in a student being ineligible for teacher certification. Students who change majors must follow the curricula in effect at the time of the change. Any student may choose to follow a newer curriculum as long as all requirements of the newer curriculum are fulfilled.
Admission to a Teaching Program
Students pursuing degrees in teacher preparation curricula must apply and meet all program admission requirements prior to enrolling in specific teacher education classes.
Program admission requirements are:
- Cumulative (non-rounded) grade point average of at least 2.50.
- “C” or better in foundational course required of the program being pursued*
- Early childhood, elementary, music, and secondary education programs: EDCI 125
- Health and physical education: KINE 113
- UTeachTech: UTCH 101 and 201
- “C” or better in general education coursework
- 6 hours of English
- 6 hours of math
- 3 hours of science
- 3 hours of social studies
- Passing score per teacher certification requirements on Praxis Core, ACT, or SAT exam.
- Official Praxis scores must be reported to the University and the Louisiana Department of Education.
- Good academic standing (not on probation or suspension) at time of application.
- Membership in a professional association with liability insurance coverage.
- Completed, successful background check from an approved vendor.
*Foundational courses are linked to specific programs. Consequently, transfer credit cannot be used in lieu of these courses.
Admission and Retention in Clinical Residency
Clinical residency admission requirements are:
- Good academic standing (not on probation or suspension from University or teaching program).
- Cumulative (non-rounded) grade point average of at least 2.50.
- “C” or better in all methodology and practicum courses as determined by program.
- Passing scores per teacher certification requirements on all Praxis exams required for certification in the appropriate subject/grade area(s).
- Official scores must be reported to the University and the Louisiana Department of Education.
Students must apply for admission to clinical residency. Once placed in a school district, a background check must be completed through the respective school district. An unsuccessful background check could result in dismissal from clinical residency.
Clinical residency is a 9-credit experience (three quarters of 3 credit hours) beginning when teachers report to work in August through the final day of the University’s spring quarter in May. Clinical residency may be completed only in the fall-winter-spring sequence, and approval to enroll in one quarter does not guarantee enrollment in the subsequent quarter. Each quarter, a student’s eligibility to be retained in clinical residency is reviewed.
Clinical residency retention requirements are:
- Good academic standing (not on probation or suspension from University or teaching program).
- Cumulative (non-rounded) grade point average of at least 2.50.
- Passing/acceptable ratings on all clinical residency performance and dispositional evaluations.
- No documented concerns/issues/etc. regarding performance or dispositions.
- No violations of University or school district regulations or policies.
Completion/Graduation
Completion of and/or graduation from a teacher preparation program requires a student to satisfy all general University requirements and the following requirements specific to teacher preparation programs.
- Successful completion of clinical residency as defined in policies and/or handbooks provided to students.
- Cumulative (non-rounded) grade point average of at least 2.50.
- “C” or better in all EDCI, EDUC, READ, SPED, and UTCH courses related to teacher certification.
- For Secondary Education and Teaching only: “C” or better in all certification subject courses.
- Completion of teacher certification application based on Louisiana Department of Education requirements (e.g., forms, payments, background checks, etc.).
- Reporting of all official passing ACT or SAT scores to the University and of all official passing Praxis scores to the University and the Louisiana Department of Education.
Note: A degree leading to teacher certification will not be conferred until a student has met all requirements for teacher certification.
ProgramsBachelor Degree Programs
Certificate
Minor
Undergraduate Certificate
Return to: College of Education and Human Sciences
|