Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania has been preparing teachers since 1889, when it began as a normal school and developed through the years as a state teachers college and state college. Now, as a unit within a multi-purpose university, the College of Education programs are the largest segment of the student population. The near ideal enrollment of the college, the student/professor ratio, and dedication of the faculty enable us to continually prepare “world-class” teachers. The College consists of the departments of counseling and educational psychology, elementary and early childhood education, physical education and sport management, secondary education and foundations of education, and special education. In addition, music education, environmental education, and health education are majors that lead to teacher certification, but are offered through other colleges within the university. These major fields of study are described as programs according to each administering department. The guidelines included below apply to all department programs; additional, more specific guidelines are provided for each individual program.

Teacher Education
The College of Education provides programs for the preparation of teachers for elementary and secondary schools. These programs are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the respective learned societies for each program, the Middle States Association, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Additional certification programs (music education, environmental education and health education) are offered in cooperation with the College of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts and the College of Health, Environment and Science. However, within the College of Education is the certification officer for the University whose responsibility it is to review an individual’s progress and recommend deserving candidates for teacher certification in Pennsylvania.

Admission to Teacher Education
Although freshmen and transfer students may declare a major in education, students are not considered education majors until they have been admitted to the teacher education program. The following are the requirements for admission to the teacher education program: completion of 48 semester hours of credit including six credits of college level mathematics and six credits of English composition/literature; successful completion of the PRAXIS I examination (PPST); evidence of 40 contact hours with children (see advisor for clarification), and a 2.8 QPA. These criteria are established through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Chapter 354. For additional requirements related to the admission to teacher education programs, students should consult the “Application for Admission to Teacher Education” form available in the Dean’s Office, Room 105 McKay Education Building, or the College of Education homepage – www.sru.edu/depts/educatio/coll.htm. In addition, students must present evidence of a clear (no record) Act 34 (criminal record) and Act 151 (child abuse). Out-of-state students must present clear FBI checks. Detailed requirements and policies are described in the Teacher Education Policy Manual which is available in the Dean’s office or on the College of Education homepage www.sru.edu/depts/educatio/coll.htm.

Request for Accommodations: Student Teaching with Disabilities
The university follows guidelines, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, in accommodating students with disabilities. Inquiries related to special needs must be made early in the program to the Office of Social Equity, especially for those who may apply for student teaching. To be recommended for certification, a candidate must demonstrate the ability to perform essential functions required of all beginning teachers.

Student Teaching
A teacher candidate, having met or exceeded personal and program requirements at prescribed levels of competence, has earned the right to participate in student teaching. While student teaching, the teacher candidate experiences the comprehensive assessment of performance mandated in an approved certification program. The practical application of instruction and learning can be simulated in university classrooms, but not duplicated. A true test of relating theory into practice awaits each teacher candidate, assisted by a cooperating teacher and a university supervisor.

Pre-registration for this capstone experience, one year in advance, reserves the right of assignment for the qualified candidate. Students who anticipate student teaching in the fall pre-register the preceding fall and for spring, the preceding spring. Completed cards, signed by their advisor, are filed in McKay Education Building (MEB), room 105. Qualified applicants anticipate successful completion of all program courses with a grade of “C” or higher for certification prior to student teaching. Also, tuberculin tests, 30 days prior to contact with school students are required. In addition, students must present current evidence of a clear (no record) Act 34 (criminal record) and Act 151 (child abuse). Out-of-state students must present clear FBI checks.

Actual registration for student teaching takes place early in the semester preceding the experience. Beginning with mandatory attendance at the student teaching orientation meeting, students are acquainted with policies and procedures including automated registration for those who comply with directions.

The university student teaching supervisors service a large geographical area. However, the area serviced in any particular semester varies according to candidate placements and supervisor availability. Student teachers are responsible for their own housing and transportation to assignments in school districts and should realize that this will be an added expense to the cost of a university education. A student teaching handbook is provided at the beginning of the student teaching semester in the opening seminar. Additional policies and procedures are described in the Teacher Education Policy Manual, available in MEB 105 and on the College of Education homepage (www.sru.edu/depts/educatio/coll.htm).

Placement
Students are permitted to make several suggestions for districts in close proximity to permanent or temporary residences in which to conduct their student teaching. These suggestions are non-binding to the university, but helpful as one variable in the assignment of student teaching sites. Transportation to the student teaching site is an individual’s responsibility.

Certification
A baccalaureate degree is a requirement for Pennsylvania certification and requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 credits, including the liberal studies requirements. However, a degree may be awarded without recommendation for certification in some instances. A recommendation for the Instructional I (Provisional) certificate requires satisfactory completion of an approved program which includes a 16 week student teaching experience, while satisfying general graduation requirements, the required QPA for certification and a passing score on the PRAXIS II examination. Seniors meeting all requirements will be provided with graduation application materials at the beginning of the semester in which they should graduate. Applications are received by the Office of Dean of Education during the first three weeks of the semester. Students failing to complete program requirements must reapply.

Interstate Reciprocity
Although some states have not formally agreed to reciprocity, the Pennsylvania certificate has been honored by most states.

Post-baccalaureate Studies
Individuals who have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution may qualify for initial certification or an endorsement to an existing teaching certificate by completing prescribed requirements in one or more of the approved undergraduate programs.
An application for a post-baccalaureate program must be submitted to the university’s Undergraduate Admissions Office where the candidates’ previous work is reviewed. Following this review, the candidate will be notified of his/her admission status. Work that is dated, especially in pedagogy, may not be accepted and the candidate may be required to retake such courses. Candidates accepted for admission as post-bacc students will be informed of program requirements to be completed to obtain certification in the desired area. Admission to post-bacc study requires a minimum undergraduate QPA (Quality Point Average) for admission. The current minimum QPA is listed among the requirements on the “Application to Teacher Certification” form available in 105 McKay Education Building or on the College of Education homepage: www.sru.edu/depts/educatio/coll.htm. In addition to the QPA requirement, post-baccalaureate students must submit proof of clear (no record) Acts 34 (criminal record) and 151 (child abuse) for admission and maintain clear records throughout the program. Out-of-state students must present clear FBI checks. A field experience is required so the candidate’s teaching ability may be observed and evaluated in the area for which initial certification or added endorsement is sought. In addition, post-baccalaureate students must post passing scores on the Praxis I exam during their first twelve credits of study.

Benefits of post-baccalaureate work include: earning an initial or additional certification, obtaining an additional degree, making a certificate permanent, or personal enrichment. At the start of the post-baccalaureate education, candidates must state their intention for their program. Those candidates pursuing an additional degree must earn a minimum of 36 credits beyond their initial baccalaureate degree. To add an additional major or minor to an existing baccalaureate degree requires earning an additional degree.

Admission to all programs is determined on a space available basis and some programs may not be open to admission. Candidates are encouraged to speak to the chair of the department in which the certificate they intend to pursue is housed to ascertain departmental admissions procedures.

The following information is presented in accordance with the Title II Higher Education Act of 1998 and is a result of the most recent Praxis results (2001/2002). While the state of Pennsylvania mandates that candidates who are recommended for certification must have passing scores on the Praxis series, SRU, unlike some other teacher preparation institutions, does not withhold candidate graduation until Praxis tests are passed.