College of Education

In support of the mission of Fayetteville State University, the College of Education is committed to educating and preparing individuals at the undergraduate and graduate levels for professions in the fields of education, research, and service. The College of Education meets rigorous professional standards for the preparation of teachers and other school specialists (NCATE) and is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. The College of Education seeks to prepare the education professional as a facilitator of learning through the development of cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning patterns. The College of Education is further committed to providing leadership in teacher education throughout the region, state, and nation.

Three academic departments assist in executing the mission of the College of Education: Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Reading, and Special Education; Health, Physical, and Secondary Education; and Educational Leadership and School Administration. The College of Education also includes the following support units: the Curriculum Learning Resource Center, the Office of Teacher Education, the Office of School Services, The Academic Advisement and Retention Center, and the Early Childhood Learning Center.

Admission Requirements for Educator Preparation Program Majors

Effective July 1, 2017 in response to General Assembly House Bill 97: Mandates for Educator Preparation Programs, a 2.7 overall GPA will be required for admission to all Educator Preparation Program degree and licensure programs and the cohort of candidates admitted must meet or exceed a mean GPA of 3.0. Effective July 1, 2018, a 2.7 overall GPA will be required for graduating from all Educator Preparation Program degree and licensure programs.

University College Core Curriculum

The successful completion of the University College Core Curriculum requirements is the initial step in the educator preparation admission process. A demonstrated proficiency in reading and mathematics and an overall GPA of 2.7 (3.0 preferred) are also required.

Transfer students must meet the same standards as first-time freshmen in completing the University College Core Curriculum requirements.

A student wishing to declare a major in any College of Education program must demonstrate the following:

• Completion of EDUC 211 with a grade of C or better (if applicable to program)
• Completion of a minimum of 38 credit hours earned with a minimum grade point average of 2.7 (3.0 preferred)
• Completion of a Declaration of Major form (scroll down to the appropriate degree)
• Completion of the Praxis CASE tests (or SAT/ACT scores) required by the State of North Carolina for the admission to educator preparation programs.

If a student does not meet the requirements to declare a major in a teacher education program housed in the College of Education, s/he may apply for a pre-education major status at the end of the freshman year. The pre-major status provides an opportunity for the education faculty and the pre-education student to work towards achieving the requirements to declare the major (and ultimately be admitted to teacher education) and allows the student to determine whether or not a degree in teacher education is an appropriate fit for his/her career goals. Admission as a pre-major does not guarantee admission to the major.

A student declaring a pre-education major must meet the following requirements:

• Completion of a Declaration of Major form (scroll down to Pre-Education)

Once a student has been accepted as a pre-education major, a pre-education major advisor will be assigned. The pre-education major advisor will work with the student to verify satisfactory progress towards the declaration of major. The pre-education major student and the pre-education major advisor must participate in at least two advisement meetings each semester. The pre-education major must declare a major as soon as s/he is eligible. A student can be in a pre-education major status for two consecutive semesters. The student must then declare a major if eligible or request an additional semester in the pre-education major status or change his/her major.

Moving from a pre-education major status to major status requires completion of the online Change Major form prior to making a request/ application for admission to the educator preparation program. Admission as a pre-major and major do not guarantee admission to the educator preparation program.

Academic Progress within the Major

An education major who fails to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 will be required to complete an Academic Success Plan with his/her advisors and will be permitted to enroll in a maximum of 15 credits for the subsequent semester. Students on probation will be required to complete an Academic Success Plan with their advisors.

If an education major’s GPA is below 2.7 for two consecutive semesters, the student will be placed on academic suspension and will not be permitted to enroll in any education courses without successfully appealing academic suspension through the academic department. If appeal is denied, the student will be advised into a non-education major. Academic Suspension does not apply to summer sessions. Students placed on academic suspension after spring semester may enroll in summer courses and are encouraged to do so.

Admission to the Educator Preparation Program

Admission to the Educator Preparation Program is a procedural step for students in teacher education programs. After successfully completing the requirements listed below, students are eligible to apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program. An “Application for Admission to the Teacher Education Program” form should be filed with the department head by the second semester of the sophomore year. The criteria for admission are as follows:

1. Completion of the University College Core Curriculum, EDUC 211 , and SPED 480.
2. A GPA of 2.7 or higher (3.0 preferred).
3. Acceptable scores on the Reading, Writing, and Mathematics Tests of the PRAXIS CASE exam. All PRAXIS CASE scores must meet the current state mandated score requirements for admission and licensure purposes. Specific ACT or SAT scores are also considered.
4. Verification by the university physician of the applicant’s health status and level of physical fitness.
5. Verification by the Director of Residence Life of the applicant’s acceptable deportment.
6. Personal fitness and the interest suitable to the profession of teaching, verified by the Center for Personal Development.
7. Criminal background check (Voluntary Disclosure Statement).
8. Acceptable scores on the Admission to Teacher Education Interview.
9. Completed Application for Admission to Teacher Education form.
10. Program of Study/DegreeWorks Audit.
11. Final acceptance for admission to the Teacher Education Program by the Teacher Education Committee, based upon documented recommendations from the major area concerned.

Note: Formal admission to Teacher Education is required prior to enrollment in methods courses and clinical experience (formerly student teaching). A criminal background check is required from each candidate after registering in methods courses and before completing the field experience requirement of the methods courses. See each individual program for course listing.

Retention in Teacher Education

Following admission to teacher education, students are required to maintain a GPA of 2.7 or higher (3.0 preferred) and acceptable standards on all other admission criteria. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all education courses. Students failing to maintain acceptable standards will be automatically suspended from the Teacher Education Program and counseled toward alternative career options.

Admission to Clinical Experience (Student Teaching)

An Application for Clinical Experience (Student Teaching) form must be filed the semester prior to the semester in which the student plans to enroll in the final clinical experience. To be eligible for the Clinical Experience (Student Teaching), the student must have:

1. been admitted formally to teacher education and have senior classification.
2. completed to the satisfaction of the major area the teaching specialty component requirements that will lead to licensure by the Department of Public Instruction.
3. achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher (3.0 preferred) and a grade of C or higher in all professional education courses.
4. completed all methods courses before being admitted to Clinical Experience (Student Teaching). Education candidates enrolled in methods courses will be considered for admission to Clinical Experience (Student Teaching) pending the satisfactory completion of all methods courses prior to Clinical Experience (Student Teaching) and submission of PRAXIS II/ Pearson scores.
5. completed an audit (DegreeWorks Audit or Program of Study) verifying that no course remains to be taken toward the degree.
6. completed a criminal background check report.
7. completed a satisfactory Admission to Clinical Experience (Student Teaching) interview with the faculty in the major program of study.
8. completed a satisfactory Admission to Clinical Experience (Student Teaching) essay.
9. been recommended to the Teacher Education Committee by the department chair of the area in which licensure is sought. The Teacher Education Committee must give approval for the Clinical Experience (Student Teaching).

Note: Students who have been approved for admission to Clinical Experience (Student Teaching), but who have not maintained the standards for the internship, will be subject to review by the Teacher Education Committee before they are allowed to re-enter the program. Education candidates who have been admitted to Clinical Experience (Student Teaching) must also:

• earn a grade of C or higher in Clinical Experience for full licensure as a teacher.
• be enrolled in only the student teaching block courses during the Clinical Experience (Student Teaching) semester. See the Clinical Experience (Student Teaching) handbook.
• successfully complete/submit all three tasks for edTPA.

Teacher Licensure

Students successfully completing all requirements for graduation and passing the Specialty Area Test of the PRAXIS II Series, edTPA, and/ or Pearson exams are eligible to be recommended for North Carolina licensure. To apply for licensure, students should adhere to the following procedures:

1. File for graduation in the Registrar’s Office (B.S. and M.Ed. candidates only).
2. File placement folder with the Career Services Office, if applicable.
3. Request an official transcript after grades are posted.
4. Contact the Office of Teacher Education at (910) 672-1587 or 1266.

Requirements for Students Seeking Licensure Only

Alternative Routes for Teacher Education Licensure Only Applicants possessing earned baccalaureate and/or master’s degrees and seeking licensure in a teaching area must proceed through the alternative route process. The process is described below:

1. Students must be admitted to the university through the regular admission process.
2. Licensure-only applicants will be admitted as graduate students. (See Graduate Catalog for pursuing licensure and graduate degree.)
3. After notification of acceptance by the Office of Admissions, students must officially contact the chair of the department through which licensure is sought. Together, assigned advisors and students will develop a program of courses needed for licensure. The program agreed upon must be reviewed and approved by the department in which licensure is being sought. All courses specified on the program of study must be completed at Fayetteville State University if the license is to be applied for through Fayetteville State University.
4. Upon completion of program requirements for entrance to teacher education (EDUC 211  or SPED 480  and a cumulative GPA of 2.7 (3.0 preferred), students must apply for admission to teacher education. (Note: Licensure-only students are eligible for financial aid only after official admission to teacher education.)
5. Upon completion of all required coursework at Fayetteville State University and maintenance of a 2.7 cumulative GPA, students must apply for admission to Clinical Experience (Student Teaching).
6. Upon successful completion of all program requirements and Specialty Area Tests of the PRAXIS II Series, edTPA, and/ or Pearson exams, students can apply for teacher licensure through the licensure application portal on the NC Department of Public Instruction webpage. Students may seek assistance with the application process in the Office of Teacher Education.

Residency License (formerly Lateral Entry) Requirements

To be eligible for the residency license, an individual must be employed by a North Carolina school system as a classroom teacher and hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Individuals seeking residency license are required to have their credentials evaluated by the Office of Teacher Education. Students must obtain satisfactory scores on required PRAXIS II Specialty Area Tests/ Pearson exams and have a minimum GPA of 2.7 to be recommended for residency licensure.