Admission to USAO's Teacher Education Program

Considering a Career in Education

Students considering a career in Education should enroll in EDUC 2002 “Orientation to Teaching”, a course designed to acquaint student with the many facets of teaching as a profession. To further solidify a desire to make a difference through a career in teaching, students may enroll in EDUC 2011, Level 1 Clinical Experiences, EDUC 2022, Education of the Exceptional Child, and/or EDUC 2103, Human Development & Learning prior to formal admission to USAO’s Teacher Education Program.

Requirements for Admission to USAO's Teacher Education Program are:

• Completion of 30 semester hours;
• Maintain an overall grade-point average of 2.5, with a 2.5 for the last 24 semester hours;
• Successful completion of the following courses or their equivalents with a grade of "C" or better:
  • IDS 1013 Rhetoric and Public Speaking;
  • IDS 1113 Writing I;
  • IDS 1213 Writing II;
  • IDS 1223 Mathematics in the Modern World;
• Successful completion of the Oral English and Hearing Screening (See the "Schedule of Classes" for dates);
• Positive recommendations from three faculty members, and one public school teacher or administrator;
• Satisfaction of the Admission Test Requirement (See Teacher Education Handbook for details). Satisfaction of the English Proficiency Requirement (See Teacher Education Handbook for details). 

Steps for Admission to Teacher Education:

1. The student will secure an application packet from the Education Office (Gary Hall 106) and follow the attached instructions;
2. Once the application has been completed and signed by the student's advisor, the student must sign up in the Education Office to appear before the Screening Committee.
   • Generally, the deadline for accepting COMPLETED applications is the first Friday of each month. (View Teacher Education Schedule of Events).
   • The student must appear before the Screening Committee at the appointed time AND bring the required materials.
   • Candidate characteristics examined by the Screening Committee include: emotional stability, personal appearance, ability to speak and write correctly, adherence to professional ethics, personal integrity, and scholarship.
   • Students are told at that time whether certain weaknesses exist and, if so, suggestions and recommendations are made to the student for correction.
3. The Screening Committee will then make a recommendation to the Teacher Education Committee;
4. The Teacher Education Committee will consider the recommendation and take action;
5. and The student and his/her advisor are then notified in writing of the action of the Committee.

All students admitted to Teacher Education are issued an identification card and a letter acknowledging that they have been admitted to the program, as well as the date that they were admitted.

NOTE: It is very important that students retain these records for future reference and documentation of their admittance to the program.

A student rejected by the Committee may appeal the decision by pursuing the steps outlined under 'Appeals Procedures' in the Teacher Education Handbook.

Students with a bachelor's degree wishing to be admitted to the Teacher Education Program should follow the steps listed below:

1. Fulfill all requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program (the Admission Test Requirement is met by the Bachelor’s Degree);
2. Complete the Admission to Teacher Education packet and have application forms, including recommendations, signed and on file in the Education office;
3. Interview with the Screening Committee;
4. The Screening Committee will then make a recommendation to the Teacher Education Committee;
5. The Teacher Education Committee will consider the recommendation and take action;
6. and The student and his/her advisor are then notified in writing of the action of the Committee.

Alternative Admission to USAO's Teacher Education Program

A student may also be eligible for admission to Teacher Education according to the following requirements:

• Completion of a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of college credit in an accredited institution of higher education five (5) or more years prior to application for admission to teacher education;
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the last thirty (30) semester hours of college work;
• A minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours of required courses in the area of specialization with a minimum grade point average of 3.0;
• Satisfy the Oklahoma General Education Test requirement; and;
• Meet all other minimum requirements except the 2.5 overall GPA requirement