Program Application and Licensure Materials
Admission Level 1
Candidates seeking admission into Level I of the teacher education program will initiate the process for admission in the Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience upon completion of minimum requirements mandated by the Arkansas Department of Education and the University of Central Arkansas. Full admission will not be granted to candidates enrolled in prerequisite courses until those courses are successfully completed. Level I admission is required for enrollment in designated upper division professional education courses.
During the semester candidates seek Level I admission, they will submit the Admission Affidavit (item A below) to the Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience where an active file on each candidate initiating the process of admission will be maintained. The Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience will verify items B-F below, and place the appropriate data on each candidate into the College of Education candidate database. Level I applicants are also responsible for securing faculty recommendations (item G below) and successful completion of an entrance interview (item H below).
The following minimum requirements must be met for admission to the teacher education program. Individual programs may have further requirements for admission.
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A |
Submission of an Admission Affidavit stating that the candidate has never been convicted of any crime that would prevent the issuance of a teaching license (Act 1313 of 1997 and Act 752 of 2001). This form must be submitted in person to the Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience (Mashburn 119) during the semester the candidate is seeking admission into the teacher education program. Effective 1-19-2011, candidates applying for admission must have an approved background check. Effective 8-1-2011, candidates placed in an early field experience must have an approved background check. Information regarding acceptable background checks is available in the Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience, Mashburn 119. |
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B |
Submission of Internship Waiver. This form was completed in EDUC 1300 (or upon arrival for transfer students); however, candidates seeking admission will want to verify that their signed form is on file. |
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C |
A cumulative 2.5 GPA on all coursework attempted. Prior to full admission, transfer students with no previous coursework at UCA must also establish a 2.5 GPA in a minimum of twelve semester hours completed at UCA. |
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D |
Courses in written communications (WRTG 1310 and 1320), oral communications (SPCH 1300), mathematics (MATH 1360 or above), and Education as a Profession (EDUC 1300), must be completed with no grade less than a C. Some majors require College Algebra (MATH 1390) for admission. Additionally, candidates must pass the Educational Technology Competency Exam OR complete Basic Educational Technology Skills (EDUC 1240) with a C grade or better. Majors in P-4 education must also complete Foundations of Early Childhood Education (ECSE 3300) with at least a C grade. |
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E |
Completion of the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) according to current UCA established minimum scores: PPST Reading 172; PPST Math 171; PPST Writing 174. Candidates are advised to take the Praxis I during the freshman year. Admission to the program will be delayed until minimum scores on each section are achieved. The UCA Writing Center offers one on one Praxis I training for the reading and writing portions of the exam. They also have online resources available in the College of Education section. |
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F |
Successful completion of forty-five semester hours. |
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G |
Submission of two recommendations for admission from UCA faculty (one recommendation must be completed by the instructor of EDUC 1300 or ECSE 3300). Candidates must complete the Teacher Recommendation Request Form for each of the selected UCA faculty to request a recommendation for admission. |
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H |
Successful candidate interview and recommendation for admission by major area faculty. Candidates will register for the interview in the Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience. Interview dates may not be scheduled prior to the mid-term of any semester. Items A-F will be forwarded to the candidate’s major academic department prior to the interview dates established by the department. |
Interview Guidelines
1. Interviews will be conducted by the major department.
2. On the interview consensus ratings, if a candidate scores “Unsatisfactory” in any category, then the candidate will fail the interview.
3. The original copy of consensus ratings for the candidate interview, with the academic department’s recommendation for admission (or denial of admission), will be forwarded to the Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience to be entered into the database.
4. If a candidate fails an interview, s/he may be given a second chance to interview. The department will design interview questions for the second interview.
5. If the candidate fails the interview a second time, then s/he will be advised to examine other majors and to contact Career Services. Interview registration deadlines are listed below.
Candidates may not pre-register for upper-level professional education courses unless all requirements listed above are complete prior to the time of pre-registration.
Candidates admitted to the teacher education program will be assessed a fee of $250.00 to cover costs incurred in early field placements and Internships I and II. This fee will be due at the beginning of the semester (January or August) following full admission to the teacher education program.
The Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience will observe the following deadlines for the application process. Candidates are encouraged to submit all documentation for admission prior to the established deadlines.
October 1—Final date for the admission interview registration (H) for candidates seeking admission for the spring semester.
November 1—Final date for completion of items A-G for candidates seeking full admission for the spring semester.
March 1—Final date for the admission interview registration (H) for candidates seeking admission for the summer or fall semester.
April 1—Final date for completion of items A-G for those candidates seeking full admission for the summer or fall semester.
** July 1—Final date for the admission interview registration (H) for candidates seeking admission for the fall semester.
** August 1—Final date for completion of items A-G for those candidates seeking full admission for the fall semester.
** Summer interviews are offered at the discretion of the academic department.
Academic Departments may have additional requirements that must be met prior to candidates receiving a recommendation for admission. Candidates for admission are advised to contact the program coordinator in their major academic department for any additional requirements.
Documents
Transfer Students
Please fill out the following survey for the Teacher Education Program.