Admission to the Teacher Certification Program

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Freshman and transfer students are encouraged to declare their intention to work toward teacher certification as early as possible after enrolling at DBU. A College of Education advisor counsels with each student individually to develop a semester-by-semester degree plan to assure proper sequence of courses. Students wishing to officially enter the Teacher Certification Program should make application to the program during the spring semester of the sophomore year (after 45 semester hours). Applications to the program will be considered based on the following criteria:

• Required level of performance on all three sections of the THEA test with minimum scores of 260 on the reading section, and 240 on each of the writing and math sections.
  
  
• An application of petition filed with the College of Education requesting admission to the Teacher Certification Program. Approval also must be provided by the student's College of Education advisor.
  
  
• Completion of the Teacher Perceiver Interview with a College of Education faculty member.
  
  
• Completion of at least 45 semester hours with a minimum overall Grade Point Average of 3.0 and a minimum 3.0 Grade Point Average in the teaching field/academic concentration at the time of application to the program. The 3.0 GPA criteria must be maintained to remain in the program.
  
  
• Prior to application to the Teacher Certification Program, a degree plan must be selected by the student and a College of Education advisor and filed with the College of Education.
  
  
• Completion of the following courses: EDUC 1301, EDUC 3312, and READ 3330.
  
  
• Evidence of the personal qualities and characteristics desired in a teacher as judged by the Teacher Certification Program Committee.

Other Requirements
Students admitted to the Teacher Certification Program are required to attend a minimum of ten Student Education Association (SEA) meetings before graduation. Students transferring to DBU with 60-89 semester hours are required to have eight SEA attendances, while those with 90 or more hours need six attendances. A record of SEA attendances is maintained in the student's file to determine eligibility for certification.

Students pursuing a major involving teacher certification are required to compile a professional portfolio. The portfolio allows students to present information about themselves as learners and to document growth over a period of time. The portfolio is a collection of artifacts and self-reflections which are completed in various education courses. The portfolio is completed as part of the assignments in the required course, EDUC 4315 - Methods and Evaluation of Instruction, taken during the semester just prior to the student teaching semester.

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