School of Education: Undergraduate Programs
Because teachers work closely with minors, admission to the School of Education requires all candidates to have recent fingerprinting clearance. Thus all freshman and transfer candidates must be cleared before participating in any PK-12 field based experiences.
The undergraduate teacher education program has two strategic points during the four-year program, namely (1) admission to the School of Education, and (2) advancement to the professional year.
| Freshman |
| Admission of freshmen candidates is based upon a derived matrix score which includes a combination of predictors of probable success: SAT scores (or equivalent basic skills test scores approved by the director of teacher education), academic records (including grade point average), essay sample, and a personal recommendation. The matrix components are reviewed annually by the School of Education faculty. Music education candidates must apply concurrently to the music education program. |
| Transfer Students |
| Admission of transfer candidates is determined on the evaluation of college transcripts, (high school transcripts if fewer than 26 semester or 39 quarter hours of college work have been completed), essays, a personal recommendation and passage of CBEST (passing scores are set by TSPC); scores must be submitted as a prerequisite for admission. Music education applicants must obtain approval from the director of music education to be admitted to the program.
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| Advancement to the Professional Year |
The process of advancement to the professional year entails review by the School of Education Associate Dean and approval by the University Teacher Education Committee (UTEC). Elementary and secondary undergraduate majors must take a minimum of 12 semester hours in education courses at the University of Portland in order to enter the professional year. In addition, secondary candidates must take and successfully complete 75 percent of the courses required in the endorsement area at the University of Portland.
Prerequisites apply to all candidates desirous of advancing to the professional year:
[1] Passage of CBEST test and ORELA subtest 1 and 2 for all levels of Authorization. Passage of subject area Praxis II tests for the middle school and high school levels of authorization. (TSPC determines passing scores);
[2] Minimum of 2.50 cumulative G.P.A. for all academic work at the University of Portland;
[3] A minimum cumulative 2.70 G.P.A. in all education classes;
[4] A grade of C or better in all education courses (candidates who receive a grade of C- or lower in any education course must repeat the course);
[5] Minimum 2.70 G.P.A. in the teaching specialty (secondary/endorsement) area; with a minimum grade of C in all endorsement courses.
[6] Passage of ENG 107 and CST 107 or equivalent course with a grade of B- or better;
[7] Satisfactory completion of all field experiences prior to the professional year;
[7a] Music education candidates must pass all performance assessments;
[8] Recommendations from two University of Portland School of Education faculty for elementary education candidates. For secondary education candidates, an additional recommendation from a faculty member in the endorsement area is required;
[9] All paperwork and approvals necessary for student teaching must be completed by June 1 prior to fall semester for site placement in the professional year.
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