Students wishing to enroll in the Teacher Education Program at the University of Northwestern must first be accepted into the education program through a formal admission process. Students pursuing a Music Education major must successfully complete the sophomore interview through the Department of Music and Theater (See Undergraduate and Undergraduate Pathways Catalog for details).
To be admitted to a teacher education program, an entering student should follow the sequence listed below:
- Be enrolled or are enrolling in a Traditional Undergraduate Degree Program at UNWSP for the upcoming semester.
- Register intent to pursue a teacher education program with the Registrar’s Office. Elementary Education majors must also declare their endorsement field or emphasis area. Music Education majors must declare an instrumental or vocal specialization.
- Complete a minimum of 50 semester credits.
- Achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75.
- Complete EDU2215 Educational Foundations with a grade of “C” or above. A positive evaluation of the field experience component is also required.
- Complete of an Autobiography/Decision to Teach paper, an Open/Closed File form, Receipt of Information Statement, and the School of Education Disposition Survey. These are usually completed during EDU2215 Education Foundations.
- Demonstrate English proficiency by receiving a “B-” or above in ENG1105 Composition or ENG1825 Honors Composition.
~ Students not achieving the required grade in ENG1105 or ENG1825 must successfully complete ENG0109 with a grade of “C” or above.
- Achieve a grade of at least a “C” in ENG2205 Critical Thinking and Writing.
- Demonstrate speech proficiency by receiving a “B-” or above in SPE1075 Public Speaking or SPE1825 Honors Public Speaking.
~ Students receiving a grade of “D+” or below must retake SPE1075 and successfully pass the course with a minimum grade of “B-” or above.
~ Students receiving a grade between “C-” or “C+” in SPE1075or SPE1825 must submit a “Certification of Speech Proficiency” form signed by the course instructor to the SOE. This form will include recommendations for remediation and will be used by the Admission and Retention Committee (ARC) in recommending speech remediation. Remediation may include retaking SPE1075 and obtaining the required minimum grade or other speech remediation experience.
- Successful completion of state required testing through one of the following testing programs:
ACT PLUS WRITING – Composite score > 22 and Combined English/Writing > 21
SAT – Reading + Writing > 550 and Mathematics > 570
MTLE MN NES EAS (Minnesota) – Reading > 520; Writing > 520; Mathematics > 520
The state of Minnesota requires demonstration of basic skills through these testing programs. Additional information is available in the Education Office.
When all of the previous steps have been fulfilled, bring your completed Application with your advisor's signature and any supporting documentation to the School of Education and request an interview with the Admission and Retention Committee (ARC). During this interview, the student’s interests, background experiences, potential for success, and suitability for teaching are discussed. The ARC has the authority to require additional assessment before admitting a student to the Teacher Education Program or as a requirement for retention within the program.
You must be admitted into the Teacher Education Program before you begin taking selected upper level (3000) education courses.