Western Carolina University

Admission to teacher education requires an application that should be completed by the end of the semester the applicant is enrolled in EDCI 201: Teacher Leadership in a Diverse Society (BK 250: Introduction to Birth-Kindergarten for BK majors).  Applications should be submitted only after ALL admission criteria have been met.


Student Criteria
Students who plan to receive a degree or certification in education and a license through WCU must apply for and be officially admitted to a teacher education program. Acceptance and registration in a department does not guarantee admission to the teacher education program in that department. 

Transfer Students
The same criteria for admission apply to transfer students and four year undergraduate students. 

Already have a Degree/Changing Careers
Applicants who already hold a non-teaching four year degree must meet admission requirements except that they are not required to take the PPST-Praxis I. 

BK Program
Applicants to birth-kindergarten programs (alternative licensure and professional education concentration) without a teaching license must also meet the minimum state test score requirements. 

Requirements for Teacher Education Program Admission

1. Complete at least 30 hours which can include transfer hours
2. Earn a C (2.0) or higher grade in EDCI 201 (EDCI 231 prior to fall 2010) and ENGL 101.  Note that earning a C (2.0) or higher grade in ENGL 102 will be required before beginning Internship I
3. Earn (and then maintain) a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 ; students with a major in birth-kindergarten, elementary, middle grades, or health and physical education must earn (and then maintain) a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
4. Achieve the minimum required scores on the SAT, ACT, or Pre-Professional Skills Test PPST Praxis I (Reading, Writing, Mathematics)
5. Subscribe to TaskStream
6. Complete the Personality Survey and Diversity Inventory via TaskStream
7. Complete the Professional Dispositions Contract  
8. Complete and submit the Application for Admission to Teacher Education to the CEAP Dean's Office, Suite 204 Killan or Fax 828.227.7388.  Applicants are notified at their Catamount email address regarding their admission status.

The applicant’s fitness for teaching in the chosen area is determined on the basis of demonstrated academic ability and other personal dispositions conducive to effective teaching. A student may be considered suitable in one area and unsuitable in another. Students with speech defects that will interfere with successful teaching may be required to undergo corrective therapy.

Click here to view a presentation on the steps for Admission into Teacher Education. 

If admission requirements are not completed by the end of the semester the applicant is enrolled in EDCI 201 or BK 250, it is recommended that these requirements be met before 75 semester hours have been completed.

Continuation in Teacher Education
The requirements for continuing in the TE program are:

 

1. GPA of at least 2.5 on hours attempted (2.75 for elementary, middle grades, birth-kindergarten, and health & physical education majors);
2. Behavior which adheres to the North Carolina code of ethics for teachers and the professional dispositions of the College of Education and Allied Professions.
3. Satisfactory participation in the required professional laboratory program that is prerequisite to student teaching. An evaluation of each field experience assignment will become a part of the student’s professional record.

If a student fails any two courses in the professional education sequence or the same course twice in the professional education sequence, the student is withdrawn from teacher education and will not be recommended for licensure by WCU.