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Undergraduate Admission to Teacher Education Programs

Note: The following requirements are for students who began coursework Spring 2005 (January) or later. If you began coursework prior to Spring 2005, different requirements (PDF) must be met.

All students who wish to complete the University’s Teacher Preparation Program, including clinical practice (student teaching), must be officially admitted to the program. This is a four-benchmark process, which starts when a student enters Saint Xavier University and decides to be an education major or minor and continues through admission to clinical practice. The four benchmarks are as follows:

Benchmark I, Candidate Status

The process for this stage includes:

1. Complete a Declaration of Intent to Major/Minor in Education Form.
2. Prior to being placed in a school for field experiences, candidates must submit to a federal criminal background check, facilitated by the Office of Teacher Education.
3. Pass the Illinois Certification Testing System (ICTS) Basic Skills Test. Continuation in the program is contingent upon successful completion of the Basic Skills Test.
4. Complete all requirements as listed on the Pre-Education Checklist (ECE/ELEM only), as documented by advisor in Academic Advising and Testing.
5. Complete EDU 300 and one of the following education courses concurrently: EDU 202, EDU 205, EDU 323, EDU 326, EDU 341 or EDU 377 (based on program requirements).
6. 2.5 SXU GPA
7. Complete all required coursework with a minimum grade of “C”.

Timeline for Benchmark I

Students should complete the Declaration form at entrance to Saint Xavier University. Students who change their major or minor to education after being enrolled at the University should file the Declaration form at that time. The ICTS Basic Skills Test should be passed no later than the end of the second semester of enrollment at the University; transfer students, by the end of their first semester. Students must complete the Benchmark I requirements and pre-education checklist requirements before being eligible to enroll in methods courses.

Status for Benchmark I

Upon completion of Benchmark I, the student is classified as a teacher education candidate.

Benchmark II, Admission to Clinical Practice

The process and requirements for this stage include:

1. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50
2. Successfully complete all professional education courses, all general education courses, and in the case of secondary candidates, complete all requirements for the major. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned in all courses.
3. Pass the ICTS content-area tests (appropriate to major) at a time that assures reporting of results prior to the start of student teaching according to the deadlines established by the Office of Teacher Education.
4. Submit the electronic LiveText Portfolio to the Office of Teacher Education, and participate in an Educators Symposium the semester prior to student teaching. *
5. Submit an application for student teaching placement according to the deadlines established by the Office of Teacher Education.
6. Complete all health screenings as required.
7. Complete all required field experience hours.

Timeline for Benchmark II: On-Going

Continuing development of an education portfolio occurs during this timeframe, details of which are available in the Office of Teacher Education and from course instructors. Academic advisors in the School of Education will conference with and mentor candidates as the portfolio is being developed. The Benchmark II requirements should be completed by the end of the semester prior to student teaching following prescribed timelines established by the Office of Teacher Education. The student teaching application must be filed by the date established by the Director of Clinical Practice in the semester prior to the anticipated student teaching semester. Applications are available in the Office of Teacher Education

Status for Benchmark II

Upon successful completion of Benchmark II, the teacher candidate is designated a student teacher candidate and is assigned a student teaching placement.

School policy requires that all candidates who complete a major or minor in education must receive a grade of “C” or better in all coursework.

Requirements in teacher education, including portfolio requirements, are subject to change within the time span of one’s university career due to changing requirements at national, state, and local levels.

* A more in-depth explanation of program requirements is available in the School of Education and the Office of Teacher Education.

Benchmark III, Exit from Clinical Practice

The process and requirements for this stage include:

1. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
2. Satisfactory ratings by supervisor and cooperating teacher on OTE Instructional Feedback forms.
3. Grade of “C” or better in clinical practice experience
4. Successful completion of EDU 345 appropriate to the program

Benchmark IV, Program Completion

The process and requirements for this stage include:

1. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50
2. Successfully completion of the clinical practice experience, EDU 345, and presentation of the LiveText portfolio at the Educators Symposium.
3. Minimum completion of semester hours as required by program/university
4. Proof of passing the appropriate APT test (required for certification but not graduation).

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