Teacher Education Program

Students planning to teach must be admitted to the College and Teacher Education Program (TEP).

Students pursuing programs leading to an initial teacher license at either the elementary, middle or secondary level must complete the appropriate curriculum for teacher education, including the general education requirements, requirements for one of the majors offered by the College, specific teaching endorsement requirements, professional studies requirements, and the teaching internship. Students planning to teach at the Pre-K-6 level must complete a major in Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Those who posses a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and wish to become eligible for an initial teacher license must complete all requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Individuals possesing a Master's degree from an accredited institution may be accepted into the Teacher Education Program after a review of their credentials by the Director of Teacher Education.

Students who do not meet all requiements of the State Approved Program at The University of Virginia's College at Wise, including student teaching, will fall under the guidelines of the Virginia Department of Education and additional coursework may be required when seeking licensure.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Admission to UVa's College at Wise does not guarantee admission to the Teacher Education Program. Students seeking license to teach in the public schools in Virginia must apply for and be granted admission to the TEP by the Teacher Education Admissions Committee.

Application forms may be obtained from the Office of the Director of Teacher Education and should be submitted to that office upon completion.

Students who have completed 30 or more semester hours of course work and students who have already completed a baccalaureate degree and wish to be admitted to the TEP should apply immediately after their admission to UVa-Wise. Those students who have a grade point average of 2.50 (or higher) and a four-year college or university degree and have not been admitted to the TEP may be permitted to take courses requiring TEP admission during their first semester at UVa-Wise. During this first semester, these students must complete all requirements for admission to the TEP by the conclusion of the semester.

After initiating the application process, students should periodically contact the Director of Teacher Education to review the status of their candidacy.

The Teacher Education Admissions Committee will interview those students who have been identified as eligible for admission. To be considered eligible, students must present evidence of the following to the Director of Teacher Education:

1. Admission to The University of Virginia's College at Wise;

2. Completion of at least 30-semester hours of academic credit form an accredited college or university;

3.A cummulative grade point average of 2.5 or better for all course work completed at UVa's College at Wise and an overall cummulative grade point average of 2.5 or better from all colleges and universities attended;

4. Written recommendations from:
a. The chair of their major academic department at UVa's College at Wise and the department which offers an approved program of study appropriate for the teaching licensure being sought. A recommendation from the appropriate department is also required for students seeking licensures in additional teaching areas.
b. Four college instructors (including at lest two members of the UVa's College at Wise faculty) who have observed and assessed the candidate's performance as a student;

5. Completion of EDUC 351, Foundations and Development of American Education, with a recorded grade of "C" or better;

6. Passing scores on the PRAXIS I. (PPST)

The purpose of the Teacher Education Admissions Committee is to assure that students who are admitted and remain in the Teacher Education Program possess the personal, social, and intellectual characteristics required to successfully complete their academic and professional studies and to become effective teachers.

The Teacher Education Admissions Committee then recommends, defers of denies admission to the Teacher Education Program. If the Teacher Education Admissions Committee determines that a candidate exhibits and deficiencies with regard to the above criteria, it may prescribe specific conditions that must be met before full admission is granted. Students who have been denied full admission to the TEP cannot enroll in the teaching internship.

After receiving full admission to the Teacher Education Program, each student's academic progress, personal conduct and professional development will be monitored.

Teacher Education Admissions Committee

The purpose of the Teacher Educatoin Admissions Committee is to assure that students who are admitted to, and retained in, the Teacher Educatoin Program posses the personal, social, and intellectual characteristics required to successfully complete their academic and professional studies and become effective teachers.

The Teacher Education Admissions Committee then recommends, defers or denies admission to the Teacher Education Program. If the Teacher Education Admissions Committee determines that a candidate exhibits any deficiencies with regard to the above criteria, it may prescribe specific conditions that must be met before full admission is granted. Students who have been denied full admission to the TEP cannot enroll in the teaching internship.

After receiving full admission to the Teacher Education Program, each student's academic progress, personal conduct and professional development will be monitored.

Updated: 2/16/09