Initial Certification Program Requirements

Overview

The School of Education and Graduate Studies offers a variety of initial certification programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. For undergraduate students, the initial certification process is a challenging, but rewarding course of study that compliments the liberal arts curriculum at Converse College. For students who have completed an undergraduate degree in another field of study, the initial certification programs allow those students to complete a master’s degree and all of the requirements to enter public education as a well-qualified professional educator.

Please review the requirements, benchmarks and worksheets required to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Education.

Requirements

The PRAXIS

All education majors must take the appropriate PRAXIS I (or have qualifying SAT/ACT scores) and PRAXIS II examinations as well as the Principles of Learning and Teaching examination before graduation. The current pass rate for Converse undergraduate students who are program completers is 100%. Program completers are those students who receive a Bachelor of Arts degree, complete an initial certification teacher education program that includes student teaching, and demonstrate mastery of content by obtaining a passing score on the Praxis II.

Music Students

The Department of Music Education and Pedagogy offers the Bachelor of Music degree in music education (choral and instrumental) (PK-12). This degree has a specific course of study. Please visit the Petrie School of Music for specific information. Full-time Converse faculty members teach a majority of the education courses in each program. Students interested in teaching as a career may complete one or more of the programs described in this section. Students who fulfill the requirements of one or more of these programs can meet the certification requirements for teachers in South Carolina and in several other states. Those who wish to teach on the secondary level complete a 30-hour minor (32 for science teachers) in secondary education to complement an appropriate liberal arts major.

Benchmarks

In order to complete any of the initial certification programs in The School of Education and Graduate Studies, candidates must meet four benchmarks in the program. Below is an overview of what is required to meet each of these benchmarks and the appropriate worksheets for each degree program.

Benchmark 1. Admission to Converse College

In order to move to Benchmark 2, you must complete the following:

Complete EDU 360/560, Intro to Education If you have any questions about this class, please see your academic adviser or Dr. Lisa Schoer
Read the Teacher Education Handbook

Teacher Education Handbook (PDF)

Pass the Praxis I Test in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics and have your scores sent via ETS to Converse CollegePassing scores for the Praxis I are as follows: Reading (175), Writing (173), and Mathematics (172). Registration and test dates for the Praxis I are available through ETS. PPST practice tests and tutorials are provided through Learning Express Library.
Submit documentation of a negative TB test within the last five years.Submit documentation to Barbara Austin
Submit completed Travel Release Form.
Submit documentation to Barbara Austin
Complete Clinical I Each program designates at specific course of study for Clinical I. See the individual program worksheets below for information the specific clinicals. Visit the Clinical Experience Website.
Submit Application to Teacher Education Application to Teacher Education (PDF)
Obtain a FBI fingerprint packet A fingerprinting procedure must take place. Please read (PDF) the following guidelines.
  

Benchmark 2. Admission to Teacher Education

In order to move to Benchmark 3, you must complete the following:

Complete Clinical IIEach program designates at specific course of study for Clinical II. See the individual program worksheets below for information the specific clinicals.
Complete Application to Student Teaching

Obtain an application to student teach from Sheran Steading in Carmichael 109.

Complete FBI fingerprint packet A fingerprinting procedure must take place. See Benchmark I.
Complete coursework required for student teaching For more information on the availability of courses and those appropriate to your area of specialization, contact your academic adviser.
  

Benchmark 3. Student Teaching

In order to move to Benchmark 4, you must complete the following:

Attend student teaching orientation Detailed information will be mailed prior to the student teaching term.
Complete Student Teaching All necessary information is in the Student Teaching Handbook and will be presented during orientation.
Pass the Praxis II Test in your subject area and have your scores sent via ETS to Converse College and the State Department of EducationSpecific test requirements are found on the program worksheets. Registration and test dates for the Praxis II are available through ETS.
Take the PLT and have your scores sent via ETS to Converse College and the State Department of Education Passing scores can be found on the State Department of Education website. Registration and test dates for the PLT are available through ETS.
Complete 60 full days of student teaching and other requirements for certification

Teacher Education Handbook (PDF)

Complete the application for graduation Undergraduate students apply for graduation in the Finance and Registration Center. Graduate students apply for graduation in the Office of Graduate Studies. Contact the appropriate office for more information on this requirement.
  

Benchmark 4. Program Completion and Certification

Refer to the program worksheet for specific requirements. Final certification documents are completed after a candidate has completed all program requirements, including Praxis II and PLT scores, and all graduation requirements.

 

Program Worksheets

These worksheets outline the academic requirements for each of the different programs.

These worksheets are provided in PDF format. For PDF format, use Acrobat Reader to view and/or print the form. If you do not have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, it can be downloaded from Adobe at no charge (Free Acrobat Reader Software).