Initial Certification Program Requirements

The PRAXIS

All education majors must take the appropriate Core PRAXIS  (or have qualifying SAT/ACT scores) and PRAXIS II examinations as well as the Principles of Learning and Teaching examination before student teaching.

Music Students

The Petrie School of Music offers the Bachelor of Music degree in music education (choral and instrumental) (PK-12) as well as the Master of Music in Music Education with Initial Certification. These degrees have a specific course of study. Please visit the Petrie School of Music for specific information.

In order to complete any of the initial certification programs at Converse University, candidates must meet four benchmarks in the program. Below is an overview of what is required to meet each of these benchmarks.

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 email placementcoordinator@converse.edu
• Read the Teacher Education/Clinical Experience Handbook
  • Teacher Education/Clinical Experience Handbook
• Pass the CORE Praxis Test in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics and have your scores sent via ETS to Converse University. Passing scores for the Core Praxis can be found in the Teacher Education Handbook. Registration and test dates for the Core Praxis are available through ETS.
• Graduate students must take the Miller Analogy Test in order to be admitted into the Master of Arts in Teaching at Converse University.
• All students must complete all documentation on the Teacher Education Required Documents on Livetext during EDU360/560 or BEFORE first major clinical or Clinical I.
• Submit completed Travel Release Form
  • Travel Release Form
• Complete Clinical I
  • Each program designates a specific course of study for Clinical I. See the individual program worksheets below for information the specific clinical. Visit the Clinical Experience Website.
• Submit Application to Teacher Education
  • Application for Teacher Education

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

• 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.
• Complete Clinical II
  Each program designates a specific course of study for Clinical II. See the individual program worksheets below for information the specific clinicals.
• Complete State department application* on the SC Dept of Education website
  • Go to https://ed.sc.gov/educators/certification/cats and create a login/password by the deadlines below:
    Student Teaching in the Fall – Application due by February 15.
    Student Teaching in the Spring – Application due by June 15.
    *State Department fees apply
• Request Student Teaching Placement
  Request for Student Teaching Placement Form

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

• Attend student teaching orientation: Information for this date will be in the Canvas course.
• Complete Student Teaching Full 60 Days in the classroom
  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 and the State Department of Education. This includes both PLT and content area exams
  Specific test requirements are found at the SCDE website. Registration and test dates for the Praxis II are available through ETS. All PRAXIS II tests for initial licensure must be taken prior to graduation.
• Complete the application for graduation
  Undergraduate students apply for graduation in the Office of the Registrar. Graduate students apply for graduation in the Office of Graduate Studies. Contact the appropriate office for more information on this requirement.

Refer to the program worksheets below 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.

See the academic requirements and benchmarks for each of the different programs:

• BA in Art Education
• BA in Comprehensive Special Education
• BA in Early Childhood Education
• BA in Elementary Education
• BA in English
• BA in Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• BA in Special Education: Intellectual Disabilities
• BA in Special Education: Learning Disabilities
• BM in Music Education: Instrumental
• BM in Music Education: Choral
• MAT in Art Education
• MAT in Early Childhood
• MAT in Elementary Education
• MAT in Middle Level Language Arts
• MAT in Middle Level Mathematics
• MAT in Middle Level Science
• MAT in Middle Level Social Studies
• MAT in Secondary Level English
• MAT in Secondary Level Social Studies
• MAT in Special Education – Intellectual Disabilities
• MAT in Special Education – Learning Disabilities
• MM in Music Education – Choral
• MM in Music Education – Instrumental