Education - Undergraduate Teacher Licensure

Also see

Education, B.A. to M.A. Programs  Education, M.A.  Graduate Teacher Licensure in Early Childhood Education  Graduate Teacher Licensure in Education  Graduate Teacher Licensure in Special Education K-12  Special Education, M.A.

In conjunction with the various majors offered at the University, candidates may obtain teacher licensure in these areas:

• Elementary Education (1-6)
• Secondary Education (7-12) in English, French, Italian, Latin, Spanish, History and Social Studies, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and General Science 

After completing the entrance requirements, the prescribed programs and exit requirements, candidates will be recommended to the Connecticut State Department of Education for licensure.

Program Outcomes

The candidate will:

• Understand the physical, emotional, psychosocial, and cognitive aspects of development
• Understand and apply learning theories as they relate to a holistic curriculum
• Evaluate learning and behavior of students
• Identify classroom organization and management techniques to enhance learning
• Understand historical, social, cultural, and political forces influencing public education and the role of a teacher in the resulting issues
• Accrue and use in-depth knowledge of professional literature
• Become a lifelong independent learner and reflective practitioner
• Demonstrate responsibility, initiative, and sensitivity in working with all children and adolescents in education-related settings
• Teach all children and adolescents effectively in a constructivist and collaborative manner using best practice

The Connecticut State Department of Education requires that candidates be accepted into a teacher licensure program after having completed no more than two professional education courses. Prospective candidates work closely with University Advisement Staff to follow procedures for acceptance to the School of Education, including the successful completion of the Praxis Core or waiver requirement by the fall of sophomore year.

Teacher Licensure Program

 Acceptance to a Teacher Licensure program

• Sophomore standing
• Sealed official transcript(s) of all undergraduate work
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.67
• Evidence of successful completion of the Praxis Core Academic Skills tests. Candidates are eligible for a waiver of the Praxis Core Academic Skills tests with a combined score of 1,000 or more on the SAT, if neither the math nor the verbal subtest scores were below 400 points from any test administration by March 31, 1995; or a combined score of 1,100 or more, with no less than 450 on either the math or verbal subtest from test administrations  April 1, 1995 or after
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the candidate’s suitability as a prospective teacher. Recommendations must be obtained from individuals who are not family members or personal friends, or members of the School of Education at the University of Saint Joseph.
• A well-written essay that describes reasons for wanting to enroll in the program and emphasizes experiences relevant to teaching. The essay should highlight people, places and experiences with children or adolescents that have affected this decision.
• A successful interview with a School of Education faculty team
• A planned program of course requirements completed with an assigned Education/Special Education faculty advisor and signed by the licensure officer

Continuation in the program

Throughout the teacher licensure sequence, the School of Education reserves the right to recommend withdrawal of any candidate demonstrating insufficient progress toward professional experiences and interpersonal relationships. Evidence of satisfactory progress may be shown in the following knowledge, skills, and dispositions as described in the school’s Conceptual Framework and Statement of Candidate Dispositions:

• Critical thinking skills (e.g., the ability to analyze information)
• Capacity to form interpersonal relationships with colleagues and individuals that are characterized by sensitivity, mutual respect, constructive collaboration, and advocacy
• Responsibility as demonstrated in the timely completion of assignments, commitment to quality performance, and professional growth
• Commitment to the mission and philosophy of the department
• Achievement of grades of C+ or better
• Continued minimum cumulative GPA of 2.67
• Achievement of a grade of B or better in Tuesday Experience, a full-day field experience unique to USJ during spring semester of junior year

Application to Student Teach

To ensure success during student teaching, no other courses may be taken during that semester. Students must attend all student teaching seminars. Candidates who apply for student teaching will be evaluated by department faculty, who will consider:

• Academic proficiency as indicated by coursework
• Communication facility as reflected in oral and written expression and listening
• Social sensitivity and skills as demonstrated by interactions with peers, children, and professionals
• All alert forms in a candidate’s file must be resolved prior to student teaching

An application to student teach may be obtained from the Student Teaching and Clinical Experiences office. It must be submitted by February 1 for fall placements and September 15 for spring placements.

1.  All applications and required forms may be found on MyUSJ, under  the School of Education, Student Teaching. You must include:

• A copy of the candidate’s official letter of acceptance into the Teacher Licensure program
• A copy of the candidate’s Teacher Licensure Planned Program
• An unofficial transcript with most recent semester’s grades, showing completion of all required teacher licensure and general education courses with a C+ or better, a 2.67 minimum GPA, and a B or better in Tuesday Experience
• A typed Student Information Form showing completed courses with grades, previous work, teaching, and child-related experiences
• A typed autobiographical essay related to the School of Education Conceptual Framework and no longer than two pages
• A typed Field Experience form
• A copy of Praxis II / ACTFL registration confirmation showing that the required licensure tests will be taken before student teaching begins. The Foundations of Reading test may be taken after the student teaching experience. Secondary licensure candidates must pass Praxis II/ACTFL before student teaching.
• Proof of fingerprinting at a regional educational service center (CREC, EASTCONN, ACES, etc.)

2.  Candidates must successfully complete the University of Saint Joseph Writing Portfolio prior to student teaching
3.  Candidates must resolve all alert forms prior to student teaching
4.  Candidates may not take any other courses while student teaching
5.  Candidates must attend all student teaching seminars
6.  Candidates must attend an exit interview
7.  Candidates must provide the Licensure Office copies of Praxis II/ACTFL and Foundations of Reading Score Reports

Exit from Teacher Licensure program

 A “Licensure Program Completer” is a person who has met all the requirements of a state-approved teacher preparation program. Program completers include all those who are documented as having met such requirements. Documentation may take the form of a degree, institutional certificate, program credential, transcript or other written proof of having met the program’s requirements. In applying this definition, the fact that an individual has or has not been recommended to the state for initial certification or licensure may not be used as a criterion for determining who is a program completer.

 To be recommended to the Connecticut State Department of Education for licensure, applicants must:

• Complete all program requirements for the major and for licensure, including the state Department of Education requirements for coursework and student teaching
• Fulfill general education requirements and content with no grade lower than a C+
• Complete a successful student teaching experience with a grade of B or better
• Submit successful Praxis II assessment results (or for World Language candidates a rating of “Advanced Low” on ACTFL assessments) for each endorsement area and the Foundations of Reading test for elementary and special education candidates
• Show evidence of appropriate educator dispositions
• Submit application for a teaching license to the teacher licensure officer