Eligibility for Student Teaching

The Education Department has established a program of selective admission and retention in the Teacher Education Program. Before being considered for Student Teaching, a student must have attained and maintained an unqualified acceptance to the Teacher Education Program. Admission to Student Teaching is on the basis of written application by the student, followed by a thorough review of the student's portfolio and qualifications by the Directors of Student Teaching and the Education Department faculty members. The Student Teaching program requires criteria and materials that are in addition to those for admission to the Teacher Education Program. These additional materials and criteria are

1. Satisfactory interview with the Director of Student Teaching.
   
2. Professional interest and commitment as evidenced by written references, evaluations from clinical experiences, performance in coursework, and student's response during the entrance interview.
   
3. Overall grade point average of 2.5, and a 2.5 in major and Education coursework. The student must also have a grade of "C" or above in all required major courses and courses of the academic specialty.
   
4. Concrete evidence of professional liability protection in the form of membership in the Student Education Minnesota organization. (For further information see the section on liability insurance.)  Also, an up-to-date Criminal History Background check is required prior to beginning student teaching.
   
5. Review of the student's Education Department portfolio and compilation of a dossier of personal data. This dossier is given to the cooperating teachers and includes the personal data form and a brief personal profile.
   
6. The student must register for and attend EDUC 359 Issues in Education the semester immediately prior to student teaching.