Education Required Courses

Four-year students formally apply to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) by September 1 of their junior year.

Junior level transfer students apply after one semester at the University of Saint Mary.

A cumulative GPA of 2.75 and passing scores on the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) are required for admission into the program and student teaching.

Enrollment in education courses does not necessarily guarantee acceptance into the program.

Admission packets are available in the department office.

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Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST)

A basic skills test (PPST) is required in the areas of Reading, Writing, and Math. Students must present the required scores to continue in education courses beyond the first semester. The required scores are 173 reading, 172 writing and 172 math.

The PPST should be taken prior to enrollment in education courses, but the PPST must be taken no later than the first semester of enrollment.

Passing scores on the PPST are required for enrollment in all education courses except ED 406, ED 407, ED 428, and ED 430.

Students who have scored within five points of all requisite PPST scores may apply through the department chair for a waiver for one semester only to enroll in ED 411, ED 412, Ed 576 and ED 499, based on specific criteria stated in the Teacher Education Program Catalog Supplement, including PPST scores, GPA, and previous classroom performance.

Waiver requests are considered by a faculty committee comprising all education faculty and staff.

Students are allowed no more than three semesters after first enrolling in education courses to meet the PPST requirement.

Academic performance, ability to work with others, and demonstrated awareness and representation of the University of Saint Mary philosophy and objectives are strong considerations in admission both to the Teacher Education Program and student teaching.

The Teacher Education Committee reviews the student applications and informs students of its decision within two weeks after meeting.

Students should obtain specific information concerning application for admission into the Teacher Education Program from the education department or site coordinator.

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Admission to Student Teaching

Students formally apply for admission to student teaching by September 1 if student teaching the following spring semester, and by January 15 if student teaching in the following fall semester.

The Teacher Education Committee evaluates applications.

The department informs students of the decision, and the coordinator for field experiences works with students in student teaching placements.

Further information concerning student teaching may be obtained from the department.

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Title II Report

In compliance with the federal guidelines of the Title II, Higher Education Act, the education department has submitted a report to the Kansas State Department of Education regarding the teacher education program at the University of Saint Mary.

The current report, available upon request, contains information for the 2002-2003 cohort of teacher candidates.

There were 29 teacher candidates in the 2002-2003 cohort: 27 for elementary education and two for secondary education.

These teacher candidates had a 100% pass rate on the required testing in Kansas: the NTE: Professional Knowledge or the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT).

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For more information contact Dr. Hattie Gilmore at gilmoreh@stmary.edu