Admission Requirements

Effective Fall 2009 (transfer students review transition information)

In keeping with National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) guidelines and unit policies, Undergraduate Teacher Education considers students who fulfill the following criteria:

1. Academic Achievement.
a. An established 2.7 Grand Valley GPA overall and in the major, minor, and professional program. Majors may require a higher GPA*. Consult the catalog. The minimum Grand Valley GPA must be established by the time of application.

          (1) Most general education requirements completed
          (2) Sufficient progress in the major as determined by advisor
          (3) Sufficient progress in the minor as determined by advisor
          (4) At least one meeting completed with assigned Education Advisor
          (6) All remaining requirements met

 b. Secondary Review Process: An established 2.699 - 2.50 Grand Valley GPA overall and in the major, minor and professional program.

         (1) Most general education requirements completed 
         (2) Most requirements in major completed as determined by advisor
         (3) Subject area and certification tests taken and passed during the
              semester application is submitted. (e.g. Sept. applicants take the
              October test; Feb. applicants take the January or April tests).
              Secondary candidates take the major and minor tests. Elementary
              candidates take the elementary test and major test. Special
              Education candidates take the elementary test only.
         (4) Two meetings completed with assigned Education Advisor,
              including a signed Secondary Review Process form submitted
              with application.
         (5) All remaining application requirements met.

2. Michigan Basic Skills Test.  A passing score in each of the three areas of reading, mathematics, and writing as established by the Michigan Department of Education. Students may take the test during the semester of application.

3. Prerequisite courses may be in progress during the semester of application, but preference will be given to candidates who have completed the requirements at the time of application. A GPA of 2.7 or better must be established in these three courses, with no grade lower than C. 

a. ED 315 Diverse Perspectives on Education
b. ED 337 Introduction to Learning and Assessment
c. PSY 301 Child Development

Additional required prerequisites for elementary and special education candidates:

a. ENG 308 Teaching Reading: The Necessary Skills
b. MTH 221 or 222 or 223 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I or II or III

4. Advisor Recommendations. One from the major advisor/department (Elementary and Secondary General Education only) and another from a College of Education advisor.

5. Positive Recommendation. One from an individual who can address the candidate's ability as a prospective teacher.

6. Experience. Documentation of 25 hours of experience with children or youth. The experience must be with the age group for which the applicant intends to seek certification. This would rule out, for example, working in the university tutoring center. Special education candidates should have experience working with persons with disabilities, e.g., camp experience, Special Olympics, respite care. For additional options, contact Volunteer! GVSU.

7. Academic Progress. Completion of at least 60 semester credits and junior status.

8. University Basic Skills. Completion of university course requirements or test equivalents in Writing 150 and Mathematics 110.

9. Negative TB Test Report. Current at the time of application.

10. Felony Conviction Statement. Review procedures for those who have been convicted or pled no contest to a felony or certain misdemeanors are available from the College of Education. Conviction or a plea of no contest may cause the candidate to be denied for admission, field placement, or final certification.

11. Copies of degree analysis and current course listings of classes being taken at another college or university.

12. Three copies of current resume on plain white paper.

All admissions decisions will be rendered by the Dean of the College of Education based on faculty recommendations.

Occasionally, an outstanding candidate who does not meet GPA requirements, may be considered for Secondary Review admission based on other rigorous performance standards. Interested individuals may consult with the Teacher Preparation unit chair.