Non-Degree Initial Teacher Preparation Programs Policies and Procedures

1. Candidates must have a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university. The bachelor degree program must reflect a broad general education with at least two courses from these three areas: (a) humanities, (b) mathematics/science, and (c) social sciences.
2. Candidates must meet the following requirements for admission to teacher education:
   1. Overall minimum GPA.

      For early childhood, art, music, and foreign language, a grade point average of 2.7 overall from last conferred degree. If the overall GPA is between a 2.5 and a 2.69 from the candidate's last conferred degree, the candidate can be admitted provisionally. If the GPA is between a 2.0 and 2.49 from the candidate's last conferred degree, the candidate can be admitted with provisional non-degree status. A provisional non-degree candidate must earn a 3.0 average on 3 (9 semester hours) graduate level courses before gaining full admission to the program.

   2. Satisfactory completion of the program admission test (or exemption) required of all candidates admitted to teacher education-GACE Basic Skills/Program Admission Assessment or Praxis I. (Praxis I is appropriate only for candidates who achieved a passing composite score on this test on or before September 1, 2006). See academic advisors for specific details.
3. The candidate must present to the program advisor a copy of all transcripts and other documentation required by the program.
4. Prior to admission, the program advisor will develop a program of study to be signed by the candidate and the department representative. This program of study will be valid for three years.
5. Candidates must complete the majority of courses required in the program of study at University of West Georgia. Curriculum, methods, and internship/practica must be taken at University of West Georgia. All internships and practica sites will be located in the University of West Georgia area.
6. Staff Development Unit (SDU)/Professional Learning Unit (PLU) credit may be accepted for meeting certain program requirements. The most commonly used are: Introduction to Special Education, Teaching of Reading and Writing, and a course that meets the computer skill competency requirement. SDU/PLU will not be accepted to meet teaching field (content) requirements.
7. Candidates must earn a grade of C or better in all courses and maintain a 2.7 term GPA.
8. A limited number of graduate courses, not to exceed 3 (9 semester hours), used for initial certification may be counted toward a Master of Education. Check with individual departments for specific requirements.
9. Satisfactory results on the College of Education Criminal Background Check.
10. Graduate candidates who were previously enrolled, but have not been in attendance for four semesters must apply for readmission with the Graduate Studies Office and with the College of Education and meet Teacher Education requirements in place when readmitted.

Due to accreditation rule changes, the grade point average for Admission to Teacher Education is changing to a 3.0 minimum. This change will go into effect for students entering Teacher Education beginning with fall semester, 2016.

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