Becoming a Teacher • Education • Carthage College

Your Path to the Classroom.

Year 1

Take and earn a C- or better in three education foundation courses and initial clinical experiences: EDU 1010, EDU 2010, EDU 2150 (art education), EDU 2570 (middle and high school, and theatre), EDU 2720 (elementary and middle school), and EXS 2700 (exercise and sport science). *Music education majors must take and earn a C- or better in EDU 2010 and MUS 1180
Take general education courses. It is recommended that elementary and middle education students take specific general education courses as they are required for licensure: MTH 1040 as their Quantitative Reasoning (QR); POL 1500 or 1910 for their Social Interactions (SI); a BIO, CHM, ENV, ERG, or PHY course for their Scientific Explorations (SE); and EXS 2450 for their Wellness (WEL).
Earn a minimum 2.75 GPA overall and in their major and minor.
Disposition review (completed by instructors).
Declare your major with the Registrar’s Office.
If you are an athlete, work with an education advisor to determine your plan for student teaching.

Year 2

Continue completing your general education coursework (see recommendations for elementary and middle licensure above).
Achieve/maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA in major, minor, and overall.
Consider taking additional 2000-level EDU courses and continue clinical experiences.
Apply to and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program (TEP; see steps below).
Disposition review (completed by instructors).
If you are an athlete and have not yet, work with an education advisor to determine your plan for student teaching.

Year 3

Continue completing your general education coursework (see recommendations for elementary and middle licensure above).
Achieve/maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA in major, minor, and overall.
Disposition review (completed by instructors).
Clinical experiences.
Attend mandatory pre-student teaching meeting.
Successfully complete Praxis II content area test or substitute approved alternative.
Take EDU 3230 and 3230 (elementary education only) and pass the Foundations of Reading Test (FORT).

Year 4

Apply for student teaching.
Disposition review (completed by instructors).
Teaching candidate interview.
130 credits + graduation requirements.
Student teach.

Admission into the Teacher Education Program

Only candidates who have been admitted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP) may enroll in 3000- or 4000-level education courses. To complete the program on a timely basis, a candidate should complete all requirements and be admitted into the TEP as soon as possible, usually during sophomore year. Candidates must be in the TEP for one semester BEFORE they are eligible to apply for student teaching. Transfer candidates must earn a minimum of 15 credits on this campus before they will be considered for admission to the TEP. Transfer candidates may apply, however, during their first semester on campus.

TEP Application Procedures/Requirements

Declare a major and a minor through the Office of the Registrar.
Earn a minimum 2.75 GPA overall in all post-secondary coursework and in both major and minor. TEP applicant records will be reviewed to verify.
Complete and earn a C- or better in education foundation courses (EDU 1010, EDU 2010 and an appropriate third course depending upon major).
Obtain and complete an application for admission to the TEP from the Education Department. Applicants may apply at any time while they are in the process of completing their entrance requirements. Students should plan to enter the TEP during their sophomore year to enable enrollment in 3000 and 4000-level courses.
Complete and pass a criminal background check as part of the TEP Application.
Documentation of satisfactory dispositions review associated with and completed by instructors in particular education classes. Students must also submit clinical experience reviews to their instructors or, as directed, to the Education Department.

If all TEP requirements are satisfied, candidates will be notified of admission to the TEP by email and letter.