Teacher Education Admissions, Enrollment, and Graduation Criteria

Admissions Criteria

Admission to the educator preparation program is separate from Admissions  to Kennesaw State University. Candidates must meet the program requirements to pursue a degree that leads to a teaching certificate in Georgia issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).

Candidates must apply for admission to the teacher preparation program and meet the following:

1. Coursework: 

a. At least 30 semester hours of accredited college coursework.

b. ENGL 1101  and ENGL 1102  with grades of “C” or higher. 

c. Education Focus Elective with a grade of “C” or higher in one of the following courses. (or provide proof of credit from an approved Georgia Pathways Program):

i. EDUC 2110 ,

ii. EDUC 2140,

iii. ECE 2270 ,

iv. HIED 2110 , or

v. ENED 2110  

d. EDUC 2120  with a grade of “C” or higher

2. GPA Requirements:  

a. A minimum adjusted or cumulative GPA of 2.50 at Kennesaw State University

b. Transfer candidates with a cumulative transfer GPA (as used by KSU Admission) may be considered for teacher education for their first semester at KSU. After their first semester at KSU without teacher admission, transfer candidates must hold a cumulative or adjusted KSU GPA of 2.50, as explained above. 

c. No grade lower than “C” in Lower Division Major and Teaching Field courses as required by the programs in teacher education. 

3. Register with the GaPSC to obtain a MyPSC account and GaPSC identification number. 

4. A passing grade on the GaPSC Educator Ethics exam. 

5. Some degree programs in teacher education have additional admissions requirements. It is the candidate’s responsibility to consult those departments and program advisors. 

6. After notification of admission, obtain a Pre-Service Certificate from the GaPSC. Requirements and instructions for applying for a preservice certificate can be found here.  

7. A valid GaPSC issued Pre-Service Certificate is required before the start of the first semester in which a candidate is admitted to a teacher education program.  The Pre-Service Certificate must be maintained throughout the program to participate in field experiences associated with courses required in teacher education programs.  

If a candidate is unable to obtain a pre-service certificate prior to the start of the semester, the candidate will be asked to withdraw from coursework for which they may have preregistered.  If a candidate chooses to continue in coursework, the candidate will not be allowed into any field experience and accepts the financial loss associated with delaying a withdrawal from courses.  The “Last Day to Withdraw” is the deadline for withdrawal without academic penalty from courses for a semester.  The specific date for each semester is located on the Academic Calendar posted on the Kennesaw State University website. 

If a candidate’s pre-service certificate is revoked at any time during the program, the candidate will be withdrawn from coursework and removed from the program.  

Admitted and Enrolled Criteria

Candidates must enroll in the semester for which they have been admitted, or their admission is nullified.  The candidate will need to re-apply and meet the admission requirements for a subsequent semester of intended enrollment. 

Retention in Teacher Education

Once admitted to Teacher Education, a candidate may not be eligible to continue in Teacher Education if the candidate:

1. Does not exhibit responsible, professional behavior in all classes, field/clinical experiences and interactions with peers and faculty, as judged by the program faculty and/or collaborating teachers and school personnel. 
2. Has unacceptable dispositions exhibited in classes, meetings, and field/clinical experiences, as determined by the program faculty. 
3. Is found guilty of a major violation of KSU’s Student Code of Conduct, Code of Academic Integrity or civil law. 
4. Receives two or more “D” or “F” grades are earned in required lower and upper division courses. 
5. Has a KSU institutional adjusted GPA that falls below 2.50. 
6. Fails to observe or meet the required course and program prerequisites, including field-based teaching methods courses and clinical experiences/internships. 
7. Has their teaching skills and effectiveness judged, by two or more faculty instructors and/or collaborating teachers, to be unsatisfactory. 
8. Fails to adhere to professional growth feedback, formal notifications of areas for improvement, or remediation plans. 
9. Does not satisfactorily complete any field-based classes, i.e. Yearlong Clinical Experience I & II, practicums, internships, etc.
10. KSU adjusted GPA falls below 2.50 prior to the last clinical experience in the program. (i.e. Yearlong Clinical Experience II). 
11. The GaPSC suspends or revokes the Pre-Service Certification. 
12. Is unable to pass any additional background checks, as required for courses within a candidate’s program of study.
13. Fails to immediately self-report to the GaPSC and to the Clinical Education Placements & Partnerships (CEPP) Directory any arrests or potential violations that occur after a criminal background check has been completed. 

One or more of these deficiencies will trigger a review by the Departmental Academic Standing Committee and The Office of the Dean Teacher Education Appeals Committee, which will determine whether the candidate will be permitted to continue in the Teacher Education program under a professional development plan. Decisions to remove a candidate from the Teacher Education program will be recommended by the committee and approved by the program coordinator, department chair, and the Dean of the Bagwell College of Education. When a candidate is removed from a Teacher Education program, he/she is/they are precluded from entering or transferring into any other Teacher Education program at KSU.

Graduation Criteria

Each candidate is expected to meet the requirements outlined in Academic Policies: 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION .

A degree is granted by Kennesaw State University upon completion of all university and program requirements while meeting minimum requirements. Candidates completing a program in education that prepares teachers at the baccalaureate level, and petitioning KSU for a degree, are expected to have met the following requirements:

1. Grades of “C” or higher in all Field of Study areas with teaching field and professional education course work. 
2. Grade of “B” or higher in a designated Exceptional Child course taken to fulfill the Georgia HB671 - Education of the Child with Exceptionalities requirement, as set forth by the GaPSC.  
3. 2.5 institutional adjusted GPA at Kennesaw State University. 
4. Maintenance of a current GaPSC issued Pre-Service Certificate. 
5. Responsible professional behavior in all classes, field experiences, and interactions with peers and faculty. 
6. Acceptable dispositions as determined by program faculty. 
7. Attempted all GACE Assessments, aligned with the field and concentration(s), as required by the GaPSC for program completion.  Attempts must be made by November 15 for Fall degree completion, April 15 for Spring degree completion or July 1 for Summer degree completion. 
8. Successful completion of the Yearlong Clinical Experience (YCE) while demonstrating the achievement of program and unit outcomes and proficiencies through the following: 
   • The entire YCE experience unless otherwise stated by the program area.
   • Candidate Assessment on Performance Standards (CAPS) (The evaluation instrument used for clinical experiences)
9. Some degree programs in teacher education have additional requirements for program completion. It is the candidate’s responsibility to consult those departments and program advisors. 

Georgia Teacher Certification Requirements

Individuals completing a program in education at KSU, seeking a teaching certificate through the Georgia PSC, must have met the following requirements: 

1. Awarded a KSU bachelor’s degree in a teacher education program with a 2.50 institutional adjusted GPA. 
2. Grades of “B” or higher in course(s) taken to meet Georgia HB671-Education of the Child with Exceptionalities.
3. Current GaPSC issued Pre-Service Certificate or a cleared GaPSC background check if certification is sought after expiration of Pre-Service Certificate. 
4. Passing scores on GACE Assessment, aligned with candidate’s degree field, and others as required by the GaPSC.
5. Successful completion of field experiences in all required grade bands, as tracked by the CEPP office and required by the GaPSC.
6. Successful completion of the Yearlong Clinical Experience (YCE) under the guidance of a qualified collaborating teacher with three or more years of certified teaching experience. 
7. Application for GaPSC certification is made within five years of degree completion. Delaying application beyond five years may result in additional course work or exam requirements to demonstrate that the candidate meets current knowledge requirements. 

Graduates seeking certification outside of Georgia must first meet requirements for certification by the GaPSC before paperwork for certification in another state may be completed.