Admission Application Process

Programs offered for Kansas Licensure

Elementary Education

PreK-12 Art

PreK-12 Choral Music

PreK-12 General Music

PreK-12 Instrumental Music

PreK-12 Physical Education

Secondary Education - Business

Secondary Education - Biology

Secondary Education - English/Language Arts

Secondary Education - History

Secondary Education - Mathematics

Secondary Education - Speech/Theatre

Prospective Education students are expected to apply to the School of Education (SoE) Teacher Education Program within their first two terms at Ottawa University.  SoE acceptance and denial occurs three times per year: October 1st, February 1st, and July 1st.  Students who have not been fully accepted in the SoE and continue to take courses do so at their own risk.  Students will not be able to move forward into methods core without Director of School Partnerships-AZ or designee approval until fully accepted.  Students who are initially denied may reapply one more time if deficiencies are met within one year.

The preferred first SoE course for a teacher candidate is EDU 30731 Teaching Profession I.  This introductory course provides an overview of the status of education today and affords an opportunity for the teacher candidate to apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program.  In this course, the Teacher Education Program Handbook is distributed and reviewed.  Students may also enroll in EDU 20000 Technology for Educators, EDU 31233 Educational Psychology, or EDU 33035 Foundations of Schools in a Diverse Society as an entry point as well. At the residential campus, EDU 20000 Technology for Educators is the preferred first course completed.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSIONS (PROGRAM ENTRANCE):

1.  Complete an application to the teacher education program;

2.  Possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0;

3.  Complete a Basic Skills Assessment.  Exam Options: ETS Core Academic Skills for Educators Exam section and passing scores (Reading 156, Writing 162, Mathematics 150*), an ACT composite score of 24,or an SAT composite score of 1100.

*All exams must be within 5 years of recency. Passing scores must be received by the end of second eight-week term for students to continue in the program. Scores for students at the residential campus must be received by th eend of the 2nd semester of EDU coursework to continue in the program.

Candidates who have attained a Bachelor's degree are exempt from the basic skills assessments.  If a passing score on the math section is not obtained, but is within 10 points (140) of the required score (150) on the first attempt, the student will be required to take a designated (by site) mathematics course immediately.  This course will review concepts of math that will be applicable to the student's mathematical deficiencies.  The candidate must ear a B or better in the course to be accepted into the School.  If the candidate is below the 10 point passing score range (<140), he/she must immediately take the deisgnated math course, earn a B or better, AND retake the math portion of the CORE exam showing improvement from the first attempt.

4. Provide two recommendations completed by a high school faculty member, college faculty member, or professional who can verify candidate’s suitability to the teaching profession.

5. Provide faculty or academic advisor sponsorship with certification pathway understanding form.

6. Earn a grade of “B” or higher in Teaching Profession I.

7. Submit background check.  A second background check will be submitted prior to student teaching.

8. Submit official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended.

9. Provide a current health certificate to the Teacher Education office.

Students admitted to the adult and online programs must reside in Arizona, Kansas, or Missouri.

Kansas Teacher Education Licensure (Program Exit):

At the end of student teaching (the last requirement for education majors), a teacher candidate who wishes to receive a recommendation from Ottawa University's Kansas Licensure Officer for a teaching license in the state of Kansas must demonstrate that she/he has:

  1. Successfully completed the student teaching experience.
  2. Attained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  3. Attained an Ottawa University major and pre-professional/professional education minimum GPA of 3.0.
  4. Attained grades of C or better in all content area courses and pre-professional/professional education courses, excluding Teaching Profession I which requires a grade of B or better.
  5. Completed all program requirements and degree requirements, including E-Folio, Captsone, and KPTP (Kansas Performance Teaching Portfolio) at required cut scores.
  6. Completed exit interview and evaluation.

Completing program or licensure requirements at Ottawa University does not mean that a recommendation for licensure is automatic, nor does it guarantee that licensure will be issued by the State of Arizona or Kansas.  The Ottawa University faculty determines the minimal standards for receiving an Ottawa degree, but the Arizona and Kansas State Departments of Education regulate standards and issues the certificate/license.  When a teacher candidate has completed all program requirements for a degree and/or licensure at Ottawa University, the University's Kansas Licensure Officer will submit the application to the Kansas State Department of Education.

Contact information on licensure from other states is available from the Department of Education of that state.  www.teachersfirst.com/ed-depts.html.