Education - Admission - AZ and KS

Prospective education students are expected to apply to the School of Education within their first two terms at Ottawa.  The School acceptance and denial process will occur three times a year - October 1st, February 1st, and July 1st.  Students who have not been fully accepted into the Education School and continue to take courses are doing so at their own risk.  Students will not be able to move forward into their methods core without School Dean or designee approval until fully accepted. Students who are initially denied can reapply one more time if deficiencies are met within one year. 

The preferred first course for an education major is EDU 30731 Teaching Profession I or ECE 30100 Early Childhood Foundations.  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 will be distributed and reviewed. Students may also enroll in EDU 31233 Educational Psychology or EDU 33035 Foundations of Schools in a Diverse Society as an entry-point as well.

Transition 1: Application Process & Program of Study

Complete the following:

1. An application to the Teacher Education Program.

2. A cumulative GPA of 3.0.

3. A Basic Skills Assessment.*

Options:

1. ACT composite score of 24 >

2. SAT composite score of 1100 >

3. ETS Core Academic Skills for Educators Exam: Passing scores: Reading 156, Writing 162, and Mathematics    150**  (Refer to Teacher Education Handbook for exam directions.)

1. 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.

2. Provide faculty or academic advisor sponsorship with licensure/certification pathway understanding form.

3. Earn a grade of “B” or higher in Teaching Profession I or Early Childhood Foundations.

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

5. Provide a current health certificate to the Teacher Education office (KS); Submit an AVP Fingerprint card (AZ).

Transition 2: Admittance to Student Teaching

Student Teaching Approval Process

Once a candidate makes application for student teaching, the following occurs:

1. A candidate's file is reviewed by their advisor to determine if all requirements have been met.

2. An application is presented to the Office of Field Placement (OFP) where a final decision is made  on the application.

3. A candidate is notified of action taken by the OFP.

4. An applicant who is denied approval to student teach is requested to consult with their advisor.

5. Candidates who fail to return all required forms or complete state exams prior to student teaching will not be allowed to continue in the clinical practice.

The teacher candidate at Ottawa University may student teach only after they have made application to their advisor and received final approval.

Prospective student teachers will attend a required orientation meeting. Information will be posted on the portal regarding specific dates.

A teacher candidate’s application will be accepted for student teaching if they have:

1. been accepted into the Teacher Education Program;

2. met Basic Skill exam requirements;

3. completed or will have completed all required coursework prior to the first day of Student Teaching;

4. a grade of "C" or better in all Pre-Professional/Professional Education and content area coursework,

excluding Teaching Profession I/Early Childhood Foundations grade requirement of  “B” or better;

5. a GPA of 3.0 or better in all Pre-Professional/Professional Education and content area coursework;

6. a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above;

7. fingerprint clearance (AZ)/updated background check (KS) on file;

8. licensure/certification exams taken prior to the student teaching term. KS: take the PLT and required content area exam (PRAXIS II) as required for state licensing; AZ: take and pass the content area exam as required for state certification;

9. current health certificate (KS);

10. liability insurance;

11. completed 20 hours of community service and turned in appropriate form; and

12. completed faculty reference form Via survey. 

Transition 3: Exit from Student Teaching

Program Completion

1. A teacher candidate who wishes to receive an Institutional Recommendation from Ottawa University for teaching certification/licensure must demonstrate that they have:

2. successfully completed the student teaching experience with a GPA of 3.0 or higher;

3. attained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in their program of study;

4. attained an Ottawa University major and Pre-Professional/Professional Education minimum GPA of  3.0.;

5. 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;

6. completed all program requirements and degree requirements; and

7. completed exit interview and evaluation.

Transition 4: Exit from Program

Upon exit from the program a letter and survey for feedback/reflection is sent to new graduates and program completers.

University Recommendation

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:

1. the University KS-Licensure Officer will submit the application to the Kansas State Department of Education and;

2. the University Certification Office in AZ will meet with the candidate to complete their forms.

Contact information on licensure from other states is available from teachersfirst.com.

For Arizona Institutional Recommendation (IR) & Certification:

1. IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card;

2. Completed all course work based off of degree audit; and

3. Successfully completed student teaching.  Student teaching is required for the IR.

For Kansas Recommendation & Licensure:

1. Submit fingerprint card and fee to KSDE for state-required background check;

2. Earned and have on file official passing scores for the following required licensure exams: Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam and the appropriate content exam(s);

3. Complete KSDE licensure application form;

4. Have a passing score on the KPTP; and

5. When a teacher candidate has completed all program requirements for a degree and/or licensure at Ottawa University, the University KS-Licensure Officer will submit the application to the Kansas State Department of Education.