Admission to the College of Education

Students must apply for admission to the College of Education. Students must be admitted to the college before taking education coursework. Please download and submit the Admission Packet to apply to the college.

The current requirements for admission to the teacher education program are listed below:

1. Completion of the following: ENGL 1203, appropriate mathematics course, EDUC 2753, and EDUC 3002/3003 with a “C” or better and ENGL 1213 and a course in speech with a “B” or better. Early Childhood majors must complete ECED 3023 and 3033 with a “C” or better.

2. A grade of “C” or better in any course in the degree plan.

3. Passing scores (state cut-off scores or above) on the Reading, Writing, and Mathematics components of Praxis I.

4. Submission of a satisfactory plan of study to an advisor.

5. Maintenance of a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

6. A satisfactory interview evaluation.

7. Demonstrated professional attitude and interest related to UA Fort Smith’s stated dispositions, with good psychological and emotional health as determined by self-assessments and committee review.

8. Evidence of a satisfactory disciplinary record.

9. Completed application including signature that the student has read and understood the College of Education Policy and Procedures Handbook.

Requirements for admission may change over time. Students must meet admission requirements current at the time of their final application for admission to the teacher education program. The nine requirements listed above are current as of 1/24/07. Please consult with your advisor should you have any question regarding admission requirements.

Requirements for Teaching Internships

The current requirements for admission to the teaching Internship semester are listed below:

1. Admission to the Teacher Education program, completion of a minimum of one hundred (100) semester hours, demonstrated progress in all professional education courses, and no more than six (6) semester hours left in the area of specialization and general education at the completion of the semester prior to the internship. Note: All professional education courses other than the senior seminar must be completed prior to beginning the teaching internship. All secondary education students must have also completed all pedagogy courses in their major prior to beginning the teaching internship. Students may take one three hour course during the internship semester, as long as the course meeting time does not conflict with required internship duties. Requests to take more than three credit hours must be approved by the TCSC (Teacher Credential and Standards Committee).

2. A minimum of twelve (12) semester hours in residence at UA Fort Smith.

3. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 and a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in the area of specialization.

4. Majors in early childhood education and middle school education can have no grade below a “C” in any course required in their degree. Students in secondary education can have no grade below a “C” in any course required in their degree.

5. Submission of an application to the Coordinator of Field Experiences by October 1 if the request is for the spring semester of the same academic year or March 1 if the request is for the fall semester of the succeeding academic year.

6. Students must evidence a satisfactory disciplinary record as well as satisfactory behavior in classes and other university related events.

7. Completion of the appropriate specialty area test(s) of Praxis II: Subject Assessment Specialty Area Tests, with scores at least equal to those established by the Arkansas Department of Education. Students who plan to intern during the fall semester must take the Praxis II Specialty Area Tests no later March or April of that calendar year. Students who plan to intern during the spring semester must take the Praxis II Specialty Area Tests no later than August or September of the previous year. Students may not report for their first day of duty at their P-12 internships placements without proof of passing scores on all required Praxis II Specialty Area Tests.

8. Assessment of basic proficiency in English.

9. Completion of the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) examination or appropriate content pedagogy exam. Students test results may or may not result in passing scores as defined by the Arkansas Department of Education. However, students who do not successfully complete the PLT prior to the end of the Internship semester will be awarded an incomplete “I” for the internship course. Students who plan to intern during the fall semester must take the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) or appropriate content pedagogy exam no later than June of that calendar year. Students who plan to intern during the spring semester must take the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) or appropriate content pedagogy exam no later than November of the previous year.

Requirements for admission may change over time. Students must meet admission requirements current at the time of their final application for admission to the teaching internship semester. The nine requirements listed above are current as of 1/24/07. Please consult with your advisor should you have any question regarding admission requirements. Complete detailed admission requirements are found in the current Policy and Procedures Manual.