Teacher Education Admission

Admission to Teacher Education

Admission to Teacher Education is a two-phase process. Admission criteria are set by the Teacher Education Council and are subject to change. Phase one consists of provisional admission, and phase two is full admission. Each phase of admission includes specific admission criteria. One of the criteria for provisional admission is earning a passing score on each of the three subtests of the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test or meeting the requirements for a composite score of 466. Satisfactory completion of the Peer Review and Content Review stages of the capstone portfolio assessment process is one of the criteria required for full admission.

Provisional Admission

Application for provisional admission occurs at the completion of the course EDUC 250 – Introduction to Education. Provisional admission criteria are

1. Completion of a minimum of 24 semester hours prior to enrollment in EDUC 250 – Introduction to Education;
2. Completion of EDUC 250 – Introduction to Education, with a minimum grade of “C”;
3. Satisfactory completion of EDUC 298 - Pre-Professional Field Experience;
4. A passing score on each of the three subtests of the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test or meeting the requirements for a composite score of 466;
5. A minimum grade of “C” in ENGL 110 - College Composition I and ENGL 120 – College Composition II;
6. A minimum grade of “C” in COMM 110 – Fundamentals of Public Speaking;
7. A minimum overall GPA of 2.75;
8. Recommendation from academic advisor;
9. Recommendation from the EDUC 250 – Introduction to Education instructor and the EDUC 298 - Pre-Professional Field Experience instructor; and
10. Approval of the chair of the Department of Teacher Education.

Provisional admission is required in order to take the following courses:

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Test

As one of the criteria for provisional admission to the Teacher Education Program, Dickinson State University requires applicants to pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) test, which includes subtests in reading, writing, and mathematics. The skills measured by these tests are important for successful completion of the program; only candidates who demonstrate the requisite skills in these areas will be admitted. Each student who takes the Core test must obtain a minimum score of 156 on the reading subtest, 160 on the writing subtest, and 150 on the mathematics subtest or meet the requirements for a composite score of 466 in order to be eligible for provisional admission.

An applicant obtaining a composite score of 466 or higher must receive a passing score on at least two of the three subtests in order to meet requirements. The required minimum test scores and the composite score criteria meet North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) requirements for licensure. Candidates must re-take the Core test or portions of the Core test until meeting the requirements for passing scores. Candidates will be informed of test registration procedures and are responsible for scheduling and fees.

Full Admission

Upon completion of 60 semester hours, students will be reviewed by the department of their major for full admission to the Teacher Education program. The candidate for full admission must have satisfactorily completed the Peer Review and Content Review stages of the portfolio assessment process. Candidates are reviewed by their major department on the bases of scholastic record, personality and character traits, eligibility for teacher licensure (a criminal record may prevent a candidate from obtaining licensure), and skill in oral and written communication. The department will make a recommendation to the Teacher Education Council for admission or denial. The Teacher Education Council - or a designated subcommittee during times when school is not in session - will make final decisions regarding full admission to the Teacher Education Program. In cases in which the Council must refuse admission to candidates, assistance will be given for developing other career plans. Specific criteria for admission can be found in the Teacher Education Handbook or by consultation with  the chair of the Department of Teacher Education. Full admission is required before being permitted to pre-service teach.

Assessment Portfolio

All students in the Teacher Education Program must develop an assessment portfolio that demonstrates their teaching-related knowledge, skills, and professional standards. The portfolio is begun in the sophomore year and is completed in the senior year prior to pre-service teaching. Each portfolio is assessed three times:

1. A satisfactory portfolio Peer Review is required for full admission;
2. A satisfactory portfolio Content Review is required for full admission; and
3. A satisfactory portfolio Final Review is required prior to pre-service teaching.

Students enrolling in EDUC 250 – Introduction to Education, EDUC 210 – Educational Technology, and EDUC 298 – Pre-Professional Field Experience will be required to purchase and utilize an account with LiveText, an online electronic portfolio and assessment system. Transfer students will also be required to purchase and use LiveText for their portfolios. LiveText and the Teacher Education Program’s portfolio requirements are explained in EDUC 250 – Introduction to Education and EDUC 210 – Educational Technology and implemented in subsequent education courses.

Approval to Pre-Service Teach

The capstone experience for Dickinson State University students enrolled in the Teacher Education Program is the senior-year, full-time pre-service teaching (“student-teaching”) experience. Students approved for pre-service teaching complete their requirements for supervised teaching in elementary and secondary schools in Dickinson and nearby communities. Students must submit applications for pre-service teaching at least one semester in advance.

To be approved for pre-service teaching, an applicant must

1. Have an overall GPA of at least 2.75;
2. Have at least a 2.75 GPA in major courses;
3. Have at least a 2.50 GPA in minor courses;
4. Be fully admitted to the Teacher Education Program;
5. Have satisfactorily completed the portfolio Final Review;
6. Be recommended by the chair of the student's major; and
7. Be approved by the Teacher Education Council.

Refer to the Teacher Education Handbook for more information.

Praxis II Tests

Principles of Learning and Teaching; Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment; and Content Knowledge

Students who intend to graduate with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education must pass the Praxis II test in their major—for secondary education majors, a subject-specific Content Knowledge test; for elementary education majors, the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (CIA) test. All education majors must also pass the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) test—for secondary education majors, the PLT 7-12; for elementary education majors, the PLT K-6; and for K-12 education majors (in art, music, or physical education), either PLT test. Students with prior degrees who intend to complete the Teacher Education Program must also pass the Praxis II tests in those areas. The Praxis II tests must be passed with a score that meets or exceeds the minimum passing score required by the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB). The Praxis II testing is a required component of the Teacher Education Program and must be passed prior to graduation or program completion. Information regarding the Praxis II tests and the required passing scores is available in the office of the Department of Teacher Education.