All students interested in entering the Teacher Education Program are responsible for reading the University catalog and complying with the requirements stated therein.

To be admitted to the Teacher Education Program, a student must successfully complete EDU 2300 Introduction to Education. This course should be completed during the sophomore year, or, for a transfer student, during the first semester at Texas Wesleyan University.

Formal application to the Teacher Education Program is made within the semester in which a student enrolls in EDU 2300.

To enroll for EDU 2300, a student must have a 2.5 GPA and should have passed all sections of the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) or pass the THEA during the semester in which the student is enrolled for EDU 2300.

The student may, while enrolled in EDU 2300 and with the approval of the academic advisor, take additional hours in education provided the student has already passed all sections of THEA and has a GPA of at least 2.5.

If a student does not successfully complete EDU 2300, then all education courses taken concurrently will receive “T,” until 2300 requirements are satisfied.

No education or reading courses may be taken before the semester in which the student enrolls in and passes EDU 2300. Nor may any education or reading courses be taken after EDU 2300 unless the student passes EDU 2300.

The Teacher Education Committee will review the student’s application for admission after the completion of EDU 2300 and after the student satisfies state requirements for admission to teacher education programs. 

Admission to the Teacher Education Program will be granted to a student who has:

• Passed EDU 2300;

• Attained at least a 2.5 GPA;

• Passed all sections of the THEA (R=260, M=230, W=220);

• Demonstrates proficiency in English grammar;

• Demonstrates proficiency in oral English. A grade of “B” or

   better in a fundamental speech course will be used as evidence of oral

   English proficiency;

• Demonstrates acceptable performance in critical thinking;

• Completed at least 9 hours of university English or the equivalent with grades “C” or better.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program is granted for five years provided the student maintains a 2.5 grade point average while in the program, both overall and in major course work. A student requiring longer than five years to complete certification requirements will be required to reapply for admission to teacher education through the Teacher Certification Officer.

Only a grade of “C” or better in all courses required for certification will be counted in the certification area. The Teacher Education Program will not accept for transfer credit any reading or education course in which the student’s grade is below a “C.”

Deferral status will be given to a student who:

• Has less than a 2.5 grade point average;

• Has not passed THEA (R=260, M=230, W=220);

• Has not passed EDU 2300.

Students with deferral status MAY NOT register for education and/or reading courses. If a deferred student registers for education/reading courses, that student will be dropped from those courses.

A student may reapply through the Certification Officer when all admission requirements have been met. Reapplication to the Teacher Education Program is not automatic; the student is responsible for initiating the reapplication process after the student satisfies THEA, GPA, and other EDU 2300 requirements.

THEA Requirement. A student may not be approved for the Teacher Education Program and hence may not enroll in education or reading courses other than EDU 2300 until the student has passed the THEA.

THEA—Current Passing Standards:

    Reading: 260                   Mathematics:    230                      Writing: 220

The THEA may be retaken and will be given several times a year on dates published by the Texas Education Agency. The test is administered at various sites throughout the state, including Tarrant County College.  THEA registration booklets are posted in Dan Waggoner Hall.

THEA Exemptions. Students may be exempt from the math and writing  sections of THEA if they have achieved the following scores on the ACT, SAT, TAAS, or TAKS.

• American College Test (ACT) - Composite score of 23 or higher, with English and mathematics 19 or higher.

• Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT - For tests taken April 1995 or later, a

combined score of 1070 or higher, with verbal and mathematics scores 500 or higher; for tests taken prior to April 1995, a combined score of 970 or higher, with a verbal score of  420 or higher and a mathematics score of 470 or higher.

• Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) exit level—

Reading TLI of X-89 or higher, mathematics TLI of X-86 or higher, and     writing score of 1770 or higher.

Note: Scores on the ACT and SAT must have been achieved no more than five years prior to, and TAAS or TAKS scores no more than three years prior to, the time the individual applies for admission to the educator preparation program.

Students may also be exempt from the math and writing sections of THEA by earning a grade of “B” or higher in a related course.

• Writing - English Composition and Rhetoric, English Composition and

Literature

• Mathematics - College Mathematics, College Algebra, Plane Trigonometry

There are no exemptions from the reading portion of the THEA.

Degree Plan. A degree plan shall be requested during EDU 2300.   Additional degree plans may be requested only when changing a major.  The student should request a final degree plan prior to graduation.  Each student must consult with her/his faculty advisor before planning/enrolling for the semester’s course work. A faculty advisor must sign the student’s registration card, and the student must have a clearance stamp on her/his enrollment card from the Department of Education Office (Room 204, Dan Waggoner Building) prior to completing registration.

A student currently enrolled in EDU 2300 may not attempt to register for education/reading courses during early registration unless the student has at the time a 2.5 GPA and has appropriate scores on THEA.

Texas Wesleyan University does NOT have certification programs for secondary students.  Please see major advisor for more information for secondary certification. Students who wish to teach in secondary schools are advised to matriculate with a degree in a major field, then sit for the state content test in that secondary field. Upon passing the state exam, the student may be hired by a school district to teach in the district’s high schools. For further information in the area of secondary education, students should go to the State Board of Education website: www.sbec.state.tx.us