Hero Image

Steps to Licensure

Steps to Licensure

In addition to class credits, there are other requirements to complete on your path to becoming a licensed educator. The steps below walk you through the process from start to finish.
Introduction to Teacher Education

Introduction to Teacher Education

Students pursuing education licensure must be admitted to Teacher Education. Transition 1, the pre-admission process, is processed while enrolled in EDUC 129/138, Introduction to/Foundations of Education course, usually in the freshman year. Students should see their advisers for assistance with the admission processes. 

Required:

  • Candidate Intake Form for Teacher Education
  • Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students must, with or without reasonable accommodation (physically and mentally), be capable of performing the essential functions of the program. 
  • Cumulative college GPA of 2.75 or higher
  • Enhanced ACT composite score of 21 OR enrollment in the SAU ACT Preparation Course (see below). Note that to access the course, you will need to create a free Study.com account.  The link to do this appears directly under the "Log in" button.
    • rSAT combined score of 1080 or passing scores on all Praxis Core Tests (Math, Reading, and Writing) may be substituted
  • Tennessee Board of Investigation background check. Should this check indicate a criminal offense, established departmental protocol will be followed. 
  • "Criteria Met" descriptor on the Educator Disposition Assessment for professionalism.
  • Completion of EDUC 129/EDUC 138, Introduction to and Foundations of Education courses, with a minimum grade of C. 
View ACT Resources
Admission to Teacher Candidacy

Admission to Teacher Candidacy

Successful completion of Admission to Teacher Candidacy is required for students to enroll in most upper division education courses. When 45 credit hours have been completed, the student will enroll in EDUC 201, Teacher Education Candidacy. 

EDUC 201 Teacher Education Candidacy, 0 hours

This pass-fail course assesses a student’s readiness to continue as a teacher education candidate and is required for Transition Two in the Teacher Education Program. Coursework includes meeting with the education program adviser to ensure requirements for Transition Two have been met. Although the student consults directly with the adviser, it is the Teacher Education Council that votes completion of this transition. To continue in the Teacher Education Program, a student must first receive a Pass in this course.
Prerequisite(s): EDUC 129/138, ENGL 101, ENGL 102 each with a minimum score of C. Completion of 45 credit hours. FALL/WINTER

At the beginning of EDUC 201, the following forms will be required: 
Admission to Student Teaching

Admission To Student Teaching

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

Southern Adventist University must follow guidelines imposed by local and state agencies. To enable student teaching placements, the following deadlines apply: 

  Fall Semester Winter Semester
 Praxis Test Taken  May 1 September 1

If requirements for student teaching have not been met by the dates posted above, student teaching will be automatically deferred to the following semester.

The Teacher Education Program is pleased to provide current students with access to study materials, accessible via the links below. Be sure to use your @southern.edu email address:

Required for Elementary Education K-5 Licensure:

5002 Reading and Language Arts
5003 Math
5004 Social Studies
5005 Science
5205 Teaching Reading

K-12 Endorsement Area Exams:

5362 ESL
5857 PE/Health
Music - Come to the TMC to check out printed test prep materials

Student Teaching/Culmination of Teacher Education

Culmination of Teacher Education

The capstone of the Teacher Education Program is the student teaching experience. During this time, education students spend a full semester teaching and observing in at least two separate classrooms. The aim is to have one public school and one Seventh-day Adventist school placement. Over a period of seven to eight weeks, students gradually take responsibility for the classroom, under the guidance of well-qualified, experienced classroom teachers. Students also have the option of completing a pre-session practicum before school begins, to experience the process of preparing for school. All these opportunities contribute to creating well-rounded graduates who are fully prepared to enter the workforce after graduation.

View Student Teaching Handbook