Application/Exit Processes

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. 

Once accepted, the teacher education candidate will need to purchase the Watermark Assessment Tool (Via). This assessment tool will be used throughout the duration of the program.

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**
  4.       CBASE (235 composite in each section English and Math**)

Scores must be received by the end of second term in Teacher Education coursework to continue in the program. Students are responsible for scheduling the Core Academic Skills test or taking the CBASE as offered at the University sites. These scores are one element used to evaluate the required basic competencies for teacher preparation.

  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)/Background check (KS).
  6. Complete disposition evaluation.

*Candidates who have attained a Bachelor’s degree are exempt from the basic skills assessments.

**If a passing score on the math section is not obtained, but is within 10 points (140 or 225) of the required score (150 or 235) on the first attempt, the student will be required to take a designated (by site) mathematics course immediately.  This course will review concepts of math that will be applicable to the student’s mathematical deficiencies.  The candidate must earn a B or better in the course to be accepted into the Ed-School. If the candidate is below the (>139 224) 10 point passing score range, he/she must immediately take the designated math course, earn a B or better, and retake the math portion of the CORE or CBASE exam showing improvement from first attempt. This should be completed within two eight weeks of the non-passing score, in conjunction with guidance from your adviser. Failure to follow through on this requirement will result in a hold on further coursework. 

*Special note – CBASE: If the composite passing score is not met in English, the scores (reading and writing) will be examined individually. If one of the scores meets the passing requirement of 235, then only the sub score below 235 needs to be re-taken. If neither score meets the 235 mark, then both subsections will need to be re-taken. The writing section requires both sections be repeated as this score is developed with items from both sections. Please see your advisor for questions.

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 disposition evaluation. 

Transition 3: Exit from Student Teaching

Program Completion

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

  1. successfully completed the student teaching experience with a GPA of 3.0 or higher;
  2. attained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in their program of study;
  3. attained an Ottawa University major and Pre-Professional/Professional Education minimum GPA of 3.0.;
  4. 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;
  5. completed all program requirements and degree requirements; and
  6. 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:

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