Teacher Certification Information
USAO offers 11 programs in teacher certification, including art, physical education (PHED), English, math, music (vocal and/or instrumental), science, social studies, elementary, early childhood, and deaf education. Major requirements for a teaching certificate in these areas can be found on the respective program's checksheet and in the Teacher Education Handbook.
Students enrolling in programs seeking PK-12 and secondary education certification should understand that these are only certification programs, not degree programs. PK-12 (art, music, deaf education and physical education) and secondary education (English, math, science, and social studies) students must also satisfy the requirements for their degree areas. Students should consult the area advisor for the degree and certification checksheets.
USAO's Teacher Education unit is nationally recognized and are accredited by both Oklahoma’s Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). USAO's teacher certification program in Deaf Education is accredited through the Council for the Education of the Deaf (CED), and the Music teacher certification programs are accredited through the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) All other teacher certification programs are state accredited through OEQA. The Teacher Education Handbook, available from the USAO Bookstore and on the website at https://usao.edu/academics/education-and-speech-language-pathology/index.html, provides further information concerning the Teacher Education program and certification requirements.
Information about required certification exams can be obtained from the Teacher Education Office or a Teacher Education faculty member.
All certification programs include a foreign language competency requirement and completion of a professional portfolio.
All requirements for teacher certification programs are subject to change if new requirements are established by the Oklahoma State Board of Education, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Oklahoma’s Office of Educational Quality and Accountability, or the Oklahoma state legislature.
Teacher Certification in PK-12 and Secondary Education
USAO does not offer degrees in PK-12 or Secondary Education. However, students may obtain teaching certificates in the academic areas of: art, physical education (PHED), English, math, music (vocal and/or instrumental), science, and social studies. Major requirements for a teaching certificate in these areas can be found on the respective program checksheet and in the Teacher Education Handbook. See your advisor for a program checksheet and the specific requirements for the certification program in these areas.
Teaching Certificate Programs
USAO has approved programs for teaching certificates in the following areas:
| PK-3 Certificate |
Early Childhood Education |
| 1-8 Certificate |
Elementary Education |
| Elementary-Secondary Certificate (Grades PK-12) |
Art, Physical Education, Music |
| Secondary Certificate (Grades 5-12) |
Mathematics, English, Science, Social Studies |
| Special Education Certificates (Grades PK-12) |
Education of the Deaf |
Admission to Teacher Education
Students declaring an interest in Teacher Education should enroll in EDUC 2002, a course designed to acquaint them with the many facets of teaching as a profession. Upon completion of the minimum requirements, the student makes formal application for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Applications are available in the Teacher Education Office and on the USAO website.
Minimum requirements for admission to Teacher Education are:
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Completion of 30 term hours.
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An overall GPA of 2.50, and 2.50 for the last 24 term hours.
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Successful completion of the following courses with a grade of "C" or better: IDS 1113, IDS 1213, IDS 1223, or their equivalents.
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Completion of the Oral English Screening.
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Recommendations by three faculty members and one public school teacher or administrator.
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Satisfaction of the Admission Test requirement (details listed in the Teacher Education Handbook).
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Satisfaction of the English proficiency requirement (details listed in the Teacher Education Handbook).
Requirements for the Professional Term (Student Teaching)
For Student-Teaching approval, an overall average GPA of 2.50 on coursework is required, with an average of 2.75 in the major area. Other requirements are listed in the Teacher Education Handbook.
Certification Requirements
Students may qualify for an initial Oklahoma teaching certificate if they:
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Complete a teacher certification program, pass the Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET), the Oklahoma Subject Area Test(s) (OSAT), and the Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers (PPAT).
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Satisfy the requirement for foreign language competency.
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Submit an acceptable professional portfolio to the Director of Teacher Education.
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Submit fingerprints for a background check to the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
Teacher Education Background Check Policy
Recognizing that public trust is important to the education system and that those working with children are held to a high standard of conduct as well as knowledge and skill, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma has adopted the following Background Check Policy to assure our education partners that every effort is made to protect the safety of their students.
All college students enrolled in Clinical Level I classes are required to complete a criminal background check. Each student must be cleared through his/her background check before being allowed to begin the 20-hour classroom observation experience for Clinical I/Practicum I. Refusal to submit to a background check will result in the student’s withdrawal from the course.
If the background check is not clear, that student will receive notification by letter and will be required to drop the course. He/she may not reenroll until cleared by the background check process.
It is emphasized that only the individual, the Director of Teacher Education, and the Coordinator of Clinical Experiences will have knowledge of the results of the background check. All results will be held in strict confidence and on a “need to know” basis.
Candidates enrolling in Clinical Level II classes will be required to sign an affidavit verifying that they do not have any convictions, outstanding criminal charges or warrants of arrest pending in Oklahoma or in any other jurisdiction.
Teacher candidates applying for the professional term will be required to submit to a criminal background check during the application process. Results must be obtained and on file in the Teacher Education office before a candidate will be allowed to report to his/her first assignment. If the candidate’s background check is not clear, the application for the Professional Term will be denied. Denial notification will be sent to the teacher candidate via certified letter. It should be noted that the teacher candidate will be ineligible for future Professional Term opportunities until a subsequent background check clears them.
Education and Speech Language Pathology Info
The School of Education and Speech-Language Pathology functioning under the direction of the Teacher Education Committee has the responsibility for the general administration and coordination of the Teacher Education program. The primary objective of the program is to assist prospective teachers in developing the competencies required for becoming effective classroom teachers and obtaining Oklahoma teacher certification. Courses are designed to meet the certification requirements and standards of the Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA), the Oklahoma State Department of Education, and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
Within the Schoolof Education and Speech-Language Pathology are professional education courses required for all certification programs and specialty area coursework that allow students to obtain an Oklahoma teaching certificate in early childhood education, elementary education, or education of the deaf. The speech pathology program prepares students for graduate programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders. A master's degree is required for a standard certificate in Speech-Language Pathology. Programs to add elementary or early childhood to early childhood, elementary, or deaf education have been approved by the Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA).
Teacher certification programs are also offered through other divisions in the areas of art, physical education, English, math, music, science, and social studies. Students seeking a teaching certificate in one of these areas should consult with the education advisor in the respective discipline.
All certification programs include a foreign language competency requirement and completion of a professional portfolio.
All requirements for teacher certification programs are subject to change if new requirements are established by the Oklahoma State Board of Education, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA), or the Oklahoma state legislature.
A Minor in Education is available for some majors, see Teacher Certification section under Programs of Study.
Graduation Without Certification
An elementary or early childhood education major admitted to the Teacher Education Program may apply to receive a degree in Elementary or Early Childhood Education, not eligible for recommendation for certification:
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When a student realizes that teaching is no longer his/her chosen profession, but he/she wishes to complete a degree in Education without certification rather than change majors, OR
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When career goals require a degree in Education without teacher certification.
The decision requires discussions with advisor and the Director of Teacher Education.