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.
Music Department Info
The purpose of the USAO Music Department is to train effective, passionate, and curious musicians. The Music Department serves students interested in music as a major as well as students for whom music is a secondary passion. Through coursework that is both challenging and nurturing, the Music Department achieves this goal by offering the following:
- Study in the specific fields of music education, performance, and business; a music minor; coursework and ensembles for Artistic Expression
- A learning environment that includes music coursework, private instruction, and large and small music ensembles
- Opportunities for creative work within music courses such as lesson planning, composition, and arranging
- Performance opportunities in public recitals and large and small ensembles (both open and auditioned)
- Education by full-time faculty who have all obtained the terminal degree in their field and part-time faculty with significant professional and educational experience in their field
- Student-centered curricula and individualized attention
- A rigorous course of study in a program accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
A Bachelor of Arts degree in music focuses on music in the context of a broad program of liberal arts studies. Students completing the music program will be effective performers, achieve proficiency in musical literacy, apply knowledge of musical concepts by performing and creating music, and demonstrate achievement of performance competence in their area of specialization. The Music Department also offers courses and ensembles for the general student population which count as Artistic Expression and support the liberal arts curriculum:
Specific fields of study include:
- Bachelor of Arts with a major in music (with a emphasis in performance or business)
- Bachelor of Arts in Music Education (with teacher certification and a specialization in vocal/choral or instrumental music)
- Minor in music
The following presents a general description of program requirements. Detailed information about music degree program policies and procedures are published in the USAO Music Student Handbook available from the Music Department and at https://usaomusic.wordpress.com/handbook/.
Application for Admission to Music Programs of Study
All students intending to major in music are required to audition on their primary instrument for the music faculty prior to acceptance into the music major.
At the end of the sophomore year all students declaring music as a major are assessed by the music faculty during the Progress and Skills Exam. Students who demonstrate that they have met competencies and are approved by the music faculty for further music study are officially declared music majors.
Applied Studio Instruction
Music majors and minors must choose a primary specialization from the areas of voice, piano, guitar, brass, woodwinds, percussion, or composition. Music majors must complete leveling competencies while pursuing Applied Studio Instruction in their area of specialization. Music majors and minors must complete Applied Studio Instruction in secondary areas as appropriate to their chosen emphasis and area of specialization. Only voice or piano may be selected as the primary area of specialization for students pursuing vocal/choral teacher certification. Any concert band instrument may be selected as the primary area of specialization for students pursuing instrumental teacher certification. Guitar may not be chosen as the primary area of specialization for any student pursuing teacher certification.
Recital Attendance
Student Recital Attendance (MUSC-2880) is a performance lab course which affords students the opportunity to gain valuable performance experience in front of their peers and to hear a variety of repertoire and genres. Enrollment in Recital Attendance is required as a lab component to all primary Applied Studio Instruction. Five terms, with a grade of Pass, are required for graduation.
Juries and Progress and Skills Exams
Music majors and minors enrolled in primary Applied Studio Instruction must perform for the music faculty at the end of each fall and spring term of enrollment. Music majors must demonstrate forward progress based on leveling competency criteria.
Ensemble Participation
Continuous enrollment in a major ensemble for at least 6 hours is required of all music majors. Music majors who choose voice as their primary area of specialization must enroll in MUSC-1051 (Concert Choir). Music majors who choose woodwinds, brass, or percussion as their primary area of specialization must enroll in MUSC-1081 (Concert Band). Students who choose guitar or composition as their primary area of specialization may choose either Concert Choir or Concert Band as their major ensemble. Continuous enrollment in a major ensemble is recommended beyond the required 6 hours. Music scholarship recipients must enroll continuously in the designated major ensemble.
Piano Proficiency
All music majors must demonstrate piano proficiency prior to graduation. Students must meet minimum requirements for technique, keyboard harmony, harmonization, transposition, repertoire performance, accompanying, sight-reading, and improvisation.
Academic Requirements
Music majors emphasizing in performance or business must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00. Music majors emphasizing in teacher certification must maintain a 2.75 GPA in music coursework and a 3.00 GPA in Liberal Arts and Science Coursework. Music scholarship recipients must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00. Certain music courses must be completed in sequence. Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in these courses in order to demonstrate competence in course material and to progress to the next course in the sequence. Music courses that must be completed in sequence are MUSC-1031, 1111, 1113, 1121, 1123, 2031, 2103, 2113, and 3102.
Senior Recital
Music majors emphasizing in Teacher Education or Performance must present a senior recital or recital project.
Music Comprehensive Portfolio and Exit Interview
Prior to graduation, all music majors must compile and present a comprehensive portfolio of their work. The purpose of the portfolio is to collect and archive documents essential for graduate school, future employers, or other professional purposes. It also serves as a review of the scope of a student's progress during their time in the program and is the synthesis of a student’s undergraduate career. The portfolio is presented at the time of the Exit Interview. The purpose of the Exit Interview is to review the Comprehensive Portfolio and to solicit from graduates of the program recommendations for continued assessment of the Music Department.