LICENSURE INFORMATION

Requirements for the Concentration in Education: Licensure Track

General Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements of the major by the final semester of their senior year, students planning to earn a Licensure Concentration must also complete the following courses before the final semester of their senior year: EDU 121, EDU 242, and either EDU 250 or EDU 260 or EDU 320 or EDU 340. Students must also have minimum scores designated by the State of North Carolina on the Praxis Series: (PPST) Pre-Professional Skills Tests or minimum scores on the SAT.  During the final semester, which includes student teaching, students will enroll in EDU 400, 410, 411, and 420.

Admission Requirements

Formal admission to the Licensure Concentration usually occurs during the sophomore or junior year. Students will complete an "Admission to the Licensure Concentration" form and meet the following guidelines:

• Proficiency in oral and written communications through completion of core requirements and interviews with the Department of Education faculty.
• State designated minimum scores on the Praxis I series (Pre-Professional Skills Test) or minimum scores on the SAT (currently a combined score of 1100 on critical reading and mathematics).
• Successful completion of two of the following five courses: EDU 121, EDU 242, EDU 250, EDU 260, EDU 320, EDU 340 (grade of "C" or better).
• A recommendation from the Dean of Students, the departmental advisor, and one other faculty member regarding the student's interest and suitability for teaching.
• Approval of the Teacher Education Committee.
• Approval of the Department of Education faculty and Chair.

Student Teaching

Students will enroll in Education 400, 410, 411, and 420 concurrently in one semester during the senior year that is reserved for student teaching. No additional courses can be taken at this time. The criteria for admission to student teaching includes:

• Admission to the Licensure Concentration.
• A minimum grade point average in the teaching field of 2.0.
• Completion of all professional education courses with no grade below "C."
• Recommendation by the Chair of the Department of Education and approval of the Teacher Education Committee.

Academic Requirements

Students must meet the following requirements.

• Successful completion of the Davidson College Core Curriculum (See current catalog)
• Successful completion of requirements for a Specialty Area major (See current Catalog)
• Successful completion of the following courses:  EDU 121, EDU 242, EDU 400, EDU 410-411, EDU 420, and either EDU 250 or EDU 260 or EDU 320 or EDU 340.
• Students should note that in order to be recommended for licensure they must graduate with a minimum grade point average of 2.5.  This is a state requirement.

Applying for Licensure

Students must complete the necessary North Carolina applications. Elaine Houser in the Department of Education is the key contact person in the licensure process. To complete North Carolina licensure you must contact her near the end of the student teaching term and provide the following:

• A completed application for licensure.
• A transcript from the registrar's office in a sealed envelope with the registrar's signature written across the back flap of the envelope.
• Required forms completed and signed by the appropriate people.
• Payment for the application fee by money order, check, certified check, or credit card.

We will send the application, complete with the necessary endorsements and transcript to the State Department of Public Instruction for processing.

If students are seeking licensure in states other than North Carolina, it is their responsibility to contact the certifying agency in that state for information about the process and the necessary forms, etc. The Department of Education will be happy to complete the necessary recommendation on the forms you obtain and send them to the certifying agency. The Department of Education will also be happy to help students in identifying the certifying agency.

Students seeking initial licensure must complete the following requirements to be recommended for licensure.

• Minimum overall GPA of 2.50.
• Minimum GPA of 2.0 in the area of specialization.
• A grade of "C" or better in all 7 professional education courses.
• Successful completion of student teaching (grade of "C" or better).
• Recommendation of public school personnel.
• Attainment of the baccalaureate degree.
• A completed application for teacher licensure.
• Recommendation of the Department of Education faculty and Chairperson.
• Recommendation of the Teacher Education Committee.