Entry, Continuation and Completion

Entry to the Health and Physical Education Program is a process that begins with the declaration of this projected major upon admission to the University. The Office of Freshman Studies will utilize the approved course/program sequence to advise the student on initial courses appropriate to the program through the freshman year. Freshman students will meet with Department of Education faculty and staff during the first semester for a complete description of the Health and Physical Education program, program requirements, procedures, and expectations.

Students will make application for admission to the Teacher Education Program during the sophomore or junior year.

Entry:

Upon completion of the sophomore year, candidates apply for admission into the Division of Professional Education. Applicants are to meet the following criteria in order to be officially accepted into the Department of Education teacher preparation programs.

1. The student must successfully complete 45 hours of course work.
2. The student must possess an overall GPA of at least 2.5 in all courses.
3. The student must earn a grade of C or better in the following courses:

ENG 101 and ENG 102
COM 103
MAT 109 and 110 or higher

4. The student must achieve a passing score on the Praxis I.
5. The student must submit the “Why I Want to Teach” state­ment.
6. The student must complete the “Dispositions Survey.”
7. The student must submit a current unofficial copy of his/her transcript.
8. The student must submit two sealed reference forms.

Each semester the Professional Education Admissions Committee will evaluate the applications, and the candidates will be notified in writing whether they have been accepted or denied admission into the teacher preparation program. If students are not admitted into the Program, they will need to complete any unmet requirements before reapplying to the program.

Continuation:

Continuation in the Health and Physical Education Program requires successful completion of major coursework, the maintenance of at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average, and passing the Praxis II: Specialty Examination, the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA), the Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA), and Child Abuse Certification. Failure to accomplish these requirements will result in probationary status. The conditions of probationary status and time lines for full reinstatement will be determined by the department chair. No student will be allowed more than two semesters in probationary status without dismissal from the Health and Physical Education Program. Students may apply or petition for re­entry upon meeting the requirements for continuation. Upon completion of the continuation requirements, candidates will enter clinical practice and complete the student teaching experience. Candidates will be assessed throughout the student teaching experience. At the end of the student teaching experience, candidates meeting all requirements will exit from clinical practice.

Candidates who do not achieve passing scores on state required assessments will not be allowed to student teach.

Completion

Exit requirements for the Health and Physical Education program are:

1.         Maintenance of a 2.5 cumulative grade point average
2.         Successful completion of all state and program required examinations
3.         Successful completion of the Student Teaching Experience
4.         Successful completion of the ePortfolio