Programs That Require Admission

Admission to Teacher Licensure

The College has selective admission policies and practices for the Teacher Education Program, including the minors in education. Admission into the education licensure program is defined as a student's initial entry into one of two field-based course experiences (EDUC 338, EDUC 402/404). Students seeking teacher licensure may not enroll in EDUC 338, EDUC 340 or EDU 402/404 until Praxis I is successfully achieved, required grade point average(s) are achieved and background screening is completed and approved. Prior to formal admission to the program, the student must successfully complete Praxis I of the National Teacher Examination (NTE). The student must meet minimum passing scores on these tests as set by the Virginia Board of Education. Admission to the internship (EDUC 338) and diagnostic reading (EDUC 340) require a 2.5 overall grade point average. Required at the time of application for student teaching is a 2.5 overall grade point average in the student's major and/or teaching endorsement area and a 2.5 overall average in education and psychology courses applicable to licensure.

G.P.A. requirements of 2.5 for the Education 338 (Field-based Internship) and Education 402-404 (Student Teaching) refer to the grade point average earned at Roanoke College. Only the 2.5 overall minimum G.P.A. earned at Roanoke College will be considered for Education 338. In exceptional circumstances, the minimum 2.5 G.P.A. requirement for student teaching (overall, major, and education/psychology licensure courses) may include consideration of course credit earned at all other colleges/universities if it in no way compromises the intent of the minimum standard. A formal written appeal with justification for this possibility must be presented to the Chair of the Education Department.

In accordance with state requirements, an applicant must possess the physical and mental health necessary for the tasks to be performed. In addition, the student should demonstrate good moral character. Violation of the Roanoke College academic integrity regulations or of judicial rules and regulations, as well as convictions of any felony or any misdemeanor laws involving moral turpitude, may be taken as evidence of lack of fitness for admission or for recommendation for licensure. Evidence must be available from appropriate College officials verifying that this standard has been met. The above described standards for admission to the program must be maintained, or the student may be dropped from the program.

Admission to student teaching requires two recommendations from full-time faculty members (one of these must be from the student's major) and possession of a grade point average of 2.5 overall as well as in the major and/or teaching endorsement area and in all education and psychology courses applicable to licensure. All non-degree-seeking students must meet the same standards. All non-degree-seeking students must have earned a minimum of four units of credit approved by the Education Department at Roanoke College prior to placement in student teaching.

Standards for admission to the Teacher Education Program must be maintained during the period of student teaching. All tests required by the Virginia Department of Education for licensure must be successfully completed and scores furnished to the Registrar's Office before the College recommendation for licensure can be given.  Tests include: Praxis I (all candidates), Praxis II (all candidates), VCLA (all candidates), VRA (elementary candidates).

Note: SAT score substitutions will be allowed in the lieu of Praxis 1. A score of 1100 on the SAT; taken after April 1, 1995, with at least a 530 on the verbal and a 530 on the mathematics test OR a score of 1000 on the SAT; taken prior to April 1, 1995, with at least a 450 on the verbal and a 510 on the mathematics test may be used as a substitute for Praxis 1.

ACT score substitutions will be allowed in lieu of Praxis 1. A composite score of 21, if taken prior to April 1, 1995, with no less than a score of 21 in mathematics and an English Plus Reading score no less than 37 OR a composite score of 24, if taken after April 1, 1995, with no less than a 22 on mathematics and an English Plus Reading score no less than a 46.

Students seeking one endorsement area are required to student teach for a minimum of 13 weeks (65 days). Students seeking added endorsements for teacher licensure will be required to extend their student teaching beyond the regular term. A minimum of 16 weeks of student teaching will be required if additional endorsements are sought. Specific endorsement areas and the required number of weeks of student teaching (noted parenthetically) are listed below:

Elementary (PreK-6):

PreK-6 (Thirteen weeks)

Secondary (6-12):

6-12 (Thirteen weeks)

PreK-6 and Secondary (6-12) Subject Area:

PreK-6 (Eight weeks), 6-12 (Eight weeks)

PreK-12 Art, Music, Theatre or Physical Education and PreK-6:

PreK-6 (Six weeks), Subject area PreK-6 (Six weeks), Subject area 6-12 (Six weeks)

Candidates for field placements (EDUC 338, EDUC 340, and EDUC 402/404) are required to make application in writing in the semester preceding the one in which the field placement is to be taken. March 1st and October 1st have been designated as the closing dates for such applications. Appropriate forms for making application will be supplied upon request in the Education Department office. In September and Febuary, orientation meetings are held for each field experience by the Director of Field Placements where appropriate applications are supplied, requirements reviewed and questions are answered. Students wishing to do a field placement (EDUC 338, EDUC 340 or EDUC 402/404) during the fall semester must have met all GPA and Praxis I requirements by March 1. Students wishing to do a field placement (EDUC 338, EDUC 340, or EDUC 402/404) during the spring semester must have met all GPA and Praxis I requirements by October 1st.

Completion of the education licensure program is defined as a student's passage of the appropriate Praxis II and VCLA examinations, the VRA exam (for elementary candidates only), successful completion of student teaching, and fulfillment of all course requirements as outlined in the College Catalog. No college recommendation for teacher licensure will be given until requirements are met.

During the term of student teaching, students may enroll in no more than one unit of credit in addition to student teaching. Students should take Praxis II in their specialty area, the VCLA and the VRA exams based on the guidance of their education advisor.