Program Admission

The Teacher Education Program at St. Ambrose University includes areas of study necessary to prepare highly qualified professional classroom teachers, and enables the student to receive an initial license to teach in Iowa agencies and schools.

The program is approved by the Iowa Department of Education. Through agreements with other states, graduates may apply for certification after receiving an Iowa license.

Suggested Coursework Before Admission

Students apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program while enrolled in EDUC 205 Field Experience or EDUC 207 Orientation to Teaching. However, there are general education courses which can be taken before applying for admission. These courses are:

    ENGL 101 Written Communications
    PSYC 105 Introduction to Psychology
    One American History course or one American Government course
    Biology and Non-biological Science (ECE/Elementary majors)
    COMM 110 Basic Human Communication

Admission Requirements

• Maintain a 2.7 cumulative grade point average (GPA). *
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA in education. *
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA in major field (for secondary and K-12 education majors only). *
• Pass PRAXIS I examination. Math 172, Writing 172, Reading 175.**
• Complete 50 field hours in EDUC 205 or provide verification through EDUC 207.***
• Receive an average rating of at least Developing (3) in the three separate dispositional areas on the professional rating form, as well as recommendation by both course instructor and cooperating teacher to continue on into the program (see last page of rating form).
• Receive a grade of B or above in EDUC 205 or EDUC 207.
• Submit a completed Application for Admission to Teacher Education Program form (including statement of fraud section and necessary signatures).

* For students who do not achieve the required GPA at the conclusion of the EDUC 205 or EDUC 207 semester, GPA will be reviewed at the end of the next semester. Full admission will be granted if all coursework, including any credit transferred from another institution, meets the required 2.7 and 3.0 GPA standards. Note that for full admission all other requirements must be met and full admission can only be maintained by continuing to meet all requirements each semester.
** Students are required to pass PRAXIS I. Tests taken more than five years prior to submission of a completed TEP application will need to be retaken.
*** The Teacher Education Program has established a five year limit for accepting field hours. Field hours completed more than five years prior to submission of a completed TEP application will need to be repeated.

NOTE: Admission to the St. Ambrose Teacher Education Program does not guarantee a state authorized teaching license.