Admission Requirements, Continuation, Completion & Appeals

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Admission, Continuation, Completion, Appeals, and Information for Non-Traditional Students

Requirements for Admission into Teacher Education Program

  • Apply to the Teacher Education Program (during the semester in which ED295: Foundations of Education is taken)
  • Participate in an initial interview with Education and content area faculty members
  • Obtain approval of your Teacher Education Application by both the Education Department and the major/content area department (note that Music applicants must be admitted to both the BM Music Education program and the Teacher Education program)
  • Meet specified MN Standards of Effective Practice (SEPs) in ED 295
  • Successfully complete ED 295 field experience (20 hours)
  • Obtain a grade of B or better in ED 295
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.7 both overall and in the teaching content area (note that only St. Olaf courses will be calculated in GPA for admission and retention in the program)

Requirements for Continuation in the Teacher Education Program

  • Meet specified MN Standards of Effective Practice in all Education courses
  • Maintain grades of B or better in all education courses
  • Successfully complete field experiences: 20 hours in your content area in each grade band for licensure (i.e. K-12 license — 20 hours at each K-6, 5-8, 9-12 settings)
  • Successfully complete January term field experience; 60-80 hours in a multicultural setting (January Term)
  • Satisfy disposition criteria
  • Maintain overall and content area GPAs of 3.0 or higher
  • For Music Students: successfully complete continuation (more on the BM Music Education program)

Requirements for Completion of the Teacher Education Program (and Licensure)

  • Complete Candidate Portfolio and Presentation prior to student teaching
  • Complete all required content area courses (see advising sheets)
  • Complete all required Education courses and meet specified Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice (SEP)
  • Successfully complete ED 389: Student Teaching – 13-14 weeks, face-to-face, full-time as measured by supervisor evaluations and verified time logs, and earn at least a “B”
  • Complete ED 381: Student Teaching Seminar, meet all SEP standards associated with the course, and earn at least a “B”
  • Meet all SEP standards associated with the CPAST or remediate criteria with standards only met at the “Emerging” level
  • Successfully complete Subject Matter Portfolio (assigned during student teaching)
  • Satisfy disposition criteria
  • Submit the final Student Teaching Evaluation (self-assessments, TPP evaluation and placement report), including the Transition to Teaching Common Metrics’ survey.
  • Participate in an exit interview with the Director of Field Experiences and Licensure
  • Complete all licensure forms, including fingerprints, and submit licensure fee

Appeals Process

Students who have formal complaints about aspects of the program or its assessment system may address their concerns in a petition. When appropriate, faculty members discuss and consider petitions during department meetings, and the petitioner is notified of the consensus decision. An appeals process exists through the Dean of Student’s office where complainants express their concerns to a neutral student/faculty group appointed by the Dean of Students and the Associate Dean of Social Sciences [and the Provost or designee].

Candidates Trained in Other States, Transfer Students, Nontraditional Students, or Post- baccalaureate Students

If you are a candidate trained in a state other than Minnesota, are transferring to St. Olaf, or are a nontraditional or post-baccalaureate student and would like information about the Teacher Education Program at St. Olaf College, please contact the Director of Field Experiences and Licensure (education@stolaf.edu) or call 507-786-3245 for information about courses and licensure including substituting program requirements for prior learning experiences, coursework, teaching experience, and credit by examination. The process is explained more fully below:

Prior to transfer and nontraditional students’ admission to the College, the Director of Field Experiences and Licensure meets with potential candidates to complete a transcript analysis and review coursework, standards already met, test results, and teaching-related experiences to map a possible course plan. The Director of Licensure advises any out of state, transfer and adult/alumni candidates admitted to the College, and the Registrar’s Office determines all transfer credits.

The TPP assesses and gives appropriate credit to candidates for knowledge and skills acquired through prior academic preparation and teaching experiences that meet licensure requirements. The Director of Licensure consults with potential candidates to determine whether standards have already been met or if the candidate has other applicable experiences that would meet licensure requirements. A final determination of whether or not credit is granted to out-of-state, transfer, nontraditional, or postbaccalaureate students for knowledge and skills acquired through prior academic preparation lies with the Department Chair. The Education Department will not substitute prior experience for student teaching requirements.

All records of decisions regarding the assessing of and, as appropriate, credit given to candidates, including out-of-state, transfer, nontraditional, or postbaccalaureate students, for knowledge and skills acquired through prior academic preparation and teaching experiences that meet licensure requirements are recorded in SLL for individual candidates, and a “course substitution” form is completed for their licensure file.