The Teacher Education Program at Athens State University promotes the professional development of students who seek teaching as a career, students who will become Reflective Practitioners. The program is approved by the Alabama State Department of Education and accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Students are advised and assisted in each phase of their preparation program. The College of Education offers undergraduate degrees leading to Class B Certification in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Elementary/Collaborative K-6 Education, Physical Education, Special Education K-6, 6-12 (Collaborative Teacher), and Technical Education. The College of Education also offers secondary certification in the following College of Arts and Sciences programs through a minor in Education: Art, Biology, Chemistry, English/Language Arts, History, Mathematics, and Social Science.

Admission into the Teacher Education Program (TEP)

Students seeking a degree that leads to certification through a College of Education program, or a College of Arts and Sciences program with a minor in Education, must apply and be accepted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP). Admission to the University does not qualify as admission into the TEP program. Students applying for admission into the TEP Program must meet all the TEP admission requirements. No more than five courses in the Professional Education Requirements of the program of study may be completed before admittance to the TEP Program. Check plan of study for approved courses. Courses that require admission to the TEP Program are not accepted as transfer credit (no exceptions).

Frequently Asked Questions

Step 1: GPA requirements (COE and COAS w/minor in Education majors)

  • Cumulative/Overall = GPA 2.50 (revised Jan. 2022)
  • Professional Studies (COE) or minor in Education (COAS) = GPA 2.75
  • Teaching Field (COE) or minor in Education (COAS) = GPA 2.75

Step 2: General education courses and pre-professional courses have been completed with a grade of C or higher. (Areas I-V)

  • General Education Courses and Major Prerequisites (Pre-Professional) Courses completed and all transcripts must be on file with the Records Office and must appear on the Athens State transcript in Banner. Remedial courses cannot be applied.
  • All general education courses on the plan of study specific to the student’s degree must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher

Step 3: Completion of 2 professional education courses and 2 teaching field courses.

  • Course Requirements: Completion of 2 professional education and 2 teaching field courses.

Step 4: ABI/FBI background clearance

  • ABI/ FBI Background Clearance / Fingerprinting: completed and cleared

Step 5: Negative TB test

  • TB Test: negative TB test results, dated within the last 3 years, must be on file in the Teacher Education Services Department

Step 6: Field Experience

  • Field Experience
    • Successful completion of ED 302
    • Field Experience days on file should be up to date
    • Technical Education In-service Instructors – submit verification of employment from LEA

Step 7: Active Watermark Student Learning & Licensure (SL&L) Account

  • Student’s SL&L account is active with field experience critical assignments uploaded.

 Step 8: TEP interview

  • Students must have successfully completed an interview scheduled through their advisor and then be recommended for faculty vote.

FINAL STEP – Faculty vote

  • Upon approval of the faculty of the College of Education, student will be notified in writing that they are cleared to register for TEP courses.

Step 1: Students must complete the online TEP application in order to schedule an interview.

Refer to Question #1 for the requirements for TEP Admission. NOTE: Steps 1-7 must be complete in order to apply.

How do I submit an online application for admission into the TEP?

Directions to complete online TEP application:

  1. Go to MyAthens Self-Service
  2. Enter your Athens State University ID and PIN
  3. Go to Student Tab.
  4. Go to TEP Application Link
  5. Select the current term.
  6. Complete an application and submit.

A confirmation email will be sent to the student upon the successful submission of the online TEP application.

Step 1: Students must complete the online TEP application. This should be completed within the first 3 weeks of the semester, once a student becomes eligible. Refer to Question #1 for the requirements for TEP Admission.

Step 2: After successfully submitting the online TEP application, students are to:

  1. Email their COE advisor to schedule an interview
  2. “Share” their LiveText portfolio with their COE advisor

Step 3: When the student has successfully completed the TEP interview and received an acceptable or target evaluation on their LiveText portfolio (if applicable), then the College of Education faculty will vote on final approval for admission.

Step 4: Students will receive an email regarding their status of admission into the TEP program.

Step 5: Upon approval for admission into the TEP program, students may then register for TEP courses.

The online TEP application is available at any time during the semester. It is recommended that students complete the online application within the first 3 weeks of the semester, once a student is eligible.

Students have five years to complete a plan of study based on the date of admission into the University. After five years, the student must be moved to a current plan of study.

A student may be dropped from the Teacher Education Program for failure to maintain the standards of performance required for admission to the program. The student will be supervised and evaluated in an effort to eliminate his or her deficiencies.

No, courses that require admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) are not accepted as transfer credit (no exceptions).