Application Information
Students wishing to complete a teacher certification program at Elizabethtown College must apply for Provisional Acceptance when:
- They have completed at least 27 credits; AND
- They have completed at least two courses with Education prefixes (ED 105 & ED 150 or ED 106 & ED 151)
Application Requirements:
- Overall GPA of at least 2.8;
- Grade of C or better in the two courses with Education prefixes;
- Proof of a valid TB medical clearance (tests are valid for a 2-year period);
- Proof of valid criminal record clearance (SP4-164, Request for Criminal Record Check and CY113 Child Abuse History Clearance and FBI Criminal History Report). (PA Child Abuse & Criminal Record Check valid for 2 years; FBI valid for 4 years). Forms to complete these clearances are available in Nicarry 143.
- Official declaration of an approved major and minor or concentration, where required; AND
- A paper portfolio which includes:
- Resume
- Description of your experience working with children
- Sample of your writing
- Self-evaluation and progress toward satisfaction of program dispositions & competencies
- Student Life Clearance (Complete the top portion only)
- One picture of yourself
- Other items you wish to present in support of your application
Education students must apply for Formal Acceptance when:
- They have completed at least 54 credits; AND
- They have completed at least three courses with Education prefixes
- Overall GPA of at least 3.0;
- Proof of an updated TB test (no older than 2 years);
- Proof of valid criminal record clearance (SP4-164 Request for Criminal Record Check, CY113 Child Abuse History Clearance and FBI Criminal History Report. (PA Child Abuse & Criminal Record Check valid for 2 years; FBI valid for 4 years)
- Passing scores for PPST tests, i.e. Praxis I- (Reading,Writing, Math)
- An electronic portfolio ( PowerPoint Presentation) which includes:
- Resume
- Description of your experience working with children
- Sample of your writing
- Self-evaluation and progress toward satisfaction of program dispositions & competencies
- One picture of yourself
- Other items you wish to present in support of your application
Application Directions
- TB TEST – For First Year Students Only: The Department of Education will contact the College Health Center to obtain the date of your last TB test . If your TB clearance is not valid, you will be notified to provide a copy of your new TB test results to Debbie Peterson in Nicarry 143. Health Services administers TB tests. You must schedule an appointment for this service. As you move through the TEP, TB tests may be required more frequently, depending on school district requirements.
- CRIMINAL CLEARANCES - Apply for criminal clearances during Provisional Acceptance process. Submit copies to Debbie Peterson, Nicarry 143.
- POWERPOINT PRESENTATION– (A paper portfolio can be submitted for PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE only). A PowerPoint presentation is required for Formal Acceptance. Construct your electronic portfolio in the form of a PowerPoint that provides access to the following information in a clear, well organized, creative, and easily accessible format.
- Your resume should be the beginning of what will eventually be your "real" resume. Your resume may be a separate link on your PowerPoint or it may be part of a general link that contains all of the elements of your application to the program.
- You may include your experience working with children as part of your resume or as a separate link. Feel free to include pictures, certificates, letters, etc. to enrich this section.
- Include a copy of a paper you have written for one of your classes. Ideally, it should be a paper that shows your best writing skills.
- Include your self-evaluation and recorded progress toward satisfaction of program dispositions & competencies. Go to the Department of Education’s web page for an electronic version. Include experiences beyond the campus that have given you the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions.
- Include at least one picture of yourself.
- You may include other items if you wish, i.e. letters of reference, certificates or letters describing accomplishments, or copies of awards, honors related to children or teaching.
- Notify the Department of Education via e-mail (petersond@etown.edu) by attaching your PowerPoint Presentation. If providing a paper portfolio for Provisional Acceptance, bring it to Nicarry 143.
Related Information
While it is not required for Provisional Acceptance to the program, you are encouraged to complete the first three tests of the required Praxis series as soon as possible. Taking the test s early is in your best interest and will show you areas you may need to improve on since Pennsylvania has minimum scores required for certification. Elementary and Music Education majors can take the fundamental subjects: Content Knowledge, anytime. For all Education majors, specialty test (s) should be taken closer to the end of your program (after completion of 300- level courses). Information about the Praxis tests is available on the bulletin board outside the Education Office (N143) and at www.ets.org/praxis.
Evaluation of Your Application
The Education Department will evaluate applications as they are received and upon availability of current semester grades. Students who fail to meet requirements will not be admitted to their program and will not be allowed to take other Education courses. You may reapply, however, when all requirements are met.
Because failure to meet requirements prevents enrollment in further education courses, it is critical that applications are completed in a timely manner. You must bring a paper application (required for Provisional Acceptance) to Nicarry 143.
