Admission to S.T.E.P.

Admission Requirements and Application Instructions

All of the information below is on this page so you can print it.

Questions about the Teacher Education Writing Exam please email terri.gass@usu.edu.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

Complete the following core courses or have ACT waive.  You must submit ACT scores in order to use an ACT score for admission. 

 

Area ACT Score waives requirement
 Academic Requirement
English 29 English 1010 or English 2010 with a C+ grade or higher
Math 25 MATH 1050 or STAT 1040 with a C- grade or higher
Social Studies   A minimum of three (3) credits of coursework in Social Science (BSS) with at least a C grade
Natural Science  

A minimum of six (6) credits of coursework in Life (BLS) and Physical Science (BPS)with at least a C grade in each course

 

  • Passing CIL Exam - Passing the CIL exam should be posted on your transcript or have met the university requirement through an approved associates degree. 
  • Speech and Hearing Test results - Take this test immediately and keep the sheet with the results until you submit your application for admission to Teacher Education. The sheet is your only record of completing the screening. Speech-Language-Hearing screenings will be offered 4-6 hours per week during weeks 3-15 every Fall and Spring semester. Sign-up sheets with the designated days and times available for screenings are located outside the office of the Department of Communicative Disorders & Deaf Education in the Lillywhite Building. Passing this test is not a requirement for admission, however students with identified problems in speech and/or hearing are referred to the Disability Resource Center for services. The test results should be attached to the Application Form. 
  • College of Education Writing Exam results - Do this as soon as possible. Take the Teacher Education Writing Exam in the Young Education Technology Center during weeks 1-5 of each semester. All questions regarding the exam should be directed to the Office of the Associate Dean for Education, Room 130 Jones Education Building, phone (435) 797-1443.
  • Transcript of Credits. Currently enrolled students must provide a USU transcript; graduate and/or transfer students must provide transcripts from institutions previously attended. Transcripts serve to verify the completion of 60 semester credits of approved course work with a minimum total GPA of 2.75. The total GPA is the number farthest to the right.
  • Criminal Background Check - You will do this one semester before you submit your application to Teacher Education.  The application for the Criminal Background Check is now completed online.  The website address is www.utah.gov/teachers.  You must include a copy of your payment receipt of the online process with your teacher education application.  You must complete your fingerprinting before submitting your application and attach the receipt to application. 

 Secondary Teacher Education Program Application

Checklist to Complete Secondary Teacher Education Program

Please understand that it is very difficult to work during this program.
STEP Checklist (PDF version)

Step One

Before admission to Secondary Ed, you need to have
  • A GPA of at least a 2.75 (and maintain a minimum of 2.75 through graduation)
  • Passed the writing exam (available in YETC, #170 in Jones Education Building)
  • Taken the Speech/Hearing screening ($10 – offered 3rd-15th weeks each semester, sign- up in the front office for the Department of Communication Disorders & Deaf Education, 797-1375.)

Step Two

One semester before you begin the program
  • Submit application for admission to Department of Secondary Education, signed by content adviser for both major and minor.  Submit the application to the Secondary Education Advisor before the deadline. 
    Admission Deadlines
    • Fall - October 1st
    • Spring - March 1st
Attach
  1. Speech/Hearing Results
  2. Writing Exam Passing Results
  3. Completed Criminal Background Check.  The application for the criminal background check is now available online at www.utah.gov/teachers.  You must include a copy of your payment receipt of the online process with your application. 
  4. Attach a copy of fingerprinting receipt.   
  • Register for Level 1 – Includes: SCED 3100, SCED 3210, SCED 3300, & a methods Course for your major or minor. The Clinical (SCED 3300 or another 3300 course offered with the major or minor department) experience is a 30 hours per semester in a school setting. Be certain you register for the section for your discipline. e.g., Science, Social Studies, etc.

Step Three

During Level 1
  • Register for Level 2 - (Includes: SCED 4200, SCED 4210, SCED 4300, & a methods course for your major or minor. The Clinical (SCED 4300 or 4300 course offered within major or minor department) experience is a 30 hours per semester in a school setting. Be certain you register for the section for your discipline. e.g., Science, Social Studies, etc.)
  • Obtain identification badge at the USU Taggart Center, Customer Service Office and attend a Student Teacher Application Session (STAS)
  • Take Praxis Content test for you major and minor. Information is available in Jones Education #101 or at www.ets.org/praxis.

Step Four

During Level 2
  • Apply for Student Teaching – (Office of Field Experience, Jones Education #330, 797-1420)
    Application Deadlines
    • Fall - Mar. 1
    • Spring - Sept. 15
  • Take Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching Test, Required for Level 2 Educator Licensure (Information is available in Jones Education #103 or at www.ets.org/praxis)
  • Get application for Utah Educator Licensure, the application is available online at cehs.usu.edu, click on Teacher Education and then Educator Lincensing application. 

Step Five

During Student Teaching

 

RE-ENTRY POLICY FOR STUDENTS WHO LEAVE THE PROGRAM AND RETURN

The policy governing requirements for students who have left the university and return to complete teacher licensure is as follows: 

1. Students who have previously completed a degree and licensure requirements but do not hold a current license will: 

  • Have existing course work evaluated on an individual basis
  • Be required to complete a minimum of 6 credits to update course work
  • Work directly with the Utah State Office of Education if they have an expired or out-of-state certificate or license 

2. Students seeking to complete licensure following 2 or more semesters out of the university must meet the following requirements: 

  • Requirements that existed when they initially entered the university
  • Requirements that existed at the time they were admitted to Teacher Education
  • Current teacher education requirements if they were not admitted to Teacher Education prior to absence
  • Current requirements if they can not complete all degree and teacher licensure requirements within 7 years from initial admission to the university. 

*This policy is consistent with university policy in the General Catalogue.