AEKT - Education, PK-12

Education Acceptance and Requirements:

Program requirements are described below and are outlined in the Midland University Teacher Education Handbook. As with all Midland University programs, the Walker School of Education does not discriminate against any individual for reasons of age, race, national origin, physical handicap, religion, or gender.

Pre-Candidates:

• Students enrolled in EDU190 will automatically be registered as a member of the Education Association/Nebraska: Aspiring Educators. Membership is optional after successful completion of EDU190. Pre-candidates are responsible for costs (approximately $55).
• Complete and sign a Professional Fitness statement addressing required information in the areas of criminal convictions, moral character, and emotional/mental capacity.
• Complete EDU201: Teacher Education Orientation Seminar.

Requirements for Program Acceptance:

• Complete EDU190: Topics in Education with a grade of C or better or transfer of its equivalent (also includes a minimum of 10 hours of field-based experience).
• Achieve and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5.
• Classify as a sophomore (credits equal to 28 or more).
• Pass EDU201: Teacher Education Orientation Seminar.
• Meet with your education advisor.
• Complete and submit the application for acceptance. The application includes a confidential recommendation, confirmation of membership or signed acknowledgement form declining membership in Education Association/Nebraska: Aspiring Educators, an official background check, appropriate signatures, and other required artifacts. The MU pre-candidate is responsible for all costs associated with a background check (approximately $35).
• Professionally interview and be accepted by the TEC.
• For students to keep their Four-Year Guarantee, acceptance must occur no later than the end of second semester of Sophomore year.

Requirements for Program Retention of Teacher Candidates:

Once a pre-candidate has been accepted as a “candidate” into the Walker School of Education, he/she enters the next phase of professional preparation. The candidate builds knowledge, skills, and dispositions to help prepare them for senior-level Clinical Experience. To be retained in the Walker School of Education, each candidate must meet these requirements:
• Progress from the minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA toward the minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA.
• Maintain the physical and mental fitness necessary for the demands of the P-12 classroom.
• Provide written documentation of any and ALL criminal convictions and affirmation of no criminal history involving any felony convictions or any misdemeanor convictions related to abuse, neglect, or sexual misconduct. All costs associated with this requirement are the responsibility of the candidate.
• Membership in the Education Association: Aspiring Educators is optional.
• Exhibit the knowledge and skills required of a professional educator, as defined by the four Walker School of Education Dispositions.
• Demonstrate the social, emotional, and personal maturity essential to address the responsibilities required in the teaching profession. If at any time a candidate’s capabilities are determined to be seriously impaired, and/or the candidate is unable to demonstrate the qualities required for the teaching profession, the candidate may be removed from the program based on the professional judgment of the Walker School of Education.
• Abide by all rules and expectations set forth in classes, the Walker School of Education, and by the University. The Dean has the right to remove a student from the program who violates these rules and expectations. All decisions can be appealed to the Chief Academic Officer for Academic Affairs.

Requirements for Clinical Experience Acceptance:

• Complete all requirements for acceptance to candidacy two (2) semesters prior to the semester of the clinical experience.
• Attain the 2.75 cumulative GPA with no grade below C in courses with an EDU prefix and SPD296 and no grade below C- in all other endorsement coursework prior to requesting placement.
• Complete a minimum of 100 hours of field-based experience prior to Clinical Experience.
• Complete all Education methods coursework and at least 75% of other endorsement coursework. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Attend EDU401: Clinical Experience Application Seminar and complete all requirements, including a background check. All costs associated with this requirement are the responsibility of the candidate (approximately $35).

Requirements for Initial Nebraska Teacher Certification Recommendation:

• Complete all requirements for the Bachelor’s degree.
• Complete all Walker School of Education requirements and the Nebraska Department of Education requirements as set forth in Rules 20, 21, 23, 24, and 27 including competencies in human relations, reading and writing, special education, and technology. To demonstrate these competencies students must obtain a grade of C or above in: Human Relations (EDU220); Reading and Writing (EDU340/341 for elementary and K-12 SPED, EDU381 for secondary and PK-12); Special Education (SPD296); and Technology (EDU204).
• Submit application for initial Nebraska certification and pay required fees by the deadline specified by the Midland Teacher Certification Officer. Candidates who have not continuously lived in Nebraska for five (5) years preceding the date of application for certification will be required to complete a criminal history check including a fingerprint requirement. Costs associated with the process are the responsibility of the candidate (approximately $75 for Nebraska residents and approximately $125 for non-residents).