Criteria for Teacher Education Program (TEP) Admission

Any student who is seeking teacher certification must meet the requirements for formal admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP). At the end of the student’s freshman year or beginning of their sophomore year students should schedule an appointment with their education faculty advisor. Admission to TEP is a prerequisite to most of the methods courses at the 300-level.

Teaching children and youth is a noble profession for individuals who have a keen intellect, an insatiable curiosity, and positive personal attributes. To ensure that candidates for the teaching profession possess and maintain the high standards necessary for success, Birmingham-Southern College has established the following criteria for admission to and continuation in the Teacher Education Program:

Criteria for admission to and continuation in the Teacher Education Program:

A grade-point average of 2.5 or higher overall, 2.5 or higher in professional studies, and 2.5 or higher in the teaching field.
A grade of C or better in all courses in professional studies. A grade of C- or less is not acceptable.
Completion of a least 13 units (52 semester hours) of credit.
Evidence of teaching aptitude as demonstrated by successful completion of Exploratory Teaching (ED 199/299).
Completion of ED 201 (Intro to Ed) or EPy 260 (Survey of Exceptional Children)
A passing score on all sections of the Alabama Prospective Teacher Testing Program (APTTP) Basic Skills Assessments
Complete fingerprinting and criminal background check by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Students can not enroll in more than 5 education classes before admission or re-admission to TEP.
Successful completion of an interview with a designated faculty team that will include evaluation of an E-Portfolio
As of Fall 2004, if the teacher candidate fails to meet any of the criteria listed above after admission to TEP, the candidate can not enroll in any additional education courses except to redeem one in which he/she was previously enrolled.
Once admitted to TEP you must receive a passing score on the Praxis II Content Knowledge Test before acceptance into the Internship/Student Teaching phase.
Signature on the Professional Behavior statement.

Complete TEP application forms are available on our Forms page