Students must:

1. Complete all of the following courses with a grade of "C" (2.0 GPA) or better:
       ENG 101GS
       ENG 102GS
       SPCH 100 GS
       TE 100*
       TE 204* OR TE 206
    
2. Establish and maintain an overall UNK grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
3. Successfully complete (minimum scores are mandated by the Nebraska Department of Education) all three components of the PRAXIS I Skills Test (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics).
4. Satisfactorily complete the Community Service Learning Project (verified by the Office for Service Learning).
5. Obtain approval by the department(s) offering the proposed endorsement(s) (a minimum of one field endorsement or two subject endorsements are required).
6. Declare a teaching program(s) at the Academic Advising Office.
7. Provide evidence of the absence of any criminal conviction (misdemeanor or felony) that would prevent a student from qualifying for a teaching certificate.
8. Provide evidence of sufficient emotional and mental capacity.

The student shall be responsible for securing the application form and initiating the procedure for processing this form.

The form shall be routed confidentially throughout the entire procedure and shall be returned for action to the KASE (Knowledge and Assistance for Students in Education) Director, phone (308) 865-8264.

The Director of KASE will determine the procedure and action to be taken on each application and will either (1) approve the applicant for the Teacher Education Program; (2) disapprove the applicant. Decisions of the Director may be appealed to the Teacher Education Appeals Board.

Students will not be allowed to enroll in "blocked" LEVEL THREE education courses until they have been admitted to the Teacher Education program (enrollment in a limited number of "unblocked" LEVEL THREE courses will be permitted in the Early Childhood Unified, Elementary Education, Middle Level, Special Education Mild/Moderate K-6, and Special Education Mild/Moderate 7-12 programs).

Plans have been developed with a number of schools in Nebraska to permit UNK students who have met all requirements to participate in student teaching on the secondary or elementary level. Most pre-student teaching and student teaching field experiences take place in schools that are members of UNK Network of Partner Schools. UNK teaching candidates will complete a minimum of 16 weeks (14 credit hours) of all-day student teaching. Teaching candidates who pursue two field endorsements will be required to complete 20 weeks of student teaching (17 credit hours).

Teaching candidates planning to student teach in the fall semester should apply for student teaching by February 1. Teaching candidates planning to student teach in the spring semester should apply by September 15. The first step, participation in a Student Teaching Instructional Session, is mandatory. This session will outline the application and placement process. A number of these sessions will be scheduled throughout the fall and spring semesters. Students can contact the KASE Office to request a schedule for the Instructional Sessions.

All UNK student teachers under this program are obligated and pledge themselves to observe local rules and regulations. Any student teacher may be removed at any time upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools or his designated representative.

All student teachers will be required to return to campus for one or more designated full day of training during their student teaching semester. Student teaching is graded credit/no credit. Students must follow the rules and regulations outlined in the College of Education's Student Teaching Handbook.

Questions about any facet of student teaching should be directed to the Director for Field Experiences. The Director's office is located in the Knowledge and Assistance for Students in Education Office (KASE). The KASE Office is located in the College of Education Building C-128 and the phone number is (308) 865-8937.

The Director for Field Experiences will determine whether a student is approved or denied admission to student teaching (TE 400).

Students denied admission to student teaching (TE 400) may appeal the decision to the Teacher Education Appeals Board.

UNK provides academic advising as an integral part of the educational process. Establishing a friendly and honest relationship with an advisor will be an advantage to the student both personally and educationally.

All students are assigned an advisor in their major. Beginning Fall 2004 all undergraduate Education majors must meet with their advisor every semester until their graduation.

The KASE office provides advisory services to students concerning the PRAXIS (PPST) examination, admission to Teacher Education, degree audit reviews, and admission to student teaching. Students are encouraged to stop in at any time.

Although faculty advisors are important for providing information regarding degree requirements, class selections, and career direction, it is necessary for students to realize that the ultimate responsibility is their own. The UNK catalog is the official source of information on these matters.

The following endorsement programs have been established at UNK: