A Guide to Program and Certification Requirements for Education Candidates

Obtain the required educational background, which typically includes (at minimum) a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Some states may have specific requirements for the subject or grade level an individual intends to teach. Complete a state-approved teacher/educator preparation program. This may be a traditional university-based program or an alternative certification pathway. These programs can provide the necessary pedagogical training and classroom experience.

Undergo fingerprinting and a criminal background check(s). Many states require educators to demonstrate good moral character and a clean criminal history to work with students. Clearances may differ by state and school/district and may include, but are not limited to, federal checks, state checks, child abuse checks, sexual offender checks, etc. Candidates must have current and valid fingerprint clearances on file prior to completing any experiences in the field (i.e. practicum/field experiences, internships, student teaching, etc.).

Complete all applicable programmatic coursework and practicum/field experience hours. These hours will vary by program. College of Education candidates can find practicum/field experience resources in the Student Success Center, including the Clinical Field Experience Handbook and the Practicum/Field Experience Fact Sheet. They can also get assistance from student services counselors and field experience counselors for course timeline, schedules, fingerprint clearance, testing and more.

Take and pass key educator exams during your programmatic journey. Some exams may be required prior to applying for the student teaching experience. Please note, this may vary by state and some states may require additional exams, clearances, etc.

• Basic Skills Exams: Some states may require candidates to take and pass a basic skills exam. This is a basic competency test in reading, writing and mathematics. Evidence of having passed this test may be required as part of the programmatic or certification requirements.
• Content Knowledge Exams: Take and pass the required content knowledge exam(s). These tests assess a candidate’s understanding of the subject matter the candidate plans to teach. Examples include NES, PRAXIS or other state-specific exams.
• Pedagogical Skills/Professional Knowledge Exams: Depending on the state, you might need to pass a test(s) that evaluates your teaching skills and knowledge of teaching methods. These exams assist in showcasing the candidates preparedness to effectively deliver lessons and manage a classroom.
• Teacher Performance Assessments: EdTPA^® is a teacher performance assessment used for teacher licensure in some states. Candidates produce a writing-intensive portfolio that includes lesson-planning, instructional analysis and video components, which must be submitted to Pearson edTPA for a passing score.

Complete student teaching or internship experiences. This is typically a capstone experience at the end of a candidate’s program. This experience involves spending a predetermined amount of time in a classroom under the supervision of an experienced educator(s) to gain hands-on teaching experience. Additional information regarding GCU’s College of Education student teaching can be found within the Student Teaching/Clinical Practice section of the Student Success Center.

Note: Some states require candidates to complete a teacher performance assessment, such as edTPA, during the student teaching experience.

Once all programmatic requirements have been met, candidates should work with university counselors to complete documentation, fees, etc. for graduation, commencement ceremonies and Institutional Recommendation (IR). An IR may be required for some state certification and may include specific timelines (i.e., Arizona IRs must be requested within 45 days of the completion of the final course). States may refer to the Institutional Recommendation by various names, such as program verification, letters of completion, etc. See the University Policy Handbook for more information.

Apply for certification/licensure through the state department of education. This application process will likely include submission of official transcripts showcasing completion of a teacher/educator preparation program, passing exam scores, cleared background checks and other state specific required documentation.

• Additional Requirements: Depending on the state, there might be additional requirements such as coursework in special education, technology integration or cultural competency. This may include, but is not limited to, medical requirements (i.e., tuberculosis testing) and various trainings that may include topics such as suicide prevention and/or awareness, mandatory child and dependent adult abuse reporting, harassment and bullying, discrimination prevention and intervention. School sites may also require specific trainings and documentation with human resources departments.
• Pay Fees: Pay any required application or processing fees associated with obtaining your teaching certificate to the state’s department of education or applicable certification/licensing agency.

After the necessary steps and requirements have been met, the individual is now eligible to apply for certification/licensure from the state department of education or applicable licensing agency.

• Professional Development and Trainings: Some states require educators to complete ongoing professional development to maintain their certification/licensure. This may involve attending workshops, coursework or conferences related to education or applicable licensing agency.
• Classroom Observations and Evaluations: New educators may be subject to classroom observations and evaluations by a mentor or administrator. This initiative aims to foster personal growth while promoting teaching methods that align effectively with the school's standards.