Answer to a Frequently Asked Question

The Professional Semester

Candidates for student teaching must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for assignment as a student teacher:

1. Formal admission to the School of Education Program.
2. Completion of all Education courses except Student Teaching Seminar (EDU 430) and Directed Teaching (EDU 450).
   • A minimum 2.60 cumulative GPA in the “Professional Education” block of courses.  In addition, if elementary, a minimum 2.60 cumulative GPA is required in the elementary education minor.
   • A minimum 2.00 grade in each course in the sequence of Education courses
3. Completion of all courses in the major and minor(s).
   • A minimum 2.60 cumulative GPA in each content area major and minor.
   • A minimum 2.00 grade in each course in each major and minor.
4. Completion of all general education courses required by Spring Arbor University and the State of Michigan.
• A minimum SAU 2.50 overall grade point average (GPA).
5. A favorable recommendation to student teach by the student’s major department(s).
6. A favorable recommendation to student teach by the student’s minor department(s).
7. A favorable recommendation to student teach by School of Education.
8. An acceptable recommendation by the Student Development Office (for students at the main campus location)
9. Acceptable Professional Behaviors and Disposition evaluations.
10. Acceptable Pedagogical Skills and Dispositions evaluations.
11. Completion of the minimum 120 hours pre-student teaching field experience hours, documented on proper forms, and provided to the School of Education office at the site where you are enrolled as a student.
12. Attendance at an orientation session for student teaching for the semester in which you plan to apply.
13. An acceptable application for student teaching  must be received in the School of Education by the appropriate deadline. Please note: you must have your Student Teaching Application completed at the time of your pre-student teaching interview.

A student may be approved for student teaching by a two-thirds vote of the faculty present at a meeting of the SOE faculty or SOE Executive Team. Applications are presented to the faculty by the Compliance Officer for off-campus students and by the Certification Officer or Assistant Certification Officer for main campus students.

Application for the Professional Semester>> Application for SED Endorsement for Certified Teachers>>