Steps to Teacher Certification at the University of the District of Columbia

The Department of Education at the University of the District of Columbia offers opportunities for persons who currently possess undergraduate degrees to take courses to meet certification requirements for Washington, D. C. This program is ideal for persons who are applying for a provisional license and those who are changing their professions to become teachers.

The Department works cooperatively with the state licensing and certification agency, to ensure that courses offered in the area of professional education satisfy the competencies needed for certification. Areas of certification for which the Department of Education provides professional education courses include: Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Special Education; Secondary Education – English, Music, Art, Foreign Languages (Spanish and French), Math, and Social Studies; and Adult Education.

Steps to Taking Certification Courses at UDC

1. Obtain admission to the University. On the application, check the box labeled “Certification” and write on the application the area of study in which you are seeking certification. Example: Teacher Certification – Math.
2. Meet with a faculty advisor in the academic discipline. Persons must meet with a faculty advisor in their academic discipline to determine what, if any, additional courses in the content knowledge are needed to satisfy the competencies for a major in that particular area.
3. Complete any pre-requisite courses. Once the student has completed all of the required courses in the content knowledge area, he/she must meet with the teacher education certification advisor to determine the professional education courses needed.
4. Admission to the Teacher Education Program. All persons applying for teacher
   certification must be admitted to the teacher education program. Application forms and related information are available in the Department of Education (Building #38 Room 109) as well as in each academic department that offers a teacher education program. Students must meet the following criteria to be accepted into the teacher education program:
   • An earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with an accumulated grade point average of 2.5 or better. Students must have earned a "C" or better in the equivalent of College Mathematics I and II and English Composition I and II.
   • Submit a typed autobiographical sketch consisting of approximately 250 words.(This sketch should contain a statement of your philosophy of education.)
   • Earn a qualifying score on the Praxis I Examinations (Academic Skills Assessments in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics).
   • Submit two original copies of the Recommendation Forms that must be completed by persons who have knowledge of your potential to become an effective teacher.
   • Submit the Work Experience Form that shows evidence of a voluntary or salaried experience working with children in an organized program.
   • Have an interview with the Admissions Committee of the Teacher Education Council.
   • Complete the technology assessment.

The Admissions Committee of the Teacher Education Council and the Chairperson of the Department of Education will make a decision regarding acceptance into the Teacher Education Program. Applications for entry into the teacher education program are secured from the Department of Education office and submitted to the academic advisor (certification advisor).

5. Complete the professional education requirements. The certification advisor will complete the course of study form in collaboration with the student.
6. Take and pass PRAXIS II. Take PRAXIS II, in the content knowledge area in which the candidate wants to teach. Please note that some students are required to take and pass Praxis II prior to entry into the teacher education program.
7. Complete all field services requirements (This requirement is for candidates who are not in a teaching position or who are pursing a provisional license). The Coordinator of Field and Clinical Services (FCS) working with the Coordinator of Teacher Certification arranges all field services activities and teacher certification courses and programs offered by the Department. The FCS Coordinator serves as a liaison between educational agencies in DCPS and the Department to provide a wide range of field experiences for prospective teachers, as well as staff development courses for in-service teachers.

The FCS Coordinator in collaboration with DCPS:

• Arranges field practicum activities;
• Determines student eligibility for field service placements;
• Processes student applications for field services and student teaching; and
• Oversees validation of students' certification requirements.

• ECED 230/ELED 330 - Practicum I – Provides directed observation and participation with children in a classroom setting.

• ECED 326/ELED 430 – Practicum II – focuses on one-to-one tutoring, developing mini-lessons, providing individualized instruction, monitoring small groups, and related teaching activities.

• Student teaching – candidates must complete the course Observation and Student Teaching. This course is a full-day experience that requires students to be available from 8:00 A.M. until 3:30 P.M., Monday through Friday, for the entire semester. The administrators of the school where the student has been assigned may make adjustments to this schedule.

Failure to satisfactorily complete the requirements for student teaching with a grade of "B" or better after two attempts may result in a student not being allowed to complete this requirement at the University.

Requirements for admission to student teaching are:

• Full admission into a teacher education program at least three semesters prior to student teaching;
• Completion of all courses in the student's academic program;
• A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5;
• A grade point average of 2.5 or better in the major teaching field;
• Approval from the Chair of the Department or a designee;
• Evidence of good health, including TB test;
• Police clearance/fingerprinting*; and
• Signed verification of eligibility by faculty advisor.
• Students may take one (1) course (three (3) credit hours) concurrently with the course, Observation and Student Teaching. Approval for additional hours may be granted by the Chair of the Department in consultation with the Coordinators of Field and Clinical Services, Student Teaching, and Teacher Certification.

• Candidates who are currently teaching and who have one or more years of teaching experience must engage in a supervised teaching experience. He/she will be assigned a cooperating teacher/mentor and a university supervisor who will assess the candidate’s knowledge, skills and dispositions in the pedagogical and content knowledge areas that the candidate plans to teach.

• All candidates must complete a showcase portfolio. The showcase portfolio is aligned with the INTASC Principles and documents that the candidate has the knowledge, skill, and disposition to teach.

*Any discovered felony convictions will disqualify student from entering or completing the teacher education program.

Note:     This Information is subject to change based on DCPS or National Regulations.