Teacher Education Preparation Portals

PORTAL I: Declaration of a Major

A student who selects a teacher education program as a major but has not yet enrolled in EDUC 200 has entered Portal I. First-time freshmen are advised in the Office of Freshman Advising for a maximum of one year. Once a freshman has declared a major, earned a minimum of 12 credit hours, earned an overall GPA of 2.5, and successfully completed any required developmental coursework, they will be transferred to the academic department of their chosen major for advising. Students not meeting these requirements will remain in the Office of Freshman Advising until 24 credit hours are earned. Assignment to a teacher education advisor does not imply acceptance into a teacher education program.

PORTAL II: Admission to a Teacher Education Baccalaureate Program

PORTAL III: Assignment to Teacher Residency

The teacher education candidate prepares for teacher residency by completing all required content area and preliminary professional education courses and passing all licensure tests. EDUC 300 must be taken the semester prior to the first semester of teacher residency. In EDUC 300, students will submit all required test scores, a teacher residency license application, and other materials necessary prior to beginning residency.

PORTAL IV: Recommendation for Graduation and Certification

A candidate who successfully completes all program coursework including two consecutive semesters of teacher residency and holds a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 should have completed all requirements for graduation and certification. The candidate’s department will check all graduation requirements and recommend that candidate for graduation. The Office of Clinical Practices and School Partnerships​ will assist candidates in completing an application for certification. The McNeese State University certification specialist will review the application for completion of all requirements and then forward to the Louisiana Department of Education with the recommendation that the candidate be certified. EDTC, EDUC, and SPED courses over 10 years old relative to a student’s current/active term may not be applied toward an undergraduate certificate, degree, or minor offered by the Department of Education Professions.

PORTAL I: Declaration of a Minor

A student who chooses to enroll in a teacher education minor program of study but has not yet enrolled in EDUC 299 has entered Portal I.

PORTAL II: Admission to a Teacher Education Minor Program

PORTAL III: Transitioning from Teacher Education Minor Program to Post-Baccalaureate Program

Students completing a baccalaureate degree with a minor in teacher education will be eligible to begin a teaching career with a temporary teaching certificate upon graduation. To become a certified teacher, candidates will need designated credit hours of additional coursework and the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching exam.

After completing the baccalaureate degree, candidates transitioning from a minor to a PBC program will need 13-14 hours of additional coursework including Educational Measurements, Residency I Performance Portfolio, Residency and Seminar I, and Residency and Seminar II. 

Requirements for Admission to Teacher Residency:

• Acceptance into a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program, which requires the following:
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 at the time of baccalaureate degree conferral; and
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 on minor coursework.
• Passing score on the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching exam; and
• EDUC 400 - Admission to Teacher Residency - Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (Cr. 0).

The teacher education candidate prepares for teacher residency by completing all required preliminary professional education courses and passing all licensure tests. EDUC 400 must be completed the semester prior to the first semester of teacher residency. In EDUC 400, students will submit all required test scores, a teacher residency license application, and other materials necessary prior to beginning residency.

PORTAL IV: Recommendation for Certification

A candidate who successfully completes two consecutive semesters of teacher residency, maintains a program GPA of 3.0, and maintains an overall GPA of 2.5 should have completed all requirements for certification. The candidate’s department will check all program requirements and recommend the candidate for teacher certification. The Office of Clinical Practices and School Partnerships​ will assist candidates in completing an application for certification. The McNeese State University certification specialist will review the application for completion of all requirements and then forward to the Louisiana Department of Education a recommendation that the candidate be certified. EDTC, EDUC, and SPED courses over 10 years old relative to a student’s current/active term may not be applied toward an undergraduate certificate, degree, or minor offered by the Department of Education Professions.

PORTAL I: Declaration of a Major

A student who chooses to enroll in a teacher education post-baccalaureate certificate program but has not yet enrolled in EDUC 499 has entered Portal I. To enter Portal I, students must meet the general requirements for admission and the following prerequisites:

• Possess a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a USDOE-approved institutional accreditor; and
• Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 at the time of baccalaureate degree conferral.

Students are assigned to an advisor in the Burton College of Education. Assignment to an advisor does not imply official acceptance into the teacher education program.

PORTAL II: Admission to a Teacher Education Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program

PORTAL III: Assignment to Teacher Residency

The teacher education candidate prepares for teacher residency by completing all required preliminary professional education courses and passing all licensure tests. EDUC 400 must be completed the semester prior to the first semester of teacher residency. In EDUC 400, students will submit all required test scores, a teacher residency license application, and other materials necessary prior to beginning the residency.

PORTAL IV: Recommendation for Certification

A candidate who successfully completes two consecutive semesters of teacher residency, maintains a program GPA of 3.0, and maintains an overall GPA of 2.5 should have completed all requirements for certification. The candidate’s department will check all program requirements and recommend the candidate for teacher certification. The Office of Clinical Practices and School Partnerships​ will assist candidates in completing an application for certification. The McNeese State University certification specialist will review the application for completion of all requirements and then forward to the Louisiana Department of Education a recommendation that the candidate be certified. EDTC, EDUC, and SPED courses over 10 years old relative to a student’s current/active term may not be applied toward an undergraduate certificate, degree, or minor offered by the Department of Education Professions.

PORTAL I: Declaration of a Major

A student who chooses to enroll in a teacher education Master of Arts in Teaching program but has not yet enrolled in EDUC 599 has entered Portal I. To enter Portal I, students must meet the general requirements for admission and the following prerequisites:

• Possess a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a USDOE-approved institutional accreditor; and
• Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 at the time of baccalaureate degree conferral.

Students are assigned to an advisor in the Burton College of Education. Assignment to an advisor does not imply official acceptance into the teacher education program.

PORTAL II: Admission to a Master of Arts in Teaching Program

PORTAL III: Assignment to Teacher Residency

The teacher education candidate prepares for teacher residency by completing all required preliminary professional education courses and passing all licensure tests. EDUC 600 must be completed the semester prior to the first semester of teacher residency. In EDUC 600, students will submit all required test scores, a teacher residency license application, and other materials necessary prior to beginning the residency.

PORTAL IV: Completion of Comprehensive Final Exam and Recommendation for Graduation and Certification

Students must complete a comprehensive final examination that is administered during the second semester of teacher residency. Students must successfully complete the comprehensive final examination in order to be eligible for graduation.

In addition, credits applied must be earned within 6 calendar years from the time the student first enrolled in the program. No grade below C and not more that 6 credit hours of C work can be applied toward this degree.

A candidate who successfully completes all program coursework including two consecutive semesters of teacher residency, achieves a passing score on the comprehensive exam, and maintains a minimum program GPA of 3.0 should have completed all requirements. The candidate’s department will check all program requirements and recommend the candidate for graduation and certification. The Office of Clinical Practices and School Partnerships​ will assist candidates in completing an application for certification. The McNeese State University certification specialist will review the application for completion of all requirements and then forward to the Louisiana Department of Education a recommendation that the candidate be certified.

PORTAL I: Declaration of a Major

Students enrolling in a Master of Education program are assigned to an advisor in the Burton College of Education. In addition to the general requirements for admission to Graduate School, applicants for admission to the Master of Education program must have the following prior to the first semester of enrollment:

• Evidence of a valid teaching certificate; and
• One of the following:
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 at the time of baccalaureate degree conferral; or
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA between 2.70 and 2.99 at the time of baccalaureate degree conferral and a minimum Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score of 304 (Verbal + Quantitative).

PORTAL II: Official Admission into the Master of Education Program

Students enrolling in EDUC 603 must complete the following in order to progress into Portal II coursework:

• EDUC 603 packet;
• Site Mentor Information Form to begin the approval process; and
• Signed Handbook Acknowledgment of Understanding.

PORTAL III: Program Coursework

The Master of Education candidate progresses through the program by completing all of the required coursework, maintaining a minimum overall and term GPA of 3.0, and passing any licensure exams applicable to the concentration area chosen.

PORTAL IV: Completion of Comprehensive Final Exam and Recommendation for Graduation and Add-on Certification

Students must successfully complete a comprehensive final examination in order to be eligible for graduation.

In addition, credits applied must be earned within 6 calendar years from the time the student first enrolled in the program. No grade below C and not more that 6 credit hours of C work can be applied toward this degree.

A candidate who successfully completes the coursework requirements of the program, achieves a passing score on the comprehensive exam, and maintains a minimum program GPA of 3.0 should have completed all requirements. The candidate’s department will check all program requirements and recommend the candidate for graduation and add-on certification. The Office of Clinical Practices and School Partnerships will assist candidates in completing an application for add-on certification, if applicable. The McNeese State University certification specialist will review the application for completion of all requirements and then forward to the Louisiana Department of Education a recommendation that the candidate be certified.