Decision Point I
Becoming a Teacher Candidate
Becoming a Teacher Candidate
Decision Point I should be completed before the end of your second year at PSU.
All education programs have minimum GPA requirements to be accepted into Teacher Certification Candidacy. By the end of the semester preceding your internship, you must have the minimum cumulative GPA required by your program.
The New Hampshire State Board of Education on Nov. 8, 2018, approved the Educator Code of Conduct, following the approval of an educator Code of Ethics in June 2018. This combined set of rules and procedures is not in response to any one circumstance or incident but designed to build on the high standards of the state’s educators, elevate the education profession, and provide guidance to educators. The NH Codes of Conduct and Ethics apply to all educators in NH, including college students in field work and internships. Read and familiarize yourself with these documents.
The Holmes Center offers pre-teacher candidate orientations several times a year. Orientation is also available by appointment with the clinical coordinator, especially for transfer students and those who change major to a teacher preparation program.
Orientation Includes:
Meeting the Holmes Center Clinical Coordinator
An explanation of Decision Point I and requirements
An overview of the other Decision Points
Navigation of the Holmes Center webpages
Complete the Candidacy Application
This form activates your teacher candidacy file with the Holmes Center including your Taskstream account. Please complete once.
Create a myNHDOE EIS Account & Profile
NH Basic Academic Skills Assessment Requirement
As part of the NHDOE Licensure requirements, students enrolled in an educator preparation program leading to certification must meet the Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA) in reading, writing, and math. This requirement reflects learning typically acquired between middle school and tenth grade. It is strongly recommended that students complete this requirement as soon as possible while middle and high school coursework remains freshest in memory. Passing scores in Reading, Writing and Math (as required for teacher candidates) or the test evaluation request are required at least 1 year before the internship begins. Scores must be reported to the Holmes Center.
In 2024, the NH DOE adopted Essential Academic Skills tests administered by Pearson National Evaluation Series for teacher candidates to meet the basic skills requirement. The tests should be taken during your first year at PSU and must be passed by meeting the current scores required by the State of New Hampshire. Students must retake and pass any subtest where the minimum score has not been achieved. There is a period of time required before a test can be retaken, so take these tests right away.
Important Note: Praxis Core is still an acceptable means of meeting the BASA requirement. Current teacher candidates with passing Praxis Core scores do not need to take the new tests to meet the BASA requirement.
Faculty Evaluations must be submitted from two PSU faculty members with whom you have taken classes. They do not have to be education professors.
Review the evaluation items (see button below - this is not a letter of recommendation), then thoughtfully choose which of your professors you will ask. Make requests in person, then follow-up with a thank-you email that includes the link to the evaluation (below), your student ID#, and certification program/major.
By NH State Law, a Criminal History Record Check is required for all students who declare candidacy in an educator preparation program. This mandatory criminal history record check must be completed during the second year at PSU and includes both fingerprinting (submitted to the NH Department of Safety) and an application for clearance (submitted to the NH Department of Education).
Plymouth State University Educator Preparation Programs are approved by the New Hampshire State Board of Education and reviewed by the New Hampshire Council for Teacher Education (NHCTE). Completion of a PSU Educator Preparation Program (EPP) leads to recommendation for endorsement for the Beginner Educator Licensure with the New Hampshire Department of Education. Upon completion of an EPP, candidates may also request an Out of State Verification Form of Approved Education Program Completion. For information on reciprocity and obtaining a teaching license in a state other than NH, please contact the Holmes Center for assistance, psu-holmescenter@plymouth.edu. You can also contact the Department of Education for the state in which you are interested in pursuing licensure. Reciprocity does not mean an educator license from one state is automatically exchanged for a license in another state. The educator may have to complete additional requirements, such as coursework, assessments, or classroom experience, before receiving a full professional certificate in the new state.