Although incoming students declare teaching as their major, they must be fully accepted to the Lee University Teacher Education Program (recommended by the end of the second sophomore semester but not later than the end of the first junior semester). All candidates applying for admission to the Teacher Education Program must meet the following criteria:

1. Academic Achievement

a.) Have a 2.75 average for all courses completed

b.) Have a 2.75 average for all courses completed

c.) have a 2.75 average in math courses with no grade below a "C"

d.) Have a 2.75 average in the major courses completed

e.) Have a 2.75 average in the professional education courses completed

f.) Have no grades below "C"  in the professional education courses. (EDUC, EDMG, ELED, SCED, SPED, including PSYC-312, 361 and 362)

g.) Achieve passing scores on Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators assessments in reading, writing, and  mathematics or provide satisfactory ACT/RSAT scores. Information on testing procedures and passing scores may be found in the Teacher education Office.

2.) Personal Social-Physical Status

a.) Satisfactory rating from the Campus Health Services and satisfactory results from a hearing test (completed at the LeeU Health Clinic).

b.) A recommendation from three Lee University full-time professors who are well acquainted with the candidate

c.) Statement from the Director of Student Conduct concerning disciplinary status

   3.) Communication

a.) Have a 2.75 average in English composition courses with no grade below a "C".

b.) Have satisfactory ratings on three Interview Forms: one from a cooperating teacher, one from the academic advisor, and one from the EDUC-199 instructor or MUED-225 instructor (music education majors).

   4.) Departmental file

a.) Begin the education departmental file during EDUC-199

b.) Update the departmental file with either the secretary for Early Childhood, Elementary, & Special Education (ECESE) or the secretary for Health, Exercise Science, & Secondary Education (HESSE) to ensure that all required paperwork have been submitted and all requirements for admission are met.

Candidates who are enrolled in EDUC-199 Introduction to the Teaching Profession or MUED-225 Introduction to Music Education, receive applications in class. A candidate may also obtain an application from the appropriate departmental secretary or the Teacher Education Office. Upon return of the completed application to the departmental secretary and completion of all program requirements, the applicant’s data will be presented to the Teacher Education Committee (TEC) for review. The Teacher Education Committee will not deny admission into the program because of race, color, national origin, age, gender, or disability. Admission to the Teacher Education Program is required before candidates may enroll in the appropriate ELED/EDMG/SCED-340 Principles of Instruction course. The requirements are also stated in the Lee University Catalog.

* Candidates are advised to make application to the Teacher Education Program as early as possible (recommended by the end of the second sophomore semester but not later than the end of the first junior semester) for the following reasons:

1. Admission requirements change from time to time.

2. The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators examinations cover recently studied material in the general core courses.

3. Methods courses numbered 340 or higher cannot be taken before admission to the Teacher Education Program.

* A majority vote of the Teacher Education Committee prevails when applications for the Teacher Education Program are presented. Once the Teacher Education Committee meets and has approved the applicant for admission, the candidate is admitted to the Teacher Education Program. The candidate is then informed in writing or e-mail of the Committee’s decision to accept or deny admission.

*Candidates may appeal any decision affecting them to the Teacher Education Committee.

* If an applicant is denied admission to the Teacher Education Program, the applicant must meet with the Director of Teacher Education if he/she wishes to appeal the decision and appear before the Committee. There is no appeal beyond the Teacher Education Committee.