INITIAL CERTIFICATION AT THE ADVANCED LEVEL PROGRAM
Admission Requirements -Initial Certification at the Advanced Level Program Students
The initial certification at the advanced level program prepares candidates to teach in grades 7 - 12 in a content area in which Doane endorses individuals or as K-12 Special Education teachers. The content areas include the sciences, mathematics, social sciences, English, language arts, foreign languages, music, and art. Through a series of course work, practicum, and internship experiences, candidates may complete the program in four terms (Summer I, Fall, Spring, Summer II). Students pursuing a special education endorsement must complete at least one additional semester.
Prospective students must request an admission packet and submit the following documents:
- A completed application for admission and the $30 application fee.
- Two copies of an official transcript with the undergraduate degree posted, and an overall 3.00 minimum GPA.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- A writing sample (about 250 words) indicating reasons for interest in completing the program for teaching.
- The Core Academic Skills for Educators tests in Reading, Writing and Mathematics scores verifying passage of all three sections (Doane University must receive the scores prior to a student’s acceptance in the program).
The applicant must affirm that he/she has not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving abuse, neglect or sexual misconduct. As required by the State of Nebraska, each student is required to affirm under oath that he or she does not have an order or determination currently in affect by a court or any other governmental which finds the student to be any of the following: a mentally ill and dangerous person, mentally competent to stand trial, acquitted of criminal charges because of insanity, an incapacitated person in need of a guardian, or unable to manage his/her property due to mental illness, mental deficiency, chronic use of drugs or chronic intoxication; or is currently an inpatient or resident in a mental health facility due to a determination by a qualified mental health professional. In compliance with this rule, each student must affirm yearly, prior to student assisting or teaching in any practicum methods class or student teaching experience, that he/she has not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. Furthermore, it is the student’s responsibility to report any change in his/her status regarding this rule. Students not meeting this standard are not allowed to participate in K-12 activities until they have received permission by proceed by the State Board. Finally, the student must complete a successful interview and transcript review with the Dean, the Director of the program or the Assistant to the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Doane E-Mail Accounts Required for Faculty and Students
To comply with the Higher Education Act, ALL course communication between faculty and students will use Doane e-mail addresses. Students should also use their Doane e-mail for communication with Doane offices. The Graduate Office, Business Office, Financial Aid and Blackboard will all use students’ Doane e-mail accounts. All Doane students have access to a Doane e-mail account and receive instructions about setting this up when they apply. If students do not set up their e-mail or have forgotten their password or user id, they should contact helpdesk@doane.edu.
Full Graduate Standing for Initial Certification at the Advanced Level Program Students
After completion of a minimum of nine credit hours of graduate credits (Summer I coursework), the files of all students in the cadre are reviewed by the Dean and/or directors of the program concerning the student’s eligibility for full graduate standing and for admission to Teacher Education. The criteria for full graduate standing are as follows:
- The applicant must have completed all admission requirements.
- The applicant must have completed at least nine hours of graduate study at Doane University with a 3.00 or higher cumulative grade point average, including EDU-633 Middle and High School Practicum. A student receiving any grade below a B- for any graduate course will have his/her file reviewed even though the student’s cumulative GPA may be 3.00 or higher
- Passing grades for all sections of the Core Academic Skills tests for Educators are on file at Doane University
- The student must also receive a recommendation from the Teacher Education Committee to continue in the program.
Teacher Education Admission and Certification
1. At the completion of the summer session, students will be considered for admission to Teacher Education. Criteria for admission include the following:
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA minimum.
- Receive favorable recommendations from classroom teachers.
- Have passing grades on all sections of the Core Academic Skills for Educators tests on file at Doane University.
2. At the completion of the Fall semester, students will be considered for admission to EDU-655 Student Teaching. Criteria for admission include the following:
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA minimum.
- Receive favorable recommendations from classroom teachers.
- Receive favorable recommendations from the practicum supervisor.
- Successfully complete practicum courses.
- Have not been found guilty of a felony or misdemeanor or entered a plea of guilty or no contest to a felony or misdemeanor in any criminal, drug, or juvenile court.
- No order or determination is currently in effect by a court or any other governmental body which finds you to be any of the following: a mentally ill and dangerous person; mentally incompetent to stand trial; acquitted of criminal charges because of insanity; an incapacitated person in need of a guardian; or unable to manage your property due to mental illness, mental deficiency, chronic use of drugs or chronic intoxication.
3. Students are recommended for certification when all of the following criteria have been met:
- Students have successfully completed student teaching.
- Students have received favorable recommendations from faculty, student teaching supervisor, and cooperating teachers.
- Students have completed all course work successfully and maintained a 3.0 GPA minimum.
4. Effective September 1, 2015: Candidates applying for any initial endorsement(s) to be placed on a Nebraska certificate must provide evidence they have passed the required Praxis II content test for the endorsement(s).
Online Coursework
Initial certification at the advanced level program students are limited to 15 hours maximum of online coursework in their program. Students requesting any exemption to this limit must have permission of the Dean.
Program Design -Initial Certification at the Advanced Level Program - Content Area Endorsements
Summer I - EDS-620, EDU-613 or EDU-600, EDU-624, EDU -663
Fall - EDU-626, EDU-633, EDU-639 - content area methods course
Spring - EDU-655, EDU-602
Summer II - EDU-665, and a computer class to be selected from EDU-625, EDU-636 or EDU-638
An additional 9 hours (EDU-601, EDU-603, and EDU-604) are required for the Master of Education degree.
Content Testing
Effective September 1, 2015, candidates applying for any initial endorsement(s) to be placed on a Nebraska certificate must provide evidence they have passed the required Praxis II content test for the endorsement. Students can check the ETS web site for the particular test required for each content area endorsement and the qualifying score.
Program Design - Initial Certification at the Advanced Level Program - K-12 Special Education Endorsement
Summer I - EDU-613 or EDU-600, EDU-624, EDS-620, EDS-631, EDS-625 = 15 hours
Fall I - EDS-680B/EDS-633, EDS-621, EDS-621L, EDU-626, EDU-663 = 13 hours
Spring I - EDS-680A, EDS-632, EDS-610, EDS-699, Elementary reading, writing or math course = 15 hours
Summer II - EDS-622, EDS-626, EDS-665, Elementary reading, writing or math course not completed in Spring = 15 hours (2 of the three elementary courses completed here)
Fall II - EDS-655, EDS-699 - 1 hour, EDU-625 or 636 or 638, EDU-602 = 15 hours
Content Testing
Effective September 1, 2015 candidates applying for any initial endorsement(s) to be placed on a Nebraska certificate must provide evidence they have passed the required Praxis II content test for the endorsement. Students seeing a Special Education endorsement must pass the Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications test, code 5354.
Guidelines for Student Teaching and Internships
Doane University assumes the responsibilities for an effective student teaching experience. The initial program at the advanced level follows the requirements of the initial program for student teaching. All student teaching supervisors meet the required standards in Rule 20 for the State of Nebraska.
Academic Standing
A graduate student is in good academic standing if he/she maintains a graduate cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher.
Academic Probation
An initial certification at the advanced level program graduate student is placed on academic probation if, at any time, the graduate cumulative grade point average falls below 3.00. The student is notified in writing of his/her academic status and of any specific conditions for retention.
Academic Suspension
An initial certification at the advanced level program graduate student may be suspended from Doane University for any of the following reasons:
- Failure to return to good academic standing after the specified probationary period.
- Failure to meet requirements set forth in the letter of probation.*
- Receipt of a second course grade below a “B-“.
- Breach of academic integrity.
In all cases, the student is notified of the suspension in writing by the Dean of the program. For the right of appeal, consult that section in this handbook. For specifics on what constitutes plagiarism, please see that section of this handbook.
Academic Dismissal
A graduate student may be dismissed from Doane University when the appeal process for suspension has been exhausted. Such students are notified in writing by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
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