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Educator Preparation Program Admissions Requirements

"I believe that education is the civil rights issue of our generation. And if you care about promoting opportunity and reducing inequality, the classroom is the place to start. Great teaching is about so much more than education; it is a daily fight for social justice."
- Arne Duncan

Undergraduate

Formal admission to undergraduate Educator Preparation Program (EPP) degree programs occurs during the sophomore year to ensure expected time-to-degree completion. Prospective undergraduate degree applicants should begin the admission process upon completing 30 to 45 credit hours. Transfer students apply for admission to the EPP upon admission to the University. The first step in beginning the EPP admissions process is to contact your program advisor or program coordinator to review your readiness for admission and to obtain instructions for the EPP admissions process. Most admissions documentation is submitted on Taskstream.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

  • Completed Admission to Educator Preparation Program application;
  • Submit official ETS passing test scores on PRAXIS Core (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics) or composite score of 468 on Praxis Core or acceptable ACT/SAT scores (See Praxis Core Test Requirements)
  • Complete Teacher Candidate Dispositions Rubric self-assessment
  • Receive three acceptable Confidential Recommendation forms, one of which must be from a faculty member in the candidate’s program of study. (EPP distributes the form to references.)
  • Complete an acceptable Admission Essay (scored by a panel of evaluators)
  • Complete an acceptable EPP Admission Interview (arranged through program coordinator and scored by a panel of evaluators)
  • Complete 30 to 45 credit hours
  • Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7 and a grade of C or higher in all required General Education written communication, mathematics/quantitative literacy, and oral communication
  • Submit a recent negative or cleared Tuberculin Skin Test result

Examples of documents required for admission to the undergraduate educator preparation programs are included in the links on this page. However, some forms are completed on Taskstream. Therefore, applicants are advised to seek guidance on the process for EPP admissions from the program advisor or program coordinator.

Educator Preparation Program Admission Essay

The Admission Essay serves an important role in the Education Preparation Program admissions process. It is a tool that allows applicants to demonstrate written communication skills that are critical for success in the program and as future teachers. Applicants complete the essay in the Canvas-based Educator Preparation Admissions course, and an evaluation panel determines the essay’s acceptability. Contact the program coordinator for enrollment instructions for the Education Preparation Admission course. Students should preview the EPP Admission Essay Rubric before completing the essay for an outline of expectations for a well-written essay. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the WSSU Writing and Communication Center at wssuwritingcenter@wssu.edu to seek assistance with reviewing their writing skills prior to completing the essay. More information on the services offered by the WSSU Writing and Communication Center is located at the following link: UCaLL Tutoring and Learning Services.

Educator Preparation Program Admission Interview

Prospective applicants contact the Program Coordinator of their licensure program area to arrange for the Admission Interview after they have met all other admission requirements. The EPP Admission Interview consists of a panel of at least two EPP faculty/staff representatives who pose questions that allow the applicant to present communication skills, dispositions, and behaviors outlined in the Admission Interview Rubric.

EPP Confidential Recommendation Form

Three acceptable confidential recommendations are required for admission to the WSSU Educator Preparation program, one of which must be from a WSSU faculty member. The applicant will submit on Taskstream contact information for their references. The EPP will email a survey link to references to complete the recommendation.

Graduate - Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) currently has three concentrations:
  • Birth-Kindergarten Education
  • Middle Grades Education
  • Special Education
  • Elementary Education
  • Health and Physical Education

See more information about program concentrations visit Master of Arts in Teaching.

Admission Requirements
  • Completed graduate studies application, accompanied with the application fee;
  • Transcript Analysis for Content Area requirements (as applicable);
  • Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.75;
  • Current official GRE/MAT scores, if required by program;
  • Official transcript(s) from all postsecondary education institutions attended; and
  • Three recommendations that validate professional experiences.

Application to admission to programs in the Master of Arts in Teaching is managed through Graduate Admissions.

Graduate Admissions
Winston-Salem State University
Anderson Center - Suite 111
601 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
Winston-Salem, NC 27110
graduate@wssu.edu
336-750-2074 (p)
336-750-2079 (f)

 

Winston-State University is committed to meeting North Carolina’s growing demand for highly-qualified teachers and to ensuring that all individuals that complete the program possess the requisite knowledge, skills, and dispositions to make a positive impact on their students’ learning.

We are delighted you want to join us in making a difference in the life of a child and in the world. We look forward to partnering with you on this important journey!