Certification Only Program (For Candidates with Completed Prior Baccalaureate Degrees)

USD may recommend candidates for certification to the South Dakota Department of Education in all teaching programs as listed in ARSD 24:16:08 Requirements for Basic Teaching Programs.

Unique Admission Requirements for Program.

The teacher candidate must have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education to be eligible for this program. In order to be admitted to the certification only program the candidate must meet teacher education program admission requirements. In addition, the candidate must complete the Praxis II content exam in his/her major as specified by the SDDOE within the national average score range until a cut score has been established by the SDDOE, at which time the candidate must meet or exceed the minimum score required for certification in South Dakota. A 2.5 cumulative GPA and a 2.6 major GPA, faculty interview, completion of an oral communication course, passing scores on the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Tests in reading, writing, and mathematics, and a faculty recommendation is required for admission.

1. Candidates will complete all other teacher education requirements as specified by the School of Education such as Level II and III portfolio requirements, and sit for and pass the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching exam. All certification courses should be completed prior to or concurrently with student teaching. The normal order of courses may be altered for students in this program.

2. Candidates will complete all teacher certification courses as identified by the institution, including the appropriate special methods course but not to include other content major courses.

3. When the candidate meets the minimum required score on the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching exam for certification in South Dakota and all other program completion requirements set forth by USD, the institution will recommend the candidate for teacher certification to SDDOE.