Teacher Education Requirements

Admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP), at the undergraduate level and Post Baccalaureate level, is a distinct and unique admission process, separate from admission to Purdue University.

Summary of Teacher Candidate Requirements

To satisfy Teacher Education Program (TEP) requirements for program completion, teacher candidates must:

• Attend one required Teacher Education Orientation session conducted by the Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) staff;

• Submit the online TEP Application;

• Gain admission to TEP Gates A and B. The TEP application is required for Gate A. A separate application for student teaching is NOT required for Gate B;

• Satisfy all TEP Gate B requirements no later than 10 days prior to the start of the student teaching semester. Content tests must be attempted by June 15 for Fall student teacher candidates and November 15 for Spring student teacher candidates.

To satisfy licensure requirements, teacher candidates must:

• Complete all TEP Gate C requirements;

• Complete all program, degree, and state licensure requirements, such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Heimlich Maneuver/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification, Suicide Prevention Certification, successful completion of Pearson content tests, and successful completion of the Pearson developmental pedagogy test;

• Complete the Indiana Department of Education online teacher license application via the Licensing Verification and Information System (LVIS). This application should be completed after graduation or program completion. Do not apply until all licensure requirements, including testing, are completed. Otherwise, your application will be denied. There is no refund for this state level process.

Indiana licensing rules and regulations are subject to change by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), the State Board of Education, and/or Indiana legislation.

Admission to the Teacher Educator Program (TEP) and Completion Timeline

Prior to admission into the TEP, candidates must:

• Be admitted to Purdue University;

• Be admitted as an education program major to the respective academic college (i.e., Colleges of Agriculture, Education, Health and Human Sciences, Liberal Arts, Science, or Purdue Polytechnic Institute).

• Be assigned to an academic advisor and consult with this advisor regularly to ensure that the required criteria are met and coursework and testing are successfully completed in the sequence authorized by the Purdue University Teacher Education Council (TEC).

Suggested Timeline:

• Remain flexible. The length of time to complete the Purdue University TEP is determined by academic progress and career planning.

• Additional time may be necessary if the student:
  • Makes a major change (MC) or transfers;
  • Needs to successfully pass required tests;
  • Needs to overcome a grade point average that is below the required TEP standard;
  • Pursues an additional major or licensure area; or
  • Encounters other unknown needs or circumstances.

Teacher Education Program (TEP) Gate Requirements

Requirements for TEP Gate A: Admission

• Satisfy the basic skills competency assessment requirement by meeting one of the following:
  • ACT composite score of at least 24 based on Math, Reading, Grammar and Science
  • SAT score of at least 1100 based on Critical Reading and Math (does not include writing) if taken prior to March 1, 2016
  • SAT total score of at least 1170 based on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math if taken on or after March 1, 2016
  • GRE combined Verbal and Quantitative score of at least 301
  • Master’s Degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution
  • Pearson Indiana Core Academic Skills Assessment (CASA) with a score of at least 220 on each subtest (Reading/Mathematics/Writing);
  • Requirement must be met by Oct. 1 for Spring admission and March 1 for Fall admission 

• Complete Professional Education courses with a grade of C- or higher and no “I” incomplete grade. Professional Education courses required prior to Gate A are:

  • Most Programs - EDCI 20500, EDCI 28500, EDPS 23500, and EDPS 26500
  • Early Childhood - EDPS 26500 or HDFS 26000, HDFS 21000, HDFS 31000, and HDFS 41200;

• Adhere to the criminal background check policy required throughout the TEP;

• Satisfy all GPA requirements (overall, professional education, and content);

• Complete and submit the online TEP application.

Requirements for TEP Gate B: Student Teaching

• Satisfy all GPA requirements (overall, professional education, and content);

• Complete Professional Education courses with a grade of C- or higher and no “I” Incomplete grade;

• Meet satisfactory performance assessments as defined by faculty (via the Teacher Education Assessment Portal and edTPA);

• Adhere to the criminal background check policy required throughout the TEP;

• Apply for the mandatory Student Teaching Clinical Acceptance Process (CAP) placement workshop provided by Office of Clinical Practice (OCP) (complete in January the year before you plan to student teach);

• Attempt all required Pearson content tests (testing deadlines: June 15 - Fall student teaching; November 15 - Spring student teaching).

Requirements for TEP Gate C: Licensure

• Satisfy all GPA requirements (overall, professional education, and content);

• Complete student teaching or internship with a grade of C- or higher;

• Meet satisfactory performance assessments as defined by faculty (via the Teacher Education Assessment Portal and edTPA);

• Successfully complete the required Pearson pedagogy test;

• Successfully complete all required Pearson content test(s);

• Verify that required number of clock hours have been completed and received by your advisor (Agriculture Education and Family & Consumer Sciences only);

• Receive degree or verification of program completion;

• Resolve financial holds on academic record (if applicable);

• After all the above steps are 100% completed including testing, apply online via Indiana Licensing Verification and Information System (LVIS) at https://license/doe.in.gov/;

• After receipt of the Indiana Initial Instructional License, apply for out-of-state licensure (if desired).

*The Elementary Education, Dual Elementary Education and Exceptional Needs, and Exceptional Needs majors do not have a content GPA separately calculated. The content GPA is the same as the professional education GPA.