Professional Semester FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the professional semester? The professional semester in elementary education is a semester in which students take a block of six required courses in the major. All six courses relate directly to the teaching profession and are required for elementary education majors, special education dual majors, early childhood/elementary education dual certification students and most post baccalaureate certification students. The semester is divided into two parts of roughly eight weeks of classes on campus and seven weeks practical experience working in an elementary or middle school  classroom, five days a week following a teacher's

What courses are included in the professional semester block? The six courses in the block are: ELU 301, Fundamentals of Reading Instruction II; ELU 302, Children's Literature; ELU 303, Language Arts; ELU 304, Social Studies for the Elementary School; ELU 306, Materials and Methods for Instruction; ELU 308, Mathematics for Elementary Schools. Back to Top

May I take courses from the block before pro sem? Students may schedule any one of the professional semester courses (except ELU 306) outside of the block before they take their professional semester. No special permission is required. Courses outside of the block may only be taken at night, during the Winter Break Session or during the Summer Session - not during the day sessions in the Fall or Spring semesters. A second course out of the block will only be approved in unusual circumstances. Such a request must be submitted in writing to the chair of the Elementary Education Department. If courses from the block are transferred in, no additional courses may be taken out of  the block. Back to Top

How do I know when to schedule my professional semester? The professional semester is a junior year program (i.e. when a student has completed 64 credits). Students with last names beginning with the letters A-K should schedule their professional semester during the Fall semester. Students with last names beginning with the letters L-Z should schedule their professional semester during the Spring semester. Back to Top

Are there any prerequisites for the professional semester? Yes, there are several. (A) Students must have earned a "C" or better in: ELU 201, Fundamentals of Reading I; ENG 001, English Composition; and one English literature course; MAT 101 and MAT 102; and SPE 010, Fundamentals of Speech. (B) Students must have passed all Praxis I tests. (C) Students must have a minimum 3.0 QPA overall at their 48th credit. (D) Students must have completed and documented 30 hours of classroom observation by the second week of the semester prior to their professional semester. Forms must be submitted to the department secretary. NOTE: Students must earn a "C" in all required courses in their major(s) in order to qualify for student teaching. Back to Top

Is preregistration required for the professional semester? Yes, there is a preregistration meeting held in late September for spring professional semester and in early February for fall professional semester.  Back to Top

How do I find out about the preregistration meeting? During the first month of classes, announcements about the preregistration meeting for the next semester's professional semester will be made: in the University Brief; on the video message board; through posters on bulletin boards around campus; and in ELU classes. Attendance at this meeting is required and registration for professional semester classes in the block will not be permitted without departmental clearance which starts at this meeting.  Back to Top

What information will I find out at this meeting? The Coordinator of the Professional Semester Program will give students an overview of the purposes, schedule, expectations and options relating to the professional semester. Next, the Professional Semester Application form will be filled out. In addition to the normal name and address, students will be asked to identify three choices for the school district and grade level in which they would like to do their field experience.  Next, the Act 34 - Criminal Background Check and Act 151 - Child Abuse Background Screening and FBI clearance (for students residing in states other than Pennsylvania) will be explained. Convictions for criminal violations or child abuse allegations on your record will  prohibit you from completing your program at KU and from gaining certification to teach in Pennsylvania and many other states. Clear Act 34, Act 151 and FBI (out of state) forms must be presented to the section coordinator on the first day of Professional Semester classes.  If any one of these requirements is not clear, the student will be required to drop the Professional Semester Program and will be able to enroll in other classes through the established university drop/add process.   Finally, the procedures for taking the screening test for tuberculosis (TB) will be presented. Having a negative TB test is required of all students three months before the first day of the field experience in an elementary or middle school.   Because of growing concerns about teacher liability in the workplace, students will be encouraged to secure professional liability insurance from their family insurance carrier or through membership in the KU student chapter of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.  Forms are located outside the Elementary Education office.     Back to Top

How will I find out the section to which I have been assigned? About a month after the preregistration meeting and before you must meet with your advisor for course registration, you will be informed by mail if you have been approved for the professional semester program. If you have been approved, you will find an approval form enclosed. If not, you will be informed what to do. The approval form must be taken to your advisor and to the terminal operator when you are scheduled to select courses. You must register for the same section (i.e. all section 931 or 932, etc) for all the courses in the professional semester block. Back to Top

Will there be any other chance to learn about what will be expected of me in the six classes and during the field experience? Yes, the faculty member who will be the coordinator of the section to which you have been assigned will schedule an orientation meeting for your section during the last weeks of the semester before your professional semester. You will be informed of this meeting by mail at the local address you listed on you Professional Semester Application. Your section coordinator will explain in more detail the nature of the Professional Semester Program. The nature of the field experience, including the schools to be used, the professional attire expected of men and women and the daily course requirements will be explained. S/he will also go over some course requirements and provide you with suggestions for "early bird" projects (e.g. reading lists). The last items to be addressed will include the crucial concepts of: regular attendance, punctuality, positive attitude, appearance, dependability and involvement. Back to Top

When will I find out which school I will be assigned to for my field experience? Your section coordinator is responsible for making these assignments during the first half of the on-campus part of the semester. As soon as the arrangements with the schools have been finalized, you will be informed by your section coordinator. A preliminary visit to the schools usually occurs during the two weeks just before the start of the field experience. Back to Top

How will I get to my assigned school? You are responsible for your own transportation, but car pools are encouraged. Sections are set up to facilitate car pooling and assignments to schools will also take transportation needs into consideration. Back to Top

What will I be expected to wear during my field experience in the public schools? A "professional" appearance is required during the field experience. Minimally, this means a shirt and tie with dress shoes for men and a "nice" skirt or slacks outfit with comfortable dress shoes for women. Back to Top

What accommodations are made for dual majors? Although this is the elementary education professional semester, dual majors in special education/elementary education or library science/elementary education will be given an opportunity to spend the last week of the field experience in a site related to their dual major. Section coordinators and the related departments will assist students in securing this site. It must be understood that all requirements for the elementary education professional semester must be finished before any student departs for this extra experience.

NOTE: Professional Semester students are eligible for three monetary awards that recognize outstanding performance during this semester. (1) The Katherine Christ Award (a recommendation is made by each section coordinator); (2) The Elaine Smith Award (faculty are asked to recommend qualified students); (3) The Elementary and Special Education Excellence Award (students nominate themselves).

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