Kutztown University - Professional Semester Program

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the professional semester?
The professional semester in elementary education is a semester in which candidates 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 candidates and most post baccalaureate certification candidates. 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 day.

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, Integrating Principles of Learning and Teaching: Classroom Application; ELU 308, Mathematics for Elementary Schools.
May I take courses from the block before pro sem?
Candidates may schedule any one of the professional semester courses except for ELU 306 outside of the block before they take their professional semester. No special permission is required. Courses out of the block may only be taken at night, during the Winter Break Session or during the Summer Sessions - 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.
Are there any prerequisites for the professional semester?
Yes, there are several.
- Candidates must have earned a "C" or better in: ELU 300, Fundamentals of Reading I; ENG 023 or 025, English Composition ; one English Literature course; MAT 103 & 104, Fundamentals of Mathematics I and II; and SPE 010, Fundamentals of Speech.
- Candidates must have passed all PRAXIS I tests (Pre-Professional Skills Tests).
- Candidates must meet and maintain the minimum 3.0 QPA required by the PA Department of Education for teacher education candidates upon completion of 48 credits:
- Candidates must have completed and documented 30 hours of classroom observation by the end of the second week of the semester prior to their professional semester. Forms must be submitted to the department secretary.
NOTE: Candidates must earn a "C" in all required courses in their major(s) in order to qualify for candidate teaching.
Is pre-registration required for the professional semester?
Yes, there is a pre-registration meeting held in late September for Spring professional semester and in early February for Fall professional semester.
How do I find out about the pre-registration meeting?
During the first month of classes, announcements about the pre-registration meeting for the next semester's professional semester will be made: on KU-COE listserve, in the University Brief; 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.
What information will I find out at the meeting?
The Coordinator of the Professional Semester Program will give candidates an overview of the purposes, schedule, expectations and options relating to the professional semester. The Professional Semester Application form will be filled out. In addition to the normal name and address data, candidates will be asked to rank the six school areas offered for the semester from first choice (1) to last choice (6) based on where they would most like to do their field experience.
What clearances will I need for Professional Semester?
Act 34 – Criminal background check
Act 151 – Child Abuse Background Screening
Act 114 – FBI Federal Criminal History Record (Fingerprinting) *** This clearance must be obtained from a Pennsylvania Cogent site.

Convictions for criminal violations or child abuse allegations on your record will make finding a school district willing to accept you a difficult task. Subsequently, you may be prohibited from completing your program at KU, and from gaining certification to teach in Pennsylvania and many other states. Act. 34, Act 151 and Act 114 clearances must be presented to the section coordinator on the first day of Professional Semester classes.

In addition, you will be required to have a screening test for tuberculosis (TB). This test should be dated within 3 months of the time you start your field assignment. TB tests are available from the campus Health Center or can be done by your own doctor. A negative TB test is required for all candidates and must be valid for the entire field placement in an elementary or middle school.

Because of growing concerns about teacher liability in the workplace, candidates 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.
How will I find out the section to which I have been assigned?
About a month after the pre-registration meeting and before you must meet with your advisor for academic advisement, you will be informed through the Elem. Ed. Dept. if you have been approved for the professional semester program. If you have been approved You will be notified by email to pick up your Professional Semester packet from the Elem. Ed. office which will include you approval form. If you are not approved, you will be informed what to do. The approval form must be taken to your advisor. You must register for the same section, (i.e. all section 931 or 932, etc.) for all of the courses in the professional semester block.
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 when you pick up your Professional Semester Packets from the Elementary Education Office. Your section coordinator will explain in more detail the nature of the Professional Semester Program. 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.
When will I find out to which school I will be assigned for my field experience?
Your section coordinator is responsible for making these assignments during the on-campus part of 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.
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.
What will I be expected to wear during the 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.
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 candidates in securing this site. It must be understood that all requirements for the elementary education professional semester must be finished before any candidate departs for this extra experience.

NOTE: Professional Semester candidates 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 - each section coordinator encourages one candidate to apply.
3. The Elementary and Special Education Excellence Award - candidates nominate themselves.