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Praxis |
KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY Department of Special Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Question:
What grades/classes can I teach if I'm certified in Special Education?
Answer:
The Mentally Physically Handicapped (MPH) certification allows you to teach students with physical disabilities, mental retardation, learning disabilities, or behavior disorders in grades K-12.
The Visually Impaired (VI) certificate entitles you to teach students who are blind or visually impaired from birth to 21.
The undergraduate Speech Language Pathology (SLP) degree will prepare you to enter a graduate program. As of 2005, PA requires a Master's degree for all public school speech and language pathologists.
Question:
Answer:
KU teacher candidates are eligible for certification in PA. If you wish to teach in another state, you must contact that state department of education and see if your credentials match the state requirements.
Question:
What type of advisement system is used?
Answer:
All students have an advisor from the special education department faculty. You are encouraged to meet with your advisor any time you have a question about your program of study or degree requirements. THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR PROGRAM RESTS WITH YOU, NOT THE ADVISOR.
Question:
What tests need to be taken for certification in PA?
Answer:
Candidates for PA certification must take all PRAXIS series and related tests for certification areas. Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) periodically changes the tests required for certification or the cut-off scores necessary for passing. Students are encouraged to visit the PDE website for updates.
Question:
How long will it take to complete my degree?
With proper advising and scheduling, most programs can be completed within 4 years. Many students carry 15 credits per semester and may attend summer/winter break sessions to finish in 4 years.
Any significant change in major will result in more time to complete a certification program.
Question:
Answer:
Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requires all education majors to have a 3.0 cumulative GPA at four different "checkpoints."
completion of 48 credits
admission to professional semester
admission to student teaching semester
receiving certification
Question:
Are there other academic requirements?
Answer:
By 48 credits, all special education majors must:
Pass MAT 101 and MAT 102 with at least a 'C'
Pass English composition with at least a 'C'
Pass a basic speech course with at least a 'C'
Pass an English Literature course with at least a 'C'
All classes in major (ELU and SPU prefix) must be passed with at least a grade of 'C'.
Question:
Can I repeat a course in which I get a poor grade?
Answer:
KU policy allows students to repeat courses in which they earned a 'D' or an 'F'. Courses must be repeated at KU, and the new grade replaces the old grade. REPEATING COURSES MAY AFFECT FINANCIAL AID STATUS - If you have any questions, contact the financial aid office.
Question:
Do courses taken at another university transfer to KU?
Answer:
Courses taken at another university may or may not transfer to KU. The transfer office makes the determination about which courses are /are not accepted.
Further, some courses may transfer to KU, but will NOT fit the individual degree program. For more clarification about transfer courses, please contact Mr. Ray Bazylak at bazylak@kutztown.edu
Question:
How do ACT 34 and ACT 151 affect me?
Answer:
All education majors must possess two background checks at two points in the college process:
prior to the professional field experience
prior to student teaching
The child abuse background check (ACT 151) and the criminal background check (ACT 34) cost approximately $10 each and are good for one year.
ANY STUDENT WHO DOES NOT HAVE A CLEAR REPORT MAY BE DENIED FIELD PLACEMENTS.
****out of state residents will need to complete an FBI background check