Steps to Apply
Freshmen, Transfer and Alternative 5th year students should apply to Jacksonville State University (JSU) six months prior to enrollment.
If you have not already applied to Jacksonville State University, an application for admission can be obtained online:
Teacher Education Programs may be altered to meet changes in institutional, federal, and Alabama State Department of Education regulations. The College of Education and Professional Studies reserves the right to correct, alter, amend, or modify any item contained in this document. The most current requirements and regulations are described herein. These are requirements for eligibility to Teacher Education only.
The Alabama State Department of Education requires an applicant for Alabama certification to be fingerprinted and pass a background check. All State certification decisions are the authority of the Alabama State Department of Education.
Successfully complete Introduction to Teacher Education:
ED 302 for Undergraduate Class B
MU 244 for Music Ed Majors
ED 501 for Alternative Class A
Prior to eligibility, undergraduate teacher candidates seeking Class B certification engage in a variety of experiences with P-12 students before and during ED 302 or MU 244. In addition to tutoring and early field experiences, candidates taking the introductory foundations in education course (ED 302 or MU 244), engage in multiple video case analysis exercises to gain an understanding of teaching, student diversity, ethics and professional responsibilities.
Teacher candidates are also introduced to the College of Education and Professional Studies Selectivity and Monitoring Policies. Candidates must progress successfully through the selectivity and monitoring gateways from program admission to completion. To monitor progression through the gateways, candidates will be assessed regularly using the Teacher Candidate Disposition Assessment (TCDA). Candidates that display unsatisfactory progress, either from dispositional or academic performance, may be subject to a Teacher Candidate Plan of Action (TCPoA) for remediation. Remediation plans are designed using a person-centered process appropriate to the area of remediation. Two or more TCPoA and/or unsatisfactory progress at any point may result in referral for counseling out of the teacher education program. View a copy of the TCDA/TCPoA documents.
Complete fingerprinting for a background clearance from Fieldprint, Inc.
Effective March 13, 2023, background clearances for ALSDE (via AIM) will be available through Fieldprint, Inc. solution at: https://fieldprintalabama.com/
- Applicant fee for Fieldprint, Inc. (card or live scan user); $46.20 ($25 ALEA + $13.25 FBI + $7.95 Fieldprint)
- Applicants must schedule an appointment with Fieldprint before visiting a fingerprint location (same day appointments are common)
- Fee payment is by debit or credit card only. No money orders or checks are accepted.
- Out of state applicants can submit fingerprints via Fieldprint’s nation-wide network. If an out of state location is not convenient, an applicant will be sent fingerprint cards from Fieldprint. The completed cards should be returned to Fieldprint for processing. There is no additional fee for this service.
One Undergraduate Recommendation for Teacher Education Forms
- An electronic Teacher Recommendation & Interview Form will be provided by your ED 302 (MU 244 or ED 501 respectively) Introduction to Education instructor. (If you have taken Introduction to Education in a previous semester, another Professional Studies instructor will provide your recommendation.)
- Please see Teacher Recommendation and Interview Form for your reference.
Undergraduates will complete a minimum of 54 semester hours in which at least 48 semester hours are in the general studies area.
or
Complete an Alternative Class A Undergraduate Course Evaluation. Evaluations must be scheduled with the Teacher Education Services office after application to Graduate Studies has been made.
Minimum GPA Requirements for Program Eligibility:
Class B (Bachelor's Level) Programs:
2.50 Overall GPA
2.50 Teaching Field GPA
2.50 Professionals Studies GPA
( A minimum 2.50 is required in the areas of Overall,Teaching Field, & Professional Studies to maintain eligibility in the Teacher Education Program)
GPA and Prior Degree Requirements for Alt Class A Programs
- Hold an overall GPA of 2.50 or higher on an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institutions; -OR-
- Hold an overall GPA or 2.00-2.49 on an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution AND meet the alternate score on the PRAXIS subject-area test(s) prior to unconditional admission.