Return to: Educational Preparation
Learn about: Stages of the Educator Preparation Program for Initial Licensure
Students entering a program for professional preparation to become a licensed teacher in the State of Colorado are responsible for understanding and following the requirements, procedures, and policies in the most current Adams State University Academic Catalog, the Initial Licensure Handbook, and additional program materials related to their specific licensure program, including their signed degree plan. For questions or clarification, contact the Department of Teacher Education. Failure to read and understand requirements for the program does not excuse students from responsibility for program compliance.
An overview is provided each semester during an information session on basic professional and academic expectations. This is required of all ED 200 students. Evidence of attendance and signed agreement of compliance with requirements, procedures, and policies is required.
Information in the most current Adams State University Academic Catalog, which is accurate at the time of publication, takes precedence over other published ASU information, except in the case of requirements from the State of Colorado and other accrediting agencies.
Before enrolling in any coursework that requires presence in a K-12 classroom for practicum or student teaching, the student must submit a completed set of fingerprints and application for background check through the ASU Department of Teacher Education; forms are available in the Undergraduate Teacher Education office.
Academic and Professional Standards
While enrolled in prerequisite courses in the Department of Education, admission to the initial licensure programs, placement in schools for field experience, and during student teaching, students are expected to maintain academic and professional standards in accord with the profession of teaching.
Expectations include, but are not limited to:
- Adherence to the ASU Code of Conduct regarding academic performance, including academic honesty and professional conduct
- Maintaining the minimum semester and cumulative GPA of 2.75
- Compliance to professional attitudes and dispositions (see Teacher Professionalism Rubric)
- Demonstration of state mandated teaching competencies (Performance Based Standards for Colorado Teachers)
- Knowledge of school and district rules for teacher behavior.
- Direct supervision by a licensed classroom teacher while working with K-12 students during practicum assignments and student teaching. The classroom teacher must be immediately accessible. Personal involvement in the K-12 setting, e.g., parental involvement or substitute teaching, must be clearly separated from practicum and student teaching.
- Appropriate interactions with students. Note: The faculty reserves the right to suspend, place on probation or remove from the program any candidate who, in their professional judgment, fails to satisfy requirements of scholarship, performance, academic or professional ethics or integrity or personal suitability. The principal or teacher at a host school may request the removal of a candidate at any time.
Students are urged to confer with assigned advisors early and often concerning the progress of their programs. It is necessary to consult with the Department of Teacher Education to receive information about the admissions process and courses which are prerequisites to the professional core and courses required in the professional core.
