Biology Major, Teaching Endorsement for Grades 6-12
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Semester Hours: teacher education courses + biology major, general biology track
Admission Requirements: All students seeking licensure to teach shall make application for admission to teacher education and to student teaching. Application for admission to teacher education is made at the end of the fall semester of the sophomore year and application for admission to student teaching is made at the end of the fall semester of the junior year. Transfer students are required to attend an education department transfer orientation meeting their first semester on campus.
Entrance and exit requirements including cut-off test scores for all teacher education programs are found in the Teacher Education Handbook or www.emu.edu/education/test-scores.
An entry assessment in reading, writing, and mathematics is required for admission to the teacher education program. Students with qualifying SAT/ACT scores or a Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics score of 155 and the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) meet the requirement. The Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) is required for teacher licensure.
The Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) is required for early/primary education (PreK-3), and elementary education (PreK-6). Admission to teacher education requires a 2.5 cumulative GPA and a teacher education interview. Admission to student teaching requires a 2.7 cumulative GPA. In addition, students must have a C or better in all education courses (courses with ED prefix and content area methods courses) to be admitted to student teaching. Exit requirements include meeting the Virginia cut off score requirements for the Praxis Subject Assessment (consisting of subject area components); and an earned GPA of 2.7. Students may obtain an additional endorsement without completing an approved licensure program by passing the Praxis Subject Assessment in the content area (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, English, History and Social Science, Mathematics, Visual Arts, English as a Second Language, Health and Physical Education, Foreign Language, and Music) with the exception of PreK-3, PreK-6, and Special Education.
This program will prepare students to teach biology by instructing them in the standards of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). The courses listed in the general biology major and the secondary education (6-12) courses make up the program for biology teacher licensure, grades 6-12.
Required Courses
- CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry I - 4
- ENVS 135 Earth Science - 2
- PHYS 252 and PHYS 253 University Physics I, lecture and laboratory - 4
Enrollment in upper-level biology, biochemistry, chemistry and environmental science courses (BIOL, BIOCH, CHEM, ENVS 300s and 400s) requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all science and math courses (BIOL, BIOCH, CHEM, ENVS, MATH, PHYS). Students who fail to earn a C- in any coursework required for their major should promptly schedule a meeting with their advisor.