Application to the Teacher Education Program

In order to take the professional education courses and student teach in the senior year, a math major must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) by the end of the junior year. Contact the Office of Field Experience in the College of Education and Human Development for more information.

The application process begins with a mandatory meeting early in the Fall semester of the junior year, which includes a packet of application materials. These are listed on the main page for the Office of Field Experience. The application is made the following Spring semester by the third Monday in February.

To assist, the Office of Field Experience has created a step-by-step process that can be found here. It is important that you talk with your advisor as well to make sure you are on track for your TEP application. Here are several necessary components to your application.

Coursework

The faculty in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics assist students through coursework and advising before being accepted into the TEP. Beyond the Traditional Mathematics Concentration of the major in Mathematics, students are required to complete the minor in Education by the end of their junior years:

  • EDUC 200 -- Exploring Education 
  • EDEF 300 -- Human Development and Learning: Birth through Adolescence
  • EDEF 320 -- Introduction to Professional Education
  • EDUC 370 -- Introduction to Multicultural Education
  • One of
    • EDSP 361 -- Introduction to Students with Diverse Learning Needs and the Special Education Process
    • EDSP 404 -- Introduction to Special Education for Grades 6-12
  • One of
    • EDET 445 -- Integration of Educational Technology
    • EDET 454 -- Educational Technology for Diverse Populations

Additionally, students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 as well as a 2.75 GPA in their MATH and STAT courses. The TEP application requires transcripts from Radford University and other schools from which transfer credit is received. 

Proficiency Tests

There are two proficiency tests that must be passed before applying to the TEP.

  • Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)
    The VCLA is a pre-professional test of reading and writing skills of future Virginia educators. A passing composite score is 470. It is computer-based and offered at local testing centers. (The nearest center is in Roanoke.)
  • Praxis II -- Mathematics: Content Knowledge (5165)
    This test covers material from algebra, geometry, probability and statistics, discrete mathematics, and calculus commonly found in high school mathematics courses. It is recommended that students take MATH 142, MATH 171, MATH 260, MATH 335, and STAT 301 before attempting Praxis II, but students must pass Praxis II before they can be accepted into the TEP. A passing score is 159. Praxis II are administered by ETS. Registration is online, but the computer-based tests may be taken year-round by appointment at local testing centers. (The nearest center is in Roanoke.)
    Prior to August 31, 2022, the requirement was a score of 160 on the older version of the test Mathematics: Content Knowledge (5061).

    Note: EDUC 160 is offered each fall to assist with students preparing for this cumulative test. It is highly recommended that you take this course to help you pass Praxis II.