Undergraduate Program Gateways

Undergraduate teaching candidates pursuing Elementary Education or Special Education will move through three gateways during their academic journey. Each is designed to verify that candidates are well-prepared, highly qualified, and ready to enter the teaching profession. Successfully completing all three gateways is required for Virginia teaching licensure recommendation.

Program Admission

End of Sophomore Year

Recommendation for Student Teaching

Junior – Senior Year

Recommendation for VA Teaching Certification

Senior Internship

By the end of their sophomore year, Elementary Education and Special Education majors must apply and successfully meet all requirements for program admission.

Important: Candidates who have not completed Gateway 1 requirements are not permitted to be placed in formal internships such as the Elementary Practicum.

Requirement	Suggested Timeframe
Reach out to an education faculty member if interested in Elementary Education, Special Education, or Education Studies. Declare your major as soon as possible.	First year
Pass the English and Language Arts subtest (5002) of the Praxis Multiple Subjects exam (5001)	Take and pass by spring of Sophomore year at the latest
Achieve “Acceptable” ratings (2.5) on the Batten University Dispositional Survey for Educators	Complete while enrolled in EDUC 266
Successfully complete the following courses with a grade of C or above: INST 202: The School and Society EDUC 266: Classroom Management and Teaching Strategies EDUC 225: Characteristics of the Learner	Complete by end of Sophomore year
Achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8 at the time of application	Monitor your GPA throughout — maintain at least 2.8 at all times

Student teaching is the culminating internship for all teaching candidates. During this experience, candidates are responsible for real student learning in a real classroom. Faculty must be confident that every candidate has the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be successful before recommending them for placement.

Requirement	Notes
Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8	Monitor grades in all coursework and use Batten University support services when needed
Earn grades of C or better in ALL Professional Studies Education courses; C– or better in all other required TEP coursework	Monitor grades in all coursework and use Batten University support services when needed
Earn an average rating of 2.8 or higher on the Batten University Dispositional Survey for Educators	Self-evaluations are completed in specific EDUC courses. Candidates with any score below “Acceptable” may not be recommended for practicum or student teaching placement.
Submit passing scores on PRAXIS Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205)	Submit while enrolled in EDUC 321 — typically spring of Junior year
Submit passing scores on all sections of the Praxis Multiple Subjects Test (5001) — view Virginia passing scores	Due to the Education Department by October 15 if student teaching in the following spring, or March 15 if student teaching in the following fall
Submit documentation of a negative TB test	Submit prior to Practicum placement — complete the summer after Junior year
Submit a clear Background Clearance Check	The Seminar Professor will provide forms and instructions. A clear check is required to continue to Practicum and pre-service teaching.
Practicum Instructor grants consent for student teaching	Progress to student teaching is contingent on a successful Practicum experience. The Practicum instructor notifies the Director of Teacher Education at the end of the Practicum course.

During the senior internship, candidates complete an impact study, build a teaching portfolio, and are observed multiple times by multiple instructional experts. Several additional requirements must be met prior to the end of student teaching:

CPR and First Aid Certification — required for Virginia licensure; complete during the internship semester
Virginia Licensure Modules — all required modules are assigned in professional education courses; certificates of completion must be submitted before student teaching concludes
All licensure test scores — must be on file with the Education Department
All program requirements — must be fully satisfied

Successful completion of Gateway 3: Candidates who successfully complete their senior internship and satisfy all licensure requirements will be recommended by the Batten University Director of Teacher Education for Virginia Teaching Certification in their specific endorsement area. Candidates are considered well-prepared, highly qualified, and ready to enter the teaching profession.

Questions About the Gateway Process?

Contact: Your Education Department adviser or the Director of Teacher Education
Handbook: Undergraduate Candidate Handbook — full gateway policies and procedures