FAQs for Teacher Education

Why does the Department of Teacher Education have a formal admissions process?

The education and licensure of teachers is of great interest to policy makers and accreditation bodies. In fact, WSU does not license teachers but rather recommends individuals to the Utah State Office of Education (USOE) for licensure. Utah and the Federal government both have interest in insuring that all children are taught by well-prepared, highly qualified teachers. Formal admissions policy demonstrates the Department’s commitment to attracting, admitting, and preparing quality teachers.

How do I become admitted to Teacher Education Licensure Programs?

Provisional admissions to licensure programs is on a competitive basis. The Teacher Education Admissions and Retention Committee is given the charge of screening program applicants. Members of the committee are made up of faculty and staff in the Department of Teacher Education as well as faculty in WSU arts and sciences departments. The admission/retention committee provisionally admits and then monitors student progress throughout programs of study. After candidates have completed several semesters and demonstrated professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions, they become candidates for licensure and become fully admitted to a licensure program.
 

What types of licensure programs does the Department offer?

The Department offers licensure programs in the following areas: Elementary Education, Early Childhood/Elementary Education Dual, Elementary/Special Education, and Secondary Education. For additional information regarding these programs, please visit the Teacher Education Advisement Center on the second floor of the McKay Education Building.
 

Is a Utah Teaching License good in other states?

Teacher licensure is the responsibility of the individual 50 states. However, Utah has entered into reciprocal agreements with 36 other states where a Utah teaching license would enable an individual to receive a license from the target state with little or no additional coursework. If you are interested in teaching in another state, you will need to contact that state’s education office for further details.
 

What is the job outlook for teachers in Utah?

Utah, as well as other states, has critical teacher shortages in the following areas: special education, ESL/bilingual education, mathematics, and the sciences. Individuals in these areas typically have little difficulty in finding jobs. However, there are teaching openings in almost all other areas. WSU career services estimates that 90 percent of teacher education graduates will find jobs.
 

How much are teachers paid?

It depends on the experience and amount of training a teacher has. A new graduate, for example, would begin as a first year teacher with a bachelors degree. An experienced teacher may be in their 12^th year of teaching with a masters degree and thus would be on a higher salary schedule. To find out starting salaries, please contact your local school district’s human resource department.