First-Year Students
Frequently Asked Questions

First-Year Powerpoint

Q. Who is my advisor?

A: If you are Education Undeclared or your intended major is Early Childhood Education (P-5), Middle Grades Education (4-8), or History Education (6-12), you are advised in the Impey Teacher Education Advisement Center (TEAC) until you are admitted into the teacher education program. Please call 770-423-6105 for an appointment or for walk-in advising times. After you are admitted to teacher education, you will be assigned an advisor within your major department.

Please see Program Contacts for advisement in additional degree programs leading to Georgia Teacher Certification.

Q. When do I need to see my advisor?

A: You should consult your advisor at least once per semester to discuss your progress through the program and other student resources provided by the university.

Q: Why do I need to know my matriculation date?

A: Certain requirements in the teacher education program are determined by a student's matriculation date.

Q. How do I declare my major?

A: If you are declaring your interest in Early Childhood Education, Middle Grades Education, or History Education, you should come to the Teacher Education Advisement Center in KH 3018. Other education majors should contact the departments. Your major will be recorded as "interest" until you are admitted into the teacher education program. You should declare a major-interest by the time you have earned 30 hours.

Q. What are the requirements for admission into the teacher education program?

A: Admission to teacher education is separate from admission to Kennesaw State University. For the minimum criteria for admission to teacher education, please see the KSU Undergraduate Catalog for the year in which you matriculated. Some programs in teacher education have additional requirements. Please contact the departments or program coordinators directly.

Q: What is the GACE basic skills assessment?

A: Students must have passing scores on the GACE basis skills assessment or provide proof of exemption for admission into the teacher education program. You may be exempt from GACE basic skills assessment by SAT scores of at least 1000 (combined verbal/ or critical reading and math) or ACT scores of at least 43 (combined English and math).* Check with the certification officer at 770-423-6043 for exemption scores if you took the SAT prior to April 1, 1995, or ACT prior to 1989. Please see the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) website for possible alternative exemption tests.

*Please note: If you are exempt from the GACE basic skills assessment, you will need to bring a copy of your SAT or ACT score report to the PTEU Certification Officer in KH 3018 (Teacher Education Advisement Center) to be entered into the database.

Q: If I am not exempt from GACE Basic Skills Assessment, when should I take the tests?

A: Your advisor may recommend that you take GACE Basic Skills Assessment in the semester prior to the semester in which you will be applying to the teacher education program. Generally, students will schedule the GACE Basic Skills Assessment after they have completed ENGL 1102 and the second General Education MATH course (when these courses are taken during the second semester). Please see your advisor for specific recommendations within your program area. For additional information on GACE Basic Skills Assessment and test dates, see GACE.

Q: Do I need to complete all of my general education classes before I can be admitted into a teacher education program?

A: No, you do not need to complete all of your general education classes prior to admission into a teacher education program; specific classes required are ENGL 1101, ENGL 1102, and EDUC 2110**, and may be included in the 45 hours of college credit required for admission.

**or approved Teacher Cadet or Youth Apprenticeship Program (See Office of Field Experiences if you think you may have completed the approved program.)

Q: When should I take EDUC 2110?

A: You may take EDUC 2110 in you have completed ENGL 1102. EDUC 2110 requires an intensive field experience. You do not need to complete all your general education courses before registering for EDUC 2110.

Q. Do I need to complete all my general education requirements before beginning my major classes?

A: No, you should meet with your advisor to determine appropriate courses in the major that you should begin taking in order to complete required sequences for the degree program.

Q: When should I apply to the Teacher Education Program?

A: You should apply to teacher education early in the semester in which you will be completing all the requirements for admission (see the KSU Undergraduate Catalog for deadlines). Candidates typically apply for admission to teacher education during their sophomore year. Applications are available on the information wall outside TEAC, or you can print one from the TEAC website. Your advisor in the program into which you are applying must sign the application. You do not need to have completed all the teacher education admission requirements at the time of application. Download the Application Form (PDF)

Glossary

Corequisite: a course that must be taken at the same time as the listed course.

Field experience: The purpose of educational field experiences is to provide each teacher education candidate with multiple opportunities to engage in the practical aspects of teaching in real classroom settings.

Hope PROMISE: forgivable loans to high-achieving undergraduates who aspire to be teaching in Georgia public schools. (Students must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program to be eligible to apply.)

Matriculation date: the term you first enrolled in courses at KSU.

Prerequisite: a course or requirement that must be completed successfully prior to taking the listed course.

TEAC: Dr. William D. Impey Teacher Education Advisement Center (TEAC) advises majors in Early Childhood Education, Middle Grades Education, History Education and Education "Undeclared" prior to admission to the teacher education programs. TEAC is located on the third floor of Kennesaw Hall, Suite 3018.

TOSS (Teaching Of Specific Subjects): includes a combination of extensive field experiences and class work at KSU completed prior to student teaching.

Please call 770-423-6105 for additional information
or email undergraduate advisors in the
Impey Teacher Education Advisement Center
teac@kennesaw.edu.