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Teacher Certification-Only Program
The Teacher Certification-Only Program is an innovative recruitment initiative at Nicholls State University to attract outstanding community members to become teachers in schools that need them the most. A background in education is not needed, only a strong commitment to children.
Make a difference, change a life, affect the future
Nicholls is looking for degreed professionals from a variety of careers and recent college graduates to bring their experiences, knowledge and records of achievement to public schools in the Bayou Region. We want people who have a desire to work with children and young adults, the ability to overcome challenges and the drive and motivation to achieve. The program is offered for individuals interested in teaching elementary, middle school and secondary age children.
Share your talents and expertise
In the Bayou Region, people qualified to teach in the areas of mathematics, science and special education are in great demand. Our goal is to bring nurses, doctors, engineers, geologists, chemists, social services personnel and other professionals into the field of education because that is truly where you are needed the most.
Become part of an inspiring team of educators
As a teacher in the Bayou Region, you can be the single most important factor for raising student achievement and closing the achievement gap. Research has shown that the single greatest factor in student achievement is a dedicated and highly qualified teacher. The Teacher Certification-Only Program is your opportunity to take action. Through the Louisiana Transition to Teaching initiative, financial assistance is available for those seeking certification in science, math or special education.
Please inquire by calling 985.448.4331
Financial Incentives
Since math, science and special education are high-needs areas in our parishes, incentives are offered to those candidates seeking certification in one of these areas. In addition to certifying in one of these areas, to be eligible to receive the financial incentives, candidates must also agree to teach three consecutive years in one of the high-needs subject areas in one of the high-needs parishes (Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. James, St. John or Terrebonne). Failure to do so would result in the repayment of any financial incentives received.
Individuals interested in becoming certified through the Teacher Certification-Only Program must meet the following criteria:
- Possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university.
- Must have a 2.5 undergraduate grade point average on the last 60 semester hours taken.
- Must have successfully completed Praxis I (Pre-Professional Skills Test) unless candidates:
- scored a 22 or higher on the ACT OR
- scored a SAT combined verbal and mathematics score of 1030 OR
- possess a master’s degree or higher.
- Must have successfully completed Praxis II (Content Knowledge) for the respective certification area.
- The Internship is assessed a $100 fee that is required to cover expenses incurred
as part of an individual clinical (internship). This $100 fee will be added to each candidates tuition invoice for each of the two internship semesters.
Visit the Louisiana State Department of Education Web site to view the current list of Louisiana Praxis/NTE tests and score requirements.
To access information concerning Praxis, visit Praxis Information or www.ets.org/praxis.
Knowledge of the Learner and the Learning Environment (6 credit hours)
Entrance into these courses requires a bachelor’s degree and a 2.5 GPA.
| Course | Description | Credit |
| EDUC 421 Current Practices and Strategies in Teaching | This core first course, taken with regular education cohorts, will provide special education candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish successful partnerships with regular education teachers. | 3 semester hours |
| PSYC 206 Child Psychology | This course focuses on the behavior and activities of the child. Field experiences are required. | 3 semester hours |
Methodology and Teaching (21 credit hours) Prior to enrolling in any courses in this block, students must:
- make a C or better in courses in the knowledge block,
- submit passing scores on the Praxis I,
- submit passing scores on content specialty areas of Praxis and
- have a 2.5 undergraduate/graduate GPA.
| Course | Description | Credit |
| EDUC 365 The Teaching of Reading and Language Arts in the Elementary School | This course focuses on theory and practice of how to teach reading and other language arts and the preparation of audio visual materials in the elementary grades. | 6 semester hours offered in fall and spring only |
| EDUC 368 Methods for Teaching Diverse Learners | Knowledge and application of methods for teaching students with diverse learning needs. Fifteen hours of directed and supervised observation/teaching field experiences in diverse classrooms required. | 3 semester hours |
| EDCI 506 Foundations of Educational Assessment | This course will introduce the classroom teacher to elements of measurement and assessment and the role they play in assessment of the curriculum, lesson planning and instructional processes. | 3 semester hours |
| EDCI 513 Advanced Methods in Classroom Management | This course will provide the candidate with research and analysis of current classroom management theories and models and their application as tools for effective decision-making in the classroom. | 3 semester hours Offered in spring and summer only. |
| EDCI 561 The Teaching of Reading: Content Areas | Principles, strategies, and materials of instruction for adjusting reading abilities among students to the specific reading demands of various content subjects. | 3 semester hours |
| EDCI 581 Advanced Methods in Teaching Science and Social Studies | This course focuses on current methodological and pedagological practices in sciences and social studies. | 3 semester hours Offered in summer and fall only. |
Internship (6 semester hours)
A candidate must pass the appropriate Praxis PLT exam for elementary, middle or secondary certification and maintain a 2.5 GPA to enter the internship. A candidate must complete all coursework, unless given permission by the dean of education, before being permitted to enroll in the internship. Students must also have an assigned mentor and an agreement by the school’s principal to evaluate their teaching. Lab fees required.
| Course | Description | Credit |
| EDUC 451-452 Internship in Teaching | Candidates will enroll in an internship for two consecutive semesters | 6 semester hours |
This outline of courses is provided for information only.
It is not a prescription for certification, and requirements may be changed by the Louisiana Department of Education. Dr. Jones or Dr. Stall must sign all prescriptions.
Please verify the correct Praxis exams you must take. They are subject to change.
Knowledge of the Learner and the Learning Environment (6 credit hours)
Entrance into these courses requires a bachelor’s degree and a 2.5 GPA.
| Course | Description | Credit |
| EDUC 421 Current Practices and Strategies in Teaching | This core first course, taken with regular education cohorts, will provide special education candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish successful partnerships with regular education teachers. | 3 semester hours |
| PSYC 519 Advanced Lifespan Developmental Psychology | The physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development of the individual at successive ages throughout the lifespan. | 3 semester hours |
Methodology and Teaching (18 credit hours)
Prior to enrolling in any courses in this block, students must:
- make a C or better in courses in the knowledge block,
- submit passing scores on the Praxis I,
- submit passing scores on content specialty areas of Praxis II and
- have a 2.5 undergraduate/graduate GPA.
| Course | Description | Credit |
| EDUC 321 Reading in the Secondary School | This course focuses on the theory and practice of providing for the instructional needs of the secondary school students in all content areas as reflected by reading ability | 3 semester hours |
| EDUC 441 Multicultural Education for Teachers | Preparation for teaching in a diverse society. Field experiences required. | 3 semester hours |
| EDCI 510 Advanced Methods in HPED K-12 | Description of teaching functions, the skills that constitute those functions, and the principles that guide their selection and use in the elementary and secondary school. | 3 semester hours |
| EDCI 513 Advanced Methods in Classroom Management | This course will provide the candidate with research and analysis of current classroom management theories and models and their application as tools for effective decision-making in the classroom. | 3 semester hours Offered in spring and summer only. |
| EDCI 514 Science of Physical Education | This course focuses on the physiological, biomechanical, and motor developmental applications to teaching sport and exercise. | 3 semester hours |
Internship (6 semester hours)
A candidate must pass the appropriate Praxis PLT exam for elementary, middle or secondary certification and maintain a 2.5 GPA to enter the internship. A candidate must complete all coursework, unless given permission by the dean of education, before being permitted to enroll in the internship. Students must also have an assigned mentor and an agreement by the school’s principal to evaluate their teaching. Lab fees required.
| Course | Description | Credit |
| EDUC 451-452 Internship in Teaching | Candidates will enroll in an internship for two consecutive semesters | 6 semester hours |
This outline of courses is provided for information only.
It is not a prescription for certification, and requirements may be changed by the Louisiana Department of Education. Dr. Jones or Dr. Stall must sign all prescriptions.
Please verify the correct Praxis exams you must take. They are subject to change.
Knowledge of the Learner and the Learning Environment (6 credit hours)
Entrance into these courses requires a bachelor’s degree and a 2.5 GPA.
| Course | Description | Credit |
| EDUC 421 Current Practices and Strategies in Teaching | This core first course, taken with regular education cohorts, will provide special education candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish successful partnerships with regular education teachers. | 3 semester hours |
| PSYC 210 Adolescent Psychology | This course focuses on the behavior and activities of the adolescent. Field experiences are required. | 3 semester hours |
Methodology and Teaching (15 credit hours)
Prior to enrolling in any courses in this block, students must:
- make a C or better in courses in the knowledge block,
- submit passing scores on the Praxis I,
- submit passing scores on content specialty areas of Praxis and
- have a 2.5 undergraduate/graduate GPA.
| Course | Description | Credit |
| EDUC 321 Reading in the Secondary School | This course focuses on theory and practice of providing for the instructional needs of the secondary school student in all content areas as reflected by reading ability | 3 semester hours |
| EDUC 368 Methods for Teaching Diverse Learners | This course focuses on the knowledge and application of methods for teaching students with diverse learning needs. | 3 semester hours |
| EDCI 506 Foundations of Educational Assessment | This course will introduce the classroom teacher to elements of measurement and assessment and the role they play in assessment of the curriculum, lesson planning and instructional processes. | 3 semester hours |
| EDCI 513 Advanced Methods in Classroom Management | This course will provide the candidate with research and analysis of current classroom management theories and models and their application as tools for effective decision-making in the classroom. | 3 semester hoursOffered in spring and summer only. |
| EDUC 309 Methods of Instruction for Secondary subjects | This course focuses on the examination and application of methods and materials for teaching Secondary Subjects. | 3 semester hours |
Internship (6 semester hours)
A candidate must pass the appropriate Praxis PLT exam for elementary, middle or secondary certification and maintain a 2.5 GPA to enter the internship. A candidate must complete all coursework, unless given permission by the dean of education, before being permitted to enroll in the internship. Students must also have an assigned mentor and an agreement by the school’s principal to evaluate their teaching. Lab fees required.
| Course | Description | Credit |
| EDUC 451-452 Internship in Teaching | Candidates will enroll in an internship for two consecutive semesters | 6 semester hours |
This outline of courses is provided for information only.
It is not a prescription for certification, and requirements may be changed by the Louisiana Department of Education. Dr. Jones or Dr. Stall must sign all prescriptions.
Please verify the correct Praxis exams you must take. They are subject to change.
CONTACT INFORMATION
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
230 College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Building
LOCATION
