Education Advisement Center (EAC)

Sally M. Todd, Assistant Dean (120 MCKB, PO Box 25096, [801] 378-3426)

The Education Advisement Center assists students from the beginning of the freshman year through graduation and teacher certification. Students majoring in elementary education, early childhood education, audiology, or speech-language pathology are advised concerning general education and major requirements, student teaching and other field experiences, graduation requirements, and teacher certification procedures.

Acceptance into Teacher Education

Acceptance into teacher education programs in the David O. McKay School of Education is based on a student's performance on prescribed admissions tests as well as grades earned at the university. The David O. McKay School of Education seeks students who attain high educational standards and who evidence aptitude for teaching.

Withdrawals. Students who withdraw from the university or who otherwise interrupt their education (excepting spring and summer terms) must expect, on returning to the university, to meet the most recent requirements for teacher education programs.

Transfer Students. Students who transfer to the David O. McKay School of Education from a two-year college, another university, or another college within BYU must meet the requirements for acceptance set forth above.

Preparation of Teachers

Early Childhood Teaching. Students who want to teach young children from prekindergarten through grade 3 should register in the Department of Teacher Education. Students receive advisement from the David O. McKay School of Education Advisement Center. Prior application and acceptance are required to enroll in the professional education course sequence. Students should plan their programs and course schedules with the designated advisor in the Education Advisement Center. Elementary education majors may elect to fullfill certification requirements for teaching P–K by completing a subject area emphasis in early childhood education. Contact the Education Advisement Center for further details.

Elementary School Teaching. Education majors should check with their advisor in the EAC for modifications to the program. Both an accepted application and successful completion of the “Exploratory Experiences in Education” packet are required for admission to the teacher education program. These must be completed one semester before the student begins the professional sequence. Applicants must demonstrate and maintain established standards for personal conduct and interpersonal skills as outlined in the program guide.

Secondary School Teaching. Students who plan a career in secondary school teaching should register in the department of their academic major, except for physical science or social science majors, who register in the David O. McKay School of Education. There is no major in secondary education per se, but students must complete professional education requirements as well as an academic teaching major or composite major. Some areas require a teaching minor also. Students should begin their professional preparation (ScEd 276R) during the sophomore year to facilitate scheduling the balance of the certification program. For course listings and prerequisites, see the Department of Teacher Education section of this catalog. Students should plan their program with the designated advisor in the Education Advisement Center.

Special Education Teaching. Elementary education majors may elect to fulfill a subject area emphasis in special education. Contact the designated advisor in the Education Advisement Center.

Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. This academic department prepares students to be communication specialists in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other agencies and in private practice. Certification and licensure in Utah and in most other states, as well as by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, require a master's degree. Students interested in audiology or speech-language pathology should plan their program with the designated advisor in the Education Advisement Center.

Student Teaching. The culminating experience for students in teacher education is a student teaching assignment in a public school classroom under the supervision of cooperating school teachers and university supervisors. The number of students accepted for student teaching depends on the number of professionally acceptable field positions available. Students must plan their programs carefully to meet requirements for student teaching.

Internships. Internship appointments are available through programs offered by the David O. McKay School of Education and may substitute for some student teaching. Internship appointments in the public schools are for a full year and carry a modest stipend. Interested students should contact the Education Advisement Center.

Application for Certification

The certification of teachers is a function of the Utah State Office of Education (USOE). Requirements for Utah certification are available in the Education Advisement Center. There are, from time to time, modifications in certification requirements. Although such modifications are not retroactive, they may still affect the uncompleted portion of a student's program.

Certification in Other States. Under reciprocity agreements, Utah certification is accepted in those states where such agreements are in effect. Specific information is available in the Education Advisement Center.

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