RockhuRst univeRsity 2012–2014 catalog

ReadmissionShould a graduate student leave the University they become subject to the Universityreadmission requirements. A student readmitted to the department will be subject to thedegree requirements in place at the time of their readmission.The Professional Semester(Fall and Spring Semesters)The professional semester is comprised of 14 weeks of student teaching assignments(10 credit hours), the three credit hour Integrated Student Teaching Seminar, and theone credit hour electronic portfolio. Students must apply for admission to the professionalsemester and be admitted to the professional semester prior to enrollment in the professionalsemester and subsequent student-teacher placement.Professional Semester ApplicationStudents may be considered for admission to the professional semester upon completionof the following:1. Complete the “Professional Semester of Student Teaching” application.2. Submit a professional resume.3. Submit an autobiography.4. Achieve a passing score on the Praxis II examination in the student’s desiredcertification area.Professional Semester EnrollmentA student must be formally admitted to a certification program of the Department ofEducation and must complete all general education requirements, certification area courserequirements, and all education course requirements prior to enrolling in the professionalsemester. The professional semester application must be submitted and approved.Provisional enrollment may be authorized when the professional semester applicationhas been approved, but coursework is in progress and there is reasonable assurance ofsatisfactory completion prior to placement. In the case of provisional enrollment, failureto satisfactorily complete any requirement will result in automatic withdrawal from theprofessional semester courses for which the student is registered.School of Graduate & Professional StudiesProfessional Semester Student Teaching PlacementPlacement is the process by which those enrolled in the professional semester are matchedwith cooperating schools and cooperating teachers. To provide reasonable certainty tothose cooperating entities, it is necessary for professional semester applicants to meet anyprescribed deadlines regarding application and full enrollment in the professional semester.Those deadlines vary from semester to semester and are communicated to the prospectivestudent teacher at the initial meeting with student teacher candidates.Professional Semester Fingerprint and Background CheckSchool districts may require full background checks for student teachers and volunteers.With this in mind, all student teachers must complete and pass a Missouri BackgroundFingerprint Clearance before student teaching may begin. The background check includessubmitting fingerprints to the Missouri Highway Patrol (MHP) and the Federal Bureauof Investigation (FBI). Also, the State Board of Education requires a current HighwayPatrol criminal history background checks, including fingerprints, prior to the awardingof initial teacher certification in Missouri.311Graduate Programs