Policies
 

Walden University requires that all students in its teacher preparation programs review the Teacher Candidate Guidebook, to help them understand the guidelines and requirements of the program. Students can access the Teacher Candidate Guidebook from their myWalden page. Students enrolled in any of the post-baccalaureate teacher preparation programs should refer to the Teacher Candidate Guidebook for complete information on the program and related university policies and procedures.

 

Registration

Students in the teacher preparation programs are automatically registered for courses following formal admission to the program and just prior to matriculation. The courses are offered in a prescribed sequence as described in this catalog.

 

Transition Points

Each teacher preparation program has four “transition points”: specific times during the program when candidates must meet certain teacher preparation program and state of Minnesota requirements in order to be recommended for licensure. The requirements for each transition point ensure that students’ education and teaching knowledge, skills, and performance are of high caliber.

 

It is the responsibility of students to manage their own progress through these transition points. Students should contact their academic advisor at any point for help and support. The transition point requirements are cumulative in effect: that is, students must complete all requirements in one transition point before being eligible to move on to the next transition point. Students should review the Teacher Candidate Guidebook (available from their myWalden page) for detailed information regarding each transition point.

 

State Licensure

Walden University is approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching to offer teacher preparation programs that lead to Minnesota licensure in early childhood education (birth through grade 3) and special education (K–12 learning disabilities and/or K–12 emotional/behavioral disorders). Before Walden can recommend a student for licensure to the Minnesota Board of Teaching, the student must pass the Praxis I and the Praxis II tests pertinent to the teaching content area.

 

For students seeking a comparable teaching license in a state other than Minnesota, Walden’s enrollment advisors can provide individuals with guidelines and other information about licensure. It remains the student’s responsibility to understand and comply with the out-of-state licensure requirements for the state in which he or she seeks to be licensed, as requirements vary state by state. Walden University makes no representation or guarantee that successful completion of any program or coursework will permit teacher candidates to obtain state certification or licensure in their home state.

 

In all states there are policies regarding out-of-state procedures that must be followed when someone is eligible for or has received licensure through an out-of-state institution with a state-approved program, such as the Minnesota Board of Teaching–approved programs at Walden University. Some states require that an individual actually obtain the out-of-state license first; other states do not require the actual license, just completion of a state-approved program.

 

For more information on licensing requirements, students should contact their Walden University enrollment advisor. It is the responsibility of students to ensure that they understand and comply with the most up-to-date licensing information for their state.

 

Field Experiences

Field experiences are an integral part of the teacher preparation programs at Walden University. These experiences provide opportunities for students to apply course concepts in real environments that allow for increasing levels of responsibility. The field experiences relate to students’ professional goals, provide the opportunity to connect theory and practice, and prepare students for daily classroom responsibilities. Students are informed, monitored, and evaluated throughout all field experiences. For specific information about field experiences, including requirements related to background checks and proof of health status, students should review the Teacher Candidate Guidebook available from their myWalden page.