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Health Promotion and Exercise Sciences Department

B.S. - HEALTH EDUCATION (Certification PreK-12)

ADMISSION, DEGREE and TEACHER CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Students accepted into the Professional Health Education Program must successfully meet the following criteria.

1. Submit an application to the Professional Teacher Education Program;
2. Evidence of passing PRAXIS I (or obtain a waiver from Connecticut State Department of Education by presenting a combined SAT score of 1,100 or more with no less than 450 on either the Verbal or Mathematics Subtest);
3. A copy of WCSU transcript (and any other college transcript) demonstrating at least a 2.8 cumulative grade point average (GPA) for all undergraduate courses taken prior to Professional Teacher Education Program Acceptance (approximately 90 credits and reflecting courses in progress);
4. A copy of WCSU transcript demonstrating evidence of completion (or courses in progress during the current semester) of the University’s General Education requirements (42 semester hour minimum) in Communications, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Mathematics/Computer Sciences, and Physical Education, as well as completion of a Writing Intensive course;
5. Submission of a written essay demonstrating command of the English language, and explaining the reason for enrolling in the Health Teacher Education Program, emphasizing experiences relevant to teaching health;
6. Submission of at least two (2) letters of recommendation from persons outside the University who are able to testify to the candidate’s suitability as a prospective health educator;
7. Participate in an interview and demonstrate personal attributes that are indicative of potential as a teacher;
8. A copy of your WCSU transcript demonstrating evidence of completion of the following courses with a minimum grade of “C” or better:
   1. Writing Intensive Course
   2. PSY 100; Introduction to Psychology
   3. CTA 160 Speech Fundamentals or CTA 161 Decision Making in Groups or CTA 162 Interpersonal Communication
   4. HIS 101 American Perspectives
   5. ED 206 Introduction to Education
   6. HPX 215 Health Issues in the Schools (Grades 1-12)
   7. HPX 280 Principles of Health Education
   8. EPY 204 Adolescent Development in the School
   9. BIO 105 & 106 Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 11
   10. SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
       
   and successful completing of all other pre-program course requirements.

Pre-Professional Education Requirements

Student Teaching Semester Requirements

1. The deadline date for Fall semester admittance into the Professional Teacher Education Program is April 15^th, and the deadline date for Spring semester admittance is November 1^st.
2. Students must successfully complete 70 contact hours of student teaching (HPX 464: Student Teaching – 12 SH) over a 15 week semester, with a passing (P) grade.
3. Students who do not receive a passing grade in student teaching may be recommended to complete additional student teaching and/or coursework before being approved for graduation and teaching certification.
4. Students are required to register for the following courses concomitant
   to registering for HPX 464 Student Teaching:
   HPX 460, Student Teaching Seminar – 1 SH
   ED 340, Assessment of Teaching Strategies – 1 SH
   During the student teaching semester, students are advised not to work.

Additional Course Degree Requirements

During Senior year, students must complete any remaining health, general education and/or elective courses. Students may not have more than 13 semester hours of required general education courses or 8 semester hours of approved, academic major courses remaining.

Final Degree Requirements for Graduation

1. Students must have completed 125 SH for a B.S. degree in Health Education, including the coursework previously specified.
2. Students must have an overall GPA of 2.8.

Final Degree Requirements for Teacher Certification

Students must have completed all the B.S. Health Education degree requirements and passed the PRAXIS II exam in the health content area, to be approved for a Connecticut State Initial Educator Certificate.

At this time, Students are strongly encouraged to register and sit for the National Certified Health Specialists (CHES) exam.

Required Course Sequence B.S. Health Education Certification (PreK-12)

Select one of the following disciplines to satisfy Writing Intense requirement.
SW 270W Writing for the Human Service and Health Care Professions;
ENG 245 Technical Writing;
ENG 270 Basic News Writing;
ENG 271 Human Interest;
ENG 339 Creative Writing.