Candidates should have all requirements for the Teacher Education Program (TEP) completed by the end of their sophomore year. At this point, a candidate has accumulated 30-45 semester hours of course work. (See TEP HANDBOOK).

Full acceptance to TEP is required for enrollment in a number of education courses and prior to applying to student teach.

Requirements: To be fully accepted to the Teacher Education Program, the following conditions must be met:

1. Submission of TEP application. This also includes creating an ELIS Account.
2. Submission of an acceptable Reflective Paper. Candidates must submit their first reflective paper to their major department and receive departmental approval on WEPPAS.
3. Satisfactory completion of 30 semester hours of approved course work.
4. Completion of ENG 180 or transfer equivalent with a grade of C- or better. 
5. Completion of general education math course with a grade of C- or better (MATH 101, 102, 123, 133, 134, 137, 138, 139, 206, or STAT 171 or transfer equivalent (see advisor for specific course requirements for major).
6. Acquire the required major and cumulative grade point average for the program:
   1. Early Childhood Education- 2.0
   2. Elementary, Special, Physical, and Middle Level Education- 2.5
   3. English as a Second Language (ESL), and Multilingual- 2.5
   4. Secondary Agriculture, Art, English, Math, Science, Spanish, and French- 2.5
   5. Secondary History- 2.75
7. Complete the State-mandated Safety Training through Western Online:
   
   1. Log on to Western Online .
   2. On the homepage, click on the Tools dropdown in the purple navigation bar.
   3. Choose Self Registration.
   4. Click on the Teacher Education Program Safety Training link.
   5. Click the Register button and follow the prompts:
      • Submit
      • Finish
      • Done
   6. You will be sent back to the Western Online homepage. Select the Teacher Education Program Safety Training Workshop and follow the prompts to complete the training.
8. Complete the English Language Learner modules http://www.wiu.edu/ell.
9. Portfolio requirement where applicable.  Check with advisor.

Notes:

Prior to any field work in schools/agencies, the National Sex Offender, the Illinois Methamphetamine Manufacturer, and the Illinois State Police Child Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth registries will be checked by the candidates education advisor. In addition, candidates may also need to supply a Fingerprint criminal background investigation report to each individual school district prior to any field work. Candidates may be prohibited from completing field work if a registry check or background investigations disclose arrests and/or convictions deemed problematic. Information may be obtained in Horrabin Hall 40; questions may be directed to the Licensure Officer- (309) 298-2117. (NOTE: Federal Law requires candidates to submit a Fingerprint background investigation report to school districts prior to student teaching.)

Once an individual has been fully accepted into TEP, he/she must maintain the required: 2.5 cumulative GPA and 2.5 major GPA OR required 2.75 cumulative and 2.75 major GPA for history, elementary, early childhood, bilingual, middle level and special education majors.

Denied applicants may request a review of their case by Selection, Retention, and Appeals Committee.

Elimination of the Test of Basic Skills