At a Glance

The professional education unit at Ohio Northern University is the Center for Teacher Education which is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The center is a single, unified faculty and administrative unit within the University that is primarily responsible for the preparation of teachers. The Director of Teacher Education, as head of the unit, is delegated the authority and responsibility for the overall administration and operation of the professional education unit.

The Teacher Education Program is designed to provide prospective teachers with the general education, subject area concentration, and professional education experiences that enable teacher education candidates to enter the profession of teaching with competency.

Teacher Education candidates who have successfully completed the approved Teacher Education Program will have taken and met the standards of the national Praxis I and Praxis II tests. Praxis I must be passed before entering certain courses. The content specialty area of the Praxis II must be successfully passed before an individual is approved to student teach. Teacher candidates must have appropriate background check information on file with the Center for Teacher Education before participating in field experiences, student teaching, or applying for licensure. Upon successful completion of all academic requirements and passage of the appropriate Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching test, candidates may be recommended for an Ohio Provisional teacher license which will be valid for two years. The student will then enter a paid entry-year program. During this time the candidate receives mentoring and must pass the Praxis III exam. The teacher is then eligible for the Ohio Five-Year Professional Teacher license.