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Frequently Asked Questions

Program Application Questions:

When should I apply to the program?

A student must gain admission into the Professional Education Program in order to take 300 and 400 level EDU courses. This candidacy is initiated through the student's advisor during the sophomore year.

What are the program criteria?

Candidates must:

  • Pass the Praxis I - Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST)
  • Complete at least 48 credit hours
  • Maintain a cumulative average of 3.0 or higher
  • Complete 3 hours each of: college level math, statistics, English composition, and English literature (can be fulfilled with HUM 103, 203 & 303 sequence)
  • Obtain two letters of recommendation
  • Approval of candidacy by the chair of the Education Department

What happens in terms of advising once I declare my major and/or minor?

You will be assigned to an advisor in the Education Department who will meet with you at regular intervals throughout the school year.

Scheduling:

How often should I meet with my advisor?

Students must meet with their advisors to register for classes, change their schedules or withdraw from courses. However, advisors welcome the opportunity to meet with students throughout the year.

How do I know when it is time to meet with my academic advisor to register for classes?

Normally, right after mid-term you will receive written notification of the dates and procedures for registration.

How much time do I have to change my schedule once classes start?

The exact deadline for dropping and adding appears on the college semester calendar in the front of the Geneva College Handbook or on the on-line Academic Calendar for Geneva College.

What do I do about scheduling challenges e.g. classes closed; conflicting times?

Have multiple course options and combinations in writing prior to registration time. Also create a long-term plan in cooperation with your advisor. The Registrar's Office is very helpful in handling scheduling conflicts.

Student Teaching Questions:

When should I apply to student teach?

  • For fall semester student teaching, applications will be available in February of the preceding the student teaching semester.
  • For spring semester student teaching, applications will be available in October of the preceding the student teaching semester.

I know a great teacher in School X and would like to student teach with him. May I make my own arrangements with a teacher or school for student teaching?

No. The Student Teacher Placement Coordinator takes care of all student teaching assignments. We place student teachers carefully based on a variety of factors and must follow school district placement procedures. If you have a request for a particular school you may note this on your student teaching application. However, you are not guaranteed a placement in a particular school.

May I student teach out of state or closer to my home?

Because student teaching is the culminating experience of the professional program in which students implement, strengthen, and develop what they have learned in prior classes, we believe it is very important that students are supervised by carefully chosen college supervisors who know the program well and that students participate in Student Teaching Seminars regularly throughout the semester. Thus, we require students to student teach within reasonable driving distance from Geneva College.

May I student teach overseas?

Geneva College has joined with several other Christian colleges in the Christian College-Teacher Education Coordination Council (CC-TECC). Through CC-TECC, Geneva may sponsor qualified students who attend Geneva to do a portion of their student teaching in missions schools or selected other schools. The first part of student teaching will be completed in a school near Geneva College under supervision of Geneva faculty. The final seven to nine weeks will be done in an approved missions or international school.  Please contact the Education Department at 724-847-6535 for additional information.

When will I find out where I am placed for student teaching?

There will be a student teacher meeting for the applicants during the last month of each semester.  Information regarding this meeting, and the student teacher placement information, will be given to all accepted applicants. 

Teacher Certification Questions:

What testing requirements are currently necessary for certification?

Applicants requesting certification must complete the appropriate Pennsylvania testing requirements. Obtain Praxis information from the ETS web site www.ets.org/praxis or by contacting the Education Department Office at 724-847-5009. 

Who on my campus can help me understand certification requirements?

Your advisor and the other professionals in the Education Department can help you understand requirements for certification.

When should I take these tests?

The Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) should be taken in your freshman year.  The Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Test should be taken late in block semester or after block. The Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge Test should be taken late in block semester or after block.For Dual Certification Special Education Majors, Education of Exceptional Students: Core Content Knowledge Test should be taken close to the end of your special education internship or immediately following it. The Content Knowledge Test for Secondary Education Majors should be taken after all content areas classes.

Does Geneva College need my scores?

Yes. In order to process your application, Geneva needs all your tests scores. By placing the appropriate score recipient code on your registration form, Geneva College will automatically receive a copy of your scores.  Please check with the Education Department to ensure that a copy of your scores were received.