Professional Teaching Program

The Elementary Education major requires students to apply to the Professional Education Program to progress to Fall Term third year (Year 3) courses. The Professional Education Program spans Year 3 and Year 4. Students progress from Pre-Education status to full Elementary Education major. Students moving into Student Teaching year (Year 4) will also need to meet the Student Teaching advancement requirements.

2026-2027 Professional Program:

  • Current OSU Students:

  • New Transfer Students:

    • Applications to the Professional Program for summer or fall term admits are due April 1 and June 30, respectively. Transfer students are encouraged to be admitted to OSU spring term 2026 to complete the Professional Program application by priority deadline May 31, 2026. Summer and fall admits are allowed but transfer students must attend a New Student Onboarding advising session by July 31st to be on track to complete their professional program application by August 15, 2026. OSU admission and next steps must be completed prior to August 1st, in order to meet this deadline. If you have questions on admissions to OSU-Cascades, please contact OSU-Cascades Admissions.
    • Students can complete the Pre-Elementary Education requirements and courses (first two years) at any community college in Oregon. Use the Transfer Guides to help you maximize your time at your current community college or for dual enrollment through the COCC/OSU Degree Partnership Program.

Professional Application Requirements:

Students must complete 85% of courses in the Pre-Elementary Education Core and Core Education before applying to the Elementary Education major. Students meet with their academic advisor and create an academic plan prior to applying to the professional level. The Professional Program application requires:

  • Clearance via a TSPC background check and fingerprinting (start this early) 
  • 90 credits completed by Fall term of Professional Program (YEAR 3).
  • 3.0 preferred overall GPA
  • Completion of Pre-Elementary Education courses with C- grade or better
  • Completion of enough Pre-Elementary Education courses and Core Ed to ensure all requirements (besides YEAR 4) are met by Fall term YEAR 4.
  • Résumé
  • Cover Letter

Student Teaching (YEAR 4) Requirements

Advancement to Teacher Student Teaching (YEAR 4) is based on:

  • Completion of Teaching major and option requirements courses outside the Year 4 Student Teaching
  • All Professional Program classes must have a GPA of 3.0
  • All program courses must be C grade or higher
  • Completion of ED 309 series in practicum
  • Demonstration of Content Mastery in Elementary Education via coursework equivalency (MM3 form) or a passing score on the TSPC-approved Content Exams