The Curriculum and Instruction Department, Graduate School of Education, operates several initial teaching license programs in several endorsement areas, approved by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practice Commission. It also provides pathways toward Oregon initial licensure for candidates who received their bachelor's degree and eligibility documentation to teach in K-12 settings from foreign countries. Qualified candidates can, through these pathways, go through a highly individualized program to meet the Oregon Initial Teaching License requirements and be recommended for an initial license at appropriate levels with appropriate endorsements. In collaboration with faculty, the Field Placement Office, and the Educational Licensing Office, the International Teacher Education Program Coordinator provides one-on-one advising, designs an individualized program of study based on the match between the candidate's preparation and our TSPC approved program requirements, and supervises field based clinical practicum.
1) Application Materials
a. Official transcripts from all the universities attended. If the transcripts are in a language other than English, an official translation must be attached to the original transcripts.
b. Diploma and/or documentation demonstrating the award of the bachelor's degree or any other degree at or above the bachelor's degree. Documentation verifying U.S. degree equivalence is also required and must be attached.
c. If the degree awarding institution and/or the teaching license awarding entity in the foreign country provides documentation of teaching levels, authorization areas, etc., this documentation must also be included.
d. Evidence of English language proficiency: Original TOEFL score report (550 minimum or 213 for computer administered test).
e. Two application forms: one for the GSE/University, and one for the Department.
f. $50 application fee.
g. Documentation of eligibility to teach in the country the candidate was prepared.
h.Two letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant's abilities in academics and in working with students. (Strongly recommended) If the applicant taught at foreign and/or U.S. schools, a letter indicating the place(s) and length of employment, teaching assignments, and other relevant information can be included.
2) Advising
a. Make an appointment with the International Teacher Education Coordinator .
b. Bring all of the above materials to the meeting.
c. The International Teacher Education Coordinator will evaluate the information and provide individualized advice as to what additional materials are needed, what program of study is warranted, and what other issues may need to be addressed.
ELEMENTARY FORM -> This is the advising form for applicants who are interested in obtaining an elementary teaching license.
SECONDARY FORM -> This is the advising form for applicants who are interested in obtaining a secondary teaching license. Candidates who seek an initial license in single subject area(s) at the secondary level (Grades 7-12) must contact the subject area departments' advisors and have them verify the subject content knowledge competence.
DEPARTMENTAL SUBJECT AREA COMPETENCE EVALUATION FORM -> This is the form for applicants who apply to the secondary license program to receive a subject area competence evaluation from the subject area departments. The
3) Course of study
The course of study for candidates with licensure from abroad is determined individually based on his/her program(s) of study completed before entering this program. The following are descriptions of full programs of study for four different authorization levels as defined by the Teacher Standards and Practice Commission. The course descriptions offered by different departments at the Graduate School of Education are available online at: http://www.ed.pdx.edu/catalog/
a. Full program of study
i. Early Childhood (Age 3 - Grade 4) (in pre-school and/or self-contained, multi-subject classrooms)
ii Elementary (Grades 3-8) (in self-contained, multi-subject classrooms)
ii. Mid-Level (Grades 5-9) (single subject)
iii. Secondary (Grades 7-12) (single subject)b. Individualized program of study
4) Clinical field experience
The length of the clinical field experience for candidates who received their teaching license from abroad depends on the the candidate's prior teaching experiences. The requirements and supervision of the field experience reflect the standards established by the Teacher Standards and Practice Commision Standards, the licensure granting entity in the State of Oregon. The International Teacher Education Coordinator, in collaboration with the Field Placement Office, will make arrangements with school sites and set up clinical field experiences for each candidate. For each supervised student teaching phase, a worksample at appropriate grade levels is required.
- Field Placement Request Form
- Student Teaching I is a half-time clinical teaching practicum of a minimum equivalent of 6 weeks full time in school, which can be fulfilled half-time for a period of time that is equal to 6 weeks full time. Among this period, 2 weeks of assuming full classroom teacher responsibilities is required. The cooperative teacher in the classroom support, collaborate with, and evaluate the teacher candidate and his/her teaching abilities. The University Supervisor conducts a minimum of 3 site visits (one of which must be during the implementation of the worksample) providing support and evaluation to the candidate. A minimum of two three-way conferences are required, one at the midterm, and the other at the end of the term.
- Student Teaching II is a full-time teaching experience of a minimum of 9 weeks, among which 6 weeks assuming full classroom teacher responsibilities. The cooperative teacher in the classroom support, collaborate with, and evaluate the teacher candidate and his/her teaching abilities. The University Supervisor conducts a minimum of 3 site visits (one of which must be during the implementation of the worksample) providing support and evaluation to the candidate. A minimum of two three-way conferences are required, one at the midterm, and the other at the end of the term.
5) Scholarships/Financial Aid Portland State University and the Graduate School of Education offer various kinds of scholarship. Following the link, you will find out information about the current scholarships.
6) Master of Arts and Master of Science The Curriculum and Instruction Department and the School of Education also offer master's and doctoral degree programs with various concentrations. This link provides information on requirements and concentration options of an MA/MS degree program.
7) Inclusion Elementary and Special Education Dual Licensure Program The Curriculum and Instruction Department and the Department of Special Education jointly offer a dual inclusion program in which students will obtain both an initial elementary teaching license and a special educaiton license. This link provides detailed information on this program.
8) Literacy Education: The Curriculum and Instruction Department also offers the Reading Endorsement Program. This link provides information on the program requirements, coursework and other relevant information.
9)The Graduate School of Educaiton/Continuing Education offers an English as a Second Language/Bilingual Education Endorsement Program. This link provides information for this program.
10)The Graduate School of Education/Continuing Educaiton is part of the Oregon University Systemwide's Collaborative Reading Education and Distance Education, which offers a complete on-line Reading Endorsement Program. For more information, please check this link out.
11) The Graduate School of Education offers a Media Literacy/Librarianship Program. Follow this link to find out more.