Advising

Download your Teacher Candidate Handbook

What is an "Advisor's Block" and how do I get rid of it?
The University Registrar puts holds on all teacher candidate accounts every semester after the add/drop period ends; this ensures that teacher candidates will consult with their academic advisors prior to registering for the next semester. Your advisor will lift your Advisor's Block after your advising session.

NOTE: TEACHER CANDIDATES WILL BE UNBLOCKED FOR REGISTRATION ONLY AFTER THEY HAVE ATTENDED AN ADVISING SESSION.

Who is my academic advisor and how do I see her/him? (Click to view IDS-TPStaff)

• Matilda Cox, Advisor for the College of Arts & Letters, advises all First Year students up to their 26 credit hour or when they are eligible to declare. Ms. Cox is located on the first floor of the Batten Arts & Letters Building, 1006C and can be reached at 683-4939.
• Trey Mayo, IDS-TP Program Advisor, advises all students who are interested in becoming an IDS-TP teacher candidate. Students coming in for their initial visit must request an appointment with Mr. Mayo.
• Stephen Baumgartel, IDS-TP peer advisor, advises second and third-year teacher candidates and often accommodates walk-in appointments.
• Michele Mitchell, IDS-TP Assistant Director and Chief Departmental Advisor, conducts all graduation certifications. Senior-year teacher candidates must meet with Ms. Mitchell prior to graduation.
• Elizabeth Esinhart, IDS-TP Director, advises teacher candidates at any stage of the program; she also conducts second degree and transfer credit applications. Teacher candidates may request an appointment with Mrs. Esinhart at any time

When should I make an advising appointment?
Advising appointments are required every March and October. Appointments should be made early to ensure the removal of your advising block before pre-registration. Thorough academic advising cannot be done via phone or e-mail. Appointments can be arranged by calling our main office at 757-683-4044 or by e-mailing our Program Support Specialist at SXHarris@odu.edu. When requesting an appointment, please be prepared to give our staff the following information: Your UIN, Overall GPA, and number of earned credit hours. Advising Appointments require a 24-hour cancellation notice, students arriving more than 10 minutes late may be required to reschedule. Students meeting with an advisor in this department for the first time will not be scheduled for an appointment during the week prior to or the week of Pre-registration; these dates are reserved for declared majors only.

How do I prepare for advising?
You should consult your curriculum sheet and plan your ideal course schedule, including alternative choices, prior to attending an advising session. You should also consult your Program Checklist and make a list of any additional questions - i.e., about PRAXIS I, tutoring & studying, counseling, etc. - before you meet with your advisor. Please consult your catalog and your transcript on LEO ONLINE to be sure you are answering all the questions you can. Feel free to stop by the IDS-TP office to pick up Program Checklist, PRAXIS I Registration Bulletins, and other program information.

Can I be advised by email?
You are welcome to send general advising questions directly to the appropriate advisor via her email address; please be aware that your advisor's current advising schedule may prevent an immediate response, and if your question requires pulling your file, you will be required to make an appointment.

What is the Professional Attributes Scale and what do I do with it?
The Professional Attributes Scale used by this program is a self-reporting survey designed to introduce prospective teachers to the desirable behaviors and attitudes expected of professional teachers. The same scale is used as part of the application to Teacher Education Services, and a more involved instrument is used for the application for Student Teaching. Ultimately, employed teachers are evaluated by the same criteria. Interdisciplinary Teacher Preparation majors should complete the form as soon as they've declared the major; the department will keep a copy in the student's advising file so that professional attributes can be discussed during academic advising.

You may download the form here: Professional Attributes Scale (.pdf)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the relationship between General Education requirements and Departmental requirements?
IDS - Teacher Preparation Candidates have several DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS among their lower-level General Education requirements. This means that in some cases, students may transfer into the University having satisfied University General Education requirements, but WITHOUT having completed lower-level Departmental Requirements.

LOWER-LEVEL DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS: This outlines courses that specify the general education requirements (Click to View)

Will I graduate at the end of the four-year curriculum?
Yes! Successfully completing this program will award you with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Teacher Preparation Concentration and an emphasis in either Early Childhood Education (PK-3), Special Education (SPED), or Elementary Education (PK-6). You may participate in the University graduation ceremonies.

Steps to Graduation (Click to view the Teacher Candidate Handbook)

Suppose I decide not to enter into the Master's Program. Will I be certified to teach?
No. Teaching certification will not be awarded until you have completed the 5th year portion of the curriculum. If you do not wish to pursue the 5th year Master's with Licensure, you may complete licensure requirements in a Licensure-only program offered by the Darden College of Education. For more information about all licensure options go to: http://education.odu.edu/tes/

Do I automatically enter the Master's program after I graduate?
Entrance into the Master's program in the Darden College of Education requires an overall grade point average of 2.8 and acceptable Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller's Analogy Test (MAT) scores and passing PRAXIS I scores.

When do I take the PRAXIS I*?
If do not meet the PRAXIS I requirement with qualifying ACT or SAT scores (Click to view the Teacher Candidate Handbook for scores), You SHOULD take this basic skills test after successfully completing ENGL 110C-111C, and MATH 102M. You are REQUIRED to meet the PRAXIS I requirement BEFORE COMPLETING YOUR 60TH CREDIT HOUR (transfer students with more than 60 credit hours must meet the requirement before finishing your 2nd semester in our program). Continuing in this program without meeting this requirement puts you at risk of pursuing a degree you may not complete!

* PRAXIS I remains a requirement for ALL State Approved Teacher Preparation Programs.

I took a course at a previous college that I think should count for one of the requirements of my program's curriculum, but it was evaluated as elective credit. What should I do?
You may have any course you took elsewhere reviewed by the Chair or Chief Departmental Advisor of the department in which the course would be offered at ODU. Their decisions can override the evaluation completed by the Admission's Office.