Frequently Asked Questions
Click here for FAQs concerning the BS degree with licensure in Special Education programs.
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 here to visit our Graduation Information page)
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/ Please note that this does not apply to the 2009-2010 Special Education, General Curriculum, K-12 programs with licensure with the BS degree as licensure is awarded with the BS degree for those programs.
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 University 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. You should submit the official course description and syllabus (if possible) to the IDS-TP director who will contact the chair of appropriate department on behalf of the student. Their decisions can override the evaluation completed by the Admission's Office.
