Office of Clinical Experiences & Candidate Services

Requirements

• Enrolled in a program leading to teacher certification or educational specialist
• Earned a minimum of 48 credits at the college level (100 level or above)
• Pennsylvania’s Chapter 354 and therefore, the PA Department of Education, requires a 3.0 for candidacy. However, those with a 2.8 or above may be conditionally admitted.
• Earned 3 credits in college-level English composition
• Earned 3 credits in literature taught in English
• Earned 6 credits in college-level mathematics
• Honors students can use the completion of HON 212, HON 313, and HON 352 for three credits of English composition, three credits of English literature, and a math course. All three courses must be completed.
  

  Teacher Candidacy Application

  The Office of Candidate Services will verify your Teacher Candidacy requirements.

Requirements

• Baccalaureate graduate from a regionally accredited college or university
• Pennsylvania’s Chapter 354 and therefore, the PA Department of Education, requires a 3.0 for candidacy. However, those with a 2.8 or above may be conditionally admitted.
• Admission to a WCU program leading to a Pennsylvania Department of Education certification
• Department approval (Signature from program coordinator on Approved Program of Study (APS) – Graduate Teacher Candidacy form; Departments may have additional and/or more rigorous requirements for their students.)

Graduate students must meet with their faculty to begin an Approved Program of Study (APS) – Graduate Teacher Candidacy form. This form outlines the certification requirements and entry into the program. Please contact your respective faculty reviewer to begin this process.

WCU graduate-level educator preparation candidates who achieve Teacher Candidacy must maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 to retain Teacher Candidacy status. In most cases, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be earned to qualify for Pennsylvania certification.

• Verify your Teacher Candidacy status by logging into Navigate and clicking on the "Courses" tab.  Under the Pre-Enrollment and Progression section you will see the Teacher Candidacy status.
• WCU undergraduate-level educator preparation candidates who achieve Teacher Candidacy must maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.8 to retain Teacher Candidacy status. In most cases, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be earned to qualify for Pennsylvania certification.
• Email CandidateServices@wcupa.edu, to have your Teacher Candidacy status reinstated once you have earned a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA again.

Requirements:

• Complete Social Work Pre-Candidacy classes: SWO 200, SWO 220, SWO 225, SWO 300, SWO 320, SWO 332, and SWO 350 OR SWO 351.
• Made satisfactory progress in completion of general education coursework

• WRT 120, WRT 200, SOC XXX, PSY 100, PSC XXX, PHI XXX, HIS XXX, Foreign Language 1, Foreign Language 2, Science, Math, and Art course (or complete/attain an Academic Passport).

• Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
    **Please make an appointment with your faculty advisor to determine specific classes you'll take for any given semester.
  
  

Complete the Candidacy application and include the following:

• The Candidacy Application: *new link will be posted in Fall 22' when applications are being accepted
• Personal Data form*
• Unofficial WCU transcript
• Candidacy application checklist*
• Proof of Coursework Progress for Candidacy*
• Copy of your Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse training certificate
• Signed Professional Behavior Agreement form*
• Signed & Completed Verification Form confirming completion of the 20 hour Volunteer Service Requirement
• Letter of Recommendation (from a non-family member) who can vouch for and recommend the student as possessing the qualities and characteristics of a good social worker

*found within the application

Other Requirements for Candidacy:

• Every student is responsible for obtaining and storing the following forms and displaying them on request of the agency or site they’re placed at:
• Verification of Liability Insurance
• Criminal Background Check
• Child Abuse History Clearance
  • Learn more here: https://www.wcupa.edu/education-socialWork/candidateservicesSWClearances.aspx

Application Process:

 Any undergraduate student should follow this process in navigating the Pre-Candidacy period and applying for Candidacy:

• Access the Candidacy application at: *new link will be posted in Fall 22' when applications are being accepted
• Complete the required information and upload required documents to your jotform Candidacy application, including the Verification Form confirming completion of the 20 hour Volunteer Service Requirement.
• Confirm completion, concurrent enrollment of required coursework or possess an Academic Passport via unofficial WCU transcript.
• Questions or concerns about navigating this process, please email Candidateservices@wcupa.edu or call 610-436-2999.

Your Candidacy Application Must Include:

• Personal Data form
• Unofficial WCU transcript
• Candidacy application checklist
• Proof of Coursework Progress for Candidacy
• Signed Professional Behavior Agreement form
• Signed & Completed Verification Form confirming completion of the 20 hour Volunteer Service Requirement
• Letter of Recommendation (from a non-family member) who can vouch for and recommend the student as possessing the qualities and characteristics of a good social worker.
• Copy of your Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse training certificate
• If not yet completed, Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse online course is found here: https://www.reportabusepa.pitt.edu/

• Please read this section for more information about the field education & placement process for Social Work majors (at both West Chester and Philadelphia locations).

• For more information visit the BSW Field Education site .

  West Chester Students:
  Contact Janet Bradley, Field Director, if you are in West Chester.

  Philadelphia Students:
  Contact Keisha Kelley, Field Director, if you are in Philadelphia.

• Keep in mind that to be considered for junior field, students must do the following:
  • Successful complete SWO 200, 220, 225, 300, 320, 332, and 350 by the end of this semester
  • Have a GPA of 2.5 or better
  • Be accepted into candidacy (students can begin to interact with the placement process if they have completed and submitted their candidacy application and are just awaiting acceptance of their application)
    
    

• The field placement process, and to successfully enroll in SWO 375, includes:
  • Submitting candidacy application by October 1st and being accepted to candidacy.
  • Schedule an individual meeting to discuss junior field with the Field Director. (Junior year students expecting to register for SWO 375 should expect a link to be emailed to them.
  • Complete a field application on TK20, directions listed here.
  • Upload an up-to-date resume into TK20. Your resume will be shared with potential field sites so please make sure it is formatted and free of grammar and spelling errors.
  • Attend an interview with potential field placement site.
  • Be accepted to field placement site (process clearances and other items as requested by site).
  • Start SWO 375 in Spring of that next semester.
  • Students are not to find their own field placement. They will work with the Field Director to secure a field placement.
    
    
• Prior to your interview at the potential field site:
  • Research the mission of the site and population served by checking their website as well as articles about the organization.