How to Become a Licensed P-12 Teacher

A student who meets at least one of the following criteria is eligible for admission as a degree-seeking student: 

• Has provided official documentation of graduation from an accredited high school or its equivalent (see Documentation Required below), or 
• Has an associate, bachelor or master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, an institution recognized as a candidate for accreditation, or an institution recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation

Documentation Required

1. Documentation of high school graduation or equivalence - required for applicants who are transferring fewer than 24 semester hours that apply towards a Franklin degree. 
2. If the student has transferable hours of 24 credit hours or more from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, then they will not have to provide a high school diploma or equivalence. Acceptable forms of documentation of high school graduation or high school equivalence for undergraduate admission must include one of the following: 

• Official high school transcript listing the date of graduation 
• Official GED certificate 
• Official documentation of having passed a State High School Equivalency examination 
• Official documentation of a home school completion certificate/transcript 
• Official transcripts from all educational institutions (college, universities, professional schools, etc.) previously enrolled in, regardless if credit was earned. 

A student classified as degree seeking will not be permitted to register for courses until all transcripts are received and placement tests completed (see specific requirements under “Placement Testing”).

Admission Process

Admission procedures should be started early to maximize scheduling options and financial planning. Learn more about the undergraduate admission process.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Prospective students must demonstrate English Language Proficiency. The requirement is met through any of the following: 

• The applicant is a citizen of a country where English is the official language. 
• he applicant has received a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution located in an English-speaking country in which the courses were taught in English. 
• The applicant has earned appropriate scores on language proficiency exams taken within the last two years, as listed below.

Undergraduate face-to-face: Students must earn a minimum overall TOEFL score of 500 (paper-based), 60 (Internet-based), 5.5 IELTS, ACCUPLACER ESL 259, or Cambridge 160 with at least the following scores on each of the exam subsections. Prior to registration, students will be given a language placement exam to determine whether ESL studies are required.

Global or Online International students must take Reading Comprehension and Writing placement exams. 

Students must earn a minimum overall TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) /79 (Internet-based), 6.5 IELTS, ACCUPLACER ESL® 105, or Cambridge 180 with at least the following scores on each of the exam subsections.

ACCUPLACER Assessments for Admission

• Prospective students may demonstrate English language proficiency through the ACCUPLACER ESL® examinations administered by Franklin University. The ACCUPLACER ESL® suite of examinations are internet-based, computer-adaptive assessments designed to properly assess students’ English language competencies. 
• Testing fees and any related administrative or proctor fee will be assessed for the administration of the 
• ACCUPLACER examinations. Students are also responsible for all fees incurred for retake examinations. 
• Students who do not meet the minimum score requirements may retake the examination(s) once within a two-week period. Subsequent examination retakes will be considered after a three month waiting period. Passing scores will remain valid with Franklin University for a period of two years. 
• All ACCUPLACER examinations must be administered by an approved proctor that meets specific criteria, as defined by our proctor expectations. An alternative to finding a proctor in your area is Virtual, an online proctoring service, approved by ACCUPLACER. For additional information, contact the Office of International Students and Programs.

Franklin offers multiple start dates each trimester. Start dates for bachelor’s students will depend on which courses – if any – you’ve transferred in. Post-baccalaureate students must start on the first day of each trimester due to accreditation reporting requirements.  

All students are admitted to Franklin, provided they submit all the necessary materials.

Teacher licensure programs must meet state and accreditation requirements that go beyond general university admission. 

It means you are enrolled at Franklin University in a non-licensure (B.S. Education Studies for degree-seeking students) or pre-licensure program (for post-baccalaureate students) while you complete state-specific requirements for licensure program admittance. 

Being admitted to the College of Education licensure programs means you have met the necessary state-specific requirements for admittance. At that point, your program is updated to your intended licensure area, allowing you to continue into licensure program specific coursework and clinical field experiences.

On average, students transfer in up to half the credits required for the bachelor’s degree. Transfer credit is usually awarded toward general education, some introductory education courses, and content area requirements for students intending to pursue Middle Childhood or Adolescent to Young Adult licensure. Beyond that, most of the remaining courses are part of the program’s established curriculum that must be taken at Franklin. 

Advisors will help create a full academic plan once you’re admitted into your licensure program. You’ll work very closely with your academic advisor each trimester to register and ensure you’re taking courses that align with your intended licensure program. Until you are admitted into your licensure program, advisors provide term-by-term scheduling guidance based on your progress and goals.

Education courses must be taken in a specific sequence, which helps ensure you’re building the necessary knowledge at each stage of your program.

You will be notified by the College of Education when you are required to apply for student teaching. The notification is sent during the trimester you are enrolled in EDP 471 & 472. 

Student teaching approval is divided into two checks: a midterm and final check. These requirements are:  

• Be admitted into the College of Education licensure programs  
• Have a verified background clearance with the College of Education for your state  
• Complete student teaching orientation  
• Pass College of Education program assessments  
• Pass content area licensure assessment  
• Have all clinical hours completed and verified by the College of Education Clinical Field Office  
• Complete all academic courses  
• Complete all required remediation if assigned
• GPA of 3.0 or higher  

You will be notified of your status on the completion of the requirements. You will be instructed to apply for the next trimester of student teaching, and your intended student teaching trimester will be delayed.  

Yes, if you do not meet a midterm or final check for an intended student teaching trimester, your intended student teaching trimester will be delayed.

When student teaching, you will be assigned to a classroom in your intended licensure area for a 14-week internship.  

Yes. You are expected to be in your assigned classroom and following your cooperating teacher’s schedule, Monday-Friday for 14 weeks.  

During student teaching, you will complete the CPAST (Candidate Preservice Assessment of Student Teaching) assessment, participate in regular conferences and ongoing performance evaluations with your cooperating teacher, and receive detailed feedback from university supervisors who conduct multiple formal observations throughout the trimester.

During your placement, you will receive support from multiple sources, including your cooperating teacher, university supervisor and instructors in your seminar and practicum courses. You will also have support from College of Education staff, ensuring guidance, feedback and assistance throughout your experience.  

Student teaching is full time and follows the cooperating teacher’s schedule, so students need to plan for limited work availability during the term. 

Once you have completed your licensure program, you will be categorized as a program completer. To be considered a program completer, you must:  

• Have a passing score on all College of Education Program assessments  
• Pass all licensure assessments required for your licensure program  
• Successfully complete your student teaching experience  
• Complete all academic coursework  
• Have bachelor’s degree conferred by the university 
• Post-baccalaureate students bachelor's degrees are verified at university admission    

Bachelor of Science students must apply for graduation and have their bachelor's degree conferred by Franklin University. Post-baccalaureate students do not have to apply for graduation as this is a non-degree seeking licensure program. 

The College of Education will notify students who successfully complete student teaching in order to be considered a program completer and how to apply for licensure in their state of residence.