TeachLSUS is an alternate teacher certification program for those who have earned, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree in any field outside of Education. We are dedicated to preparing knowledgeable, skilled, and professional educators. The program is fast-paced and challenging. Candidates who apply and are accepted should be prepared to designate sufficient study time as well as allot time for clinical experience hours as required. As a teacher candidate with the TeachLSUS Certification Only Program, candidates are eligible to work as full-time salaried school teachers upon acceptance into the program while earning a Louisiana teaching certificate.
Areas of Certification
Elementary Education 1-5 (33 credit hours) and Secondary Education 6-12 (30 credit hours): Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, Physics, and Social Studies
Criteria for Admission
- Minimum 2.50 overall GPA on 30 or more semester hours above remedial level, including a college-level course in English and in Mathematics, or two consecutive English courses, from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
- A 2.2 cumulative undergraduate GPA at the time of graduation.
- Passing Praxis II content area scores for the area of certification being pursued. Required for all.
- Submission of a completed TeachLSUS application that includes a résumé, essay, official undergraduate transcripts, and all required Praxis scores or appropriate exemption. The TeachLSUS application is available for download at https://apply.lsus.edu.
- Completion of an undergraduate application for admission to the Office of Admissions and Records. Official transcripts from each university must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions and Records.
- Successful completion of the TeachLSUS Interview Day. Interviews are scheduled by the TeachLSUS office shortly following the deadline for each semester. Deadlines and additional interview information is available for viewing on the TeachLSUS website at www.lsus.edu/teachlsus.
Testing Requirements upon Application
PRAXIS II: TeachLSUS participants must also pass the appropriate content-specific Praxis II exam in the area in which they will pursue certification. The area in which you wish to teach determines the Praxis II exam you take, so please keep in mind that the highest number of available positions with our partner school districts are in Secondary Mathematics and Secondary Science. TeachLSUS offers certification in Elementary and Secondary Education.
*Candidates seeking Elementary Education Certification (Grades 1-5) must pass Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects, Test Code 5001.
*Candidates seeking Secondary Education Certification (Grades 6-12) must pass the secondary subject area exam(s) for the subject(s) which they hope to teach. See specific exam codes below.
Content Area |
Test Title |
Test Code |
Qualifying Score |
Elementary:
Grades 1-5 |
Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects |
5014
After 09/01/2015
5018
After 08/31/2017
5001 |
150
After 09/01/2015
163
After 08/31/2017
157 Reading (5002)
157 Math (5003)
155 S. Stud (5004)
159 Science (5005) |
Biology:
Grades 6-12 |
Biology: Content Knowledge |
5235 |
150 |
Chemistry:
Grades 6-12 |
Chemistry: Content Knowledge |
5245 |
151 |
Physics:
Grades 6-12 |
Physics: Content Knowledge |
5265 |
141 |
English:
Grades 6-12 |
English Language Arts: Content and Analysis |
5039 |
168 |
Social Studies:
Grades 6-12 |
Studies: Content and Interpretation |
5086 |
153 |
Mathematics:
Grades 6-12 |
Mathematics: Content Knowledge |
5161 |
160 |
*NOTE: You must register for the Praxis II exam online at www.ets.org/praxis.
Testing Information upon Completion of Program
The Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam is designed to be completed at or near the end of program completion. The coursework within the program will help students take and pass the PLT exam as it relates to the certification grade level. Elementary Education students will take the PLT K-6 and Secondary Education students will take the PLT 7-12.
Test Title |
Test Code |
Qualifying Score |
Paper |
Computerized |
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K-6 |
0622 |
5622 |
160 |
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 |
0624 |
5624 |
157 |
REQUIRED COURSEWORK
Candidates may not begin coursework until full acceptance into the program has been granted.