Program Requirements

Application/Acceptance Requirements

A separate application is required for UTEC programs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with a priority date for incoming first years. Upon acceptance into a UTEC program, advising becomes available. Incoming first years, transfer students, and USF continuing students are welcome to apply. Requirements are as follows:

  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 from high school for incoming first year applicants, or from previous institution for transfer student applicants
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.75 and 3.0 in major for current USF student applicants
  • Completed UTEC application form

Each applicant’s situation is evaluated to determine if participation is feasible. For some students, participation in a UTEC program may not be the best path to a teaching career. 

Acceptance into UTEC programs is not a guarantee of completion. Due to the special nature of these programs, which includes conditional acceptance into the USF School of Education (SOE), the academic and professional progress of each student is closely monitored by UTEC advisors; participation can be revoked at any time. Participants formally apply to the SOE during their junior or senior year (depending on their programs); admission to the SOE is governed by a committee of SOE faculty and staff. Participants must be accepted by the SOE in order to complete the program.

Academic Requirements

Entering UTEC students must have a minimum high school or transfer GPA of 3.0. Continuing UTEC students must have a 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 in their major. Students not meeting the minimum GPA requirements may be accepted conditionally and are required to participate in UTEC’s PARC (Professional and Academic Coaching and Resources) program. Additionally, any student not earning a 3.0 in their major or a 2.75 cumulative GPA will receive a warning notice. If improvement is not made in the subsequent semester, the student will participate in PARC. 

In addition to GPA requirements, UTEC students will be required to participate in PARC, if they earn:

  • B- (or lower) in a TED course
  • Two or more B’s in TED coursework
  • B (or lower) in any Fieldwork course

Professional Requirements    

In addition to academic requirements, UTEC students are accountable for demonstration of professional requirements. Each UTEC student will sign a checklist of dispositions that are expected to be evident throughout UTEC participation. If a student is lacking in one or any number of these dispositions, the student will be required to participate in PARC.

List of Dispositions: Qualities Important to Future Teachers

Personal qualities

  • Possesses integrity
  • Is highly motivated
  • Displays perseverance
  • Exhibits self-control
  • Is punctual and reliable
  • Accepts responsibility
  • Takes initiative
  • Shows maturity of judgment

Qualities important to collaboration

  • Establishes rapport with others
  • Works well with others and communicates respectfully
  • Values teamwork
  • Demonstrates a commitment to achieving team goals 
  • Assumes appropriate roles in the collaborative process
  • Demonstrates effective communication skills
  • Demonstrates a respectful appreciation for diverse perspectives

Commitment to professional growth

  • Responds appropriately to supervision 
  • Accepts constructive criticism and suggestions
  • Uses suggestions to improve skills and understanding
  • Strives to achieve competence and integrity
  • Reflects on/evaluates strengths and areas for improvement
  • Displays interest and curiosity in the learning process

Commitment to diversity and social justice

 

  • Demonstrates cultural respect and understanding
  • Displays sensitivity to ethnically, linguistically, cognitively, physically, socially diverse groups and individuals
  • Treats all people equally
  • Believes in equal educational/vocational opportunity

Commitment to ethical practices

 

  • Maintains confidentiality
  • Is honest and trustworthy
  • Uses sound, informed judgment
  • Displays ethical behavior

Fieldwork

A highlight of UTEC programs is fieldwork, where students complete two semesters of fieldwork in local classrooms for a minimum of 45 hours per semester. Field placements enable participants to gain actual classroom experience through which they observe and apply the knowledge gained in their teacher education classes. These field experiences contribute greatly to future success in student teaching and beyond.

Each UTEC student participates in a minimum of two semesters of fieldwork. For students interested in Special Education, a third fieldwork placement may be completed in a special education environment. 

Typically, the first fieldwork course is taken during sophomore year and the second during senior year. Each semester's field experience includes:

  • Work in a local classroom for a minimum of three hours per week (45 hours a semester) observing, tutoring, delivering instruction and assisting the classroom teacher.
  • Enrollment in a Fieldwork class, INTD 385, 386 or 387.
  • Enrollment in a zero-credit Fieldwork Practicum class, INTD 385P, 386P or 387P

MS candidates typically experience a K, 3rd, 4th or 5th grade for their first placement and a 1st or 2nd grade for their second placement. SS candidates are generally placed in middle school for their first placement and in high school for their second, with few exceptions. MS/SS candidates are placed in the same manner as MS candidates with the possible addition of a placement at the middle or high school level. MS or SS Special Education candidates may have an additional placement in a special education environment; the process for placement is the same. 

All students attend a mandatory pre-placement information meeting preceding their placements. Students who do not attend the meeting cannot be placed in the field. Additionally, field placements require students to obtain clearance from the State, as well as the School District. Clearance processes involve many steps and take time. Any student who does not complete the process in a timely manner will not be placed in the field. Postponements of fieldwork may have a negative impact on a student’s progress through the program. 

UTEC has a robust network of excellent mentor teachers, many of whom are alumni of UTEC programs. Placements will be made by the UTEC Placement Coordinator and overseen throughout the semester by UTEC field supervisors, who initiate the placement by scheduling the initial meeting for the mentor, the mentee and the field supervisor. 

In California, all teacher candidates must complete two Teacher Performance Assessments (TPAs) in order to earn a preliminary credential. For UTEC students in the 4-year undergraduate credential program, both Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 TPAs must be submitted in their final undergraduate year as part of student teaching. For Dual Degree students, students will complete a pre-Cycle 1 TPA during their second fieldwork placement and before they begin student teaching in their fifth year (Dual Degree students complete their full TPAs in the fifth year).

Undergraduate Fieldwork Guide

Enrolled UTEC students can find the Fieldwork Guide on UTEC's private Canvas site.