Added Elementary - Admissions

Prerequisites and Tests

Prerequisites
Candidates must hold a current Oregon teaching license.

Tests
Candidates must successfully obtain passing scores on the ORELA: Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments. The ORELA may be taken during the program year.

ORELA website: www.orela.nesinc.com

Application Process

To be considered for participation, candidates must:

• Complete BA or BS degree from an accredited institution
• GPA: 3.0 cumulative undergraduate, 3.0 on all upper-division courses, or 3.0 cumulative graduate courses (a minimum of 12 credits)
• Hold a current Oregon teaching license*
• Submit a personal statement regarding professional goals
• Submit two letters of recommendation from school district personnel
• Submit a letter of support from your school principal addressing practicum responsibilities if currently employed
• Fulfill the requirements for graduate study at Portland State University
• Include an up-to-date résumé

Submit two complete application packets by the application deadline

*If you hold a transitional license or are adding an authorization level, contact Donna Shrier at shrierd@pdx.edu to discuss whether this program is appropriate for your needs.

Admission to the program requires two application packets:

Packet #1: PSU Office of Admissions (104 Neuberger Hall): Admissions Portland State University, PO Box 901, Portland, OR  97207-0901:

• PSU Graduate Admission Form or online
• Please check the box for Certificate and place the code ELEM in the boxes under MAJOR(S). If you are interested in pursuing a master’s degree at the same time, put the code EDCI in the second set of boxes and select MA or MS.
• One set of official transcripts from ALL institutions you have attended, except Portland State, in sealed original envelopes from the institutions
• $50 application fee

Packet #2: Graduate School of Education (Room 602)

GSE Admissions/MA/MS/Added, PO Box 751, Portland, OR  97207-0751:

• CI Departmental Form
• One set of official transcripts from all institutions attended, except Portland State, including any graduate-level course work
• Essay/Personal Statement (two pages) — a description of career goals, accomplishments, reasons for applying to the program, etc.
• Two letters of professional reference in sealed envelopes
• One letter of support from your district superintendent addressing practicum responsibilities if currently employed
• Up-to-date résumé
• One copy of current Oregon teaching license
• Passing Scores from the Oregon Educators Licensure Assessments Multiple Subjects Examination(ORELA) ** (formerly MSAT)
• *If also pursuing a master’s degree, submit one additional letter of reference
• **Cohort members are conditionally admitted to the Graduate School of Education until successfully obtaining passing scores on the ORELA Oregon Educators Licensure Assessments. (The ORELA may be taken during the program year) ORELA website: www.orela.nesinc.com (Passing MSAT scores are an acceptable substitute)

Added Elementary Endorsement Program

Please feel free to download the forms in each of the packets. You may also contact Continuing Education (503-725-8279) for an application packet to be mailed to you.

It is the applicant's responsibility to follow up and ensure that all admission materials are submitted in a timely manner.

Application deadline

• Priority deadline for applications: December 1, 2011
• Final deadline: June 1, 2012 on a space-available basis