College of Education

Added Secondary Admissions

Added Secondary

Admissions

Admissions criteria

Interested students must pass the subject-area NES test and submit a departmental recommendation form before formally applying to the program. Extensions will not be offered. Students will also take and pass any prerequisite courses* to the College of Education.

*Not all subject areas require a departmental recommendation form or prerequisite courses. Check the program of study to review the steps for your desired content area.

To be considered for admissions in the Added Secondary Endorsement program, candidates must:

  • Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a strong academic record
  • Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Hold a current Oregon teaching license
  • Take and pass the requisite content area NES test, submitting the score at the time of application - extensions will not be offered.
  • Work or live in an area that allows for on campus Methods courses to be completed in the fall at PSU.
  • Work or live in the area so that practicum and placement hours can be completed in the Portland metro and SW Washington areas.

Admissions instructions

  1. Check the application deadline for your program.
  2. Make sure you have everything ready from the Application Checklist.
  3. Create an account or sign into the Portland State University Admissions Application system.
  4. Select "Start New Application" and then "Graduate Application." Do not select "Non-degree". You will not be able to upload the necessary documents with the non-degree application, and your application will not be considered.
  5. For the college, select "College of Education"
  6. For the program of study, select "Added Secondary Licensure"

To validate your admission you must take a course during the term in which you have requested to be admitted. Should you not take a course in that term, your application will be cancelled and you will need to reapply to the next cohort.

Questions about the application process?

If you have questions about the application process, contact askcoe@pdx.edu.
Learn about available scholarships and financial aid.

Application checklist

  • Program-specific application
  • Unofficial transcripts are accepted by the College of Education for the program application. You only need to submit transcripts from institutions that you earned a degree from and where any graduate coursework was taken. Additional unofficial transcripts may be sent in if it significantly improves your application GPA. If admitted, you must send in official transcripts from each degree-granting school and any graduate school. More information on submitting official transcripts can be found on the Graduate Admissions page.
    • Acceptable unofficial transcripts are:
      • Web-based transcripts downloaded from an institution: institution and student name must be visible on transcripts
      • Photocopies of official transcripts: these must include the front and back of all pages, including transcript key
    • Previous applicants:
      • If you’ve previously submitted official transcripts to PSU, you are still required to upload unofficial transcripts to complete your application.
  • After you are admitted, you must submit official transcripts to:
    • The Graduate School
      Portland State University
      PO Box 751
      Portland, OR 97207 - 0751
      Electronic official transcripts should be sent to graddocs@pdx.edu
  • Personal statement (writing prompt provided within application)
  • Résumé
  • Two recommendation forms (forms are provided within application)

The Added Secondary Endorsement program admits fall and winter terms ONLY. If there are special circumstances that might require you to submit the application later than the deadline, please contact the admissions specialist, Mark Wallace, to discuss your options.

Retention of Student Documents

All application documents submitted to PSU become the property of the University and may not be copied or returned to a student. Transcripts from other institutions cannot be copied. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please email askcoe@pdx.edu.

It is a University requirement that students register and pay for at least one credit in the term they are admitted. Failure to do so will result in automatic cancellation of your admission. If you need to change the term for which you intend to begin classes after you have submitted your application, please contact your department at askcoe@pdx.edu to discuss your options.