College of Education

West Chester University

302 Recitation Hall
West Chester, PA 19383
Call: (610) 436-2321
Fax : (610) 436-3102
Email: kcrouse@wcupa.edu


Formal Admission to Teacher Education (FATE)

Undergraduate Students

Formal Admission to Teacher Education (FATE) is the written process that confirms your intent to pursue teacher certification at West Chester University in a teacher education program.

Access to designated advanced professional education courses is restricted to teacher candidates who have been formally admitted.

Download your Formal Admission to Teacher Education application, or pick it up in your program's departmental office, or from the undergraduate program counselor, 251 F. H. Green Library, or at the Office of Teacher Certification in 302 Recitation Hall.

Requirements
  • Enrolled in a program leading to teacher certification or educational specialist
  • Earned a minimum of 48 credits at the college level (100 level or above)
  • Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8
  • Earned 3 credits in college-level English composition
  • Earned 3 credits in literature taught in English
  • Earned 6 credits in college-level mathematics

  •  Achieved passing scores, as established by the PA Department of Education, on the Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) test modules (changeover to PAPA, effective April 2, 2012). See note* below on previously required PRAXIS I/PPST tests.

  • Received the recommendation of your major department (signature of your advisor)
  • Community service (20 hours) is required for early grades, middle grades, and special education/dual majors.
  • Middle grades preparation majors must complete the Declaration of Academic Content Area Concentrations

* PRAXIS I/ PPST tests: Undergraduate candidates who have taken or registered for the PPST basic skills test prior to April 1, 2012 will have their PPST tests accepted by PA Department of Education. Candidates who took their PPST tests and were not successful may retake the PPST tests after April 2, 2012 until they are successful.

If applicable, met all additional program specific requirements

Note about basic skills test: You should take the Pre-Service Academic Performane Assessment (PAPA) as early as your first year.

Application Process
  1. Obtain the application for Formal Admission to Teacher Education.  Please see above. 
  2. Complete the application for Formal Admission to Teacher Education.
  3. Attach the required documentation (see top of the application).
  4. Obtain your advisor’s signature on the application. Your advisor’s signature indicates you have received your department’s approval for Formal Admission to Teacher Education. (If you are a student in a secondary education or foreign language program, you must obtain the signatures of both your discipline and your professional education advisors.)
  5. Submit application and attachments to the undergraduate program counselor in 251 F. H. Green Library.

NOTE: Incomplete applications will not be processed or returned
(Consult with your department advisor to determine if you are eligible for a one semester FATE Delay Permit)

FATE Status

You can verify your FATE status by checking the bottom of your unofficial transcript under milestones in MyWCU.

If at any time your cumulative GPA falls below 2.8, Formal Admission to Teacher Education will be removed from your record and you will be denied access to designated advanced professional education courses.

Notify the undergraduate program counselor, 251 F. H. Green Library to have your FATE status reinstated once you have earned a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA again.

FATE Delay Permit

This permit can be used to register for advanced teacher education courses when one requirement for Formal Admission to Teacher Education has not been met. Follow guidelines and procedures outlined on the form.  Honors students use the honors permit.  

 

Post Baccalaureate Certification Students

Formal Admission to Teacher Education (FATE)

Please contact your program coordinator. The policy is under revision; therefore, it is very important to meet with with your program coordinator to determine requirements .
List of programs and coordinators

Application Process
  1. Meet with your academic advisor (and professional education advisor, if secondary certification) to complete an Approved Program of Study (APS) form.   
  2. Apply for Formal Admission to Teacher Education when all requirements are met:
    • Baccalaureate graduate from a regionally accredited college or university
    • Minimum GPA of 2.8 on most recent 48 credits of college/university coursework*
    • Admission to a WCU program leading to a Pennsylvania Department of Education certification
    • Approved Program of Study on file in WCU Teacher Certification Office
    • Department approval*
      • *Departments may have additional and/or more rigorous requirements for their students
NOTE: Incomplete applications will not be processed or returned
(Consult with your department advisor to determine if you are eligible for a one semester FATE Delay Permit)
FATE Delay Permit

This permit can be used to register for advanced teacher education courses for one semester when one requirement for Formal Admission to Teacher Education has not been met. Follow guidelines and procedures outlined on the permit form.