Teacher Licensure of the COET at FHSU

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How Do I Begin?

Contact Mrs. Kerry Schuckman, FHSU Licensure Officer, 785-628-4542 or kschuckm@fhsu.edu. Send or fax (785-628-4447) copies of transcripts to her and she will complete a transcript analysis to determine if you qualify for the program.
If qualified, locate a teaching position within your content area. You may contact local school districts directly, go to www.kansasteachingjobs.com or attend the FHSU Teacher Career Fair the last Monday in April.
After a position is secured, you'll need to complete the KSDE application for a restricted teaching license ($39*) and be fingerprinted ($44*). A Plan of Study will be created outlining required courses you will take.

* current fee rates

Admission Process

The admission process is a collaborative effort with the applicant, a school district, and Fort Hays State University. The applicant must:

Complete the KSDE Application (Form 9). Submit to FHSU Licensure Office with:

all official transcripts
fees (application, fingerprinting)
your teaching class schedule
signed Plan of Study

Eligibility Requirements

An undergraduate (bachelor's degree or higher) or graduate degree in the content area or equivalent coursework in the area for which the restricted license is sought.
Have at least 2.5 cumulative GPA - Graduate School requires 2.50 on last 60 hours.
Show verification that a school district has made an offer for employment in the content area for which the restricted license is sought.
The program is only for secondary areas -- it does not include elementary education.

Other Requirements

A content test must be passed by the end of the first year of teaching. By the end of the program, must pass a pedagogy test, Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT).
Must make appropriate progress each year toward completion of the plan.
Must attain 2.50 GPA each year in those courses specified in the plan to continue.
Program consists of 26 graduate hours in education, including 6 hours of practicum. Must obtain minimum grades of "C" in each course.

Those who know...

The Transition to Teaching program has greatly benefited our school. There are certain subject areas experiencing a teacher shortage. Transition to Teaching allows people with degrees but no teaching credentials the opportunity to teach, and it helps the schools that would otherwise have difficulty finding teachers in those subjects. If you have someone in your community with a degree who wants to teach, but they don't have a license, this program might be your answer. Fred Joy, Transistion to Teaching Supervising Teacher, Palco High School

I have nothing but good things to say about this program. It has allowed us to get people into the classroom that are doing great things with kids. I highly recommend the program. It has not been a lot of extra work for me as an administrator. FHSU does a great job of helping us with any questions we might have. Aaron Homburg, Superintendent, Paradise USD 399 - Natoma

With the teacher shortage statewide, as well as in Southwest Kansas, the Transition to Teaching program has provided our school with several high quality professionals who not only have an interest in their content but also a passion for educating our youth. These professionals bring a new and exciting dimension to the school and they have each contributed equally in the classroom as well as outside the classroom. Jessica Bird, Assistant Principal, Kenneth Henderson Middle School, Garden City

For more information please contact:

Mrs. Kerry Schuckman

Mrs. Kerry Schuckman
Licensure Officer
Rarick Hall 220B
785-628-4542
kschuckm@fhsu.edu

Dr. Jim Barrett

Dr. Jim Barrett
Instructor
Educational Administration
Rarick Hall 224
785-628-4413
jbarrett@fhsu.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I substitute some of the education courses I've already had for the required courses in the program?

A. No, you must take all 26 hours - no substitutions are allowed

Q. What if I have a few course deficiences of meeting FHSU's content area program?

A. You are allowed to be lacking no more than 9 credit hours of content coursework. Upon completion of a passing content test, you are then exempt from these courses.

Q. What is the tuition I will pay?

A. FHSU's tuition continues to be one of the lowest in the state. The courses are all graduate level. Check the Tuition and Fees site for current tuition rates. In the Partnership program, Three of the courses are offered through WSU and you pay their tuition.

Q. When can I get into the program?

A. The program is geared toward those people that are hired to begin teaching jobs in August. You will be required to attend an Induction course during the summer prior to the beginning of the school year.

Q. Will I be required to attend classes in Hays?

A. The greatest benefit of this program is that all courses are online. The only time you will be required to come to Hays is for the Induction prior to starting your first year.

Q. Who will teach the classes?

A. They will all be taught by qualified education faculty at Fort Hays State University and Wichita State University in this collaborative program.

Q. What type of teaching license will I have?

A. While you are completing coursework in the program, you will have a Restricted Teaching License. Once you complete the program, then you will be eligible to apply for a two year Initial Teaching License.

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