School of Teacher Education

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Non-Degree Planned Sixth-Year Rank I: Elementary Education, Ref. #084

Planned Sixth Year/Rank I programs lead to the Rank I salary change for certified teachers.

Admission Requirements: Please refer to the university admission requirements for graduate students along with the requirements for the Planned Sixth-Year Rank I : Elementary Education which can be found on the Graduate School Admission webpage.

General Guidelines:

• A minimum of either (a) 30 semester hours of approved graduate level credit in addition to the requirements for the Rank II salary classification, or (b) 60 semester hours of approved graduate level credit, including a master's degree, must be completed.
• Students seeking admission to this program must complete an online application.
• Graduate of accredited institutions other than Western Kentucky University must submit an official transcript showing the completed degree to the Graduate School.
• A current copy of Teaching Certificate must be submitted.
• All course work must be planned in consultation with the advisor and must be related to the professional needs of the student.
• A minimum of 15 semester hours must be completed in courses numbered 500 or higher.
• A "B" average must be maintained, and no course grade lower than a "C" may be counted.
• At least 15 of the required hours must be completed at WKU. With the approval of the advisor and the certification officer, the remaining hours may be taken at other institutions, provided that the grades earned are "B" or higher and other transfer regulations are met.
• A minimum of 24 hours of the total 60 (62 hours when based on Rank II salary classification) must be in academic work apart from professional education. These hours must be in the candidate's major or minor, area of preparation, or in supporting courses from other disciplines as approved by the institution.

Program Requirements
This program requires 30 semester hours in addition to the requirements for a Planned Fifth-Year program, or 60 semester hours including a master's degree.

Required Professional Education Component - 9-12 hours
EDU 601 Seminar: Advanced Professional Development Plan (first semester)
ELED 603 Advanced Seminar Elementary Curriculum
EDU 604 Management of the Learning Environment
SPED 516 Exceptional Child: Perspectives and Issues *
EDU 698 Seminar: Advanced Portfolio Project (last semester)

Related Professional Courses - 6-9 hours
Courses must be approved by advisor.

Specialization Courses - 12 hours
Courses must be approved by advisor.

*An approved elective may be substituted if an introductory Exceptional Education course is on
the student's transcript.

Teacher Certification Graduate Program Endorsements
Note: An endorsement could become part of the student’s Rank I program. See advisor for more information.

• Elementary Education Math Specialist, P-5
• Environmental Education
• Gifted and Talented Education
• Instructional Computer Technology
• Teaching English as a Second Language