Students can choose to complete the chemistry emphasis or the physics emphasis. Students should utilize a What-if APAS Report as the official tool to see all requirements for degree completion. Due to the complexity of the admission to the block process, students are strongly encourage to meet with their advisor on a regular basis to establish a plan for program completion.

Students entering the STEP (5-12 & K-12) licensure programs are bound by the policies in effect at the time of application; admission is based on criteria established by the UMD Dept. of Educ, consistent with MN policies as established by the MN Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). Students must complete the following to be eligible for admission to Block coursework: a minimum of a 2.5 major and cumulative GPA, lower division and upper division coursework with a grade of a C- or better, liberal education requirements, advanced writing and all requirements outlined online at: https://z.umn.edu/stepapplication. Applications are due the 6th Friday of the semester prior to starting Block I. Application for admission can be only completed spring semesters for fall semester entry into Block I. See advisor if out of sequence. Additionally, refer to the major sub-plans. These courses are additional admission requirements to the degree program.

1. Compliance with general regulations governing granting of degrees. 2. Students are expected to make satisfactory progress each semester, including grades of C- or better in all courses required in the major and successfully achieve all standards aligned with assignments in each course. 2. Maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative and major GPA. 3. Demonstrate acceptable professional performance, including dispositions and teaching skills, in field placement; candidate proficiency is assessed throughout the teacher preparation courses by University faculty, University supervisors, and the cooperating teachers in all field experiences. The field experience assessment forms include knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are aligned to institutional and standards for all field experiences. 4. Abide by the MN PELSB and UMD Dept. of Education Code of Ethics. 5. Obtain an approved background check before being placed practicum, volunteering, or student teaching in schools and agencies. 6. Obtain personal liability insurance before being placed practicum, volunteering, or student teaching in schools and agencies. 7. Seek out advising each term with assigned advisor throughout college career to ensure you are on track for program completion. 8. Adhere to university policies regarding attendance. 9. In addition to the above expectations, students must abide by all university policies (http://d.umn.edu/academic-affairs/academic-policies). 10. Students are required to complete a program clearance process as part of the student teaching application to review their degree status with their advisor and the Accreditation office. Student teaching applications are due the 4th Friday of the semester. Learn more online at: https://z.umn.edu/studentteach. Students must have grades of C- or better in all required courses, and meet the required GPA in the major to be eligible for student teaching. 11. Recommendation for licensure are based on successful completion of all program-related courses; demonstration of satisfactory outcomes required by the program; acceptable performance in field experiences, including student teaching (including final student teaching assessments); submission of the edTPA, completion of UMD Dept. of Education graduate exit survey, and successful completion of all tests required by PELSB. 12. Background Checks: students are required to obtain an approved background check every two years prior to placement in practicum, volunteering, or student teaching in schools and agencies. Proof of complete background check is required prior to any experience in public school and agency settings. Students are required to keep a printed copy of the background check to provide to the school or agency, if necessary. 13. Liability Insurance: students are required to have professional liability insurance purchased through the Education Minnesota Student Membership annually while they are completing field placement. Students can purchase the liability insurance online at: https://z.umn.edu/edmnstudentmembership. A paper copy of the liability insurance MUST be provided to the UMD Department of Education when signing the placement contract each term.