College of Education

Graduate Teacher Education Program Admissions

Graduate Teacher Education Program

Admissions

GTEP Prerequisite Coursework

Content area prerequisite courses are determined by the academic advisor for the specific subject. Applicants will need to:

  1. Meet with the academic advisor to determine if there are any recommended courses for your specific subject area.
  2. The content area advisor will provide a departmental recommendation form.
  3. Include the form with your GTEP application.

Please note: Applicants to the one-year program must complete all the prerequisites by the start of the program. Applicants to the two-year GTEP program must complete most of the prerequisite courses by the start of the program

OPTIONAL highly recommended courses 

  • ED 420 - Introduction to Education
  • CI 432 - Computer Applications
  • LIB 429 - Young Adult Literature

GTEP Tests

Required tests for secondary education programs starting summer 2024:

Note: Applicants who intend to teach middle school math only, and not high school math, will take the NES Middle Grades Mathematics test. Please contact an advisor if you are uncertain which test to take.

Applicants who want to teach art, music, or physical education at any level (K-12) will take the NES test in their chosen subject area and must apply to the secondary track of the program.

You may be able to take the test with special accommodations if English is not your native language or if you have a documented disability. Please visit ORELA Alternative Testing Arrangements for more information.

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:
    "Graduate Teacher Education Program GTEP - Secondary, MEd"

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
  • Get experience working with children and/or youth
  • Personal statement (writing prompt provided within application)
  • Ensure official transcripts listed above include any prerequisite courses taken
  • Résumé
  • Three recommendation forms (forms are provided within application)
  • Secondary applicants: meet with a content advisor for a transcript review and departmental recommendation form. You will be required to upload the recommendation form as part of your application.
  • Gather test scores or plan to take all necessary prerequisite tests
  • Apply for scholarships
  • Apply for FAFSA

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 us at askcoe@pdx.edu to discuss your options.

GTEP Financial Aid

For details about federal financial aid, contact:
Financial Aid Office
Fariborz Maseeh Hall Lobby
724 SW Harrison
503-725-3461

Student Finance offers brief appointments with their counselors on a walk-in basis.

TEACH Grant Program

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who will teach in a high-need field in a qualifying school for a designated time. Current high-need fields (in schools that serve low-income students) include:

  • Bilingual Education and English Language Acquisition
  • Foreign Language
  • Special Education
  • Mathematics
  • Science

Scholarships

For a list of scholarships and awards offered to students in our Teacher Education programs please refer to the COE scholarship website.

For a list of scholarships available outside of the College of Education please refer to the PSU Financial Aid Office.

The Graduate School has compiled a comprehensive overview of resources for graduate students at PSU. Please refer to the Graduate School for more information about financing your graduate education including applying for graduate assistantships, scholarships, loans, and student employment.

Teacher Loan Forgiveness and Cancellation

If you complete five consecutive years of qualifying teacher service, you may receive loan forgiveness up to varying amounts dependent on which criteria you meet: