Admissions | International Teacher Education Program

Designed for educators who hold teaching credentials from their home countries, the International Teacher Education Program at PSU offers a streamlined path to Oregon teacher licensure. With a flexible, campus-based program, candidates can complete their requirements in a shorter time frame. Applicants may pursue a licensure-only option or continue to earn their Master’s in Education. We prepare teachers who can meet the needs of all of their students, are experts in their content areas, and utilize new technologies to innovate in their classrooms.

Admissions Timeline
Program Start	Fall	Winter	Spring	Summer
Final Application Deadline	August 15	November 15	February 15	May 15
Final Application Materials Due*	August 29	November 29	February 28	May 29

Additional Timeline Information:

*Letters of recommendation can sometimes take longer to arrive. You can submit your application before these have arrived. This deadline is to allow a short grace period for your recommendations to arrive, if necessary.

After submission, your application will be reviewed by staff and faculty. We make every effort to communicate admissions decisions within three to four weeks.

Applications are reviewed as they are received.

For optimal program completion to obtain your Oregon teaching license, it is recommended (but not required) that you apply for and start the program in:

winter or spring terms for the ITEP Elementary licensure
spring or summer terms for ITEP Secondary

Required Application Materials

Below is the list of the materials and information you will need to provide as part of your online application. We recommend preparing these materials in advance of submitting your application.

Admissions advising appointment with Tatiana Nochevnaya
Unofficial Transcripts: from your bachelor’s degree-granting institution and from any institution at which you have earned graduate-level credit.
TOEFL exam results meeting PSU language proficiency requirements
Statement of Purpose: Please answer the following questions in no more than 250 words each. We recommend you provide examples when appropriate. Your answers should reflect how your background, beliefs, and experiences have prepared you for this program.
- Our ideal student is someone who demonstrates the following:
  - A commitment to work for equity and fairness across race, ethnicity, class, gender and sexual identification, language, religion, ability, or any other group identification which advantages or disadvantages a person based on group identity
  - Honors, values, and demonstrates consideration and respect for diverse patterns and expectations of learning and communication.
  - A commitment to ongoing professional learning and demonstrating a belief that everyone can learn and construct knowledge
  - A dedication, energy, drive, and determination to overcome obstacles and continually learn in every setting
  - An initiative, motivation, and commitment to become a professional educator
- Please provide examples of your experience with youth that demonstrate how you meet these dispositional requirements.
- Please discuss why you believe you would make an effective professional classroom teacher in the United States by describing your career goals and accomplishments, and describing your personal and professional experiences and/or leadership to date.
- Describe your foreign teacher education in regards to pedagogy courses and a school practicum or student teaching experience, how this was embedded, combined, or attached to your teacher education program.”
Diploma or Teacher Certificate in the original language and English translation by a certified translator
Two Recommendations: If possible, at least one of these should come from someone who has seen you work with youth. Your references will submit a questionnaire that you send them via the application portal.
National Evaluation Series (NES) test score report

Admissions Review Process

We review your application for the following:

Academic Requirements: Via your transcripts, we assess whether you meet the university’s minimum admissions requirements. In addition, we evaluate whether or not you completed a qualifying teacher education program outside the United States.
Experience in educational settings in the U.S. and internationally: Your experience in educational settings before you begin our program ensures that we feel confident about your future success as a teacher in the K-12 education system in the United States; this information helps us determine which program components you might need.
Résumé: We are looking for your educational background as it pertains to your teacher preparation and your work as a credentialed teacher in your country and the United States (if applicable).
Two Recommendations: If possible, at least one of these should come from someone who has seen you work with youth (e.g., principal, supervisor, mentor teacher, etc.). Your references will submit a questionnaire that you send them via the application portal.
Language Proficiency Assessment (if applicable): In addition to the required English language proficiency tests, we are looking for an indication that your language proficiency meets the advanced language requirements for a K-12 teacher.

Ready to apply?

Review the PSU Graduate School’s minimum admissions requirements.
Create an account or sign into the Portland State University Admissions Application system.
Select "Start New Application"
Then select "Graduate Application"
For the college, select "College of Education"
For the program of study, select from:
"International Teacher Education Program ITEP - Chinese Partnerships, MEd"
"International Teacher Education Program ITEP - Elementary, MEd"
"International Teacher Education Program ITEP - Secondary, MEd"
Select the term you plan to start the program

Questions? Contact Tatiana!

Post-Admissions

You will be notified of your admission decision to the program via an email and formal digital letter from the Graduate School. After admission, you will be assigned a faculty advisor and staff student success advisor, both of whom will support you through your program. The college provides an online orientation module to help you take your next steps to begin your program. You will also be invited to a live orientation session to ensure that you’re fully prepared to begin.

A few additional things to keep in mind:

All students must submit their official transcripts to the Graduate School after admission.
If you’re still completing a bachelor’s degree, you must apply for your degree, and it must be awarded by the term before you begin your graduate program. (Ex: if the program begins summer, the degree must be awarded by the end of spring term).
You must register for coursework in the term that you are admitted in order to validate admission to the program. If you do not, your admission status will be canceled.
If you’re unable to begin in your term of admission, you may request a deferral by emailing askcoe@pdx.edu for up to 4 terms (one year). This request must be made before the start of the program.