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Professional Education Services

Kentucky Teacher Standards PRAXIS Website Professional Education Admissions Committee Site Supervisor Application Department Directory

Professional Education Services

Welcome to Professional Education Services! Our office is dedicated to offering continuous support to candidates as they navigate through a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs designed to prepare them to become highly-qualified educators. PES is here to assist with admission to teacher education, placement and supervision of all clinical field experiences, clinical orientation, graduation and certification. The resources we provide will assist you throughout your journey in the program.

Information & Services

As you delve into our diverse range of services, you will find that Eastern Kentucky University’s clinical experiences are linked with courses provided by the College of Education and Applied Human Sciences. This deliberate integration aligns with professional standards and best practices that effectively prepare outstanding educators. Our office also supports essential aspects of education programs, including admission to professional education, student teaching, graduation, and teacher certification. We offer various resources, organized around each of these vital areas, to assist you and address any questions you may have.

The Office of Professional Education Services is responsible for admitting students to the Teacher Education Program at EKU. Questions may be directed to teacher.admissions@eku.edu.

The clinical model at EKU is tailored to address the needs of today’s learners in schools, equipping teacher candidates with the essential content, pedagogy, and assessment skills to effectively support all students. Our professional education programs offer a structured framework that fosters the development of content knowledge, practical skills, and professional conduct among our candidates. This is achieved through high-quality instruction, engaging course tasks, and clinical learning experiences that challenge candidates to think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, and act justly. Our candidates will be well-prepared to bring about positive change in the learning culture within their classrooms, throughout our region, and beyond.

The Professional Education Services office oversees the organization and administration of all clinical experiences associated with the teacher education program at Eastern Kentucky University.

The information is valuable for:

  • Student teachers
  • Candidates completing clinical assignments before student teaching
  • Cooperating teachers supervising student teachers
  • University supervisors overseeing student teachers

Here you will find documents that facilitate the professional semester (student teaching) process and the pre-student teaching clinical experiences.

Our staff evaluates all applications for the professional semester, decides the appropriate course of action for each application, collaborates with local schools to secure suitable placements for student teachers, and provides ongoing assessment of candidates’ clinical experiences during the professional semester. All policies are guided by Kentucky Regulations and the standards set forth by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board.

EKU’s Professional Education Program is dedicated to the belief that all students can achieve at high levels. We are committed to offering high-quality clinical experiences that enhance and support all our professional education programs. Experiences in diverse and multicultural environments foster personal and professional growth, better equipping our candidates for successful careers in any setting.

The Praxis® tests evaluate the essential knowledge and skills necessary for becoming a teacher. The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exams are typically taken during your sophomore year as part of the admission process for the professional education program at EKU. You might have the option to substitute your ACT scores for the Praxis Core exams. Alternatively, if your scores on the Praxis Core do not meet state requirements, your GPA or ACT scores may be considered for admission.

As you approach the conclusion of your teacher education program at EKU, you will need to complete additional Praxis exams to showcase your teaching proficiency. These exams vary according to the specific teacher certification but generally include the PLT (Principles of Learning and Teaching Exam), Literacy Assessment and subject assessments.

The Professional Education Services office provides valuable resources and support to help you prepare for submitting your certification application to the EPSB. Additionally, we offer guidance to undergraduate students as they apply for graduation. Our dedicated staff is here to ensure your success and will support you at every stage of the process.

Guides & Resources

Contact Information

Professional Education Services

Combs Building
Room 425

859-622-2520