Salisbury University students on campus

Professional Program Retention

Program Requirements

The Professional Teacher Education Program (PTEP) consists of courses (see list below) taken in a prescribed sequence over a continuous four-semester process. Once admitted to the PTEP, candidates are required to adhere to Salisbury University standards for graduation with the following additions:

  • Maintain an overall GPA of 2.50 or higher including transfer courses which fulfill general education program requirements.
  • Exhibit appropriate professional program candidate dispositions.

Professional Program Courses

  • Maintain a GPA of 2.75 or higher for professional program courses (see list below).
  • Earn at least grade “C” in all professional program courses (see list below). Course with grades below "C"  may not be repeated more than one time.
  • Complete all professional program courses at Salisbury University.

Probation and Removal from Probationary Status

Candidates who fail to meet the above criteria are placed on probation. Removal from probationary status occurs when:

  • An overall GPA of 2.50 or higher has been achieved.
  • A GPA of 2.75 or higher has been earned in all professional program courses.
  • At least a grade “C” has been earned in all professional program courses.
  • All professional program courses have been completed at Salisbury University.

Repeating a Course

Candidates are permitted to repeat a professional program course one time in order to earn the minimum of grade “C”. Pre-professional courses may be repeated more than once. Candidates who repeat a course at Salisbury University will receive the grade for the last occurrence of the class.

Program Dismissal

  • Should a candidate fail to satisfactorily pass a professional program course during the second attempt, s/he will be dismissed from the Professional Teacher Education Program.
  • Candidates whose cumulative GPA falls below a 2.75 will be placed on probation for one semester, after which the candidate will be dismissed from the program if the GPA does not improve to a minimum 2.75 GPA.
  • Candidates whose overall GPA falls below a 2.50 will be placed on probation for one semester, after which the candidate will be dismissed from the program if the GPA does not improve to a minimum 2.50 GPA.
  • Candidates who return to the program must comply with all requirements that are in effect at that time.

Appeals Procedure

Candidates can appeal decisions regarding their status by submitting a formal response in writing to the Program Director within ten (10) days of the notification of the formal action.