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Undergraduate Decision Points

Decision Points for Undergraduate Initial Licensure Programs determine academic eligibility for Admission to Educator Preparation, enrollment in clinical placements and recommendation for endorsement for NH licensure. Students who successfully pass through Decision Points 1-5 are recommended for endorsement for NH licensure. Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and K-12 (Physical Education and Music Education) are represented.

Decision Points for the New Hampshire Early Childhood Professional Credential track, a non-licensure program, determine academic eligibility for Admission to the Credential Program and enrollment in clinical placements. Students who successfully complete the requirements for the Early Childhood Education major will be eligible to apply for the New Hampshire Early Childhood Professional Credential (ECE Level II) via the Department of Health and Human Services. For more information, please see: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/childcare-parenting-childbirth/child-care-licensing

Decision Points for Undergraduate Initial Licensure Program and Early Childhood Credential Program


Undergraduate Initial Licensure - Elementary Education, Secondary Education and K-12 Programs


Decision Point One - Academic Eligibility Check Completed before starting Methods I or 1st Practicum

  • Successful Praxis Core Academic Skills scores to meet state standards
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher with minimum of 12 KSC credits
  • C or better in all courses completed to date for: Education Major and Option (Elementary Education, Secondary Education) or Major and Option for K-12 programs (Music Education, Physical Education)
  • Declaration of: Education Major and Option (Elementary Education, Secondary Education);Liberal Arts/Content Major (Elementary Education, Secondary Education); Major and Option for K-12 programs (Music Education, Physical Education)
  • Submission and Acceptance of Admission Application
  • Successful faculty review of applicant’s dispositions and self-assessment

NOTE: At beginning of Methods I or 1st Practicum a state criminal record check will be performed by the EPO and student must have successful results to continue the course.

Transfer students may have slightly different requirements, depending on articulation agreements and transcript analysis

Decision Point Two - Eligibility Check for Admission to Educator Preparation Completed before completing Methods I or 1st Practicum

  • Successful Praxis Core Academic Skills scores to meet state standards
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher with minimum of 12 KSC credits
  • C or better in all courses completed to date for: Education Major and Option (Elementary Education, Secondary Education) or Major and Option for K-12 programs (Music Education, Physical Education)
  • Declaration of: Education Major and Option (Elementary Education, Secondary Education);Liberal Arts/Content Major (Elementary Education, Secondary Education); Major and Option for K-12 programs (Music Education, Physical Education)
  • Accepted Admission Application
  • Successful completion of Ed Prep background check
  • Creation NH DOE EIS account and provide Educator ID# to Educator Preparation Office

NOTE: During Methods I/1st Practicum instructions to complete the NH DOE Criminal Background Check will be provided by the EPO and students must complete these steps to meet next Decision Point eligibility.

NOTE: Students cannot proceed into Methods 2/2nd Practicum experience without passing Praxis Core and meeting the CUM GPA requirement (no exceptions)

NOTE: For any Student who does not meet disposition and clinical expectations, program coordinators will determine if a student is eligible to be put on a Student Support Plan.

Decision Point Three - Eligibility Check Completed Prior to Methods II or 2nd Practicum

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75 for Education Major and Option (Elementary Education, Secondary Education)
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75 for: Major and Option for K-12 programs (Music Education, Physical Education)
  • Minimum GPA of 2.50 in declared Liberal Arts/Content Major (Elementary Education, Secondary Education)
  • C or better in all courses completed to date for: Education Major and Option (Elementary Education, Secondary Education); Major and Option for K-12 programs (Music Education, Physical Education.)
  • No “1’s” on dispositions assessment +
  • Must have a status of “in-progress” or “Issued” NH DOE criminal background check process

+ NOTE: For any Student who does not meet disposition and clinical expectations, program coordinators will determine if a student is eligible to be put on a Student Support Plan.

Decision Point Four - Eligibility Check Completed Prior to Student Teaching

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75 for Education Major and Option (Elementary Education, Secondary Education)
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75 for: Major and Option for K-12 programs (Music Education, Physical Education)
  • Minimum GPA of 2.50 in declared Liberal Arts/Content Major (Elementary Education, Secondary Education)
  • C or better in all courses completed to date for: Education Major and Option (Elementary Education, Secondary Education); Major and Option for K-12 programs (Music Education, Physical Education.)
  • No “1’s” on EPP Final Clinical Experience Evaluations +
  • No “1’s” on dispositions assessment no more than six “2’s” +
  • Content knowledge by program (see below, implemented Fall 2017)
  • A status of “Issued” on NH DOE criminal background check process

Evidence of Discipline-Specific Content Knowledge: Elementary Education: Passing scores on the subject specific tests required by NH for licensure(e.g., Praxis II Multi Subjects and Foundations of Reading).

+ NOTE: For any Student who does not meet disposition and clinical expectations, program coordinators will determine if a student is eligible to be put on a Student Support Plan.

Decision Point Five - Eligibility Check Completed to Verify Educator Preparation Program Completion and Recommendation for Endorsement for NH Licensure

  • Degree completion (clearance from Registrar)
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75 for Education Major and Option (Elementary Education, Secondary Education)
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75 for: Major and Option for K-12 programs (Music Education, Physical Education)
  • Minimum GPA of 2.50 in declared Liberal Arts/Content Major (Elementary Education, Secondary Education)
  • C or better in all courses completed to date for: Education Major and Option (Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Secondary Education); Major and Option for K-12 programs ( Music Education, Physical Education)
  • Successful completion of NH state and program-specific testing requirements for licensure with requisite scores achieved, as applicable to program.
  • No “1’s” and no more than two “2’s” on EPP Final Clinical Experience Evaluation from Student Teaching, completed by college supervisor (Secondary Education, K-12) or site supervisor (Elementary Education). The student teaching faculty of record, in consultation with the site supervisor evaluations, will assess whether the student has successfully passed this portion of Decision Point 5.
  • No “1’s or 2’s” on Dispositions Assessment form from Student Teaching, completed by college supervisor (Secondary Education, K-12) or site supervisor (Elementary Education.) The student teaching faculty of record, in consultation with the site supervisor evaluations, will assess whether the student has successfully passed this portion of Decision Point 5.

Early Childhood Credential Program Decision Points


Decision Point One - Eligibility Check for Admission to Early Childhood Credential Preparation Program (Completed Prior to Practicum/end of EDUC 313; Application part of EDUC 212)

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 with minimum of 12 KSC credits; or articulated courses - minimum average of a “B” with no courses counting toward EC major of “C” or lower.
  • Declaration of Early Childhood Development Major and Academic Minor
  • 3.0 GPA in Program Option Courses with no individual course grade lower than a “C”
  • No “1” ratings on Dispositions Assessment, if available
  • Successful criminal record check results at the time of Admission to Early Childhood Credential Program
  • Successfully completes all requirements as outlined in EDUC 212 (e.g., Modules from ProSolutions, CPR and First Aid; upon admission, pay required fee for Tk20 License)

Decision Point Two - Eligibility Check Completed Prior to Student Teaching (Check after Practicum completed)

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 with minimum of 12 KSC credits; or articulated courses - minimum average of a “B” with no courses counting toward Early Childhood major of “C” or lower.
  • 3.0 GPA in Program Option Courses with no individual course grade lower than a “C”
  • No “1” ratings on Program Clinical Experience Evaluations
  • No “1” ratings on Dispositions Assessment

Decision Point Three - Eligibility Check Completed to Verify Program Completion for NH Early Childhood Teacher Credential (Check after EDUC 414 and EDUC 418)

  • Degree completion (clearance from Registrar)
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
  • Completion of declared Academic Minor
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 in Program Option courses with no individual course grade lower than a “C.”
  • No “1” ratings and no more than (2) “2-Progress Towards Meeting Standard” can be received on the Program or EPP Final Clinical Experience Evaluation form from Student Teaching, completed by college/site supervisor.
  • No more than (2) “2” Ratings on the Dispositions Assessment form from Student Teaching, completed by college/site supervisor.

NOTE: The student teaching faculty of record, in consultation with the EC Program Coordinator and/or college/site supervisor, will assess whether the student has successfully passed this portion of Decision Point 3.

Contact Educator Preparation

To learn more about Educator Preparation Programs at Keene State College, please contact the Educator Preparation Office or Education Program Faculty.

Educator Preparation Office
Rhodes Hall, N123 and N128
603-358-2286
229 Main Street

Keene, New Hampshire 03435