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Initial Teaching Licensure - Apply

Application Instructions

New students enroll in the initial licensure program throughout the year in the fall, spring and summer terms. It is recommended that students apply for admission at least six weeks prior to the term they wish to enroll.

Baldwin Wallace University welcomes each student's application for admission and will carefully review the academic preparation and achievements of each applicant. During this process, students must provide evidence of their preparation and fit for future success at Baldwin Wallace University consistent with academic standards and code of conduct statements for the University, program, or profession. Students are selected based on their academic preparation; interview with members of the admission committee; relevant work, community and teaching experience with children and young adults; recommendations from professionals in the field; and personal dispositions/attributes that support success in an education career. All aspects of an application are considered, and used as the primary means for informing an admission decision. The admission committee recommends a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above for initial licensure programs.

All application materials should be submitted to:

Admission Office
Baldwin Wallace University
275 Eastland Road
Berea OH 44017
graduate@bw.edu
Fax 440-826-2054

Required Application Materials

Application

Official College/University Transcripts

Please submit ALL official college/university transcripts. To be considered official, transcripts must be mailed - either electronically or as a paper copy - directly from the college/university attended to the Baldwin Wallace office of admission.

  • Electronic transcripts should be sent to admit@bw.edu.
  • Paper copies should be sent to:
    Admission Office
    Baldwin Wallace University
    275 Eastland Road
    Berea, OH 44017

Colleges and Universities Attended Outside the United States

Candidates with degrees earned from foreign institutions must have a course-by-course evaluation completed with degree verification by an approved credential evaluation service as part of the BW application process. BW has approved the following credential evaluation services: Education Credential EvaluatorsEducational PerspectivesSpanTran and World Education Services (WES). This evaluation must be sent directly to BW from the credential evaluation service to be considered official.

English Proficiency Requirement

Upon initial application review, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam may be required if English is a second language. Minimum TOEFL score (IBT 79, CBT 213, PBT 550) or IELTS (composite 6.5) must be achieved. Register to take the TOEFL.

Recommendations

Using the recommendation form within the online applicant portal, please provide two recommendations from principals, supervisors, teachers or other persons qualified to evaluate your background and potential to pursue a program of graduate study.

Admission Interview

All candidates for the initial licensure program meet with a member of the admission committee to discuss the program and their goals to pursue a career in education. The admission office will contact you to schedule your interview once our application and supporting credentials have been received.

Criminal Record

When applying for admission to BW School of Education teacher licensure programs, candidates are asked whether they have ever been found guilty of a misdemeanor or felony that was not expunged or sealed. Candidates with a criminal record that has not been expunged or sealed are not eligible for admission to the teacher licensure programs at Baldwin Wallace University.

BW School of Education verifies that students have a clear Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCII) report and a clear Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) report. Forms and details will be provided to all students who qualify for admission to the program. Once enrolled, students must have the same clear reports prior to any school observation, field experience or clinical practice assignment. Although students with an expunged record may be eligible for enrollment and to participate in school placements in BW's Education programs, an expunged or sealed record may impact a student's eligibility to qualify for an Ohio teaching license following completion of the program. Eligibility for a teaching license varies by state and may be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the professional teacher licensing board in that state.