The Department of Educational Theory, Policy, and Practice
Programs of Study
Teaching Certification Graduate Programs
The Elementary Holmes Program
The Holmes Program is one of the celebrated graduate programs offered by the Department of Educational Theory, Policy & Practice in the College of Education. It is designed to include an undergraduate degree in education followed by a fifth year of work at the graduate level.
- Holmes teacher preparation is designed to help future teachers become reflective practitioners capable of assuming positions of leadership in K-12 schools.
- Future teachers progress through the graduate year in small, intimate groups, or cohorts, of 12 to 16 students. Each cohort is led by specially designated members of the graduate faculty who work with the same cohort throughout the graduate year as advisors, mentors, and discussion leaders.
- Improved links between subject matter courses and professional education courses result from the involvement of Arts and Sciences and/or Basic Sciences faculty.
- More intensive work in the concentration area helps prospective teachers develop greater confidence and competence in the classroom as they study and implement the newest applications of learning technologies.
- Experiences in schools are extensive, diverse, and continuous throughout the program, and schools are in multicultural settings.
- Holmes interns complete two semesters of student teaching in specially designated Professional Development Schools collaborating with the College of Education. Each school experience is supported by carefully selected mentor teachers and University faculty.
The Elementary Holmes Program - General Program Progression
- Sophomore year—application and acceptance into the undergraduate portion of the program
- Junior/senior years—completion of undergraduate course work
- Graduate year—intensive program combining course work and teaching leading to Louisiana teacher certification and the M.Ed.
Elementary Grades Five Year Program
Education majors are granted a Bachelor’s of Science in Education at the end of the program’s fourth year. Then, upon admission to the LSU Graduate School and with acceptance by the Holmes admissions committee, prospective teachers complete certification course work requirements and an M.Ed. during the fifth year of the program. The fifth year includes two semester-long practicum experiences and the completion of a teacher research project.
The graduate professional education and certification program leading to a Master’s degree and certification (upon successful completion of all PRAXIS requirements) places LSU’s future teacher education graduates in advantaged positions as they begin their teaching careers. Prospective teacher education students should note that the graduate program is highly selective.
- Students may enter the elementary education basic program after completing at least 24 hours of degree credit with a 2.50 gpa.
- Students who are in the elementary education basic program should apply for admission to the elementary teacher education junior-year cohorts on or before March 1 of the sophomore year. Late applicants cannot be guaranteed consideration.
- Admission to junior-year cohorts in the elementary education program will be on a selective basis. Students will be selected from those candidates who met the overall gpa admission requirement of 2.75 or higher and passing scores on the PRAXIS I assessments. Meeting the admission requirement does not guarantee admission to the elementary education junior-year cohorts.
- Students must maintain at least a 2.75 gpa each semester to continue in good standing in an elementary education cohort. Students who fall below a 2.75 gpa will be placed on probation. Students who remain on probation for two consecutive semesters will be dropped from the Holmes program.
During the Graduate Year
Admission to the Holmes elementary education graduate year requires:
- Completion of all undergraduate course work with a gpa of at least 3.00 and all graduate courses with a gpa of at least 3.00.
- A minimum GRE composite score of 1000.
- Passing PRAXIS II test scores.
- Completion of all undergraduate professional education course work with no grade lower than a "C".
- Admission to the LSU Graduate School
- Completion of minimum requirements, including an undergraduate degree in elementary education and admission to the LSU Graduate School, does not guarantee admission to the graduate year teacher education program. A College of Education admissions panel selects from among qualified applicants those students to be admitted into the fifth-year cohorts.
- Students should apply for admission to the elementary education graduate year on or before March 15 of the senior year.
Secondary Grades Fifth Year Program
- Graduate year, subject-specific cohorts will be formed in the College of Education for graduate study in secondary teacher education programs leading to teacher certification. Secondary teaching areas include English, mathematics, social studies, biology, chemistry, and physics.
- Students interested in a fifth-year teacher education program should contact the College of Education Office of Student Services upon admission to the University. Informal advising will be shared by the College of Education and the college where the student's academic major is located.
- Completed materials for application to the fifth-year, subject-specific cohorts should be received in the Office of Student Services on or before March 15 for the students to be guaranteed consideration for the graduate-level course work that begins in the summer term. Students who apply after March 15 cannot be guaranteed consideration. Application procedures assume prior admission to the LSU Graduate School.
- A minimum 3.00 gpa
- A minimum GRE composite score of 1000.
- Passing PRAXIS I & PRAXIS II specialty area test scores.
- Admission decisions are contingent upon admission to the LSU Graduate School.
- Applicants may include candidates with degrees, as well as seniors finishing their programs in the various academic areas.
- Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the fifth-year teacher education program. Holmes Admissions Committees will select from among qualified applicants those students to be admitted into the subject-specific, fifth-year cohorts.
