Answers to the Most Asked Questions about Bachelors Plus
What is the Bachelors Plus Program?
• The Bachelors Plus Program is designed to provide teacher licensure to an individual who holds a bachelors degree.
What areas can I be licensed to teach through the program?
• A teaching license may be obtained for the following levels: PreK-3, 4-9 Middle Grades, 7-12 Secondary (math, science, language arts, social studies), 4-12 Integrated Business, PreK-12 (art, physical education, Spanish, French, and music), and K-12 Intervention Specialist Mild/Moderate.
When can I be admitted to the program?
• You can be admitted prior to the fall, spring and summer semesters.
What are the requirements and qualifications for Bachelors Plus?
• Regular status admission requires a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• If you have a 2.30 to 2.49 GPA , you may request an evaluation of your transcripts, meet with an advisor to discuss and plan the program, be conditionally admitted, and register for classes with completion of the following:
- Submit two letters of recommendation supporting your application to the Bachelors Plus Program.
- During the first semester you must take the Praxis I (PPST) test with a score of 172 or higher on the Reading , Writing, and Mathematics portions of the test. (Or, if you scored a 21 or higher composite on the ACT, a 970 or higher on the SAT, or a 350 or higher in each category of the GRE, credit can be given for the Praxis I.) The Praxis I scores should be sent to the Ashland University Columbus Center .
- During the first two semesters you must complete the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) with a score of 367 or higher. Call 614-794-0803/877-557-9497 ext. 1123 and request a copy of the MAT Candidate Information Booklet. The MAT score report should be sent to the Ashland University Columbus Center .
- Successfully complete a criminal background check processed by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI).
- You are also required to obtain a 3.0 GPA in the first 9 semester hours of course work to be removed from Conditional Status.
- When you have completed steps 1-5 you will need to meet with your advisor to approve your change from conditional to regular status.
• If you have a GPA from 2.0 to 2.29 , you may request conditional admission to the program and register for classes only after completion of the following items 1-4:
- Submit two letters of recommendation supporting your application to the Bachelors Plus Program.
- Complete the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) with a score of 367 or higher. Call 614-794-0803/877-557-9497 ext. 1123 to request a copy of the MAT Candidate Information Booklet. The MAT score report should be sent to the Ashland University Columbus Center .
- Complete the Praxis I (PPST) test with a score of 172 or higher on the Reading , Writing, and Mathematics portions of the test. You can get a study guide from the public library or from www.ets.org/praxis . The Praxis I score should be sent to the Ashland University Columbus Center . (Or, you can submit equivalent test scores).
- Successfully complete a criminal background check processed by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI).
After being admitted conditionally, you must complete the following steps to be admitted under regular status:
- You must have a 3.0 GPA after you have completed 9 semester hours of graduate coursework.
- Meet with your advisor to approve your change from conditional to regular status.
• Note: All students must be on regular status before any prior work/teaching experience can be credited for a field experience, or before you can do the required field experience and/or student teaching/internship. After you have been admitted unconditionally to the Bachelors Plus Program, you must continue to maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain in the program.
How long does the Bachelors Plus Program take?
• The average time required to complete the program is 18 to 24 months. This depends on how many courses you must take to reach your goal of obtaining your teaching license. Once your transcripts are evaluated and we know what courses you must take then the actual length of the program will be easier to determine. In your interview with an advisor they will help you design a tentative coursework plan.
How much is tuition at Ashland University ?
• The current tuition rate is $419 per semester hour.
What do I do to begin?
• The first step is to fill out the pre-application form in the Bachelors Plus Brochure. Mail this form, the good moral character form, 2 letters of recommendation, and your official transcripts to the Columbus Center to begin the review process. The following links will connect you to the printable version of the required forms:
• Pre-Admittance Application Form:
https://www.ashland.edu/graduate/documents/bachplus-application.pdf
• Good Moral Character Form: http://www.ashland.edu/fieldexp/documents/GoodMoralCharacter.pdf
How long will the evaluation process take?
• Once we have received all the appropriate forms and transcripts, our office will forward it to the Main Campus Testing and Licensure Office in Ashland , Ohio for review. The Licensure Office determines the coursework you will be required to take in the Bachelors Plus Program. You should get an evaluation form back in the mail approximately 2 weeks after we have received your information in our office. Once you have the evaluation, please call Maria Lichtle at 614-794-0803 ext. 1123 or 877-557-9497 ext. 1123 to schedule an appointment with an advisor.
When can I begin if I am accepted?
• If you choose to continue after the interview and are accepted, you will be required to pay the $30 admissions fee and be admitted to the Bachelors Plus Program. You can then begin taking courses at the start of the next semester.
When are classes held?
• During the school year (fall and spring semesters) most classes are held in the evening starting at 6:00. There are also some Saturday morning classes. Classes usually meet once a week during the 15-week semester. During the summer, courses are offered at a variety of morning, afternoon, and evening times. The semesters run 4-5 weeks and classes meet 3-4 days a week.
• All graduate level courses are offered at the program center. Undergraduate courses (those numbered below 500) must be taken from other colleges or universities in the Columbus area.
What about Financial Aid?
• Financial aid is available but you must be accepted into the program and take at least 6 semester hours of coursework per semester in order to qualify. You will need to work directly with the Financial Aid Office at Ashland University Main Campus. They can be reached at 1-800-882-1548 ext. 5002 or www.ashland.edu/finaid .
May I receive credit for my substitute teaching?
• Yes, in many circumstances substitute teaching will give you credit for one Ashland University Field Experience course, except in the Intervention Specialist Mild/Moderate Program. If you have done substitute work you will need to fill out a Prior Work Experience Form and return it to our office. You must work through an advisor to obtain the work experience form.
I already have several college degrees. Is there a quick and easy way to avoid many of these basic requirements and obtain my teaching license?
• The State of Ohio must approve all teacher-training programs as they fulfill requirements of the state. If your transcript evaluation indicates that you are lacking in areas required by the state or Ashland University , you must take the coursework needed. There is no quick and easy way to become a teacher.
Should I send my material to you at the Columbus Program Center or to the Main Campus?
• Send all materials to the Columbus Center if this is where you intend to take the coursework for the Bachelors Plus Program. Please address all information to:
Ashland University
Bachelors Plus Program-Columbus
1900 East Dublin-Granville Road
Columbus , Ohio 43229
614-794-0803/877-557-9497 ext.1123
Helpful Links for Bachelors Plus
Ashland University
Columbus Center
http://www.ashland.edu/columbus
Bachelors Plus FAQs http://www.ashland.edu/academics/education/bachplus/FAQ.htm
Steps for Admission http://www.ashland.edu/academics/education/bachplus/admin-stepsB.html
Pre-Admittance Application Form https://www.ashland.edu/graduate/documents/bachplus-application.pdf
http://www.ashland.edu/fieldexp/documents/GoodMoralCharacter.pdf