Requirements for Admission


The Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) at Utah State University prepares students through multiple education courses, including methods & clinicals where students spend 45-90 hours of classroom observation time before they student-teach. STEP Admission is required to take any courses with a SCED prefix or clinicals. 

Students Must Meet the Following Criteria before applying to STEP:

  • Minimum of 12 completed credit hours
  • CL1 or CL2 composition course (C+ or better)
  • Three Breadth courses (C or better)
  • 2.0 overall GPA
  • 3.0 major GPA
  • Cleared background check through the Utah State Board of Education (BCI/FBI)
  • All STEP coursework will require a grade of C or better
  • OPI: Foreign Language majors/minors-must pass the Oral Proficiency Interview. See your languages advisor for information.

How to Apply

  • Meet with your Teaching Major and Teaching Minor Academic Advisor(s) to fill out the Advisor Approval Form. 
  • Start Your FBI/BCI Teacher Background Check
    • Make an Account with USIMS (Utah State Board of Education)
    • In USIMS, go to Personal Information, and mark "Utah State University" as your Utah Teacher Education Program
    • Sign up for a Livescan Fingerprinting with USU Police (Logan Campus) or your local police station.
    • Bring your CACTUS ID to the Livescan Appointment (found in Personal Information in USIMS) 
    • NOTE-Background checks can take up to 6 weeks to clear
    • For more detailed instructions, visit this page: Background Check Procedures
  • Meet with your STEP advisor to finish your Advisor Approval Form. 
  • Subscribe to the STEP Email Listserv
    • (Screenshot the confirmation email)
  • Upload the following documents & fill out the STEP Program Application
    • Advisor Approval Form
    • Screenshot of STEP Email Listserv confirmation
    • Screenshot of FBI/BCI Teacher Background Check Clearance Date in USIMS
    • *OPI Score Certificate for Language Majors & Minors
    • Click "UPLOAD" for each document AFTER you upload them.
  • Deadline for Spring Admission: October 1st
  • Deadlines for Fall Admission: March 1st
  • STEP Applications are accepted year round, so please still apply if you miss a deadline!


Apply Here

Prospective Students

Current Students

Contact Your Secondary Education Advisor

Background Clearance


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