FSEHD Undergraduate Programs and Admission

FSEHD offers a range of Initial Certification Programs. The initial certification programs prepare students to teach in Pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The programs are designed for anyone who does not yet have a certification or RI teaching license.

Rhode Island Background Check - Every FSEHD student who works with children/youth/adults must maintain a current BCI from the Attorney General’s Office. The BCI is required before entering a classroom or community space, virtually and/or face to face, whether observing, tutoring, teaching, and/or participating in any type of community activity. BCIs will be submitted and maintained in Chalk and Wire.

Program specific course requirements – Each program has additional coursework and GPA requirements.

• Contact the appropriate department to connect with your FSEHD teacher education advisor.​​​

Number of earned credits

• Complete a minimum of 24 credit hours which can include transfer credits. Contact the Admissions Office if you believe transfer credit has not been awarded.

Minimum cumulative RIC Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75

• A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for FSEHD admission.
• If you meet all of the admissions requirements except for your RIC cumulative GPA, you may be eligible for conditional admission to a program.
   Conditional Admission Criteria

• Take and pass the basic skills tests​ (FSEHD suggests the SAT or ACT exam)
• You may have requested your test scores be sent to RIC, but the FSEHD application requires you to upload copies of all test score reports. View: Examples of Score Reports to see what is required. If you don’t have access to your score reports, the websites at the end of this page provide information on how to access your reports.
• Basic skills tests options and overviews for test choices, costs and additional resources.
• If you meet all admission requirements and your basic skills test scores fall within a range of scores, see chart below, you may be eligible for conditional admission to a program.
• If one or all of your test scores fall within this range send your test score reports to FSEHD@ric.edu to request enrollment in a content module (Literacy and/or Math). Earning a B or better will replace the test score requirement. Content Modules are closed for enrollment as enrollment be done in the Associate Dean’s Office.
• If you took the SATs before January 2016 - use the SAT score converter to see if your scores meet current admissions requirements.
• Examples of Score Reports
• Basic skills tests score requirements for undergraduate applicants:

Core testing codes have changed. FSEHD will accept the discontinued versions of the Core, if you’ve taken and passed them already. 

If you haven’t taken or need to retake the Core tests, use the new codes listed when you register for a test. The Reading and Writing tests haven’t changed, but the mathematics test has undergone some change.

The writing requirement can be met in the following ways:

• Earn a grade of B or better in FYW 100 or an equivalent/transfer (as determined by RIC Admissions)
• Earn a score of 59 or better on the College Composition College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Test
• Earn a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) Test for English Language and Composition

Meeting the RIC mathematics requirement satisfies the FSEHD mathematics requirement and can be done in multiple ways

• Appropriate placement on RIC’s Mathematics Placement Exam
• Successful completion of Math 010 or equivalent
• Transferring in a course equivalent to Math 120
• Transferring in a course equivalent to Math 177 or higher at RIC
• Classic Accuplacer scores (test date prior to August 2018)
• Arithmetic + Algebra score of at least 107 or Algebra score of at least 57

• Pass FNED 101: Introduction to Teaching and Learning. This is a requirement for all incoming freshman and transfer students admitted to RIC in Fall 2019 or later.
• Earn a grade of B- or better in FNED 246: Schooling for Social Justice. FNED 346: Schooling in a Democratic Society is no longer offered but will be accepted.

FSEHD offers a range of community-based programs. The community programs offered through the Early Childhood, Health and Physical Education, and Educational Studies Departments prepare students to work in a broad range of community settings.

Please note: Youth Development has its own requirements and application for admission. Visit the YDEV website for details.

Number of earned credits

• Complete a minimum of 24 credit hours which can include transfer credits. Contact the Admissions Office if you believe transfer credit has not been awarded.

Minimum cumulative RIC Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75

• A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for FSEHD admission.
• If you meet all of the admissions requirements except for your RIC GPA, you may be eligible for our conditional admissions to a program.

Please note: The Youth Development program will accept students with any number (0-120+) of credit hours.

Writing Requirement (can be met in the following ways)

• Earn a grade of B or better in FYW 100 or an equivalent/transfer (as determined by RIC Admissions)
• Earn a score of 59 or better on the College Composition College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Test
• Earn a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) Test for English Language and Composition

Mathematics Requirement - Meeting the RIC mathematics requirement satisfies the FSEHD mathematics requirement and can be done in multiple ways

• Appropriate placement on RIC’s Mathematics Placement Exam
• Successful completion of Math 010 or equivalent
• Transferring in a course equivalent to Math 120
• Transferring in a course equivalent to Math 177 or higher at RIC
• Classic Accuplacer scores (test date prior to August 2018)
• Arithmetic + Algebra score of at least 107 or Algebra score of at least 57

If the Classic Accuplacer was taken at another school and the minimum score requirement was met, request that the scores be sent from your previous school to testscores@ric.edu.​

Foundations (FNED) course requirements – A community program may require either or both foundations courses. Each community program has specific admissions requirements. Contact your program advisor or refer to the RIC Rhode Maps for requirements. The following grades must be met if these FNED courses are required:

• Pass FNED 101: Introduction to Teaching. This is a requirement for all incoming freshman and transfer students admitted to RIC in Fall 2019 or later.
• Earn a grade of B- or better in FNED 246: Schooling for Social Justice. FNED 346: Schooling in a Democratic Society is no longer offered, but will be accepted.

The following programs have additional admission requirements:

• Community and Public Health Promotion
• Wellness and Exercise Science
• Early Childhood
• Youth Development​ (currently has its own requirements and application for admission)