Undergraduate Admission to the Feinstein School

Horace Mann Hall

All undergraduate and second degree candidates who wish to complete an initial teacher certification degree or a degree in our Birth- 5 program must be admitted to the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development.

For more information about FSEHD undergraduate programs visit our programs page.

Admission Requirements

Admission to all of these programs requires completion of FSEHD requirements and completion of program specific requirements. The admission process requires students to submit applications through Anthology (formerly Chalk and Wire). 

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

Application Windows

All program applicants, including 2nd degree students, must submit a FSEHD application portfolio in Anthology. Applications are accepted for fall and spring admission and must be submitted during the window. The FSEHD Dean’s Office holds admission information sessions each semester where applicants learn how to gather evidence needed for their application and can meet with a program coordinator.

The Spring 2025 Application Window for Admission to the Feinstein School is 12/23/24- 1/3/2025. 

Helpful Resources

FSEHD Initial Teacher Certification (Educator Preparation) Program Admission Requirements

FSEHD Program Admission Checklist

FSEHD Fall 2024 Admissions Slideshow

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 Anthology.

Obtaining your BCI and uploading it in Anthology

Instructions for creating your BCI Portfolio

Explore Undergraduate Admission

Admission Requirements for Initial Teacher Certification Programs

Credit/GPA Requirements

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 admission requirements and your GPA is between 2.50 and 2.749 and you can apply for full admission with a GPA contingency. The 2.75 must be met before student teaching or your internship.

Math Milestone and Writing Requirement

Meeting the RIC mathematics milestone satisfies the FSEHD mathematics requirement. There are multiple ways to meet this requirement and this information can be found on the Math Learning Lab website.

The writing requirement can be met in the following ways:

  • earn a grade of C 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

Basic Skills Testing Requirement

  • 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. Examples of Score Reports
  • Basic skills tests options and overviews for test choices, costs and additional resources.
  • If you took the SATs before January 2016 - use the SAT score converter to see if your scores meet current admissions requirements.
  • Full Admission with Support: If your score is below the benchmark scores for Math and/or Reading/English, you can apply for full admission with support and must complete a Math and/or Literacy course. You must also meet all other FSEHD admission requirements. These courses are online and asynchronous: CURR 232 Foundational Mathematics for Teachers and CURR 242 Foundational Literacy for Teachers. The Associate Dean enrolls students in these courses at the time of admission.
Benchmark Scores
SATACTPRAXIS CORE
English-based Reading & WritingMathEnglishReadingMathReading (5713)Writing (5723)Math (5733)
480530182222165168170

The following scenarios provide examples of how basic skills courses will now be used for admissions:

  • Student A took the SAT exam and scored below the 480 Reading/Writing and the 530 SAT Math benchmarks. Dr. Pinheiro will enroll Student A in both CURR 232 and CURR 242 following approval of Students A’s admission application. Student A must earn a B or better grade in both courses. 
  • Student B took the SAT exam and scored below 480 on the Reading/Writing portion of the exam. Dr. Pinheiro will enroll Student B in CURR 242 following approval of Student B’s admission application. Student B must earn a grade of B or better in CURR 242. Student B’s math score is above the 530 benchmark; therefore, they are not required to enroll in the Math module. 
  • Student C took the SAT exam and scored a 480 for Reading/Writing and above the 530 Math benchmark. Student C is not required to enroll in CURR 232 and CURR 242. 
  • Student D recently moved to Rhode Island from Brazil and was not required to take a basic skills test. Student D does not have to submit SAT or ACT scores, but is required to enroll in both CURR 232 and CURR 242.

CCRI Graduates with an Associate Degree

Attention: CCRI Graduates with an Associate Degree enrolled as intended majors in FSEHD Initial Teacher Certification Programs.  

  • The RI Department of Education has approved a pilot admissions pathway to the FSEHD that allows CCRI graduates to use their associate degree in place of test base admissions (SAT, ACT, or Praxis Core exams).
  • You must have a 3.0 cumulative and content GPA or better at RIC and meet all FSEHD and program admission requirements.
  • Contact Dr. Pinheiro, Interim Associate Dean, FSEHD at bpinheiro@ric.edu for more information.

Foundation Course and Disposition Requirements

  • Pass FNED 101: Introduction to Teaching and Learning.
  • Earn a grade of B- or better in FNED 246: Schooling for Social Justice.

Program-Specific Course Requirements

Academic Rhode Maps provide information about program specific requirements for admission to the Feinstein School. Review your Rhode Map and meet with your advisor. 

Admission Requirements for Community-Based Programs

Credit/GPA Requirements

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 admission requirements and your GPA is between 2.50 and 2.749 and you can apply for full admission with a GPA contingency. The 2.75 must be met before student teaching or your internship.

Math Milestone and Writing Requirement

Meeting the RIC mathematics milestone satisfies the FSEHD mathematics requirement. There are multiple ways to meet this requirement and this information can be found on the Math Learning Lab website.

The writing requirement can be met in the following ways:

  • earn a grade of C 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

Foundation Course and Disposition Requirements

  • Pass FNED 101: Introduction to Teaching and Learning. 
  • Earn a grade of B- or better in FNED 246: Schooling for Social Justice.

Note: FNED 246 is not a requirement for Community and Public Health Promotion and Wellness and Exercise Science programs.

Program-Specific Course Requirements

The following programs have additional admission requirements:

Rhode Island College entrance

Questions about the FSEHD admissions process?

Beth Pinheiro

Beth M. Pinheiro

Interim Associate Dean of the FSEHD