Proficiency Evaluation

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a Proficiency Certification with Eastern Kentucky University's College of Education & Applied Human Sciences (CEAHS). We hope to provide you with a clear roadmap to successful completion of the Proficiency Evaluation and admission to the appropriate certificate program.

Under 16 KAR 5:030 Proficiency Evaluation, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) will evaluate and accept for competency for teacher certification purposes for any of the specific curriculum requirements when the teacher candidate can demonstrate proficiency by reason of previous education, unusual experience, or proficiency examination at a level comparable to the usual requirements in that curriculum area.

If you have additional questions, please visit the Proficiency Evaluation FAQs page. To schedule a phone conference with the Alternative Certification Specialist, please go to here.  

The Proficiency Evaluation Process has Three Phases

The Candidate Inquiry, the CEAHS Review Process, and the Admission Decision. During these three phases you will be asked to provide information and supporting documentation for the Proficiency Evaluation.

Completion of the Candidate Evaluation Request form provides us with information necessary to determine if you are eligible to begin the Proficiency Evaluation process. You may initiate a request for a Proficiency Evaluation on this website.

Upon receipt, the Director of Professional Education Services will review your request and approve or deny your request for a Proficiency Evaluation. If the Director approves, you will progress to the CEAHS review phase. The Department Chair will assign a faculty advisor to you.

NOTE: Submission of the request form and payment of the fee do not guarantee approval either to begin the proficiency review process or, upon review of the Proficiency Evaluation Committee, approval for admission to a professional education program via a proficiency route.

During this phase, you will develop an electronic portfolio, prior to approval, for review by a faculty committee who will assess your proficiency readiness for admission to the proficiency route certificate program. Your portfolio must include all the requirements identified in Article VI, Item 6, of the Proficiency Review Process - EKU Proficiency Evaluation.  Your faculty advisor can assist you if you have questions about any of the portfolio requirements.

Please complete the appropriate Candidate Matrix for your portfolio:

• Candidate Matrix for Teachers: Elementary, Middle and Secondary Teaching
• Candidate Matrix for Special Education for Teachers: Advanced Special Education
• Candidate Matrix for School Media Librarian Advanced Standards: School Media Librarian 
• Candidate Matrix for Educational Adminstrators: PSEL Standards

The portfolio must be submitted as one pdf and must be uploaded to the Proficiency Portfolio Submission link at proficiency portfolio submission. You will receive confirmation of receipt and acceptance of your portfolio by email from the Alternative Certification Specialist.  

The Admission Decision - Phase 3

An assigned faculty committee will review all of the documentation you have submitted. CEAHS requires all initial certificate candidates to complete an interview with the committee. After the review/interview, the committee will recommend admitting or not admitting you to a proficiency route program. The committee will create an Educator Learning Plan (ELP) outlining all program requirements for your review and acceptance. If you accept the ELP, CEAHS will send it to the Dean for final approval. Upon approval, you may request a Proficiency letter in support of an application for employment.