Required Exams

In order to be accepted into TeachSWLA you must successfully complete the PRAXIS I exam and the appropriate PRAXIS II Specialty Area exam. The GRE general examination is also required for any graduate alternative certification program, including the Master of Arts in Teaching.

PRAXIS I
PRAXIS I is available in two formats, computer-based or paper-based, each measuring the basic academic skills vital to all teacher candidates. There are three sections to the PRAXIS I test, which can be taken separately or during the same testing session:

PRAXIS II
MAT participants must also pass the appropriate content-specific PRAXIS II exam in the area in which they will pursue certification. The area in which you wish to teach determines the Praxis II exam you take, so please keep in mind that the high needs areas are math, science, special education, and elementary. We strongly recommend that you take the PRAXIS II in one of these high need areas, as you will have more job opportunities in a critical shortage area. In addition, we have limited numbers of program positions in non-high need areas. Certification is available for Elementary (Grades 1-5), Special Education (Grades 1-12), or Secondary (Grades 6-12). Candidates pursuing Special Education certification must meet specific area exam requirements as detailed here.

TESTING SCHEDULE
TeachSWLA needs your Praxis II scores before you can be admitted into our program. Because of state requirements, TeachSWLA cannot make any exceptions to this policy. GRE
Regular Admission: GRE total scores for verbal and quantitative sections must fit the formula and total at least 1100.

The GRE includes sections on verbal reasoning and quantitative skills. 

TESTING LOCATIONS
The PRAXIS II test will be offered every test date at McNeese State University. The Praxis I (computer-based testing only) and GRE exams are offered daily by appointment at Lamar University (Beaumont) and should be taken as soon as possible. For registration, contact Thomson Prometrics at (800) 853-6773 (Site code: 5128) or www.prometric.com.

TESTING COSTS

Please visit the PRAXIS site immediately for information about specific test costs (www.ets.org/praxis) or reference the PRAXIS registration booklet. The GRE tests costs approximately $115. Information about these specific test costs can be found out by calling Sylvan Learning Center. More information about both tests is available by calling the MSU Testing Center at (337) 475-5140.

REGISTERING FOR THE PRAXIS AND GRE EXAMS

You can register for the PRAXIS I and GRE Exams online at www.ets.org/praxis.  The PRAXIS Series Registration Bulletin includes registration forms. This bulletin can be obtained from the Testing Services Center. Praxis II registration should be completed at www.ets.org/praxis or by mailing the completed registration form to ETS.

PRACTICING FOR THE PRAXIS EXAMS
Practice booklets for Praxis I, Praxis II, and the GRE can be purchased at Books-A-Million, the MSU Bookstore, and through the ETS website.

On-campus workshop schedules and tutorials are available online at faculty.mcneese.edu/praxis.

GRE

Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) are required for admission to all graduate programs at McNeese State University. Information can be obtained at www.gre.org.

All GRE exams are computer-based. The testing centers closest to Lake Charles are in Beaumont, Texas, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Lamar University (Center Code: 5128)
Galloway Building, Room 118
Beaumont, TX 77710
(800) 853-6773

Louisiana State University (Center Code: 7567)
Measurement & Evaluation Center
137 Himes Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
(225) 578-9487

Prometric Testing Center (Center Code: 5223)
4354 S. Sherwood Forest Boulevard
Suite D-220
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
(225) 293-8489

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Questions? Contact us:
Rachel Manuel
P.O. Box 90820
Lake Charles, LA 70609

337.475.5414

rmanuel@mcneese.edu