All communication arts and literature majors are required to show competency in two of the aforementioned categories. Students will be required to submit a portfolio in CMST 493 - Teaching and Coaching Oral Communication demonstrating their participation in two or more of these categories. This participation could have been gained in various settings: high school, college, community activities, or work-related assignments.

If students have no experience in at least two of the categories, they will need to acquire that experience during their college careers, either through volunteer experience or through activities courses (for credit) in communication studies, English, mass communication, and theatre/dance.

Before a student is able to take Education courses needed for licensure, that student must first be admitted to the Teacher Education Unit. This process is competitive as the number of students who can be admitted each semester is limited. Admission is based on grades, passing the Basic Skills Exams and other measures.