PEP... The First Step

P.E.P. = Professional Education Program

Apply Here: https://nau.edu/pep/pep-application-steps/

Hey COE friends! RCA Kenzie here writing about what PEP means and what it should look like for you. The Professional Education Program is what you must be accepted into before enrolling in many "major specific" courses, practicum placements, student teaching ext..

---

In order to get accepted:

When looking at your LOUIE home screen under the "to do" list, there will be a list of requirements you must achieve before applying and receiving admission to the program. I know the list looks intimidating, but as you click and look deeper into each "to-do task" it shows the grade and amount of credits needed to complete the task. Most of these courses you should already be taking in your first and second semester as an NAU student.

If you do not achieve the required grade, you must retake courses until the requirement is reached. As you complete the classes the task will be removed from the to-do list.

Part of the application asks for your fingerprint clearance card number. This is the longest part of the process. Do this first semester. My card took 3 weeks to be shipped, but you can get your fingers scanned at Fed Ex or another service site. The process is easy but takes time to get cleared and shipped. This is truly the first step.

You will want to apply to the PEP program as soon as you can. Even if you have a few courses to finish, your application will wait and be checked on by admissions and you will get accepted when the grades have been reported. I applied halfway into my second semester of freshman year (March) and was admitted during finals week. If you apply earlier or later, nothing is at risk, you will just have to wait to enroll and build your schedule, you will still be on track. I was able to take my practicum and major-specific classes in my spring semester of Sophomore Year. The only way to enroll in the classes needed next, you must be admitted.

The application itself is short (5-10 minutes). The questions are easy and about the major you are seeking, the year you plan to graduate, fingerprint card number ext. However, you can not apply if you have any holds on your account.

Feel free to ask your gateway advisor for any help if you run into any troubles.