Administered by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education. Advising and all processing for certification are completed through the College of Education's certification office.
To prepare students who desire teaching credentials in Texas and who already hold a bachelor's degree.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education
- GPA of at least 2.50 overall or in the last 60 credit hours of your bachelor’s degree
- Completed at least 12 semester credit hours in the teaching content area of the certificate the applicant is seeking (15 hours if seeking to certify in math or science)
- An applicant who does not meet the 2.50 GPA requirement or who has not completed a minimum of 12 or 15 semester credit hours in the teaching content area must provide a passing score on a TExES Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) in the content area to be considered for admission. A pass score on a TExES test in the content area taken while enrolled in another EPP will also be acceptable.
- TSI status complete (exempt by bachelor's degree);
- Evidence of English language proficiency (met by U.S. Bachelor's degree or higher);
- Essay of 1-2 pages addressing why you want to be a teacher and the characteristics and experiences that make you a good candidate for the Fast Track program.
Please be aware that: Pursuant to the Texas Education Code (TEC) §22.083/§22.0835, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching and prior to employment as an educator. Any negative legal history, as defined by the State Board for Educator Certification (Texas Administrative Code §249.16) may jeopardize your ability to obtain a certificate and to teach or be employed as an educator. You may request a preliminary criminal history evaluation by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) if you believe you may be ineligible for educator certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense. There is currently a $55 fee for this optional service.
Teacher Certification with a Master’s Degree
Teaching certification may be earned in conjunction with a master's degree for candidates who meet the criteria for admission to an Education graduate program. Qualified students seeking certification as an elementary teacher or middle grades teacher may apply their graduate-level certification coursework toward the requirements for the Master of Arts in Reading or Master of Arts in Professional Education. Qualified students seeking certification as a secondary or middle grades teacher may apply their graduate-level certification coursework toward the requirements for the Master of Arts in Professional Education. Contact the College of Education's Admission Counselor for more information about these options.
Teacher Certification Areas
| Elementary |
Core Subjects EC-6, with optional supplements in Bilingual, ESL, or Special Education |
| Middle Grades |
Core Subjects 4-8, with optional supplements in Bilingual, ESL, or Special Education
English Language Arts and Reading; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies |
| Secondary |
Chemistry; English Language Arts and Reading; History; Life Science (Biology); Mathematics; Physical Science; Science; Social Studies; Speech; Journalism |
| All Levels |
Art; Music; Physical Education; Spanish; Special Education |
+Supplemental Certifications in Bilingual, ESL or Special Education may be added to any certification
Teacher Certification Preparation Requirements
Elementary Teacher Certification Grades EC-6
Notes:
1. Candidates for Bilingual certification replace EDRD 6315/EDRD 6317/EDRD 6323 with EDBI 6325 Teaching Language Arts and Reading to Spanish Speakers and replace EDUC 6302 with EDBI 6324 Teaching Science, Math, and Social Studies to Spanish Speakers.
2. Candidates for ESL certification replace EDUC 6302 with EDBI 6326 Methods of Teaching ESL or EDBI 6327 Advance Problems in ESL.
3. Candidates for Special Education certification will replace EDUC 6304 with EDSP 6343 Programs and Practices for Exceptional Learners or EDSP 6344 Methods of Teaching for Exceptional Learners.
Middle Grades Teacher Certification Grades 4-8
Notes:
1. Candidates for Bilingual certification replace EDRD 6315/EDRD 6317/EDRD 6323 with EDBI 6325 Teaching Language Arts and Reading to Spanish Speakers and replace EDUC 6302 with EDBI 6324 Teaching Science, Math, and Social Studies to Spanish Speakers.
2. Candidates for ESL certification replace EDUC 6302 with EDBI 6326 Methods of Teaching ESL or EDBI 6327 Advance Problems in ESL.
3. Candidates for Special Education certification will replace EDUC 6304 with EDSP 6343 Programs and Practices for Exceptional Learners or EDSP 6344 Methods of Teaching for Exceptional Learners.
Secondary Teacher Certification Grades 7-12
Notes:
1. Candidates for ESL certification replace EDUC 6302 with EDBI 6326 Methods of Teaching ESL or EDBI 6327 Advance Problems in ESL.
2. Candidates for Special Education certification will replace EDUC 6304 with EDSP 6343 Programs and Practices for Exceptional Learners or EDSP 6344 Methods of Teaching for Exceptional Learners.
All-Level Teacher Certification Grades EC-12
Notes:
1. Candidates for ESL certification replace EDUC 6302 with EDBI 6326 Methods of Teaching ESL or EDBI 6327 Advance Problems in ESL.
2. Candidates for Special Education certification will replace EDUC 6304 with EDSP 6343 Programs and Practices for Exceptional Learners or EDSP 6344 Methods of Teaching for Exceptional Learners.
Internship or Clinical Teaching Requirements
The appropriate subject-specific TExES examination of content knowledge must be passed prior to being admitted to internship. In addition, at least three preparation courses and 30 clock hours of field experience must be completed. Intern teachers are contracted employees of a school district and receive the regular salary and benefits of a first-year teacher. The internship period is for one school year, either fall-spring or spring-fall. Individuals who prefer a more gradual entry into teaching may elect to do traditional student teaching (which is unpaid) instead of the internship.
Every effort is made to maintain consistency between the programs offered by the College of Education and the requirements for certification established by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification. However, the state requirements for certifications may change more frequently than published degree requirements, and it is critical that candidates consult their advisors and the UT Permian Basin Certification Officer regularly.