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PATHWAYS TO CERTIFICATION
PATHWAYS TO CERTIFICATION
YOUR EDUCATION MATTERS
To become a teacher in Texas, candidates are required to obtain a degree from an accredited university. Many programs offer a bachelor’s (or higher) degree alongside a teacher certification. Other programs will provide teacher certification to those who already hold a bachelor’s (or higher) degree.
YOUR EDUCATION MATTERS
To become a teacher in Texas, candidates are required to obtain a degree from an accredited university. Many programs offer a bachelor’s (or higher) degree alongside a teacher certification. Other programs will provide teacher certification to those who already hold a bachelor’s (or higher) degree.
BETTER TEACHERS. BETTER STUDENT OUTCOMES.
There are many ways to gain teacher certification. Let us help you determine your goals.
Do you have a bachelors (or higher) Degree?
Do you want an advanced degree?
Yes
For those seeking an advanced degree, you will want to enroll in a post-baccalaureate program that would lead to a master’s or doctorate degree with a teaching certification.
View Certification Pathways for Post-Baccalaureate Programs
No
If you already have your bachelor’s degree and only wish to obtain your teacher certification, then an alternative certification program is likely right for you. Alternative certification programs are made for those who are only seeking teaching certification and are designed with working adults in mind.
View Certification Pathways for Alternative Programs
CHOOSE A CERTIFICATION TYPE BELOW:
University Programs offer a route for teacher candidates to obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher and a certificate simultaneously.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM:
You will need to apply to the specific college through which you will earn your bachelor’s degree as well as your teaching certification. Often, you will need to be accepted in the university/college prior to applying to the Educator Preparation Program.
Requirements will vary with each university and subject. Be sure to speak with your Program Coordinator about degree requirements, as well as how they work with your Educator Preparation Program.
Your program will include at least 150 clock hours of coursework and training. You will also need to complete either a Clinical Teaching experience or an Internship.
Through a Clinical Teaching experience, you will be placed in a classroom to work alongside a lead teacher, who acts as a mentor throughout the duration of your Clinical Teaching. You can expect a minimum of 490 hours in your residency as a Clinical Teacher, though there are many programs that extend this duration.
Prior to beginning your Clinical Teaching, you must complete 50 hours of field-based experience. Most Traditional Programs will provide you with a teaching placement and you will receive four formal observations.
Clinical teachers are not usually employed by the district while completing clinical teaching experience and do not usually receive a salary or benefits, nor do they require intern or probationary certificates.
Before taking any exams, your program must authorize you for registration. You will need to pass the TExES content area test for your subject area(s). You will also need to pass the pedagogical and professional responsibilities (PPR) exam. If you are unsure whether to choose the PPR or edTPA and your program offers either one to you, we recommend reviewing our resources on the edTPA pilot. All teacher candidates who teach students in grades PreK through 6 are required to take the science of teaching reading certification exam. View more information here, https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/certification/educator-testing.
Once you have completed all the coursework, teaching experiences, and examination requirements as outlined in your certification plan, then you are ready to apply for a standard certificate. You will need to confirm with your program that you are ready, and once your program recommends you for certification, you will be able to apply online.
All Texas teachers are required to complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting.
Once the Texas Education Agency approves your application, you will be certified and eligible to teach in a Texas classroom.
For those who hold a bachelor’s degree, these programs can often be completed in a year and may offer the chance to be a paid intern while in the program. These programs are not limited to universities and may be provided by school districts, service centers, community colleges, or private companies.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM:
If seeking certification in a subject area based on your academic major, then many programs will only need your transcripts, while others will require the passing of the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT). If your GPA was at or below 2.5, or if you did not complete at least 12 semester credit hours in the subject area of the certificate you are seeking (15 hours for certification in math or science above 7th grade), you will be required to take the PACT prior to admission.
Many Alternative Certification Programs housed in universities require admission to the university as well.
Your program will provide you with at least 300 hours (20 semester credit hours) of coursework and training that will provide you with the necessary skills to manage your classroom, as well as prepare and teach your lessons.
As part of your program requirements, you will either need to complete a Clinical Teaching experience or Internship.
If you choose a Clinical Teaching experience, you will be placed in a classroom to work alongside a lead teacher, who acts as a mentor throughout the duration of your Clinical Teaching. You can expect a minimum of 14 weeks in your residency as a Clinical Teacher, though there are many programs that extend this duration.
Prior to beginning your Clinical Teaching, you must complete 30 hours (2 semester credit hours) of field-based experience and 150 hours (10 semester credit hours) of coursework and/or training.
Clinical teachers are not employed by the district where they teach and do not usually receive a salary or benefits, nor do they require intern or probationary certificates.
As an intern, you will be placed in a classroom as a full-time, paid teacher intern and will be considered the teacher of record for the classroom. Internships are a minimum of one full school year.
Prior to your internship, you must pass all the appropriate content and pedagogy exams (see “Pass the Appropriate Exams” below), apply, and be approved for a probationary or intern certificate valid for one calendar year, and complete the fingerprinting and background check.
Once you have completed all the coursework, teaching experiences, and examination requirements as outlined in your certification plan, then you are ready to apply for a standard certificate. You will need to confirm with your program that you are ready, and once your program recommends you for certification, you will be able to apply online.
All Texas teachers are required to complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting.
Once the Texas Education Agency approves your application, you will be certified and eligible to teach in a Texas classroom.
POST-BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATION
Completed at a university offering a master’s degree or higher education along with the educator preparation program. In order to enter a Post-Baccalaureate Program, you must first have obtained a bachelor’s degree.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM:
You will need to apply to the specific college through which you will earn your bachelor’s degree as well as your teaching certification. Often, you will need to be accepted in the university/college prior to applying to the Educator Preparation Program.
Requirements will vary with each university and subject. Be sure to speak with your Program Coordinator about degree requirements, as well as how they work with your Educator Preparation Program.
Your program will include at least 20 semester credit hours of coursework and training. You will also need to complete either a Clinical Teaching experience or an Internship.
If you choose a Clinical Teaching experience, you will be placed in a classroom to work alongside a lead teacher, who acts as a mentor throughout the duration of your Clinical Teaching. You can expect a minimum of 14 weeks in your residency as a Clinical Teacher, though there are many programs that extend this duration.
Prior to beginning your Clinical Teaching, you must complete 30 hours (2 semester credit hours) of field-based experience and 150 hours (10 semester credit hours) of coursework and/or training.
Clinical teachers are not employed by the district where they teach and do not usually receive a salary or benefits, nor do they require intern or probationary certificates.
As an intern, you will be placed in a classroom as a full-time, paid teacher intern and will be considered the teacher of record for the classroom. Internships are a minimum of one full school year.
Prior to your internship, you must pass all the appropriate content and pedagogy exams (see “Pass the Appropriate Exams” next), apply, and be approved for a probationary or intern certificate valid for one calendar year, and complete the fingerprinting and background check.
Before taking any exams, your program must authorize you for registration. You will need to pass the TExES content area test for your subject area(s). You will also need to pass the pedagogical and professional responsibilities (PPR) exam. If you are unsure whether to choose the PPR or edTPA and your program offers either one to you, we recommend reviewing our resources on the edTPA pilot. All teacher candidates who teach students in grades PreK through 6 are required to take the science of teaching reading certification exam.
View more information here, https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/certification/educator-testing
Once you have completed all the coursework, teaching experiences, and examination requirements as outlined in your certification plan, then you are ready to apply for a standard certificate. You will need to confirm with your program that you are ready, and once your program recommends you for certification, you will be able to apply online.
All Texas teachers are required to complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting.
Once the Texas Education Agency approves your application, you will be certified and eligible to teach in a Texas classroom.
CHOOSE A GRADE LEVEL AND SUBJECT MATTER
Once you have determined which certification pathway is right for you, you will need to consider which subject area and grade level you would like to teach. If you already have a degree, this could help you choose which subject area you’d like to teach in. It’s important to choose the right subject area for yourself.
Use TEA’s dashboard to view subject matter availability.
ENROLL IN A PROGRAM
Once you’ve selected a grade level and subject area you’d like to pursue, you’re ready to enroll in an Educator Preparation Program.
Every program will have different requirements for their students to obtain a teaching certificate. Many of these requirements are state-mandated, but some may reflect the standards of the university. We highly recommend choosing several programs to review and speaking with their program coordinator, so that you understand what to expect from start to finish.
