Routes to certification for graduate students

Initial teacher certification without an advanced degree

Admission

Some certification plans have additional or alternative program-specific requirements.

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, with an undergraduate GPA of 2.8 overall or 3.0 in the last 60 hours.
2. Admission to the Toulouse Graduate School as a non-degree-seeking, certification-only student. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must meet the “Admission Requirements for International Students” printed in the Admission section of this catalog.
3. Scores on the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) test that are acceptable to the individual certification program.
4. Admission to a teacher education certification program is generally required by the end of the first term/semester of enrollment. See specific program requirements for any differences.

Certification

1. Completion of all courses including field experience (early field experience/student teaching/practicum); see individual plans for details.
2. Passing scores on the appropriate Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) and the appropriate teaching field(s) subtest of the TExES examinations.
3. Making application and paying fees to SBEC for teacher certification.

Program-specific requirements

Candidates must meet the program requirements for the specific teacher certification option selected. Requirements completed as part of the undergraduate degree may be counted toward initial teacher certification, when applicable, but not toward a graduate degree. Students may use up to 12 graduate semester credit hours taken while in non-degree, certification-only status toward certain graduate degrees. Students must consult with a faculty program coordinator prior to enrolling in classes. Performance requirements to remain in a program may vary. See program advisor for details.

Trade and industrial teacher

Option I

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
2. Three years of full-time wage-earning experience within the past eight years in one or more approved occupations for which instruction is offered. Up to 18 months of the wage-earning experience can be through a formal documented internship.

Option II

1. An associate’s degree from an accredited institution.
2. Three years of full-time wage-earning experience within the past eight years in one or more approved occupations for which instruction is offered.

Option III

1. A high school diploma or the equivalent.
2. Five years of full-time wage-earning experience within the past eight years in one or more approved occupations for which instruction is offered.