The Educator Preparation Program (EPP) prepares candidates for numerous initial teacher certificates. The program produces teachers who are certified to teach in Texas public, charter, and private EC - 12 schools.  

Post-baccalaureate students can earn initial teacher certification through the following options:

• alternative certification 
• master's degree + certification
• second bachelor's degree program with teacher certification (see undergraduate catalog for admission and program requirements)

Admission Requirements for U.S. Citizens

Alternative Teacher Certification

The items listed below are required for admission consideration:

• completed online application
• $20 nonrefundable application fee
• OR
• $60 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
• baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
• official transcript (and marksheets if applicable) from each institution where course credit was granted
• a 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA on your last 60 hours of course work toward a degree
• Requisite baccalaureate coursework. Details vary according to the specific certificate chosen. Visit the program's web page for more information.

Master's Degree + Certification Programs

Master's Program	Certification Program
Elementary Education	4 - 8 English Language Arts/Reading/Social Studies
Elementary Education	4 - 8 Science
Elementary Education	4 - 8 Math
Elementary Education	4 - 8 Generalist
Elementary Education	EC - 6 Core Subjects ESL
Elementary Education	EC - 6 Core Subjects Bilingual
Secondary Education	See list of Secondary and All Level certificates
Secondary Education - Teacher Recruitment Program (TRP)	Contact TRP for available Secondary and All Level certificates
Special Education	EC - 12 Special Education

Admission Requirements for International Applicants

Texas State defines an international student as anyone who is in a non-immigrant visa status including H1-B visa holders. If you are not a U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, you would be classified as an international student. Students who are not on a visa and are graduating from a Texas high school after three years in residence in Texas (please review Senate Bill 1528) are considered domestic applicants.

The following items, in addition to those listed for U.S. citizens, are required for admission consideration. These items apply to both alternative certifications and master's degree + certification programs.

• official transcripts (and marksheets if applicable) from every institution attended: one in the native language of the country where the university is located and one certified English translation (if transcripts are issued in a language other than English)
• two copies of the graduation/degree certificate (diploma) showing the type of degree and the date in which the degree was earned, one in the native language of the country where the university is located and one certified English translation.
• official (iBT) TOEFL scores with a minimum of 24 on the speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading, and 21 for writing. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) does not accept any other English proficiency exams.

Refer to the International Admission Documents section of this catalog or The Graduate College's website for more information about these requirements.

F-1 Visa Enrollment Requirements

A student under F-1 international student visa must enroll full-time (nine hours) in the fall and spring terms. The only exception to this rule is if you are currently under a Post-Completion OPT period and in good F-1 status. An F-1 student does not have to enroll during the summer if the student is eligible and intends to register for the next term. A new initial F-1 student who recently gained admission into the U.S. with a program start date set to begin in the summer session must enroll full-time for that summer session. For more information go to international.txst.edu  or contact International Student and Scholar Services at 512.245.7966 or international@txstate.edu.

Admission Requirements for the Educator Preparation Program (EPP)

In addition to the above requirements, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and Texas State University require the following items:

• completed application to the Educator Preparation Program
• accepted offer of admission and nonrefundable $35 fee
• completed application for a Certification Plan and nonrefundable $75 fee

Admission requirements are subject to change in response to state law and university policy and do not adhere to a particular catalog year. Review the Office of Educator Preparation website for current admittance information and processes. 

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Teacher Certification Requirements*

Successful teaching requires a combination of both academic and interpersonal skills. Behaviors, skills, abilities, and dispositions which are required for successful teaching as well as the candidate's general level of readiness for teaching in EC - 12 classrooms are regularly assessed.

All candidates requesting placement in EC - 12 schools must complete a criminal background check. Each school district has its own background check process and requirements that must be met before the school district will approve a candidate's placement. 

Course Work Requirements

Once admitted to the program, candidates must apply for a certification plan and pay a fee. Each certification has different course requirements that may vary according to a candidate's academic background.

Field Experience

A minimum of 30 clock hours of field experience observation is required; students must complete this requirement before student teaching either in a field block experience or as a stand-alone placement embedded in specific course work. Candidates must consult OEP and/or a program advisor before deciding how to fulfill this requirement.

Student Teaching and Internship

Candidates with bachelor’s degrees have two options for state-required culminating experience of the teacher certification process. Clinical teaching (student teaching) is a one-semester (six credit hours), usually unpaid, full-time experience in a local public school classroom. All course work from the certification plan must be completed prior to the student teaching semester. Students may also be approved pursue a year-long, paid internship. All course work from the certification plan and testing requirements must be completed prior to yearlong paid teaching internship. 

Teacher Certification Exams

The Texas Examination of Educational Standards (TExES) is the state required teacher examination for all Texas Educators. A candidate's certification area and level will determine which TExES tests are required. Candidates are allowed five attempts for each certification test and must request approval from the OEP for each attempt. Review the OEP website for the test approval process. Candidates are eligible for test approval up to 2 years after completing the program.

Certification Recommendation

The certification officer will recommend candidates to the state for issuance of a teaching certification, after all the following have been completed:

• passing scores on all the required certification exams
• credit for student teaching or internship posted to the transcript
• bachelor's degree on file with the university
• completed application for certification through TEA

*

 Program requirements are subject to change in response to state law and university policy and do not adhere to a particular catalog year. Review the Office of Educator Preparation website for current program requirements and processes.

Holders of Valid Out-of-State Certificates