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College of Education
Office of Educator Preparation

Step 1: Review Eligibility

Admittance to the Educator Preparation Program

Step 1: Review Eligibility 

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  • Eligibility Requirements

    • You must meet the minimum GPA requirement by the beginning of the semester for which you apply.

      Your degree or program GPA requirement for admittance to EPP
      Bachelor's + Certification minimum Overall GPA of 2.75
      Second Bachelor's + Certification minimum Overall GPA of 2.75
      M.Ed. + Certification (CMED) minimum Last 60 GPA of 2.75
      Teacher Recruitment Program (TRP) minimum Last 60 GPA of 2.75
      Stand-Alone Teacher Certification minimum Last 60 GPA of 2.75

    • A background check is not required at the point of Admittance. However, please be aware the Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires multiple background checks for progression through the Educator Preparation Program and ultimately for issuance of a standard certificate. Pursuant to Texas Administrative Code 249.16, you may be ineligible for issuance of a certificate upon completion of the Educator Preparation Program due to offenses considered to relate directly to the duties and responsibilities of the education profession. If you have a criminal history, the Office of Educator Preparation (OEP) recommends you

      1. review Texas Administrative Code 249.16, Eligibility of Persons with Criminal History for a Certificate for more information about specific offenses considered to relate directly to the duties and responsibilities of the education profession;
      2. pay for a Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation from the Texas Education Agency;
      3. schedule an appointment for free legal counseling services through Texas State University’s Attorney for Students; and,

      4. disclose this information to the director of the Office of Educator Preparation at Texas State University.

    • You must meet the minimum credit hour or bachelor's degree requirement by the beginning of the semester for which you apply.

      Your degree or program Credit hours or degree requirement for admittance to the EPP
      Bachelor's + Certification 60 earned credit hours (Junior classification)
      Second Bachelor's + Certification Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
      M.Ed. + Certification (CMED) Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
      Teacher Recruitment Program (TRP) Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
      Stand-Alone Teacher Certification Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

    • You must earn a minimum number credit hours toward the subject you want to teach by the beginning of the semester for which you apply.

      • 12 earned semester credit hours in the subject you plan to teach; or
      • 15 earned semester credit hours if you are seeking certification in mathematics or science.

    • You must meet the Reading requirement by the beginning of the semester for which you apply:

      • C's or better in any 6 credit hours coded 060 or 070 Core Curriculum (for example, history or political science).

    • You must meet the Written Communication requirement by the beginning of the semester for which you apply:

      • C's or better in any 6 credit hours coded 010 Core Curriculum (for example, English Composition I, II).

    • You must meet the Critical Thinking requirement by the beginning of the semester for which you apply:

      • C or better in any 3 credit hours coded 040 Core Curriculum (for example, Philosophy, Language, or Culture).

    • You must meet the Mathematics requirement by the beginning of the semester for which you apply:

      • C or better in any 3 credit hours coded 020 Core Curriculum (for example, College Algebra, Survey of Contemporary Mathematics, or Statistics).

    • You must meet the Oral Communication requirement by the beginning of the semester for which you apply.

      Your degree or program Oral communication requirement for admittance to the EPP
      Bachelor's + Certification

      B or better* in 3 hours of Oral Communication: COMM 1310  (TCCNS SPCH 1311), COMM 2338 (TCCNS SPCH 1315), COMM 2315 (TCCNS SPCH 1318), HON 2309B, HON 2309F, HON 2309O, HON 2309L, or PHYS 2425

      *If you received a C in your speech class or if you received CR by examination, you must schedule a C in COMM Interview to determine if a C or CR is acceptable for admittance.
      Second Bachelor's + Certification

      B or better* in 3 hours of Oral Communication: COMM 1310  (TCCNS SPCH 1311), COMM 2338 (TCCNS SPCH 1315), COMM 2315 (TCCNS SPCH 1318), HON 2309B, HON 2309F, HON 2309O,or HON 2309L.

      *If you received a C in your speech class or if you received CR by examination, you must schedule a C in COMM Interview to determine if a C or CR is acceptable for admittance.
      M.Ed. + Certification (CMED)

      B or better in 3 hours of Oral Communication; or

      Evidence (course description or syllabus) of another course in which speeches or presentations were a significant portion of the grade; or

      Evidence (service record, letter from an employer, or CV) of classroom teaching experience (i.g., teacher's aide, substitute teacher, college TA, or corporate trainer).
      Teacher Recruitment Program (TRP)

      B or better in 3 hours of Oral Communication; or

      Evidence (course description or syllabus) of another course in which speeches or presentations were a significant portion of the grade; or

      Evidence (service record, letter from an employer, or CV) of classroom teaching experience (i.g., teacher's aide, substitute teacher, college TA, or corporate trainer).
      Stand-Alone Teacher Certification

      B or better in 3 hours of Oral Communication; or

      Evidence (course description or syllabus) of another course in which speeches or presentations were a significant portion of the grade; or

      Evidence (service record, letter from an employer, or CV) of classroom teaching experience (i.g., teacher's aide, substitute teacher, college TA, or corporate trainer).

       

    • You must be able to communicate, listen, read, write, and comprehend the English language sufficiently to use it easily and readily in daily communication and teaching. This is a separate requirement from the Oral Communication requirement.

      • For students seeking first Bachelor's degree: you must meet Texas State University's English Language Proficiency requirement as outlined by Undergraduate Admissions.
      • For 2nd Bachelor's, CMED, TRP, and Teacher Certification Stand-Alone: completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or approved by TEA; OR verification of minimum scaled scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT). Minimum TOEFL iBT scores are 24 for speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading, and 21 for writing (NOTE: score requirements are subject to change based on state statute).

    • Before you apply to the Educator Preparation Program, make sure you have been admitted to Texas State University as a student enrolled in a major or program that includes teacher certification.

    • If you have never pursued teacher certification before, you may skip this requirement. 

      • If you have previously been admitted to another Educator Preparation Program, even if you did not attend, you must also submit a TEA Candidate Transfer Form.

    • Undocumented and DACAmented students are valued members of the Texas State University community. If you have questions or concerns about how your legal status affects your eligibility to complete the Educator Preparation Program, please take the following steps:

    • Military service members or military veterans may receive credit toward some educator preparation course requirements by having their educational experience obtained in the Armed Forces evaluated by the Texas State Office of Veterans Affairs. The military service, training, or education must be directly related to the certificate being sought. Academic advisors and/or OEP staff will assist with determining how approved course credit may be applied to educator preparation requirements.

    • Candidates who are not military service members or military veterans may be able to apply prior or ongoing service, training, or education toward educator preparation program requirements. Such service, training, or education may not count toward internship, clinical practice, or practica requirements and must have been provided by an approved EPP or an accredited institution of higher education within the past five and be directly related to the certificate being sought. Candidates prior coursework will be evaluated by academic advisors and/or OEP staff.

Steps for Admittance