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:
The items listed below are required for admission consideration:
| 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 |
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.
Refer to the International Admission Documents section of this catalog or The Graduate College's website for more information about these 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.
In addition to the above requirements, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and Texas State University require the following items:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The certification officer will recommend candidates to the state for issuance of a teaching certification, after all the following have been completed:
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.
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) reviews out-of-state teacher certificates. Contact the SBEC at 888-863-5880.
111 J.C. Kellam
601 University Drive
San Marcos, Texas 78666-4684