Applying to the Teacher Education Program
- A minimum of 60 semester hours including current enrollment with an acceptable scholastic GPA (2.7 for Elementary, 2.5 for other programs).
- College level skills in reading, oral and written communication, critical thinking, and mathematics.
- Possess such personal and social qualities, and physical and mental health to indicate a fitness for the education profession.
- Admission to upper division/PostBac teacher education programs will be subject to additional entrance criteria depending on availability of space in the program selected.
To be considered for admission to teacher certification programs, students must meet the following minimum prerequisites:
Undergraduate Students:
- Apply online to the teacher education program. Please be sure to see a certification advisor in the College of Education for questions regarding teacher certification.
- After admission into the teacher education program, attend a student orientation meeting and file a certification plan with an advisor in the College of Education. File a degree plan with an advisor from your major College. Be sure to obtain copies for yourself.
- Apply online to the Texas Tech graduate school and online to the Teacher Educator Program whether you are working toward an advanced degree or taking classes for certification only. The Graduate School will forward your application to the College of Education. A Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Tech University or any other university does not guarantee admission to the certification program. The standards for admission to the certification program go beyond those for admission to the Graduate School and include THEA scores of 260 for Reading, 240 for Writing, and 240 for Mathematics. Once accepted, you will be notified by your certification advisor about your acceptance and an appointment made to complete a certification plan. See a certification advisor in the College of Education for questions regarding teacher certification.
- Obtain more information about the admission process to the Graduate School. You will choose “CERT” as your degree classification when filling out the forms for the Graduate School. This application is also your application to the Teacher Education Program. Often, courses taken for teaching certification will also apply to a Master’s Degree. If you are interested in obtaining your Master’s Degree, you should also contact a faculty advisor in the appropriate area early in your program. Be aware that you should apply for the Master’s Program within the first twelve hours of coursework.
- Upon acceptance to the Graduate School, contact the appropriate certification advisor for your chosen area of study to set up a certification plan. You must meet with your certification advisor before you have access to the initial certification courses. If you already have an initial teaching certificate and are in a professional program (principal, counselor, master reading teacher, master technology teacher, etc.), meeting with the certification advisor will facilitate your certification.
After Acceptance All Students Should:
2. Enroll in classes. Note: These courses must be taken in sequence and are not offered during the summer. Note: Field experience is required as part of your coursework; the local school districts will conduct criminal background checks before your placement is approved.
3. Obtain a subscription to TaskStream, an online resource tool, and begin developing your portfolio with your assignments in your professional courses. Attend a TaskStream workshop during your first semester of education courses. See detailed TaskStream information Link to Directions 2.
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