Texas Teacher Certification

How to Become a Teacher in Texas

Like all states, Texas has its own specific requirements for earning a Texas teacher certification. The traditional process for earning teaching certification involves completing educational requirements, passing required assessments, being fingerprinted for a background check, and submitting an application. Several alternative routes to certification are also available to those who wish to teach in Texas.

Spotlight School

DeVry University

Popular Programs:

• Master's-Education
• Graduate Certificate-Management of Education Corporation/Corporate Training Divisions
• Graduate Certificate-Education Leadership
• Graduate Certificate-Curriculum Leadership

Texas Teacher Education Requirements

In order for an individual to obtain a Texas teaching certification, he or she must first earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Since degrees in education are not granted in Texas, students choose a major relating to the content area that they would like to teach and then also complete an approved educator preparation program. The program may be completed at the school where the degree is being earned or through another institution if an alternative certification program is being completed after an individual has earned a bachelor’s degree. Student teaching or an internship is required as part of the educator preparation program.

Profiles of Well Known Schools

Texas Tech University: The Texas Tech University College of Education is one of the largest College’s located at the university’s main campus in Lubbock. The College of Education has its roots in the department of education dating back to 1925. The College is accredited by several organizations and agencies including the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. A student who matriculates to the Texas Tech University College of Education can expect a world class education both in and out of the classroom. Students are able to get hands on experience learning in real world educational settings as soon as their sophomore year. Texas Tech is a tier one research institution and has several educational research centers such as the Academy of teacher Induction Support and Assistance.

Texas Teacher Testing Requirements

After completing an educator preparation program, those seeking to obtain a Texas teaching license must demonstrate their knowledge on certification assessments. The assessments required vary by subject level and grade level that are to be taught, and each teacher candidate should receive guidance about which tests to take and authorization to take those tests from his or her educator preparation program. In order to evaluate potential teachers’ knowledge of educational practices, Texas uses two tests that are unique to the state: the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) and the Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas (ExCET). After completing required assessments, individuals are ready to apply for certification.

Texas Teacher Salary and Jobs

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.

Texas Teacher Interviews

Interview with Matt Gomez, Texas Kindergarten Teacher

Interview with April Larremore, Texas Kindergarten Teacher

Interview with Lindsay Noren, Texas Third Grade Teacher

Interview with Kathryn Laster, Texas Math Teacher

Interview with Shireen D., Texas High School Math Teacher

Interview with Sharon Callahan, President of the Texas Music Teachers Association

Interview with Megan Favre, Texas Third Grade Language Arts Teacher

Interview with Becky Morales, Texas ESL Teacher Trainer and Founder of Kid World Citizen

School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in Texas

Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools

University of Phoenix

Popular Programs:

• M.A. in Education/Administration and Supervision
• M.A. in Education/Teacher Education Middle Level Mathematics
• M.A. in Education/Teacher Education Secondary Mathematics
• M.A. in Education/Special Education
• And more...

Brandman University Online

Popular Programs:

• MA in Education (Leadership in Early Childhood Education)
• BA in Early Childhood Education
• MA in Educational Leadership and Administration (Tier 1)
• MA in Education with Instructional Technology Emphasis
• And more...

Concordia University Online

Popular Programs:

• B.S. in Early Childhood Education (Birth - 5 Years)
• M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction: Curriculum & Instruction: Early Childhood Education
• Special Education (Early Childhood/Elementary)
• Educational Administration: (EDD)
• And more...

Western Governors University

Popular Programs:

• M.A. Teaching (K-8)
• Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Program (K-8)
• B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8)
• M.A. Teaching - Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)
• And more...

Post University

Popular Programs:

• Master of Education in Teaching & Learning
• Master of Education (M.ED.)
• A.S. in Early Childhood Education
• B.S. in Child Studies

Student Review: “The University of Phoenix was a blessing for me when it came to pursing my college degree. As a single mother of three children under 7 years old, I needed an option to go back to school that was flexible. At the University of Phoenix I am able to schedule my own hours and have plenty of resources to help me achieve my educational and career goals. I was not only able to make out my own schedule, but I am able to obtain a degree in something I have dreamed about for years. Life gave me some hills that I thought I would not be able to climb and with Phoenix I have access to my facilitators, constant contact with my Admissions and Financial Counselor, helpful resources like live math tutors and live math sessions. UOP even offers student life such as groups the students can join online where similar interests are found. I wanted desperately to provide for my children and UOP has given me that opportunity without the pressure of getting up and going to class 5 days a week like a traditional school.” -Katrina S., student at University of Phoenix

Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a Teacher in Texas

Question: What do you need to become a kindergarten teacher in Houston, TX?

Answer: To become a kindergarten teacher in Houston requires a bachelor’s degree, completion of an Approved Educator Preparation Program, passing scores on the appropriate teacher certification exams, completion of a state teacher application, and a criminal background check.

Question: How do I become a high school teacher in Texas?

Answer: To be a high school teacher in Texas, you need to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school and also finish a teacher preparation program that is approved by the state. You also need to pass the state’s certification exam for the subject areas you will be teaching. Once these are complete, you can apply to the state for a certificate, get your fingerprints done, and apply for jobs in schools.

Question: What are the requirements to become an elementary school teacher in Texas?

Answer: To become an elementary teacher in Texas, you must earn a bachelor’s degree. You must also complete an approved teacher preparation program. Once those are complete, you need to pass the exam for elementary instruction and for the subject areas you will be teaching. Finally, you must complete the state application for certification and pass a national criminal background check.

Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in Texas

Abilene Christian University
1600 Campus Court
Abilene, TX 79699
(325) 674-2000
www.acu.edu/admissions

Amarillo College
2011 S. Washington
Amarillo, TX 79109
(806) 371-5000
www.actx.edu/admission/

Angelina College
3500 South First
Lufkin, TX 75902-1768
(936) 639-1301

Angelo State University
2601 W Avenue N
San Angelo, TX 76909
(325) 942-2555
www.angelo.edu/dept/admissions/

Austin College
900 N Grand Ave
Sherman, TX 75090-4400
(903) 813-2000
www.austincollege.edu/admission/

Austin Community College District
5930 Middle Fiskville Rd
Austin, TX 78752
(512) 223-7000
www.austincc.edu/support/admissions/

Baylor University
500 Speight Ave.
Waco, TX 76798
(254) 710-1011
www.baylor.edu/adm

Cisco College
101 College Heights
Cisco, TX 76437
(254) 442-5000

Coastal Bend College
3800 Charco Rd
Beeville, TX 78102
(361) 358-2838
vct.coastalbend.edu/cbcss/content/index.cfm/fa/viewpage/category_id/2778.htm

Dallas Baptist University
3000 Mountain Creek Parkway
Dallas, TX 75211-9299
(214) 333-7100
www.dbu.edu/admissions

Dallas Christian College
2700 Christian Pkwy
Dallas, TX 75234-7299
(972) 241-3371
www.dallas.edu/Admissions/index.cfm

Del Mar College
101 Baldwin Blvd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78404-3897
(361) 698-1255
www.delmar.edu/admissions/

East Texas Baptist University
1209 N Grove
Marshall, TX 75670-1498
(903) 935-7963
www.etbu.edu/Admissions/default.htm

Exposito School of Hair Design Ltd
3710 Mockingbird
Amarillo, TX 79109-3208
(806) 355-9111
expositoschoolofhair.com

Hardin-Simmons University
2200 Hickory
Abilene, TX 79698-0001
(325) 670-1000
www.hsutx.edu/admissions

Hill College
112 Lamar Dr
Hillsboro, TX 76645
(254) 582-2555

Houston Baptist University
7502 Fondren Rd
Houston, TX 77074-3298
(281) 649-3000
www.hbu.edu/hbu/Undergraduate_Admissions.asp

Howard Payne University
1000 Fisk St.
Brownwood, TX 76801-2794
(325) 646-2502

Huston-Tillotson University
900 Chicon St
Austin, TX 78702-2795
(512) 505-3000
www.htu.edu

Jarvis Christian College
Hwy 80 E
Hawkins, TX 75765-1470
(903) 769-5700

Kilgore College
1100 Broadway
Kilgore, TX 75662-3299
(903) 984-8531
www.kilgore.edu/sitemap.asp?Landing=483

Lamar University
4400 MLK
Beaumont, TX 77705
(409) 880-7011
www.lamar.edu/admissions/

LeTourneau University
2100 S Mobberly Ave
Longview, TX 75607-7001
(903) 233-3000
www.letu.edu/_Admissions/

Lee College
511 S Whiting
Baytown, TX 77520
(281) 427-5611

McMurry University
S 14th and Sayles Blvd
Abilene, TX 79697
(325) 793-3800
www.mcm.edu/newsite/web/enrollment/index.htm

Midwestern State University
3410 Taft Blvd
Wichita Falls, TX 76308-2099
(940) 397-4000
admissions.mwsu.edu/

Paul Quinn College
3837 Simpson Stuart Rd
Dallas, TX 75241
(214) 302-3545

Prairie View A & M University
5th Street Ave. A
Prairie View, TX 77446
(936) 261-3311
www.pvamu.edu/pages/2564.asp

Richland College
12800 Abrams Rd
Dallas, TX 75243-2199
(972) 238-6106

Saint Edwards University
3001 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 448-8400
www.gotostedwards.com/x223.xml

Sam Houston State University
1806 Ave J
Huntsville, TX 77340
(936) 294-1111
www.shsu.edu/~adm_www/

San Antonio College
1300 San Pedro Ave
San Antonio, TX 78212-4299
(210) 733-2000
www.alamo.edu/sac/admrec/default.htm

Schreiner University
2100 Memorial Blvd
Kerrville, TX 78028-5697
(830) 896-5411
www.schreiner.edu/admission/index.html

Southern Methodist University
6425 Boaz St
Dallas, TX 75275-0221
(214) 768-2000
www.smu.edu/admission/home.asp

Student Review: “The pedagogical classes were fairly limited in scope — I learned much more from my time as a student teacher than I did in pedagogical classes. We were assigned particular English classes to take as part of our degree to give us a well-rounded background in both American and world literature. My advisor was particularly helpful in connecting me with administrators from several different school districts in the region where I wanted to teach, which made finding a job much easier than I had thought it would be. I entered the classroom ready to teach reading and writing effectively, although more from experience than from the classroom. I would recommend the program because of the connections that you can make.” -Peter B., student at Southern Methodist University

Southwest Texas Junior College
2401 Garner Field Rd
Uvalde, TX 78801-6297
(830) 278-4401
www.swtjc.edu/administration/registrar/index.html

Southwestern Adventist University
100 W Hillcrest
Keene, TX 76059
(817) 645-3921
www.swau.edu/admissions/default.asp

Southwestern Assemblies of God University
1200 Sycamore
Waxahachie, TX 75165
(888) 937-4010

Southwestern University
1001 University Ave
Georgetown, TX 78626
(512) 863-6511
www.southwestern.edu/admission/

St Marys University
One Camino Santa Maria
San Antonio, TX 78228-8572
(210) 436-3011
www.stmarytx.edu/admission/

Stephen F Austin State University
1936 North St
Nacogdoches, TX 75962
(936) 468-2011
www.sfasu.edu/admissions/

Sul Ross State University
400 North Harrison
Alpine, TX 79832
(432) 837-8011
www.sulross.edu/pages/4523.asp

Tarleton State University
1333 W. Washington
Stephenville, TX 76401-0000
(254) 968-9000
www.tarleton.edu/~admissions/

Texas A & M International University
5201 University Blvd
Laredo, TX 78041-1900
(956) 326-2001
www.tamiu.edu/apply

Texas A & M University

College Station, TX 77843
(979) 845-3211
admissions.tamu.edu

Texas A & M University-Commerce
2600 South Neal
Commerce, TX 75429-3011
(903) 886-5081
www.tamu-commerce.edu/admissions/application.asp

Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
6300 Ocean Dr.
Corpus Christi, TX 78412-5503
(361) 825-5700
admissions.tamucc.edu/

Texas A & M University-Kingsville
955 University Blvd
Kingsville, TX 78363
(361) 593-2111
www.tamuk.edu/admissions/

Texas Christian University
2800 S University Dr
Fort Worth, TX 76129
(817) 257-7000
www.admissions.tcu.edu

Texas Lutheran University
1000 W. Court St
Seguin, TX 78155-5999
(830) 372-8000
www.tlu.edu/prospective_students

Texas Southern University
3100 Cleburne St
Houston, TX 77004
(713) 313-7011
em.tsu.edu/admissions/index.php

Texas State Technical College Harlingen
1902 North Loop 499
Harlingen, TX 78550-3697
(956) 364-4000

Texas State University-San Marcos
601 University Dr
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 245-2111
www.admissions.txstate.edu/

Texas Tech University
Broadway and University Avenue
Lubbock, TX 79409-5005
(806) 742-2011
www.admissions.ttu.edu/

Texas Wesleyan University
1201 Wesleyan St
Fort Worth, TX 76105-1536
(817) 531-4444
www.txwes.edu/admission/index.htm

Texas Womans University
304 Administration Dr
Denton, TX 76201
(940) 898-2000
www.twu.edu/admissions/

The University of Texas at Arlington
701 S. Nedderman Dr.
Arlington, TX 76013
(817) 272-2011
www.uta.edu/uta/admissions.html

The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX 78712
(512) 471-3434
www.utexas.edu/student/admissions

Student Review: “The University of Texas is one of the largest universities in the nation. Due to this, I found it important to join groups and organizations on campus to find a smaller, tighter-knit group of people where it would be easier to make friends. It wasn’t until I joined an organization that includes all majors that I was really able to meet and make friends with people from other majors. The quality of the education is superb.” -Neil Q., student at University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Brownsville
80 Fort Brown
Brownsville, TX 78520-4991
(956) 882-8200
www.utb.edu/em/Pages/default.aspx

The University of Texas at Dallas
800 West Campbell Road
Richardson, TX 75080-3021
(972) 883-2111
www.utdallas.edu/enroll/index.php

Student Review: “The University of Texas at Dallas is a school for those who wish to attend a small school with a bigger feel. Located 15 minutes from Dallas, the school offers a few transport options (such as free passes to ride the DART system) so that students don’t feel trapped in suburban Richardson. While the school is small, especially compared to nearby UNT, I feel that this smallness creates a closer community among the students. There are plenty of groups or clubs to join, and plenty of people to meet, although it is true that many of the people who attend the school either aren’t the partying type or commute from off-campus. I’ve never had problems with a professor, and never had any problems approaching them outside of class. I found their scholarship offering to be generous and the on-campus apartments to be of good quality (although a bit expensive). Overall I have no regrets attending UTD although at times it can lack the exciting atmosphere of a larger school.” -Arnand S., student at The University of Texas at Dallas

The University of Texas at El Paso
500 W. University Ave
El Paso, TX 79968-0691
(915) 747-5000

The University of Texas at San Antonio
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX 78249-1644
(210) 458-4011
www.utsa.edu/admissions/

The University of Texas at Tyler
3900 University Blvd
Tyler, TX 75799-6699
(903) 566-7000
www.go2uttyler.com/index.htm

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
4901 E University
Odessa, TX 79762-0001
(432) 552-2020

The University of Texas-Pan American
1201 W University Dr
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999
(956) 381-2011

Trinity University
One Trinity Place
San Antonio, TX 78212-7200
(210) 999-7011
www.trinity.edu/departments/admissions

University of Houston
212 E. Cullen Building
Houston, TX 77204-2018
(713) 743-1000

University of Houston-Clear Lake
2700 Bay Area Blvd
Houston, TX 77058-1098
(281) 283-7600
prtl.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/HOMEPAGE/Future_Student

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
900 College St
Belton, TX 76513-2599
(800) 727-8642

University of North Texas
Chestnut Ave.
Denton, TX 76203-1277
(940) 565-2000
www.unt.edu/admissions.htm

Student Review: “The University of North Texas is in a great location with unique shops, restaurants, and tons of shopping malls around the area. Everyone in the town of Denton is extremely nice, well-mannered, and made me really happy and pleased with the area. They always have well known comedians and actors coming over to the UNT campus to inspire students and have many activities for students to participate in. The one thing I don’t like about UNT is the parking. Everyone pays a lot for a parking permit but never get good parking spots.” -Dustin F., student at University of North Texas

University of St Thomas-Houston
3800 Montrose Blvd
Houston, TX 77006-4696
(713) 522-7911

University of the Incarnate Word
4301 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 829-6000
www.uiw.edu/admissions/index.htm

Wayland Baptist University
1900 W 7th St.
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 291-1000
www.wbu.edu/admission/

West Texas A & M University
2501 4th Ave
Canyon, TX 79016-0001
(806) 651-4636
www.wtamu.edu/admissions

Western Texas College
6200 College Ave
Snyder, TX 79549
(325) 573-8511

Page edited by Charles Sipe.