The Texas Institute for Teacher Education, a technology-based educator preparation program, exists to prepare competent and compassionate professional educators dedicated to serving the diverse cultural, linguistic, and exceptional learning needs of all students. Accordingly, the Institute is committed to the preparation of classroom educators who recognize that culturally and linguistically responsive professional practice reflects a keen understanding of how human diversity issues impact the individualized learning process, including the acquisition of critical thinking, problem-solving, and performance skills. Program design includes the alignment of Institute curricula and assessments to multiple sets of SBEC standards, including the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. The Texas Institute for Teacher Education prepares prospective educators for general, bilingual, and special education teaching positions. All program candidates receive intensive training within these areas in order to serve the learning needs of all students, especially those with cultural, linguistic, and exceptional diversity. Prior to enrolling in the Professional Practicum (ME 565A) or Clinical Teaching Practicum (ME 565B), program candidates complete four self-paced, online seminars.

After successfully completing the online seminars and the appropriate, initial TExES examination(s), program candidates seek a paid instructional position as a Teacher of Record or an unpaid position as a clinical teacher within a Texas public or private school. While employed as a Teacher of Record, program candidates enroll in the final seminar, ME 565 (Professional Practicum). Clinical teachers enroll in ME 565B, a twelve week internship experience. ME 565 consists of Regional E-Cohorts that use an on-line format to address professional standards of practice, first-year classroom expectations, and performance-based assessments. After successfully completing the final TExES examination (PPR EC-12 or PPR EC-6), the Teacher of Record service requirement, and ME 565, the certification officer of The Texas Institute for Teacher Education recommends program candidates for the appropriate Standard Teaching Certificate issued by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification.