Admission Requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission to Educator Preparation Program at The Texas Institute for Teacher Education is highly competitive. The Institute actively recruits teacher candidates to serve K-12 students with diverse learning needs. School districts throughout the nation need teachers capable of linking current educational and neuroscience research to classroom instructional practices. Accordingly, teacher candidates admitted to the Educator Preparation Program prepare for concurrent certification in General, Bilingual/English as a Second Language, and Special Education areas.

All applications are individually reviewed by the Admissions Committee to determine the eligibility of the prospective teacher candidate. The Admissions Committee meets regularly throughout the academic year and makes eligibility decisions on a "rolling" basis. Teacher candidates may enroll in the self-paced, sequential online seminars at any time. Accepted applicants will receive an official letter of acceptance which details the enrollment process. All teacher candidates must complete an online Orientation Session prior to beginning the formal seminars. The Orientation Session covers the following topics:

  1. Introduction to the teacher certification process.
  2. The general policies, procedures, and expectations of the Institute.
  3. The Texas Educator Code of Ethics.

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ADMISSION ROUTES
There are two admission routes available for applicants to the Educator Preparation Program at The Texas Institute for Teacher Education.

  1. The TExES Prep Route does not require the applicant to present a passing score on a TExES examination. Applicants who select this route complete four online seminars prior to serving as a paid "Teacher of Record" for one academic year or unpaid "Clinical Teacher" for 12 weeks. Applicants who select this route may earn concurrent certification in general, bilingual/ESL, and special education areas.
  2. The PACT (Pre-Admission Content Test) Route requires the applicant to present a passing score on the TExES examination required for the intended certification area. Applicants who select this route complete three online seminars prior to serving as a paid "Teacher of Record" for one academic year or unpaid "Clinical Teacher" for 12 weeks. Applicants who select this route may earn concurrent certification in general, bilingual/ESL, and special education areas.

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APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
To be considered for unconditional admission, domestic applicants must submit the following items:
  • Two Letters of Professional Reference (Applicants will receive a confirmation email with embedded links to the reference database. Simply forward the links to prospective references for completion/submission)
  • An official transcript(s) indicating the receipt of a Bachelors degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited institution.
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 for the undergraduate degree or a 2.50 GPA for the last sixty hours earned prior to receiving the conferred degree. Prospective program candidates who have completed graduate coursework must present a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Exceptions to the GPA requirement may be granted based upon mitigating factors, e.g., full-time employment while completing degree.
  • Present a minimum of 12 semester credit hours in the subject-specific content area for the certification sought, a passing score on a content certification examination, or a passing score on a content examination administered by a vendor on the Texas Education Agency (TEA)-approved vendor list published by the commissioner of education for the calendar year during which the candidate seeks admission.


Prospective teacher candidates who submit all items are officially invited to interview with the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee either denies or grants admission to the applicant. Applicants denied admission are encouraged to reapply once any deficiencies are removed.

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CONTINGENCY ADMISSION :
Prospective program candidates may be accepted by The Texas Institute for Teacher Education on a contingency basis pending receipt of an official transcript showing degree conferred provided that:

  1. The candidate is currently enrolled in and expects to complete the courses and other requirements for obtaining a baccalaureate degree at the end of the semester in which admission to the program is sought.
  2. All program admission requirements have been met.
  3. A candidate admitted on a contingency basis may begin program training and may be approved to take a certification examination, but shall not be recommended for a probationary certificate until the candidate has been awarded a baccalaureate degree.
  4. The contingency admission will be valid for only the semester for which the contingency admission was granted and may not be extended for another semester.

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INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS:
Provide proof of oral English language proficiency by having a score of 79 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) test; Provide Verification of Work Authorization Status: If not a US citizen, verification of lawful permanent residence and a copy of current residency card must be provided at the time of application; Graduates from foreign universities/colleges must submit an original Foreign Credential Review from an approved agency.

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LATE HIRES:
A late hire for a teaching position shall complete 30 clock-hours of field-based experience as well as 80 clock-hours of initial training within 90 school days of assignment. Under this stipulation, late hires must successfully complete ME 531 and ME 532 within 90 days of the hire date.

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Prospective program candidates are encouraged to apply well in advance of their anticipated hiring date as a Teacher of Record. Applicants who successfully complete the steps one through seven are officially invited to interview with the Admissions Committee. Prospective program candidates are evaluated according to a holistic rubric designed to measure applicant dispositions towards the teaching profession. The Admissions Committee either grants unconditional admission to the applicant or denies admission. Admission is available for late hires, college seniors completing graduation coursework, and international applicants, as well. Applicants denied admission are encouraged to reapply once any deficiencies are removed. Prior to issuing educator certificates, the Texas State Board for Educator Certification conducts a state and national criminal history check on all applicants.
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