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Texas Certified Teacher

I want to teach in a Texas Public School with my Bachelor's Degree. Please review this UTEP Undergraduate Certification Area Chart.

Elementary with ESL Certification OR Elementary with Bilingual Certification

Degree Plan (Bilingual) | Degree Plan (ESL)

• Learn the fundamentals of early childhood & elementary education across subject areas; engage in hands-on learning through field experiences connected to coursework.
• Bilingual and English as Second Language (ESL)-certified educators will be prepared to provide meaningful and equitable learning opportunities for students whose primary language is not English.

Middle Grades with ESL Certification OR Middle Grades with Bilingual Certification

Degree Plan (Bilingual) | Degree Plan (ESL)

• For educators interested in teaching Middle Grades who would like flexibility in what subjects they teach. Learn about English, Math, Social Studies, and Science concepts to teach middle grade students.

Middle Grades English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR) with ESL OR Middle Grades ELAR & Social Studies with ESL

Degree Plan (ELAR) | Degree Plan (ELAR/SS)

• Help Middle Grade students develop their reading, writing, and listening skills with an increased complexity across different disciplines. These skills are critical to college readiness, professional settings, and every day life. 
• Integrate Language Arts with Social Studies to motivate the development of literacy skills. Teach Middle Grade students subjects such as history, geography, economics, government, and about diverse cultures.

Middle Grades Mathematics with ESL OR Middle Grades Math/Science with ESL

Degree Plan (Math) | Degree Plan (Math/Sci)

• Teach students about equations, geometry, fractions, and other mathematical concepts and help them develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Science educators provide students hands-on learning opportunities to help students understand the importance of the scientific method and develop their critical thinking skills.

EC– 12th Grade Special Education

Degree Plan

• Learn how to teach children and youth with mild to severe disabilities and how to create inclusive classrooms to foster development.
• With this certification, you can also work towards becoming an EC-6 Core Subjects/Generalist or 4-8 Core Subjects/Generalist teacher.

Early Childhood/Community Education Pathways

I want a career in education-related fields outside of public school teaching.

Early Childhood Care & Education

Degree Plan

• Learn how to prepare to serve young children birth to five years of age [0-5] in diverse, bilingual settings outside of state public schooling.
• With this non-licensure concentration graduates could work with infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children, in settings such as private and public childcare, early intervention, community and child-welfare, and Head Start.

Education and Community Studies

Degree Plan 

• Learn how to teach outside K-12 classroom settings to impact the lives of children and youth.
• Non-profit organizations, ECI, youth programs, parks and recreation departments, child development centers, after-school programs, CDA.

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate students who aim to become Texas certified teachers must apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) while they are working on their bachelor’s degree. During their first semester at UTEP, students should make an appointment with a Center for Student Success (CSS) program advisor to discuss EPP admission requirements, such as testing and minimum GPA. Admission to the EPP is restricted to students who meet the criteria set by the College of Education, therefore it is vital that students stay informed of current admission requirements.

EPP admission requirements vary by college. To view the admission requirements checklist, please click on the appropriate college link below for your major.

Application Submission

Students may submit their EPP application packet by scheduling an appointment with a program advisor who will review their documents. After review and final approval of the packet, EPP applicants must attend the EPP Admission Workshop. Admission into the EPP is not secured until attending the workshop.

Review EPP admission requirements and submit your application here.

Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Spring 2025 Admissions Calendar

College of Liberal Arts Students: To ensure that you have met all EPP requirements, contact Daniel Cereceres (dcereceres@utep.edu) before submitting your application packet.

Ensure you have met ALL program requirements before submitting your materials. If you have questions, contact your COE advisor.

Contact the Center for Student Success (CSS) for more information at (915)–747–5571

Background Checks

As part of the EPP, candidates are required to pass background checks to be eligible for field-based experiences (observation hours), clinical teaching (student teaching), and applying for their standard teaching certificate.

Pursuant to the Texas Education Code TEC, §22.0835, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to student teaching; and pursuant to the TEC, §22.083, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator. A candidate may be ineligible for issuance of a certificate on completion of the EPP if an individual has been convicted of an offense.

A person who is enrolled or planning to enroll in an educator preparation program or planning to take a certification examination may request a  evaluation letter regarding the person's potential ineligibility for certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense.

Program and Certification Requirements

Students in the Educator Preparation Program must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete degree plan coursework with a 2.75 cummulative GPA. 
• Pass 240 Tutoring practice test with 78% or higher to get clearance for state exams.
• Pass all required Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES).
• Complete field experience requirements prior to student teaching/residency.
• Pass fingerprint/background check requirements.
• Complete student teaching/residency requirements.
• Students must remain in good standing to progress toward the completion of a degree program (See the appropriate catalog section under ).
• Upon conferral of BSED degree, submit the initial certification application and pay the fee to the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

New Certification Requirement:

Science of Teaching Reading Exam (EC-6 & 4-8)

Starting January 1, 2021, all teacher candidates seeking state certification in the following areas must pass a Science of Teaching Reading exam, in addition to other TExES certification exams:

• EC-6 Core Subjects [includes Bilingual]
• 4-8 Core Subjects [includes Bilingual]
• 4-8 ELAR
• 4-8 ELAR/Social Studies

This exam requirement comes from passed by the Texas Legislature in 2019. The new requirement is aimed at strengthening the preparation of novice elementary and middle school teachers in the teaching of reading.

Two key literacy courses in the EC-6 and 4-8 degree programs will help prepare teacher candidates for the new exam requirement: RED 2430 (Foundations of Literacy and Learning) and RED 4341 (Assessment in the Teaching of Reading).

More information on the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) can be found on the website.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our program coordinator for assessment, Haley Richardson (hrichardson@utep.edu).

Required TExES Tests For Certification

Students seeking certification are required to take the appropriate Texas Examinations for Educator Standards (TExES) tests to qualify for certification.

Testing Sequence by Certification Area

Teacher Preparation Team

Please allow 1– 2 business days for us to reply to emails. We strongly encourage our students to schedule an appointment to speak with Teacher Preparation academic advisors or personnel

Center for Student Success - E: coecss@utep.edu; P: (915) 747-5571
Office of Student Teaching - E: studentteaching@utep.edu; P: (915) 747-7663

Testing

Candidates pursuing Texas Teacher Certification must complete the College of Education Educator Preparation Program (EPP) requirements to include passing the appropriate Texas Examinations for Educator Standards (TExES). To ensure that candidates have assessed their skills and knowledge to perform adequately on the state certification exams, the EPP requires students to first pass qualifying exams. Upon successful completion of the qualifying exams, students will receive clearance to attempt the appropriate TExES tests. In addition to completing all other program requirements, candidates must successfully complete all TExES exams required for their area of certification to participate in Student Teaching.

Recent State Testing Changes:

Effective September 1, 2018, all attempts of the same examination, no matter when they occurred, will count toward the 5-attempt testing limit regardless of when the examination was first attempted. Candidates who took certification examinations before September 1, 2015, and have not yet passed those examinations will find more information on the .

Candidates who reach the 5-attempt testing limit and wish to retest must apply for a test-limit waiver from the .

Testing Accommodations for Test Takers with Disabilities or Health-Related Needs:

Candidates who would like to request testing accommodations for TExES tests, click .

Required TExES Tests For Certification

Students seeking certification are required to take the appropriate Texas Examinations for Educator Standards (TExES) tests to qualify for certification.

Testing Sequence by Certification Area

Study Material for Qualifying and State Exams

Exam Dates and Sites:

How to Register for State Exams:

Study Tips Preparing for a Texas Educator Certification Exam:

Certify Teacher: Promo Code: UTEP4728 (PPR and Content) 

240 Tutoring: (PPR and Content)  

T-CERT: (PPR and Content) 

UTEP Workshops: Visit Website

State manual (what is the test all about)

For use on computers other than UTEP computers, please contact the UTEP help desk (915-747-4357) and ask for help to set up “Global VPN”. This will allow you to access the test for free.

Study Guides:

Mometrix test preparation
XAmonline test preparation
Edpublishing – great for social studies  

Youtube:

Mometrix:
Test taker tips:

Miner Teacher Residency

The UTEP College of Education, in partnership with local districts, is now offering teacher candidates the opportunity to engage in a year-long, coaching-intensive, paid student-teaching experience, called the Miner Teacher Residency.

Learn More

Student Teaching Checklist

In order to apply for student teaching students must meet all requirements listed below:

• Pass 240 Tutoring Practice Test with a 78%
• Pass State Exams with an 80%
• Complete most if not all coursework
• Be able to pass a background check with the state

Student Teaching Website

The Teacher Education Program at the College of Education (COE) is accredited and approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to prepare teachers in 25 initial and 28 alternative certification fields across three different education levels. The COE also extends candidates the opportunity to become more marketable in the field of education by offering the coursework and preparation required to become Bilingual/ESL certified.

Learn More

Graduation

Registration & Records
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Start your Career

UTEP Career Center
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UTEP Teacher Job Fair
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Career Opportunities

Click the district/organization logo to check for teaching job openings. 

Job Outlook/Earnings

• Salary Comparison Texas Career Search [Please enter “Teacher” in the Search box]:
• Understanding Teacher Shortages:
• Uncertified Teachers and Teacher Vacancies by State:

University of Texas at El Paso Educator Preparation Program Exit Policy

Teacher candidates admitted to ÀÇÓÑÊÓƵ (UTEP) Educator Preparation Program (EPP) are expected to demonstrate professional dispositions and competencies. Additionally, all candidates recommended for teaching certification by the State of Texas must demonstrate readiness to teach in their specific areas. Successful completion of university coursework, along with professionalism, ethical conduct, and adherence to professional standards, signifies their preparedness for teaching.

Porpuse

The state of Texas requires all educator preparation programs to have an exit policy for the dismissal of candidates that is published, reviewed, and signed by candidates when they are admitted to the program. This requirement is stated in

Dismissal from the Educator Preparation Program

A teacher candidate may be dismissed from the EPP in the event they demonstrate behavior not consistent with the professional and ethical expectations of an educator in Texas. Dismissal from the program may be based on grounds including but not limited to:

• Failure to meet coursework requirements.
• Failure to demonstrate adequate level of professional or personal competency after an attempt at remediation.
• Failure to abide by policies and/or procedures established by the UTEP Teacher Preparation Program and/or program requirements established by the State Board for Educator Certification as published in the Texas Administrative Code.
• Having been charged or convicted of a criminal offense.
• Any action deemed a violation of the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators.
• Any action deemed a violation of the ÀÇÓÑÊÓƵ Student Code of Conduct.
• Any action deemed a violation of school district and/or campus policy during field-based experiences or clinical teaching or internship.

The foregoing is not an exhaustive list of reasons upon which a dismissal decision may be based. Dismissal from the program is determined by a committee composed of the Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, and program faculty. This may occur at any time. Teacher candidates who are dismissed from the UTEP College of Education will also be automatically dismissed from the Educator Preparation Program. All decisions of dismissal can be appealed following College policies.

General Dismissal Policies & Procedures

Withdrawal from the Educator Preparation Program

A teacher candidate who decides to voluntarily withdraw from the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) must send a written notice of that intent from a UTEP email account and include their Student ID to their respective advisor. The candidate must also submit an EPP Removal Form. If a candidate is transferring to another EPP, they must submit a signed Texas Education Transfer Form. Withdrawal from the University constitutes automatic withdrawal from the EPP.

Dismissal of Inactive Candidates

An inactive candidate is one who is no longer completing coursework, training, and testing requirements with an EPP and is not a completer of the EPP. After one academic year (two long regular semester terms) of inactivity, candidates enrolled in the EPP will be notified that they will be dismissed from the EPP and must follow university policy for readmission and then apply for readmission to the EPP. Dismissed candidates will be removed from the “other enrolled” list by the Teacher Preparation Program.

Readmission Process for Dismissed Inactive Candidates

In order to be readmitted to the EEP after a period of inactivity, a dismissed candidate must follow the re-admission processes required by UTEP Admissions and by the Educator Preparation Program. Readmission to the EPP will be considered on an individual basis. Program requirements may change over time because of revisions in certification rules or educator standards; therefore, re-admittance could mean that there are new criteria that the re-admitted applicant must meet.