Educator Preparation Program
The Steele Center for Educator Preparation Services provides support services for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the SHSU Educator Preparation Program. This includes students seeking degrees that prepare them for Texas certification as classroom teachers, principals, superintendents, educational diagnosticians, reading specialists, school librarians, and school counselors. These services include coordination of field experiences and clinical teaching, authorization and support for TExES certification exams, guidance in meeting the requirements for and recommendation for state certification.
Admissions
Admission Criteria
To be admitted to the Educator Preparation Program for initial teacher certification you must:
- Earn and maintain a GPA ≥ 2.75 Overall or Last 60 Semester Credit Hours. This includes both transfer and SHSU courses.
- Meet all TSI requirements.
- Complete the minimum content area semester credit hours (SCH)
| PK-3, EC-6, or 4-8 | Secondary Grades |
|---|---|
| PK-3, EC-6: 3SCH each in ENGL, MATH, SCI, & SS | 7-12 Mathematics: 15 SCH in Math |
| 4-8 CORE SUBJECTS: 3 SCH each in ENGL, MATH, SCI, & SS | 7-12 Life Science: 15 SCH in BIOL |
| 4-8 ELAR: 12 SCH IN ELAR | 7-12 Composite Science: 15 SCH in SCIENCES combined |
| 4-8 SCIENCE: 15 SCH in SCIENCE | All other Secondary or All-Level (EC-12): 12 SCH in teaching subject |
| 4-8 MATH: 15 SCH in MATH | X |
| 4-8 SOCIAL STUDIES: 12 SCH in SOCIAL STUDIES | X |
Steps for Initial Teacher Candidates to Apply for the Educator Preparation Program (EPP):
- Create an application to the Educator Preparation Program in TK20 (See Blackboard Teacher Preparation Program organization for more information)
- Criminal history must be checked and passed (The EPP will conduct this as a part of the application process.)
- Pay the required fees within the application
- $35 Texas Education Agency Technology Fee
- $100 Educator Preparation Program Fee
- Upload unofficial transcript (or pdf from Degree Works) within the application
- Receive acceptance email and click "YES" to accept EPP invitation (required for program admittance)
Texas Teacher Pathway - Admissions
| Steps | Pathway |
|---|---|
Step 1 |
Decide what you want to teach! |
| Step 2 | See an advisor to determine your degree plan and class schedules. |
| Step 3 | Prepare for admission to the Educator Preperation Program. Know the admission and work toward them! |
| Step 4 | Create a TEAL account with the Texas Education Agency |
Field
-
Bridge the gap between theory and practice. Gain support from mentors, site coordinator, and professors. Teacher candidates will be classroom ready on day 1 with a full year of hands on classroom field experience.
Texas Teacher Pathway - Field
| Steps | Pathway |
|---|---|
| Step 5 | Prepare for certification testing. All Teacher Candidates must pass the required TExES exam(s) fo their content area prior to their student teaching or final yearlong residency semester. Candidates must take the benchmarks appropriate for their discipline throughout the program. |
| Step 6 | Once you have completed your core coursework and are admitted to the Educator Preperation Program, you will engage in field experiences in P-12 classrooms. |
| Step 7 | Pass the state Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam. |
| Step 8 | Graduate! |
| Step 9 | Apply for your Standard Teacher Certification at the Texas Education Agency (in TEAL) |
-
Contact EPP Field Operations
Assessment & Accountability
The COE is committed to accountability and transparency by reporting performance data that is updated regularly on Office of Assessment & Accountability website.
Certification & Testing FAQs
This varies depending on what area you want to teach. All teacher candidates must demonstrate mastery of their content field (TExES Content Exam) and Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (TExES PPR exam). Additionally, all Early Childhood PK-3, EC-6 Core Subjects, 4-8 Core Subjects, and 4-8 English Language Arts and Reading teacher candidates must demonstrate mastery on the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) exam.
Test takers are limited to 5 attempts on any certification test under Texas Education Code § 21.048(a-1).
All teacher candidates must pass the required TExES exam(s) for their content area prior to their student teaching or final Yearlong Residency semester. This includes the Science of Teaching and Reading (STR) test for PK-3, EC-6, 4-8 core and 4-8 ELAR teacher candidates.
Candidates must take the benchmarks appropriate for their discipline throughout the program. Once a teacher candidate makes an 80% or higher on the content exam benchmark, approval may be given by the content department to take the actual TExES exam.
Teacher Candidates should send the score report with a score of 80% or better to EDU_EdPrep@shsu.edu for TExES testing approval.
Practice TExES are offered through Certify Teacher and 240tutoring.
The College of Education Testing Support Center offers a variety of study materials
You can take your certification exam anywhere it is offered worldwide. When you register for your certification exam select your testing location, date, and time.
You can also view the TExES Registration which contains:
- preparation materials
- updated program policies
- tests offered
- test dates
- registration information, steps and deadlines
- fees and payment policies
- identification (ID) requirements
- test center procedures
- score reporting information
Candidates that have passed ALL TExES and completed their program (usually at the end of Yearlong Residency, student teaching, or internship).
Candidates can apply for certification when they have completed their program (usually at the end of Yearlong Residency, student teaching or internship) and passed all TExES.
You can apply for certification via TEAL
Certification may take several business days. Candidates must have their fingerprints cleared by TEA to be certified. Candidates without fingerprints in TEA's database will be prompted on next steps. Candidates with fingerprints on file are typically certified more quickly.
After SHSU recommends the candidate, and TEA issues the certificate, it will be available online.
For information about additional certifications go to the TEA website.