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Prerequisite Coursework in Texas
In order to become certified to teach in Texas, teachers must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Many states require that a specific number of credit hours be earned in the teaching specialty area. Texas, however, does not have specific requirements for undergraduate credit hours and courses.
Texas does have certain requirements that teacher preparation programs must meet to be accredited. A program must involve at least 300 clock hours of coursework and training, including at least 30 hours of field experience prior to student teaching.
The coursework must cover a range of teaching skills, as dictated by the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards, including the following: reading instruction; code of ethics and standard practices for Texas educators; instructional planning and delivery; knowledge of students and student learning; content knowledge and expertise; learning environment; data-driven practice, professional practices and responsibilities; instruction in detection and education of students with dyslexia; and instruction in detection of students with mental or emotional disorders. Each teacher preparation program will also have its own set of requirements. Contact your program for more information.
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Texas Teacher Certification Programs
To teach in Texas, teachers must complete an educator preparation program approved by the state’s education agency. For a full list of approved educator preparation programs within Texas, see the agency’s website.
If you have already received your certification to teach in Texas, but want to teach in a subject area other than the one you were certified in, you must pass the corresponding Content Test. For a full list of the specific tests educators must pass according to their subject area, see the Texas Education Agency’s website.
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Required Tests for Texas
Texas law requires that educators pass particular tests to become certified. While these tests differ according to subject area, they generally include a test in Pedagogy & Professional Responsibilities and one or more Required Content Tests. The Texas Education Agency maintains a list of the specific tests educators need to pass according to their subject area on the agency’s website.
You can learn more about the Praxis exams by visiting Teach.coms’ Ultimate Guide to the Praxis Exams and read more about teacher certification tests on Teach.com.
Initial Teaching Certifications
The Texas Education Agency is responsible for certifying teachers in the state. The agency offers Initial Certification for first-time teachers, Standard Certification for educators with in-state teaching experience, and Out-of-State Certifications for those who hold an educator credential from another state or country. Initial Certification and Out-of-State Certification are valid for one year, following which educators must apply for their Standard Certification. Standard Certification must be renewed every five years. Renewal requires the completion of 150 continuing professional education hours.
Read more about getting your teaching credential in general on the Teach and Certification Map websites.
