Undergraduate Teacher Certification
Undergraduates seeking teacher certification will earn their Bachelor’s degree while also completing the requirement for a Texas teaching certification. This traditional pathway to certification is the most efficient in terms of cost and time. Students seeking to become certified to teach early childhood, elementary, or middle grades will typically complete a multidisciplinary major, while students interested in teaching at the secondary level will complete a major and supporting minor in an appropriate subject area.
Program Admission
Eligibility for Admission:
- Enrolled at UT Permian Basin
- Completed 45 semester credit hours (includes transfer hours)
- GPA 2.5 overall or in the last 60 credit hours (includes transfer hours)
- Completed 12 credit hours in the intended content area, or 15 credit hours if the intended content area is math or science for grades 4-8 or 7-12.
- TSI requirements complete
- Evidence of English language proficiency
- Essay of 1-2 pages addressing why you want to be a teacher and the characteristics and experiences that make you a good candidate for the certification program.
- Degree plan and Certification plan filed with the Office of Educator Program Services.
Application Process
- Apply to the teacher certification program through our TK20 Portal.
- Obtain a signed degree plan from the appropriate academic advisor or faculty advisor.
- Obtain a signed certification from the College of Education Academic Advisor.
- Write the application essay of 1-2 pages: Why do you want to be a teacher, and what strengths and characteristics do you possess that make you a good candidate for the program?
- Submit the degree plan, certification plan, and essay to epp@utpb.edu.
Application Deadlines
Admission for FALL August 1st
Admission for SPRING December 18thth
Admission for SUMMER May 1st
Application Review and Notification
Applications will be reviewed for eligibility after the close of applications each term. Your admission decision will come to you in an email with further instructions and next steps. DO NOT IGNORE THIS EMAIL. To accept an offer of admission, you must send us a reply email with your confirmation. If we do not receive a reply within seven days, the offer of admission will be withdrawn.
A $35 fee, required by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), will be added to your student account once you are admitted to the program. The fee will be labeled as “TEA Cert Program Admission Fee.”
Notice Regarding Criminal Background Check
Please be Aware that: Pursuant to Texas Education Code, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching and prior to employment as an educator. Any negative legal history, as defined by State Board for Educator Certification, may jeopardize your ability to obtain a certificate and to teach or be employed as an educator. You may request a preliminary criminal history evaluation by the Texas Education Agency if you believe you may be ineligible for educator certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense. There is currently a $55 fee for this optional service.
Readmission Policy
Certification students who have been inactive for two or more successive long semesters must have their certification plan reevaluated, and may be required to apply for readmission to the program.More Information
Dismissal Policy
This policy is specific to the EPP’s programs for initial and advanced educator certification in Texas, and does not replace any broader university and graduate school retention/dismissal policies.
Dismissal Policy